GB2381556A

GB2381556A - Tool for turning keys

Info

Publication number: GB2381556A
Application number: GB0206821A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Neil Matthews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-30
Filing date: 2002-03-22
Publication date: 2003-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2022-03-22
Also published as: GB0125956D0; GB2381556B; GB0206821D0

Abstract

A tool (1;101) for turning keys comprising a tool body (3;103) having an elongate slot (4;104) adapted to removably receive the head of a key (2;102). The tool (1;101) has an aperture (6;106), by means of which a key ring (7;107) is attached to the tool. The aperture may have a constriction to prevent the key ring sliding along its length, therefore preventing the key becoming accidentally engaged in the slot in someone's pocket. A second slot (5;105) is provided, crossing the elongate slot (4;104) and perpendicular to it, to accommodate the part of the key ring (7;107) nearest to the key (2;102). In addition to its use to turn a key (2;102), the elongate slot (4;104) may also be used to engage with the ring pull on a can, and the tool body used to lever the ring pull, opening the can.

Description

TOOL FOR TURNING KEYS The present invention relates to a tool for turning keys.

Numerous people find it difficult to turn a key in a lock. This can be because a person suffers from a lack of dexterity, e. g. because of arthritis, or because the lock itself is stiff, e. g. due to warping of the door or frame.

Most keys have a key shank which is inserted into the lock and a key head in the form of a plate which can be gripped by the fingers. The key head is not normally particularly wide which makes it difficult for some people to grip and it does not provide much mechanical advantage in turning the key shank.

It is known to provide a key turner which is somewhat similar to a pen knife in that, instead of a blade, a key is hinged to rotate in and out of a slot in turner body, with the turner body acting as a handle to rotate the key when it is hinged out of the body. Such key turners often support two keys and are somewhat large and unsightly and are only designed for certain shapes of keys. Also, they can only be used with the keys to which they are hinged, and do not allow keys rings to be fitted to the keys to support other items.

The invention seeks to provide a tool to enable keys to be turned more easily.

People with arthritis or with a lack of dexterity in addition are likely to face a problem with operating the ring pulls on cans. Also, people who are concerned with damaging their fingernails or fake nail attachments may have difficulty with operating ring pulls.

Damage, scratches or chipping is deemed as painful, problematic and costly. This is particularly true if nail attachments need to be replaced. In the cold it can be difficult for people to operate ring pulls without taking off their gloves, e. g. during winter sports.

This is inconvenient.

Most modem ring pulls, that remain attached to the container after activation, have a flat body that is riveted to the container. The ring pull acts as a lever with the rivet acting as the fulcrum. The flat body is not normally particularly long or wide which makes it difficult for some people to apply the necessary effort. It does not provide a suitable mechanical advantage ratio between load needed to open the container and the effort input.

It is known to provide a ring pull for cans which is a steel loop that has a rod extension with a hooked end. The loop handle is large enough for all four fingers to fit through so that the hooked end extension can be located under the ring pull and levered up. Such ring pull for cans require good coordination to locate properly on the can and are somewhat large and unsightly and are unlikely to be carried"on person". Also, they only aid part of the normal process as the device is unable to push back the opened ring pull into, for example, the drinking position. This has to be done manually.

The tool of the invention may further be adapted for opening cans by levering ring pulls.

The present invention provides a tool for turning keys comprising a tool body having an elongate slot adapted to removably receive the head of a key. In one embodiment the tool body has an aperture at one end carrying a key ring. The tool body may also have a second slot substantially normal to and crossing said elongate slot whereby a first point on the key ring can rotate about said aperture such that a second opposing point on the key ring can engage into said second slot with a key head carried on said opposing point also engaging said elongate slot. The second slot is spaced from the aperture by a distance equal to two opposing points on the key ring and can be straight or curved.

The aperture for the key ring may be an elongate aperture. The aperture may be located near the edge of the body, so that the key ring can easily be threaded on.

The tool may be lightweight, and approximately the same length as a deadlock key. The tool body may be a unitary construction. The tool body may also be adapted for use as a lever, to aid the opening of ring pulls on cans.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention, showing a key attached to a key ring with a tool thereon prior to use of the tool; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the tool of the first embodiment of the invention in use with a key; Figure 3 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows an edge view of the second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a comparison between a block shaped key fob and a tapered key fob; Figure 7 shows a tool according to the second embodiment of the invention when in use with a ring pull; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention, having a curved upper surface; Figure 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention, having a plurality of keys attached by chains; and Figure 10 shows a bottom view of the fourth embodiment of the invention, with a rotatable turntable to which the keys are attached.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the tool body has elongate rectangular faces spaced by two longer and two shorter side walls, said elongate slot being provided in one longer side wall adjacent one comer of the tool body. The elongate slot may also extend through one shorter side wall adjacent the longer side wall. The elongate slot may include one or more inner steps to accommodate the thicker shaft found on a standard deadlock key.

Referring to figure 1 there is shown a tool 1 for turning a key 2. Tool 1 comprises a tool body 3 having an elongate slot 4 adapted to receive the head 2A of the key.

Tool body 3 is formed as a unitary construction moulded from plastics. Tool body 3 has elongate rectangular faces 3A. 3B spaced by two longer and two shorter side walls 3C, 3D and 3E, 3F respectively. The elongate slot 4 is provided in longer side wall 3C adjacent one comer of the tool body and also extends through shorter side wall 3E adjacent the longer side wall.

Tool body 3 has a second slot 5 normal to and crossing the elongate slot 4. Slot 5 extends inwards from longer side wall 3C.

Tool body 3 also has an elongate aperture 6 at one end carrying a key ring 7. The second slot 5 is spaced from the elongate aperture by a distance X which is equal to the distance of two opposing first and second points A, B on the key ring or, because the key ring shown is circular, the diameter of the key ring.

The wall thickness of the body 3 between the end of elongate aperture 6 and side wall 3F is narrow to allow the key ring to be easily threaded into the aperture.

As shown in figure 2, when it is desired to turn the key 2, first point B on the key ring 7 can rotate in the aperture 6 such that the second point A on the key ring 7 can engage into the second slot 5 with a key head 2A carried on the second point A also engaging the elongate slot 4.

Key 2 can then be turned using tool 1 as a lever to rotate the key 2 when the key shank 2B is inserted into lock 8.

In use of the invention shown in the drawings, it may be preferred to first insert the key 2 in the lock with the tool 1 dangling below the key 2 on the key ring 7 as shown in figure 1. The tool 1 is then raised and rotated manually so that the key head 2A enters the elongate slot 4 as shown in figure 2.

The elongate slot 4 may include one or more inner steps 9A, 9B to accommodate different widths of key shanks, e. g. to accommodate latch type keys as shown or mortice lock keys with a wider shank. Chubb type keys with smaller shanks will be prevented from sliding in too far.

It will be appreciated that the elongate aperture 6 allows the body 3 to have sufficient length to give a good mechanical advantage whilst rotating the key 2, yet it also allows the provision of a narrow section between the elongate aperture 6 and side wall 3F to thread a key ring easily through the slot.

It will be appreciated that a number of keys could be held on the key ring 7, and each separately can be located in slot 4 when it is desired to turn one in a lock.

The invention may take a form other than that specifically described. For example the key ring 7 could be other than circular. Indeed the tool 1 need not be adapted to take a key ring 7 but could be used on its own to rotate a key 1. Alternatively, the key ring 7 could be replaced by a loop or a chain or a cord. There could be a separate chain or cord for each key, or the chain or cord could be attached to a key ring containing one or more keys.

The tool body could be other than rectangular in shape. The body could be plastic or metal. It could be graphite impregnated plastic e. g. a graphite composite impregnated with fibreglass for extra strength. Preferably, the key ring is made by injection moulding.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Figures 3,4 and 5 show a side view, an edge view and a top view respectively of a second embodiment of the invention. The faces 103A and 103B are tapered such that the tool narrows towards the end with the aperture 106, to allow keys 102 to lie next to the tool 101 without being pushed out. This also has the advantage of taking up less room on the key fob. The faces may be patterned to aid grip.

Figure 6 shows a comparison between a rectangular key fob 1, which pushes the keys outwards in an awkward and inconvenient way, and a tapered key fob 101, e. g. as shown in the second embodiment of the invention. It is the comer 30,130 which pushes out the key 2,102 and this effect is greatly reduced in the embodiment with the tapered faces.

In the second embodiment of the invention, a few other advantageous features are also shown. The steps 109A, 109B inside the elongate slot 104 are chamfered instead being at right angles to the inner faces of the elongate slot 104. When the tool is used to open a ring pull on a can, this allows the ring pull to slide over the step without getting stuck in the comer. The edges of the elongate slot 104 are tapered, to make it easier to slide the tool underneath a ring pull, in order to locate the ring pool in the elongate slot 104.

Figure 7 shows a tool according to the second embodiment of the invention, when in use to operate a ring pull 124 of a can 120 on a top 121 of the can 120. The ring pull 124 is received in the elongate slot 104 of the tool body 103.

When it is desired to lever the ring pull 124, first contact to the underside of ring pull 124 is made with either tapered comer 103G or 103H, or with a tapered edge of the elongate slot 104. The ring pull 124 may be received in the elongate slot 104 via the end face 103E or the side face 103C of the tool. However. receiving it via the end face 103E will allow a higher degree of leverage, due to the greater length of the tool normal to the end face 103E. The ring pull 124 can then be levered upwards using the tool as an extension of the ring pull 124. When the tab 123 of the ring pull 124 is opened to

provide a sufficient opening 122 the tool can be used to move the ring pull 124 to its original position.

The second slot 105 is curved to follow the path subtended by the key ring 107 as it is rotated around the aperture 106. This ensures that the key ring 107 will not become too tight as it is pushed further into the second slot. It is also be possible to alter the curvature of the second slot 105 so that the key ring 101 has a tight fit against the second slot 105 as it is initially inserted, but a looser fit once it is inside the second slot 105.

A potential problem with the key turning tool is that a key 102 may become accidentally engaged in the elongate slot 104 inside the pocket of the user. It may then stab into the user's body. To prevent the key ring 107 sliding into the elongate slot 104 and the key 102 becoming accidentally engaged in the elongate slot 104 in someone's pocket, the aperture 106 has a constriction 106B which prevents the key ring 107 from being moved from one end of the aperture 106A to the other end 106C without a small force being applied. This is illustrated in figure 3 and in figure 7. This helps to keep the key ring 107 in the part 106A of the aperture 106 furthest from the second slot 105 when the tool is in someone's pocket. The force could easily be applied when a key 102 is in the lock, by turning the tool body 103 so that the aperture 106 is at the bottom, then pushing downwards on the tool body 103 against the key ring 107.

A further solution to this problem in another embodiment of the present invention is to have a key ring or loop which requires flexing to reach the slot. The key ring 107 could be made of a metal which when slightly stretched, attempts to revert back to its original shape. It would then be possible to have the diameter of the key ring slightly smaller than the distance X between the second slot 105 and the part of the aperture 106C nearest to the second slot 105. When the device is used with a lock, a weak downward force on the tool could be enough to warp the key ring, increasing its internal diameter to distance x, and allowing it to fit into the second slot 105. As this would be very unlikely to happen accidentally in someone's pocket, the problem of the key unintentionally becoming engaged in the slot would be avoided. Similarly, it would also

be possible to have the diameter of the key ring slightly larger than the distance X, such that the key ring had to be compressed slightly in order to fit into the slot.

Figure 8 shows a tool having an elongate aperture 204 and a curved upper face 203E, to allow a key ring to pivot over the top of the upper face 203E. The curved face 203E is at an opposed end of the tool body 203 to an aperture 206 for receiving a key ring.

There is no need for a second slot in this embodiment.

Figure 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention. The aperture and key ring are replaced by a turntable 310 and a cord or chain 311 for each key 302. The turntable 310 is rotatable on the tool body 303 to allow the relevant key 302 to be positioned nearest to the elongate slot 304. The second slot 305 allows the cord or chain to be accommodated in the tool body on either side of the key. Along the side 303C there is provided a recess 500 along which the chain 311 will lie when the key 302 is engaged in the slot 304. Figure 10 shows a bottom view of the fourth embodiment, in which the turntable 310 can clearly be seen.

The key fob of any of the previously described embodiments may be provided with a line of weakness across its body, so that if an excessive force is applied, the key fob will break along this line of weakness before the key itself becomes damaged. This is indicated by line 400 in the embodiment of figure 9. This avoids over-stressing the key.

A good place to locate the fault line is at the base of the slot 304, the fault line could be arranged inside the slot 304 so as not to affect the aesthetic qualities of the device.

The invention may take a form other than that specifically described. For example, the elongate slot could transverse the two shorter side walls 3C, 3D. The tool body could also be other than rectangular in shape.

It will be appreciated that several version of ring pulls exist. This invention is most efficient for ring pulls that are permanently attached to the container and not involved in removing part of the container.

In one embodiment of the present invention the internal comers of the slot 4 and 304 can be rounded for improved strength.

Although the present invention is suited for use with keys to which the device is feasibly attached, the device can of course be used with separate unattached keys.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A tool for turning keys comprising a tool body having an elongate slot adapted to removably receive the head of a key.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1" further comprising an arrangement to allow flexible coupling of said tool body and said key to allow said key to be placed in and removed from said elongate slot.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 2, including a second slot in said tool body adjoining said elongate slot for receiving part of said arrangement carried by key when said key is inserted in said elongate slot.

4. A tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second slot is perpendicular to said elongate slot.

5. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said elongate slot is located at a first end of the tool body.

6. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said tool body has a first face, and a second face adjoining the first face, and said elongate slot is located in both the first and second faces of the tool body.

7. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said arrangement to allow flexible coupling comprises an aperture in said tool body.

8. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 2,3, 4 or 7, wherein said arrangement to allow flexible coupling comprises one of the group consisting of : a cord; a chain; a loop, a key ring and a clip.

9. A tool as claimed in claim 7, wherein said arrangement to allow flexible coupling includes a loop, wherein said loop is attached to the tool body via said aperture and said loop is also attachable to the key.

10. A tool as claimed in claim 9, wherein the distance between the second slot and the aperture matches the distance between opposing points on the loop, such that the loop can be rotated about a point on the loop inside the aperture to engage the opposing point on the loop into said second slot whilst engaging a key head carried on said opposing point into said elongate slot.

11. A tool as claimed in claim 9, wherein the distance between the second slot and the aperture is slightly greater than or slightly less than the distance between opposing points on the loop, and the loop is elastically deformable to the extent that it can be engaged in the second slot when deformed.

12. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 9,10 or 11, wherein said loop comprises a key ring.

13. A tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tool body is elongate and has a tapered shape, being thinnest at an end nearest to the aperture.

14. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said aperture is elongate.

15. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said aperture is keyhole shaped.

16. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein said aperture is located at an edge of said tool body.

17. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein said aperture has a first end, a second end, and a constriction between the two ends, said constriction narrowing the aperture between the two ends.

18. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 17, wherein said arrangement to allow flexible coupling is adapted for flexibly coupling said tool body and a plurality of keys.

19. A tool as claimed in claim 18 comprising a plurality of cords or chains for attaching a plurality of keys to the tool body.

20. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 19, wherein said elongate slot is deeper than said second slot.

21. A tool as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 20, wherein the second slot is curved.

22. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said elongate slot is of a size and shape suitable for accommodating the pull tab of a ring pull.

23. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said elongate slot has a step inside which divides said elongate slot into a wide part and a deeper narrow part.

24. A tool as claimed in claim 23 wherein said step is chamfered towards the narrow part of the slot.

25. A tool, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a region of the face of the tool body surrounding the elongate slot slopes inwards towards the elongate slot.

26. A tool as claimed in any one of claims I to 6, comprising a turntable affixed to said tool body, said turntable having a plurality of means for attaching keys, such that said turntable may be rotated in order to bring one of said means for attaching keys closer to said elongate slot.

27. A tool as claimed in any one of the previous claims, wherein said tool body has a line of weakness such that the tool will break if it is used to apply an excessive force to a key.