US20040079126A1

US20040079126A1 - Spinner key ring with locking interchangeable parts

Info

Publication number: US20040079126A1
Application number: US10/425,277
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard Ullman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-06
Filing date: 2003-04-29
Publication date: 2004-04-29

Abstract

A spinner key ring with locking interchangeable parts is provided. The locking system consists of a set pin and a locking screw or pin that locks the center piece to the outer ring. The spinner key ring has an outer metal ring with a loop called the earpiece at the top, which connects to a chain and then to a split ring to hold keys. The earpiece itself is drilled through the middle to allow the screw to go through the outer ring and into the centerpiece. The length of the screw is 5 millimeters. On the opposite side of the outer ring from the earpiece is a 3-millimeter fixed pin, which the center piece seats onto. Once the centerpiece is seated, the screw is inserted through the earpiece. Using this system the centerpiece is locked into place and is also interchangeable. The system can be used with any shaped outer ring.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application should be cross-referenced with application Ser. No. 60/377,753 which was filed May 6, 2002 and is titled spinner key ring with locking interchangeable parts.[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a lockable assembly system for spinner key rings which, are metal key rings that have an outer metal ring and then in the center is a spinning piece.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Spinner key rings have typically been assembled using watchband spring assemblies, which tend to pop apart causing the centerpiece to fall out. There is a need to create a spinner key ring that won't fall apart. There is a need for a stronger assembly than the current watchband pin, which is weak and breaks with little pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fixed, strong, and lockable device for securing an inner spinning piece to the outer ring of a spinner key ring. In particular, the present invention provides a novel system for securing these two metal objects together.

The novel securing system of a raised pin on one side and a screw on the other results in a key ring that spins freely and won't fall apart. By putting a fixed pin on one side, then inserting the center piece, and then from the top a screw goes through the earpiece into the center piece, resulting in a secure spinning key ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the locking screw system. [0006]
FIG. 2 is a graphic of what a spinner key ring looks like with the centerpiece in place.[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now in specific detail to the drawings of FIG. 1 at the bottom of the [0008] outer ring 10 is a 3 mm-fixed pin 12. At the top is an earpiece 14 and a whole 16 has been drilled through the top of the solid earpiece 14 and another whole 18 is drilled through the outer ring 10. A centerpiece 22 is then inserted and seated onto the fixed pin 12 and then screwed down from the top, securing the assembly. In certain occasions spacers may be added between the pin 12 and the outer ring and/or the screw and the outer ring 10 to better space the centerpiece.
FIG. 2 is a drawing of a spinner key ring with a heavy metal cube as the center. The fixed pin is located at the bottom and the screw would come through the center [0009] circular earpiece 22 at the top securing the heavy metal cube in the center. A spacer is sometimes located between the center piece and the pin and/or screw to center the middle piece resulting in it spinning freely.
While the invention has been particularly shown in a round and rectangular format it will be understood that both the outer and inner piece can be any shape or size. [0010]
While the invention has been particularly shown with the pin at the bottom and the screw at the top it will be understood that the pin and screw could be in any area of the outer ring. [0011]
While the invention has been particularly shown with one outer ring and one centerpiece it will be understood that there could be multiple spinning pieces in the center by using a longer pin and screw. [0012]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly system for spinner key rings with lockable interchanging parts:

a screw inserted through the ear piece of an outer metal ring into the centerpiece, with a fixed stem connected to the outer ring on the opposite side, creates a lockable assembly that is also interchangeable by unscrewing the screw from the ear piece and raising the centerpiece to remove off the fixed pin below, then a new center can be inserted and locked.

2. An assembly system for spinner key rings with lockable interchanging parts according to claim 1 results in an unbreakable key ring.

3. An assembly system for spinner key rings with lockable interchanging parts according to claim 1 results in a key ring that can change by removing the centerpiece.