US2224721A - Key chain - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 10, 1940. CHERNQW 2,224,721

KEY CHAIN Filed April 29, 1940 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to chains of the type used for personal wear and is particularly applicable to mens key chains.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a chain of the above character spelling out as links making up the chain, the full name of the user or other sequence of letters or characters desired, and which may be quickly made up to produce the complete product from a stock of links by a relatively unskilled sales person while the customer is waiting, in the form of a strong chain, well balanced and not subject to knotting or jumbling of the links during use.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the complete chain,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view on a larger scale of a fragment of the chain and taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of and from the rear side,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view on a greatly enlarged scale showing the assembly of elements making up the chain,

Fig. 5 is a detailed fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of one initial link element of the chain.

Referring now to the drawing the main link for the key chain disclosed is illustratively shown as spelling out the name John Brown. It is made up of a sequence of initial units one of which is shown apart in Fig. 6. Each of the initial units includes the initial proper 10 which has unitary therewith are eye II at the median portion of the top, and an eye [2 similarly located at the bottom. Eyes II and 12 as best shown in Fig. 2 extend symmetrically of the thickness of the respective initials and protrude symmetrically beyond the two faces of the initial, the axis of each eye lying in the mid-plane of the thickness of the initial, for symmetry and balance. One of the eyes ll, illustratively that at the upper part of the initial, is interlinked with a small jewelry ring l3. Eye [2 at the opposite end of the initial is normally open as a hook as best shown in Fig. 6.

Accordingly it will be readily seen that the sequence of initials as selected by the customer can be readily assembled together by the sales person, the open eye or hook l2 of each initial being passed through the ring l3 of the contiguous initial and the hook being thereupon readily the showing of Fig. 2,

closed as an eye with small pliers to complete the assembly.

Desirably the spacing between consecutive words or names as for instance between John and Brown, is effected by mounting a small 5 ring l5 identical with ring [3 upon hook l2 which is .closed as set forth to form an eye, and by connecting the two rings l3 and I5 by a double or 8 shaped connecting eye It, the eyes of which are closed over the respective rings 10 I3 and [5.

A conventional fastening ring I! is desirably connected to one end of the initial link by means of a small length of chain l8 which may be attached to the ring I3 of the uppermost initial by 15 means of a double or 8 shaped eye 20. By a similar connection 2| a longer length of chain 22 carrying the key ring 23 at its lower end is connected to the lower end of the initial link sequence desirably by eye 2|.

The eyes of the initial links according to the present invention are desirably formed as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The strap of which each hook or eye is made desirably tapers in width, being a maximum at the outer periphery 24 of 25 the eye and a minimum at the inner periphery 25, the lateral walls 26 being oblique. Moreover the sides of the straps making up the eyes converge as shown, so that the width of the eye tapers from its root 2'! where it is a maximum 30 for the outer part thereof at 28 when it is a minimum. Furthermore the eye has no sharp lateral edges but these edges are rounded off more especially at the inner periphery as at 29. The outer extremity of the strap making up the eye is also rounded oil as at 30.

By the arrangement set forth the respective eyes are effectively rounded in every plane and are devoid of sharp edges so that they act in effect as universal joints. Jumbling together or locking or catching of the initial links with respect to each other in use of the chain is effectively precluded. Regardless how roughly the chain be handled and twisted in actual use, it inherently straightens out when gently shaken once, due to the roundness of the connecting eyes and rings in all directions.

While in general the chain is built up 01' initials to form a name, it will be understood that any sequence of insignia, emblems or ornaments could be used, as the consecutive links, such as for instance, the signs of the zodiac. The term initial as used in the claims is intended to embrace within its scope such insignia, emblems and ornaments.

As many changes could be made in the above article and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As an article of personal wear, an initial chain assembly comprising a set of metal initials, each having eye extensions atthe upper and lower ends thereof, each eye on each initial link being integral therewith and constituting a unitary strap extension turned over as a loop, the sides of which converge from the root to the free end thereof and are rounded along the longitudinal edges thereof to preclude jumbling or interlocking of the links, a ring held by the eye extension at one end thereof, the ring of the succeeding initial link in the chain being retained by the corresponding eye of the preceding link.

2. As an article of personal wear, an initial chain assembly comprising a set of metal initials each having eye extensions at the upper and lower ends thereof, each eye on each initial link being integral therewith, and comprising a unitary strap extending in a cylindrical loop at right angles to the plane of the link, symmetrically of the thickness thereof, the strap of each loop having sides that converge from the root to the free end thereof, said strip tapering in width from the outside to the inside surface of the loop and being rounded along its longitudinal edges, a ring held by the eye extension at one end of said link, the ring of the succeeding initial link in the chain being retained by the corresponding eye of the preceding link.

3. As an article of manufacture an initial link unit for assembly into a chain, said unit comprising an initial link having unitary therewith a pair of eyes extending from opposite ends of 'the initial and symmetrical both with respect to the width and the thickness of the initial unit, each of said eyes constituting a strap tapering in Width from its root to the free end thereof, and also tapering in width from the outer periphery tothe inner periphery thereof and rounded at its edges, one of said eyes being closed and having a small ring interlinked therewith, the other of said eyes being open as a hook, readily closed to form an eye, for facility of interlinking therewith the small ring of a second initial unit.

MICHAEL CHERNOW.

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