US3016940A - Key case construction - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 16, 1962 J. M. MULLIN 3,016,940

KEY CASE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 28, 1959 l 1 mm)?!" INVENTOR. John M M wllzln FMZ MWJ MM ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 16, 1952 Filed Aug. 2a, 1959, Set. No. 835,651 r tel. res-ea My invention relates to improvements in key case construction and more specifically to a preferably unitary molded keycase formed of rubber-like resilient material. Still further, my invention relates to a key case construction of the foregoing type having a specifically improved contour providing distinct advantages and improved performance over key cases of this type heretofore known.

Many prior constructions of one-piece key cases and money purses have been provided formed from molded rubber-like material, such as rubber or one of the many plastics, all of which are relatively resilient. Furthermore, certain of these key cases and money purses have been constructed with openings which remain normally closed but may be opened by applying pressure to certain portions thereof, whereas others have used various forms of metal or plastic fastening means. None of these prior constructions, however, have been completely satisfactory.

Those prior constructions of key cases and money purses formed principally of rubber-like materials and having various forms of metal fasteners have been relatively expensive, in view of the cost of first providing the basic rubber-like container and then applying the metal fastening means thereto. Furthermore, it is difficult to cheaply provide metal fastening means attached to the rubber-like material which will not very shortly, under relatively heavy abuse, tear loose from the rubber-like material, thereby destroying the entire usetulness of the construction.

It is, therefore, desirable both from the cost and durability standpoint to provide such key cases and money purses formed as unitary moldings of the rubber-like material free from any metal fastening means. With such a construction, however, it becomes a problem to form the necessary opening therein so that it may not only be conveniently opened when desired, but will remain relatively tightly closed at other times.

Also, certain of the prior constructions of unitary molded key cases formed from the rubber-like material have presented difficulty in conveniently ejecting the keys therefrom. This difficulty has been the result of improper contour and forming of the key case in the area of the opening thereof, which prevents the opening in certain critical locations from being opened sufficiently to provide the convenient passage of keys therethrough.

It is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide a key case construction preferably formed of unitary molded rubber-like material having opening means thereon which is opened by merely applying pressure at certain portions of the key case.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a key case construction of the foregoing type which solves the problems of the prior constructions discussed above, and specifically is formed in a manner such that the opening thereof may be easily and conveniently opened sufficient to permit the easy passage of keys therethrough, yet this opening will be retained tightly closed in the normal position of the construction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a key case construction of the foregoing type which has a unique and smoothly formed contour, but which contour is of definite utilitarian value and not only provides for convenient use of the construction but also provides a maximum economy in the formation thereof.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a key case construction of the foregoing type in which the opening thereof may be easily and conveniently opened for access to and removal of the keys from the confines of the case, but yet certain edge portions of the case forming the opening which are high-stress areas are formed with the combination of a maximum of resiliency and a maximum of strength.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a key case construction of the foregoing type which satisfies all of the above objects in a unique manner and may be provided at a minimum of cost to the ultimate consumer.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and subconbinations comprising the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the following general statement, preferred embodiments of which-illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles-are set forth in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the key case construction comprising the present invention may be stated as including preferably unitary one-piece or integral side, forward edge, rearward edge, lower edge, and upper edge portions formed from a rubber-like resilient material. The side portions extend generally vertically and longitudinally, and are generally parallel over the major portions thereof, with the forward, rearward, lower and upper edge portions extending generally iaterally therebetween. Furthermore, the maximum depth or vertical height of the side portions is preferably considerably larger than the lateral extent of the edge portions, preferably somewhere in the ratio of 1 /2 to 1% inches as compared to /2 to inch.

The forward, rearward and lower edge portions are preferably formed integral with the spaced side portions and are preferably smoothly arcuately joined thereto. Also, the laterally spaced side portions are preferably formed with a greater depth in the vicinity of the forward edge portion and having lesser depth in the vicinity of the lower edge portion, so that the lower edge portion tapers upwardly from the forward edge portion to the rearward edge portion.

The upper edge portion is also preferably integrally formed with the side portions and is provided with a preferably laterally-central and longitudinally extending opening which may extend substantially the entire length of this upper edge portion. Furthermore, this upper edge portion may taper upwardly and laterally inwardly from the side portions to the longitudinally extending opening over the major portion of the longitudinal length of the opening. Still further, the upper edge portion may extend generally horizontally over the major portion of its longitudinal length and may include a permanently open large opening portion at the forward end thereof, a normally closed and preferably headed straight or serrated line opening portion extending the major portion of the longitudinal length thereof, with this normally closed line opening portion terminating at the rearward end preferably in a permanently open and preferably beaded small opening portion.

Finally, the key case construction may include means for holding keys at the forward end thereof operably connected to one of the side and edge portions.

By way of example, embodiments of the key case construction of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several veiws, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the key case construction of the present invention;

aoresao 2, a side elevation of the key case construction of 3, an end elevation of the key case construction of looking at the right-hand side as viewed in FIG. 2; 4, a end elevation of the key case construction of ooking at the left-hand side as viewed in 2,

FIG. 5, a bottom plan view of the key case construction of FIG. 1;

PEG. 6, a vertical section, part in elevation, of the key case construction of FIGS. 1 through 5, and with keys operably positioned therein;

FIG. 7, a sectional view, part in elevation, looking the direction of the arrows 77 in H6. 1;

FIG. 8, a sectional view, part in elevation, looking the direction of the arrows d-E in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9, a perspective view showing the key case construction of H63. 1 through 8 in an operably open position; and

PEG. 10, a top plan view of a second embodiment of the key case construction of the present invention.

Although the construction of the present invention is termed in the specification and Claims as a ltey case construction, it is not intended thereby to limit the principles of the present invention. it should be under stood that certain forms of the construction of the present invention may be used for other purposes, such as money purses, and are contemplated within the principles of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the key case construction of the present invention is preferably formed as a unitary molding and from a resilient rubber-like material such as rubber or usual plastics. Furthermore, in its preferred form, the key case construction preferably has a longitudinal length in the order of 3 /4 to 3V2 inches, a maximum vertical depth in the order of 1%. to l% inches and a lateral width in the order of to inch, all of which dimensions may be varied without departing from the principles of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the key case construction includes the preferably parallel, laterally spaced, and preferably vertically and longitudinally extending side portions ll). The side portions 18 are preferably inte rally laterally joined by the forward edge portion H, the lower edge portion 12 and the rearward edge portion 13, all of which are preferably smoothly arcuately joined to the side portions 10 and extend laterally therebetween. Thus, a pocket 14 is formed in the key case construction by the side, forward edge, lower edge and rearward edge portions 10, ll, 12 and 13, with the lateral extent of the edge portions 11, 12 and 13 being relatively small as compared to the vertical and longitudinal extent of the side portions it), so that pocket ltd has a depth and length considerably greater than its lateral width.

Pocket 14 is maintained normally substantially closed by the preferably generally horizontally extending upper edge portion 15, which upper edge portion is split or separable preferably centrally and preferably substantially its entire longitudinal length by the longitudinally extending opening 16. Opening 16 preferably terminates at its forward end in the large opening portion 17 and at its rearward end in the small opening portion 13, with opening portions 17 and 18 being joined by the line opening portion 19 which extends the major portion of the longitudinal length of the upper edge portion 15, as shown.

Taking the foregoing preferred dimensions of the key case construction, the small opening portion 18 is preferably in the order of A; to inch in both longitudinal and lateral dimensions, being generally circular. The large opening portion 17 is preferably in the order of ./2 to We inch in longitudinal length and in the order of to /2 inch in lateral width. Thus, the large opening portion 17 is considerably larger than the small opening portion 18.

The upper edge portion 15, immediately adjacent both the small opening portion 18 and line opemng portion 19, is formed thickened or headed to thereby form the normally abutting beaded portions 2%, defining the entire line opening portion 19, and the spaced generally circular beaded portion Ell, defining the small opening portion 13. Thus, beaded portions it add to the laterally inward resilient urging of the upper edge portion 15 for normally maintaining the line opening portion 319 closed, as shown particularly in FIG. 1, and the beaded portion 21 adds not only resiliency to the upper edge portion 15 to likewise aid in maintaining the line opening portion 19 in its closed position, but also adds strength to this upper edge portion in the high-stress area surrounding the small opening portion 18.

The large opening portion 17 preferably begins at the upper extremity of the forward edge portion ll and ex tends longitudinally toward the rearward edge portion l3 to the line opening portion 1%, as shown, with this large opening portion preferably having a lateral width substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion 15 and having a longitudinal length slightly greater than its lateral width, as hereinbefore set forth. Furthermore, the edge portions of the large opening portion 17 at the forward and side edges are preferably nearly of the same uniform thickness and form the upper terminus points of the side and forward edge portions lit and El, with these edge portions defining the large opening portion being beaded only at the extreme rearward end 22 as they blend into the beaded portions 26 which define the line opening portion 19. This thereby provides a maximum of resiliency to the material surrounding and forming the large opening portion 17 which is important to provide the maximum results from the present construction.

The line opening portion 19 in the first embodiment construction of FlGS. 1 through 9 is provided with sub stantially straight longitudinally extending sides formed on the beaded portions 25 Thus, viewing this first embodiment construction in top plan, as shown in FIG. 1, the line opening portion 19 appears as a substantially straight line.

Thus, the pocket 14 formed by the side, forward edge, lower edge and rearward edge portions ill, Ill, 12 and 13 is normally retained substantially closed at the line opening portion 19 of the opening re in the upper edge portion 15, with this line opening portion 19 forming the major portion of the longitudinal length of the opening 16. This opening 16 is, however, preferably provided with the above described permanently open large opening portion 17 and small opening portion l3 preferably forming the longitudinal extremities of the upper edge portion 15.

As shown in the drawings, it is preferred to form the upper edge portion 15 joined integrally arcuately with the side portions lb and rearward edge portion 13 and tapering vertically upwardly and laterally inwardly to the beaded portions 2i defining the line opening portion IQ, and the beaded portion 21, defining the small opening portion 155, thereby providing the oppositely laterally tapered portions 23 on the upper edge portion 15. Further, these laterally tapered portions 23 blend forwardly smoothly arcuately into the edges of the large opening portion 17 at the rearward end 22 thereof.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 and 6. the side portions 10 preferably have a greater depth in the vicinity of the large opening portion l7 and the beginning part of the line opening portion lli immediately longitudinally adjacent this large opening portion than at the rearward end of the line opening portion 19 and at the small opening portion 1%, so that the pocket 14 has a greater depth at the first approximately /3 part of its longitudinal length and a decreasingly lesser vertical depth at the latter /3' of its longitudinal extent. Thus, the forward edge portion it has a greater vertical length than the rearward edge portion 13 with both blending smoothly and preferably arcuately into the lower edge portion 12, which lower n.2- edge portion tapers upwardly from the forward edge portion 11 to the rearward edge portion 13.

The ratio of the depth of the pocket 14 underlying the rearward part of the large opening portion 17 and the beginning of the line Opening portion 19 as compared to the depth generally underlying the small opening portion 18 is preferably in the order of 1 /24 4 to l-lMi. This may be compared to the previously stated preferred dimensions providing a ratio of longitudinal length to maximum vertical depth to lateral width in the order of 3%- 3 /2 to 1 /2-l% to /8%.

Finally, a relatively small circular opening 24 may be formed through the forward edge portion 11 spaced downwardly from the upper extremity thereof for receiving a usual key chain 25 therethrough. Although opening 24 is preferably formed through the forward edge portion ill for the best positioning of the key chain 25, it is obvious that this opening could be formed through either of the side portions 19 and possibly the upper edge portion 15 While still positioning the key chain in the vicinity of the large opening portion 17 in the upper edge portion 15 which is the important feature, as will be hereinafter discussed.

Key chain 25 extends through the opening 24 in the forward edge portion 11 and continuously through the large opening portion 17 in the upper edge portion 15. Further, a series of keys 26 may be secured to the key chain 25 for positioning within the pocket 14, as shown particularly in FIG. 6.

As is the usual case, the keys 26 have their larger portions 2'7 in the area of the fastening of these keys to the key chain 25 and the smaller portions 25% directed away from the key chain 25. Thus, when the keys 26 fastened to the key chain 25 are positioned in the pocket 14 of the key case construction, the larger portions 27 of these keys will lie in the portion of the pocket having the greatest depth, and the smaller portions 28 of these keys will lie in the portions of the pocket having the lesser depth.

Furthermore and very important, the larger portions 27 of these keys 26 will most closely underlie the large opening portion 17 in the upper edge portion 15. Also the smaller portions 28 of these keys 26 will underlie the part of the line opening portion 19 of the upper edge portion 15 nearest the small opening portion 18.

As shown in PEG. 1, the keys 26 will normally be retained within the pocket 14 by the fact that the line opening portion 19 in the upper edge portion 15 is maintained resiliently closed, and this resilient urging toward closed position of the line opening portion 19 is strengthened in the preferred form by the beaded portions 2t defining the line opening portion 19, as ell as additionally by the headed portion 21 defining the small opening portion it For removal of any one or all of the keys as, it is only necessary to apply longitudinal forces against the upper extremity of the forward edge portion ill longitudinally rearwardly and the upper extremity of the rearward edge portion 13 longitudinally forwardly, which causes the line opening portion 19 in the upper edge portion 15 to open laterally outwardly, as is shown in H6. 9. In view of the large opening portion 17 in the upper edge portion 15, a greater opening will be provided at the forward end of this upper edge portion than at the rearward end thereof, and this is important to permit passage therethrough of the large portions 27 of keys 26. Without the large opening portion 17, there is the danger of the larger portions 27 of keys 26 binding within the pocket 14.50 that the keys may not be easily pivotally removed therefrom.

Furthermore, due to the small opening portions 18 at the rearward end of the upper edge portion :5 and at the rearward extremity of the line opening portion 19, there is a complete opening of the entire opening portion 19 even at its rearward extremity. This again is important to prevent binding of the smaller portions 28 of keys 26 ii as they pass pivotally through the opening formed by the line opening portion 19.

Thus, although an operable construction is provided with merely the line opening portion 19 in the upper edge portion 15, the opening of this line opening portion and the prevention of binding of keys within the pocket 14 is greatly enhanced by the provision of the large opening portion 17 and the small opening portion 18. Furthermore, even though a maximum opening of the line opening portion 19 is provided, this line opening portion is normally maintained tightly resiliently closed by the beaded portions 2ft defining the line opening portion 19, as well as the beaded portion 21 defining the small opening portion 18. Also, this beaded portion 21 defining the small opening portion 18 in the upper edge portion 15 adds strength to the rubber-like resilient material forming the small opening portion 18 in an area of high-stress concentration under flexing for opening the line opening portion 19.

Additionally, the laterally tapered portions 23 on the upper edge portion 15 adjacent the line opening portion 19 and small opening portion 18 also aid in permitting a maximum opening of the line opening portion 19 as well as increase the resilient closing force of this line opening portion. These laterally tapered portions 23 add somewhat to the longitudinal stiffness of the upper edge portion 15 and, therefore, cause the rubber-like resilient material forming the large, small and line opening portions or parts 17, 18 and 19 to flex a greater extent upon application of the foregoing described longitudinal forces against the forward and rearward edge portions 11 and 13. These laterally tapered portions 23 also add to the aesthetic appeal of the overall key case configuration.

Finally, the particular formation of the pocket 14 tapering from a greater depth forwardly to a lesser depth rearwardly positions the keys 2s properly in the vicinity underlying the large opening portion 17 in the upper edge portion 15, so that these keys can be easily and freely removed from pocket 14, as described, as well as providing the necessary space within the pocket 14 to fully receive the particular larger and smaller portions 27 and 28 of keys 26. This particular configuration likewise conserves on material by eliminating material where it is not needed and only providing it in the particular location where it is needed, that is, in the area where the larger portions 27 of keys 26 must be received. Still further, this particular configuration again adds to the aesthetic appeal of the overall key case construction.

In the second embodiment construction of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10, the key case construction is similar to the first embodiment with the exception that the beaded portions 20 defining the line opening portion 19 are provided with the saw-toothed or serrated edges 129. These serrated edges 129 are formed interengaging, that is, so that the serrated edge on one beaded portion Till inter-engages with the serrated edge on the other beaded portion 129, as shown.

Thus, this second embodiment construction provides all of th advantages of the first embodiment construction, as discussed above, with the additional advantage that if the beaded portions 129 defining the line opening portion 119 should take a slight permanent set so that these beaded portions are not tightly abutting, the serrated edges 129 thereof will still maintain the line opening portion substantially closed and prevent anything from passing flatwise through this line opening portion. In the first embodiment construction, therefore, the line opening portion 19 provides a straight line opening, Whereas in the second embodiment, the line opening 119 provides a serrated or saw-toothed opening, with these serrations or saw-teeth more securely retaining keys or the like within the confines of the construction.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom, be-

cause such words are used for descriptive purposes herein, and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiments of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of the construction shown.

Having now described the invention, the construction, operation and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Key case construction including laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side portions, forward edge and bottom edge and rearward dge portions joining the side portions forming an upwardly opening pocket, an upper edge portion connected to certain of said side and edge portions having a longitudinal opening formed therein extending the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the opening terminating forwardly in a permanently open large opening part, said large opening part extending substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion and having a longitudinal length at least as great as said lateral width, the opening having a normally resiliently closed line opening part extending from the large opening part longitudinally the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, all of said portions being formed of a rubber-like resilient material, and key fastening means operably connected to one of said portions adjacent said large opening part for securing keys movable between positions completely inward of said pocket and through said upper edge portion opening to completely outward of said pocket.

2. Key case construction including laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side portions, forward edge and bottom edge and rearward edge portions joining the side portions forming an upwardly opening pocket, an upper edge portion connected to certain of said side and edge portions having a longitudinal opening formed therein extending the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the opening terminating forwardly in a permanently open large opening part, said large opening part extending substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion and having a longitudinal length at least as great as said lateral width, the opening having a normally resiliently closed line opening part extending from the large opening part longitudinally the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion and terminating longitudinally rearwardly in a permanently open small opening part, all of said portions being formed of a rubber-like resilient material, and key fastening means operably connected to one of said portions adjacent said large opening part for securing keys movable between positions completely inward of said pocket and through said upper edge portion opening to completely outward of said pocket.

3. Key case construction including laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side portions, forward edge and bottom edge and rearward edge portions joining the side portions forming an upwardly opening pocket, an upper edge portion connected to certain of said side and edge portions having a longitudinal opening formed therein extending the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the opening terminating forwardly in a permanently open large opening part, said large opening part extending substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion and having a longitudinal length at least as great as said lateral width, the opening having a normally resiliently closed line opening part extending from the large opening part longitudmally the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion and terminating longitudirearwardly it; a permanently open small opening part, the upper edge portion being beaded adjacent the line opening part and the small opening part, all of said portions being formed of a rubber-like resilient material, and key fastening means operably connected to one of said portions adjacent said large opening part for securing keys movable between positions completely inward of said pocket and through said upper edge portion opening to completely outward of said pocket.

4. Key case construction including laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side portions, forward edge and bottom edge and rearward edge portions joining the side portions forming an upwardly opening pocket, an upper edge portion connected to certain of said side and edge portions having a longitudinal opening formed therein extending the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the opening terminating forwardly in a permanently open large opening part, said large opening part extending substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion and having a longitudinal length at least as great as said lateral width, the opening having a normally resiliently closed line opening part extending from the large opening part longitudinally the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the depth of the pocket underlying the large opening part and the forward section of the line opening part being greater than the depth of the pocket underlying the rearward section of the line opening part, all of said portions being formed of a rubber-like resilient material, and key fastening means operably connected to on of said portions adjacent said large opening part for securing keys movable between positions completely inward of said pocket and through said upper edge portion opening to completely outward of said pocket.

5. Key case construction including laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side portions, forward edge and bottom edge and rearward edge portions joining the side portions forming an upwardly opening pocket, an upper edge portion connected to certain of said side and edge portions having a longitudinal opening formed therein extending the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the opening terminating forwardly in a permanently open large opening part, said large opening part extending substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion and having a longitudinal length at least as great as said lateral width, the opening having a normally resiliently closed line opening part extending from the large opening part longitudinally the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the forward edge portion being greater in generally vertical height than the rearward edge portion with the bottom edge portion tapering upwardly from the forward edge portion to the rearward edge portion forming the pocket of decreasing depth rearwardly so that the greater depth generally underlies said large opening part, all of said portions being formed of a rubber-like resilient material, and key fastening means operably connected to one of said portions adjacent said large opening part for securing keys movable between positions completely inward of said pocket and through said upper edge portion opening to completely outward of said pocket.

6. Key case construction including laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side portions, forward edge and bottom edge and rearward edge portions joining the side portions forming an upwardly opening pocket, a substantially straight horizontally extending upper edge portion connected to certain of said side edge portions having a longitudinal opening formed therein extending the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the opening terminating forwardly in a permanently open large opening part, said large opening part extending substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion and having a longitudinal length at least as great as said lateral Width, the opening having a normally resiliently closed line opening part extending from the large opening part longitudinally th major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion and terminating longitudinally rearwardly in a permanently open small opening part, the upper edge portion being beaded adjacent the line opening part and the small opening part, the upper edge portion tapering upwardly and laterally inwardly from the side portions completely to the beaded line opening part, the forward edge portion being greater in generally vertical height than the rearward edge portion with the bottom edge portion tapering upwardly from the for ward edge portion to the rearward edge portion forming the pocket of decreasing depth rearwardly so that the greater depth generally underlies said large opening part, all of said portions being formed of a rubberlike resilient material, and key fastening means operably connected to one of said portions adjacent said large opening part for securing keys movable between positions completely inward of said pocket and through said upper edge portion opening to completely outward of said pocket.

7. Key case construction including laterally spaced generally longitudinally extending side portions, forward edge and bottom edge and rearward edge portions joining the side portions forming an upwardly opening pocket, a substantially straight horizontally extending upper edge portion connected to certain said side and edge portions having a longitudinal opening formed therein extending the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, the opening terminating forwardly in a permanently open large opening part,

said large opening part extending substantially the entire lateral width of the upper edge portion and having a longitudinal length at least as great as said lateral width, the opening having a normally resiliently closed line opening part extending from the large opening part longitudinally the major portion of the longitudinal length of said upper edge portion, said line opening part terminating rearwardly in a permanently open small opening part, the upper edge portion being beaded adjacent the line opening part and the small opening part, the upper edge portion tapering upwardly and laterally inwardly from the side portions completely to the beaded line opening part, all of said portions being formed of a rubber-like resilient material, and key fastening means operably connected to one of said portions adjacent said large opening part for securing keys movable between positions completely inward of said pocket and through said upper edge portion opening to completely outward of said pocket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 820,067 Richardson May 8, 1906 2,041,190 Kuhlke May 19, 1936 2,086,378 Butler July 6, 1937 2,125,354 Meier Aug. 2, 1938 2,278,088 Nelson Mar. 31, 1942 2,667,906 Stiller Feb. 2, 1954 2,868,254 Saad Jan. 13, 1959 2,909,203 Reaves Oct, 20, 1959

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