Apparatus for hanging a keychain and keys

Abstract

An attachment for cooperation with an associated electric switch mounting box and an associated faceplate which includes an elongated bolt; a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of the elongated bolt, and first and second finish washers, the beads being disposed on the elongated bolt when each of the beads being disposed in adjacent relationship to at least one other of the beads, the plurality of beads comprising an elongated stack, the first and second finish washers being disposed respectively at the axial extremities of the stack. In some forms of the invention the finish washers have cupped peripheral edges which may be disposed in facing relationship whereby the axial extremities of the stack have smooth surfaces. The beads may have respective colors associated with a country. The colors may be red, white and blue. Other forms of the apparatus include an electric switch mounting box having at least one threaded bore therein; a faceplate dimensioned and configured for mounting on the electric switch mounting box; an elongated bolt dimensioned and configured for passing through the faceplate into the threaded bore; a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of the elongated bolt; and first and second finish washers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to apparatus for holding a keychain and keys such as car keys, house keys etc. Many people spend a substantial amount of time searching for mislaid keys. The delays resulting from the mislaid keys will result in lost opportunities for many people in even, in some cases, individuals rushing, once the keys are found, in a manner that may result in tickets for speeding, automobile accidents, arrests, medical bills, injured bodies, and even broken and lost lives.

Various prior art systems have been devised. These include various beeper mechanisms that are bulky to carry an expensive to obtain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object the present invention to provide apparatus which will enable a user to standardize the user's patterns of conduct in the users home, workplace or other customary building that the user utilizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus that is very inexpensive.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that is decorative.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus that is very easy to install.

It is now been found that these and other objects of the invention may be attained in an attachment for cooperation with an associated electric switch mounting box and an associated faceplate which includes an elongated bolt; a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of the elongated bolt, and first and second finish washers, the beads being disposed on the elongated bolt when each of the beads being disposed in adjacent relationship to at least one other of the beads, the plurality of beads comprising an elongated stack, the first and second finish washers being disposed respectively at the axial extremities of the stack.

In some forms of the invention the finish washers have cupped peripheral edges which may be disposed in facing relationship whereby the axial extremities of the stack have smooth surfaces. The beads may have respective colors associated with a country. The colors may be red, white and blue.

Other forms of the apparatus include an electric switch mounting box having at least one threaded bore therein; a faceplate dimensioned and configured for mounting on the electric switch mounting box; an elongated bolt dimensioned and configured for passing through the faceplate into the threaded bore; a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of the elongated bolt; and first and second finish washers. The beads are disposed on the elongated bolt with each of the beads disposed in adjacent relationship to at least one other of the beads, the plurality of beads comprising an elongated stack. The first and second finish washers are disposed respectively at the axial extremities of the stack.

In some forms of the apparatus the finish washers have cupped peripheral edges and washers may be disposed in facing relationship whereby the axial extremities of the stack have smooth surfaces. The beads may have respective colors associated with a country such as red, white and blue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention better understood by reference the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the mounting apparatus in accordance with one form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of part of a wall-mounted switch and switch plate together with the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention utilizes the mounting for a light switch plate to provide a hangar for associated keys and a key ring. Virtually every residence and commercial establishment has such light switch plates. Therefore, a user can standardize the place where the user places his or her keys and both a residential and commercial environment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a conventional light switch 12 projecting through a conventional light switch plate 14. Customarily, the light switch plate 14 is mounted by two identical bolts 16. (one shown) The bolts 16 cooperate with a box (not shown).

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention a bolt 18, longer than the bolts 16 and having the same diameter and thread characteristic as the bolt 16 replaces the bolts 16 that originally extended through the lower (as viewed) portion of the switch plate 14.

The greater length of the bolt 18 permits placement of three (in preferred embodiment) three beads 22 having internal bores dimensioned and configured for engagement with the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt 18. Preferably, finish washers 20 are disposed in the axial extremities of the array of three beads 22. The finish washers 20 having internal bores dimensioned and configured for engagement with the bolt 18. Some embodiments of the invention include a plastic, such as nylon, sleeve (not shown) intermediate each finish washer in the adjacent be 22. Such embodiments utilize the sleeve to improve the rigidity of the assembly.

The color of the beads 22 may be varied to coordinate with the color scheme of the room in which it is utilized. Alternatively, the colors may be chosen to be patriotic such as the colors associated with a given nation. In other cases the colors may be associated with a school, college or university.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompass other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

Claims

1. An attachment for cooperation with an associated electric switch mounting box and an associated faceplate which comprises:

an elongated bolt;

a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of said elongated bolt; and

first and second finish washers, said beads being disposed on said elongated bolt when each of said beads being disposed in adjacent relationship to at least one other of said beads, said plurality of beads comprising an elongated stack, said first and second finish washers being disposed respectively at the axial extremities of said stack.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said finish washers have cupped peripheral edges.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said first and second finish washers are disposed in facing relationship whereby the axial extremities of said stack have smooth surfaces.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country.

5. The apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white and blue.

6. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country.

7. The apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white and blue.

8. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country.

9. The apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white and blue.

10. Apparatus for mounting an associated key ring which comprises:

an electric switch mounting box having at least one threaded bore therein;

a faceplate dimensioned and configured for mounting on said electric switch mounting box;

an elongated bolt dimensioned and configured for passing through said faceplate into said threaded bore;

a plurality of beads, each having an internal bore dimensioned for allowing passage of an axial portion of said elongated bolt; and

first and second finish washers, said beads being disposed on said elongated bolt with each of said beads being disposed in adjacent relationship to at least one other of said beads, said plurality of beads comprising an elongated stack, said first and second finish washers being disposed respectively at the axial extremities of said stack.

11. The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said finish washers have cupped peripheral edges.

12. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said first and second finish washers are disposed in facing relationship whereby the axial extremities of said stack have smooth surfaces.

13. The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country.

14. The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white and blue.

15. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country.

16. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white and blue.

17. The apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said beads have respective colors associated with a country.

18. The apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said beads have respective colors and include red, white and blue.