Handle-less key assembly

Abstract

A handle-less key assembly occupies less space and is attachable to certain attachment structures for providing a key-turning torque arm. The handle-less key assembly is set with a key body, a lock fastener, and an abbreviated key handle on one end of the key body. The handle-less key assembly can be connected and overlapped in face-to-face relation with other keys or key accessories so that the same may be well combined, easily located, and convenient to carry. A torque arm extension can be formed by connecting the handle-less key assembly with other keys or key accessories or to a key post. The turning torque of the key assembly thus be enlarged via the key post, key accessory, or successively connected key bodies so that the handle-less key assembly can function properly even if the key handle is shortened and the volume of the whole key is reduced.

Description

PRIOR HISTORY

This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/481,577, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 6, 2006, which latter application claimed priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200520112382.3, filed in the Chinese Patent Office on Jun. 8, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a key assembly for opening a lock. More particularly, the present invention relates to a handle-less key assembly, which assembly reduces the bulk of material, yet provides a more robust torque arm for effecting turning motion.

2. Description of Prior Art

A key is a frequently used article in daily life. Generally, a key comprises a key body and a key handle. The key body is used to lock and unlock a lock. The width of the key handle is typically greater in magnitude than the width of the key body. Thus, the key handle functions, in part, to increase the turning torque of the key body during unlocking movement.

The key handle may further function to provide certain convenient carrying means as may be taught or defined by certain key accessories such as a key ring, a key chain, or a key case as connected or coupled to the key handle by way of a punched hole on the key handle. A disadvantage of the enlarged key handle is that the enlarged key handle simultaneously expands the volume of the key thereby occupying a relatively larger space and often results in a key bunch that is out of order, and/or inconvenient to carry after connecting with other key accessories.

State of the art keys comprise a big key-handle and are typically bunched together forming a big, heavy, non-compact key bulk. Accordingly, people do not like to carry the keys with themselves. For several decades, there are many inventions which make the keys convenient-to-carry, but up to now, an adequate resolution has not been found or extensively adopted because the volume and weight of keys have not been significantly reduced.

Several attempts have been made to reduce key bulk through modified key assemblages and the like. Some of the more pertinent U.S. patent related art disclosing such assemblages are briefly described hereinafter. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,473,361 ('361 patent), which issued to Tebbetts, discloses a Key Retaining Device. The '361 patent describes a retaining device for a key having a gripping portion provided with an opening and a lock operating portion. The frictional gripping member is further provided with a portion adapted to extend into said opening in said gripping portion of a key whereby said lock operating portion is free to be inserted into a lock.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,025,960 ('960 patent), which issued to Sindler, discloses a Retainer Device. The '960 patent describes a device for retaining keys or other articles having holes or recesses therein comprising an extensible rubber post having a normal diameter which is greater than that of the hole or recess and which contracts when the post is extended. A tip is freely insertable into the hole or recess in the article, and the post being extended to reduce its diameter by pulling on the tip after the tip has been inserted through the hole or recess in an article. The article is then slid over the tip and along the post to the desired position and the tip being released whereupon the post tends to resume its normal diameter and to bear against the wall of the hole or recess.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,482,422 ('422 patent), which issued to Loew, discloses a Key Holder. The '422 patent describes a holder for a plurality of keys comprising a plurality of lengths of material each of which is folded transversely on itself to form a loop. Certain key supporting means are trapped within each of the loops, each of which is permanently closed by a rivet. Both sides of the rivet consist of snap-fastener components adapted to be releasably engaged by a complementary snap-fastener component on an adjacent length.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,672,044 ('044 patent), which issued to Martin, discloses a Key Mounting. The '044 patent describes a series of keys detachably secured together in pivotal relationship. The series comprises one key provided with a socket rigidly secured to one side thereof, a second key provided with a stud rigidity secured to one side thereof, and an intermediate key having a stud and a socket rigidly secured to opposite sides thereof. The stud of the intermediate key is interchangeable with the first mentioned socket, and the socket of the intermediate key is inter-engageable with the first mentioned stud.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,534 ('534 patent), which issued to Dansereau, discloses a Combination Tie Clasp and Key Holder. The '534 patent describes a holder device comprising an elongated bar, a retaining jaw interconnected to one end of said bar and being urged into engagement with the inner surface thereof for securing said combination device on the shirt of the user, a key including a head and a shank and normally overlying the outer surface of said bar to define the exterior of said device, a pivot connection joining the head of said key to an end of said bar, wherein said key is pivotally movable with respect to said bar to a position that exposes said shank for use in a lock, said shank having a longitudinal groove formed therein, and said bar having a lug formed on the end opposite the pivot connection for engaging said groove and for normally retaining said key in overlying relation with respect to said bar, and pivot connection including a collar that is disposed between said head and bar, the end of said collar that engages said head being inclined so as to position said shank in positive engagement with the lug formed on said bar.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,508 ('508 patent), which issued to Crasnianski, discloses a Flat Key. The '508 patent describes a flat key and a process for the production thereof in which a blank is cut on a copying machine to form a shank having a head with a width at most slightly exceeding the width of the shank proper, and a separate head is formed with a slot in which the head of the shank is detachably received with wedge action between separate head and the head of the shank.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,910 ('910 patent), which issued to Florian, discloses a Key Adaptor. The '910 patent describes a key adaptor comprising a substantially rigid body member having structure for pivotable connection to a bow portion of a key so that the key is pivotable between a closed position, wherein the key is substantially aligned with the body member, and an open position wherein the key is pivoted to an angle with the body member so that the body serves as a handle for turning the key when the key is inserted into a lock. The structure for pivotable connection to the key provides a firm positioning of the key relative to the body member in a desired position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,889 ('889 patent), which issued to Chiu, discloses a Collapsible Key Assembly. The '889 patent describes a collapsible key assembly comprising a housing including a positioning member, a first cover fixedly mounted on one side of the positioning member, a second cover fixedly mounted on another side of the positioning member, a pin fixedly fitted in a circular through hole of the positioning member and having two ends extending therethrough, a U-shaped spring having two coiled arms each having two straight ends, two keys pivotally mounted on two ends of the pin and bearing against the two coiled arms of the spring, two packing rings fitted on two ends of the pin, and two buttons fitted on two ends of the pin and bearing against the packing rings, whereby the keys can be easily folded into the housing when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,118 ('118 patent), which issued to Kito, discloses a Card Key Provided with Transmitter Element. The '118 patent describes a key body being inserted into a recess to be held on a card key support. When a spare key is used, the key body is removed from the recess and inserted into the recess. Accordingly, a lock insertion portion protrudes from the card key support for manipulation of the key. A transmitter element is mounted to the card key support near a base portion of the key body which is mounted to the recess so that an ID signal is transmitted from the transmitter element in the direction of the key cylinder in the same manner as in an original key. An operating condition of an engine is thereby maintained.

United States Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0037580, which was authored by Blake, describes an attachment device for keys which includes a securing means by which the shaft of the key can be secured and joining mechanism configured to join with the joining mechanisms on like attachment devices. The present invention can be configured into a variety of shapes thus making it given the opportunity for the attachment device to act as a promotional vehicle. Likewise, the attachment device can receive print, again making it a promotional vehicle.

It may thus be seen from an inspection of the prior art thus perceives a need for a key assembly having locking/unlocking key structure with otherwise bulky handle structure removed. A key having an abbreviated handle or a handle-less key may thus function to occupy a relatively smaller space and provide for or enable a relatively compact and tidy key bunch and/or key-carrying means. Separate torque arms to help turn the key within a lock are provided to replace the wide key body head or width otherwise associated with providing torque enabling means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, in part, by reducing the volume of a single key and thus enabling compact key bunch storage and transport. For example, when the key is connected with or coupled to other key accessories, the resulting assemblage may provide a convenient-to-carry and easy-to-use set of keys.

The resolution provided by the current invention is to take out the key-handle and make up the key function with control-stick to take the control-stick as a connecting piece to string the non-handle keys into a compact, small and light bunch of non-handle keys which is convenient to carry. The non-handle key and the control-stick can be separated also and non-handle key as the spare key can be kept in wallet or hand-bag. When the frequently-used key is lost or locked in the car or house and it is use, you can seek a stick to insert the non-handle keyhole and take it as the control-stick to open a lock.

A non-handle key can not be used without a control-stick as a substitute. The control-stick may be long or short. When the control-stick connects a non-handle key to another object, such as a key accessory, the object and the control-stick become jointly a substitute of handle of the non-handle key. The above-mention object may be similar non-handle key(s) or/and key-carrier, for example: a pocket clip, a tie clip, a key ring, a key card and a key case.

In other words, the non-handle or handle-less key assembly comprises a non-handle key, a small jack or annulus extended from one end of the non-handle key, and a control-stick connected perpendicularly to the small jack of the non-handle key. The length of the control-stick may be unlimited and the diameter is approximately equal to the diameter of the hole of the jack.

When the control-stick is inserted into the small hole and connected with the non-handle key, the non-handle key can be pushed or pulled or twisted by the control-stick to open a lock. As stated above, the stick can be used also as a connecting piece to have the non-handle key with the other non-handle key and non-handle key carrier connected to from a non-handle key bunch that is convenient-to-carry. The above-mentioned article or key accessory may take the form of a pocket clip, a tie clip, a key ring, a key card, or a key case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of my invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief description of patent drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present invention in exploded form showing a fastener, a key body, and an elongated post.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present invention in partially exploded form showing a key body assembled to a post and a fastener exploded from the elongated post.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present invention in partially exploded form showing a fastener, first and second key bodies juxtaposed in orthogonal relation as axially aligned along the line of explosion of an abbreviated post and a fastener.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present invention in assembled form showing four key bodies stacked along a first plane atop a fifth key body extending along a second plane orthogonal to the first plane.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present invention in assembled form showing a tie clip attached to a key body, the tie clip extending along a first plane and the key body extending in a second plane orthogonal to the first plane.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a key assembly according to the present invention in partially exploded form showing a fastener and an abbreviated post along a line of explosion, extending through a key plate with 6 keys thereupon, the first through fifth keys being oriented in a first direction, and the sixth key being oriented in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

FIG. 7 is a key body of the present invention as coupled to a state of the art key ring through the jack or annulus of the key body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a key block assembly according to the present invention in partially exploded form showing a fastener and an elongated post along a line of explosion, extending through an axially aligned key block with a first series of keys extending on a first direction and a single key extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the key block being bound by a block frame and cover.

FIG. 9 is a right-handed Cartesian coordinate system, showing an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis extending along lines orthogonal to one another.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the attachment ends of first and second key bodies received upon a post.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the structures otherwise illustrated in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present invention generally concerns a handle-less key assembly 10. The key assembly 10 essentially and preferably comprises a handle-less key or key body 20, a control stick or post 21 and a fastener 23. The handle-less key or key body 20 preferably comprises a substantially uniform key width, and comprises a post-receiving or stick-receiving aperture 22 at a first end thereof, thereby defining a jack or annulus as at 24. The annulus 24 preferably comprises an outer annular diameter equal in magnitude to the key width as generally depicted throughout the figures.

The control stick or post 21 is joined to the handle-less key or key body 20 by inserting the post 21 through the aperture 22 at the annulus 24 such that the control stick or post 21 is perpendicular to the handle-less key or key body 20. The control stick or post 21 is thus cooperable with the (rigid) annulus 24 for functioning as a first torque arm to turn the key body 20 as inserted into a lock (not specifically illustrated). The post may preferably comprise female threaded structure 25 for receiving male threaded structure 26 of the fastener 23 for threaded engagement.

The control stick or post 21 comprises a transverse stick or post diameter as at 100 and the annular jack comprises an inner annular diameter as at 101. It may be seen from inspection of FIG. 11, for example, that transverse stick or post diameter 100 is preferably sized for snug receipt by the inner annular diameter 101 at a stick to annulus junction. The junction minimizes the gap between the handle-less key or key body 20 and the control stick or post 21 for reducing wear and tear of the first key assembly 10.

As may be further seen from an inspection of FIG. 11, as well as FIGS. 10, 8, 4, and 3, the control stick 21 may be connected to a second handle-less key or key body 20 substantially identical to the first handle-less key or key body 20. In other words, a key assembly 11 may preferably comprise two key bodies 20 such that the two key bodies 20 are rotatable about the post axis as at 103.

In this last regard, it should be noted that the second handle-less key or key body 20 is rotatable about the post axis 103 for providing a second torque arm for turning the handle-less key as received within a lock. Similarly, a key accessory, such as a pocket clip, a tie clip 30, a key ring 31, a key card 32, or a key case 33 (all of which are outfitted with a post-receiving aperture 22 or accessory annulus (as at 29) for receiving or being attached to the post 21) may be attached to the first key body 20. The key accessory is also rotatable about the post axis 103 for providing a second torque arm for turning the handle-less key as received within a lock.

In this last regard, and with specific reference to FIG. 9, it is contemplated that if the post axis 103 may be coaxially aligned with the Z-axis (as at 106) and the direction 104 of the second key body 20 may be aligned with the Y-axis (as at 107), then the direction 105 of the first key body 20 or key accessory may be aligned with the X-axis (as at 108) thereby providing a first torque arm (as at 109) through the post 21 and a second torque arm (as at 110) through the second key body 20 or key accessory for effecting turning motion (as at 111) about the X-axis for effecting unlocking action within a lock (not specifically illustrated).

In other words, given a first force (as at 112) in the negative Y-direction and a second force (as at 113) in the positive Z-direction, and a certain length of the post 21 and a length of either the second key body 20 or key accessory in the positive Y-direction, turning motion 111 will be effected via the forces 112 and 113. It is contemplated that the two forces 112 and 113 and torque arms 109 and 110 may well function to enhance turning motion 111 so that unlocking action or turning movement may more easily occur within a lock.

The key assembly 10 thus essentially comprises a cylindrical post 21, a planar key body 20, and a fastener 23. The post 21 has a post base 27 and a fastener attachment end, which may be preferably outfitted with female threaded structure 25. The key body 20 preferably has a uniform width and an apertured end. The apertured end defines a post-receiving annulus 24. The fastener 23 has a fastener base as at 28, and a post attachment end, which may be preferably outfitted with male threaded structure 26.

The post 21 is orthogonally insertable through the post-receiving annulus 24 and the fastener attachment end of the post 21 is (threadably) fastened to the post attachment end of the fastener 23 such that the post base 27 and fastener base 28 prevent axial displacement of structure received therebetween relative to the post 21. In other words, the diameter of the bases 27 and 28 is larger than the aperture of the annulus 24 thereby providing stop structure for preventing axial displacement relative to the post axis 103. The post 21 thus provides a torque arm for turning the key body 20 when inserted in a lock.

The key assembly 10 may comprise a successive key substantially identical to the key body 20 for effecting key assembly 11. Notably, each key body 20 has a certain body thickness and the post 21 has a certain post length. In any event, the post length shall be greater in magnitude than the body thickness(es) for receiving both the first key body 20 and the successive key or second key body 20. A key assembly with three or more keys is generally referenced at 12.

The key assembly 10 may further comprises a key accessory such as elements 30, 31, 32, or 33. A key assembly incorporating (1) a tie clip 30 is referenced at 13; (2) a key card 32 is referenced at 14; (3) a key ring 31 is referenced at 15; and a key case 33 is referenced at 16. All accessories (except for key ring 31) must be outfitted with at least one accessory annulus 29 and an accessory thickness for receiving and accommodating the post 21, which may be relatively abbreviated in length (as generally depicted in FIGS. 3 and 6) or relatively elongated in length (as generally depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and 8). The post 21, in other words, comprises a post length greater in magnitude than the body thickness and accessory thickness for receiving both the primary key body 20 and the key accessory.

There are notable differences between the handle-less key assembly of this application and the portable key assembly of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/481,577. Notably, the jack or apertured end at one end of the key body was referred to as a “handle” in the original application and the key was referred to as a “portable key”. In the present application the apertured end is referred to as a “jack” and the key assembly is called a “handle-less key” assembly. In the language “handle” is defined as “The part of an object that you use for holding it”. The above-mentioned jack is too small to be held, and thus it is incorrect to refer to it as a “handle”.

Furthermore, in the original application, the importance of the connecting piece was neglected. The second object connected with the portable key in the original specification was seen as the essential substitute of key handle. In this application, only the connecting piece is an essential article or element and thus in the present application, the otherwise called “connecting piece” is alternatively referred to as a “control-stick”.

The above-mentioned differences shed light on just a few of the innovations of the present invention. Comparing the present invention with the prior art, the differences should become quite clear. For example, as to the disclosures set forth in Martin, Chiu, Kito, and Dansereau, it is noted that Martin discloses a relatively wide-handle. Although the width of the key invented by Chiu is minimized, the length of commonly used key-handle is still reserved. In regard to the length and width of the key-handle invented by Kito, there is no distinct differentiation.

Further, Martin does not provide the control-stick of the key assembly as disclosed in the current application. When opening a lock, the Martin key assembly still depends on the wide key handle. The Martin key assembly is said to be convenient-to-carry or for connecting a first key to a second key or key card. Martin selects a detachable connecting piece for detachably mounting a plurality of keys as a unit with the keys selectively accessible in a convenient manner, but the detachable connecting piece has a connection between the first key and second key or key card unfixed and it is impossible to transmit sufficient torque. At the very least, the Martin assembly does not consider effective torque transmission as part and parcel of his design. For example, Martin selects leather to make his key card that is non-rigid, and thus the key card is unable to transmit torque to the key. And the regular key with handle what Martin selects does not need any substitute of key handle to transmit torque.

Because of the existence of the wide key handle in the Martin disclosure and the mutual congruence of two key-handles, one becomes the other's washer. While opening a lock, no torque would be produced between the key handles. In a word, because the big key handles and the detachable connecting piece, nothing can be or is needed to be the substitute of the key handle. The crucial feature of the subject invention is not demonstrated in Martin's invention.

The keys (21,22) in the “Collapsible Key Assembly” invented by Chiu resemble the non-handle or handle-less key in the subject invention if the length of the Shank (221) is not cared for. Obviously, both of the inventions are dissimilar also: The subject invention can be operated by a non-handle key to open a lock by only a control-stick. Chiu designed a big and complicated key-hold (house). There is a pin (22) cutting through the shank in the housing to help fixing the narrow-handle key, but the pin can not be held by hand so it may not be considered as an independent substitute of the key handle. The briefed part of the key handle is shifted and magnified as a other big collapsible handle (house). Generally speaking, the collapsible key assembly appears to be a clasp knife in which the blades are exchanged with the narrow-handle keys. This invention is to remake of the finished product.

In the subject invention, two non-handle keys are connected to each other by a control-stick (connecting piece). One of them and the control-stick jointly comprise the substitute of another non-handle key. This minimizes the volume and weight of the key and key bunch. Chiu's substitute of the key is only a specially-made housing, two keys in the same housing do not function mutually. What Chiu invented is a kind of outsized folding key-handle, whereas the subject invention is a special key assembly without a key-handle.

Tomas's Key Construction also uses the non-handle key but two non-handle keys are straight connected and fixed and they can not become the mutual substitute of the key handle (i.e. one of them can not become the substitute of the other's key handle, so Tomas was forced to design a common key-handle as at 20(a).

Kito's Card Key Provided With Transmitter Element is not used for opening a lock directly, and transmission of torque can't and is not needed to complete by connection between the key body (14) and the card. So there is no any connection between the card and the substitute.

While the above description contains much specificity, this specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, it is contemplated that the essence of the present invention provides a key assembly comprising a post, a key body, and a fastener. The post has a post base and a fastener attachment end. The key body has a uniform width and an apertured end, which end defines a post-receiving annulus. The fastener has a fastener base and a post attachment end.

The post is orthogonally insertable through the post-receiving annulus, and the fastener attachment end is fastened to the post attachment end such that the post base and fastener base prevent axial displacement of structure received therebetween relative to the post (axis). The post provides a torque arm for turning the key body when inserted in a lock.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, it is not intended that the novel disclosures herein presented be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the appended drawings.

Claims

1. A handle-less first key assembly, the first key assembly comprising a handle-less key and a control-stick, the handle-less key having a key width and comprising a stick-receiving aperture at a first end thereof, the control-stick being joined to the handle-less key via the at the aperture such that the control stick is perpendicular to the handle-less key, the control stick functioning as a first torque arm for turning the key within a lock.

2. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the handle-less key comprises a fastening annulus, the fastening annulus defining the stick-receiving aperture and being cooperative with the control stick for joining the control stick to the handle-less key, the annulus having an outer annular diameter equal in magnitude to the key width.

3. The key assembly of claim 1 wherein the control stick comprises a transverse stick diameter and the annular jack comprises an inner annular diameter, the transverse stick diameter being sized for snug receipt by the inner annular diameter at a stick to annulus junction, the junction minimizing gaps between the handle-less key and the control stick for reducing wear and tear of the first key assembly.

4. The key assembly of claim 3 wherein the control stick is connected to a second handle-less key, the second handle-less key being substantially identical to the first handle-less key.

5. The key assembly of claim 3 wherein the control stick is connected to a key accessory.

6. The key assembly of claim 4 wherein the second handle-less key is rotatable about the post axis for providing a second torque arm for turning the handle-less key within a lock.

7. The key assembly of claim 5 wherein the key accessory is rotatable about the post axis for providing a second torque arm for turning the handle-less key within a lock.

8. The key assembly of claim 6 wherein the second handle-less key and control stick are orthogonally orientable to one another and the first handle-less key for enhancing turning movement of the first handle-less key within a lock.

9. The key assembly of claim 7 wherein the key accessory and control stick are orthogonally orientable to one another and the first handle-less key for enhancing turning movement of the first handle-less key within a lock.

10. A key assembly, the key assembly comprising a cylindrical post, a planar key body, and a fastener, the post having a post base and a fastener attachment end, the key body having a uniform width and an apertured end, the apertured end defining a post-receiving annulus, the fastener having a fastener base, and a post attachment end, the post being orthogonally insertable through the post-receiving annulus, the fastener attachment end being fastened to the post attachment end, the post base and fastener base preventing axial displacement of structure received therebetween relative to the post, the post providing a torque arm for turning the key body when inserted in a lock.

11. The key assembly of claim 10 comprising a successive key, the successive key being substantially identical to the key body, the key body having a body thickness, the post having a post length, the post length being greater in magnitude than the body thickness for receiving both the key body and the successive key.

12. The key assembly of claim 10 comprising a key accessory, the key accessory comprising an accessory annulus at one end thereof and an accessory thickness, the post comprising a post length, the post length being greater in magnitude than the body thickness and accessory thickness for receiving both the key body and the key accessory.

13. The key assembly of claim 11 wherein the second handle-less key is rotatable about the post axis for providing a second torque arm for turning the handle-less key within a lock.

14. The key assembly of claim 12 wherein the key accessory is rotatable about the post axis for providing a second torque arm for turning the handle-less key within a lock.

15. The key assembly of claim 13 wherein the second handle-less key and control stick are orthogonally orientable to one another and the first handle-less key for enhancing turning movement of the first handle-less key within a lock.

16. The key assembly of claim 14 wherein the key accessory and control stick are orthogonally orientable to one another and the first handle-less key for enhancing turning movement of the first handle-less key within a lock.

17. A key assembly, the key assembly comprising a post, a key body, and a fastener, the post having a post base and a fastener attachment end, the key body having a uniform width and an apertured end, the apertured end defining a post-receiving annulus, the fastener having a fastener base, and a post attachment end, the post being orthogonally insertable through the post-receiving annulus, the fastener attachment end being fastened to the post attachment end, the post base and fastener base preventing axial displacement or structure received therebetween relative to the post, the post providing a torque arm for turning the key body when inserted in a lock.

18. The key assembly of claim 17 comprising a successive key, the successive key being substantially identical to the key body, the key body having a body thickness, the post having a post length, the post length being greater in magnitude than the body thickness for receiving both the key body and the successive key.

19. The key assembly of claim 17 comprising a key accessory, the key accessory comprising an accessory annulus at one end thereof and an accessory thickness, the post comprising a post length, the post length being greater in magnitude than the body thickness and accessory thickness for receiving both the key body and the key accessory.