SECURITY DEVICE AND SECURITY SYSTEM
A security device and system includes a substantially flat body with an opening formed therein. The opening has a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that an elongated end of a key passes through the opening and a head end of the key does not pass through the opening. A user gripping the security device may then use the elongated end of the key extending outward therefrom as a weapon or tool for self-defense.
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a security device and a security system using the security device. More specifically, the present application relates to a security device including a body with an opening therein sized to allow passage of an elongated end of a key therethrough such that the key may be used in self-defense.
2. Related Art
Self-defense is an important issue to everyone, especially those who live in an urban environment. Self-defense experts generally teach their students to use whatever means or tools available to defend themselves when attacked including everyday items such as keys, for example. While keys, such as car keys and house keys, can be used for self-defense, their relatively small size and sharp edges sometimes make it difficult to stabilize and handle them for effective use in self-defense.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a security device and system, preferably for use with a user's keys, that creatively and effectively resolves these and other problems.
SUMMARYIt is an object of the present application to provide a security device and system that allows for easy, convenient and readily accessible use of a key as a self-defense weapon.
A security device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a body including a front surface and a rear surface positioned opposite to the front surface, wherein an opening is formed in the body between the front surface and the rear surface, the opening having a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that an elongated end of the key is passable through the opening and a substantial portion of the elongated end extends out from the front surface of the body, and a head end of the key is not passable through the opening.
A security device in accordance with another embodiment of the present application includes a substantially flat body, the substantially flat body including an opening with a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that an elongated end of a key is passable through the opening and a head end of the key is not passable through the opening.
A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a key including an elongated end and a head end opposite the elongated end and a security device including a body including a front surface and a rear surface positioned opposite to the front surface, wherein an opening is formed in the body between the front surface and the rear surface, the opening having a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that the elongated end of the key is passable through the opening and a substantial portion of the elongated end extends out from the front surface of the body, and the head end of the key is not passable through the opening.
A security system in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a key including an elongated end and a head end opposite the elongated end and a security device including a substantially flat body including an opening with a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that the elongated end of the key passes through the opening and the head end of the key does not pass through the opening.
A method of self-defense in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes providing a key with an elongated end and a head end opposite the elongated end, providing a security device including a body with an opening formed therein, passing the elongated end of the key through the opening in the body, preventing the head end of the key from passing through the opening and gripping the body such that the substantial portion of the elongated end of the key extends outward.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, which refers to the accompanying drawings.
An exemplary embodiment of a security device 10 according to an embodiment of the present application is illustrated in
The device 10 preferably includes a body, or panel, 12 including an opening 14 through which a key K passes. The body has a front surface 12a and a rear surface 12b (See
Preferably, the opening 14 is sized and arranged so that at least a substantial portion of the elongated end K1 (See
Preferably, the body 12 is relatively thin, preferably between 0.065 and 0.075 inches such that substantially all of the elongated end K1 of the key K extends out therefrom. That is, it is preferred that the head end K2 of the key K abuts right next to the rear surface 12b, such that almost all of the elongated end K1 extends through the opening 14 and out from the front surface 12a. The amount of the elongated end K1 that extends outward from the front surface 10a should at least be sufficient to allow the elongated end to be used as a weapon or in self-defense.
The body 12 is preferably made of a durable and relatively non-flexible material. In one embodiment, the body 12 is made of a metal, such as stainless steel, for example. The body 12, however, may be made of any substantially hard and durable material, such as hardened plastics or aluminum, for example.
In a preferred embodiment, the body 12 is substantially flat in order to maximize the amount of the elongated end K1 of the key K that extends from the front surface 12a. The substantially flat body 12, however, may be slightly curved to complement the curve of users fingers as they grip the body 12. That is, the slight curvature of the otherwise substantially flat body 12 aids the user in gripping the device 10. This curvature is visible in the rear view of the device 10 illustrated in
The body 12 is preferably substantially rectangular in shape and includes the opening, or slot, 14 formed therein. While the rectangular shape is preferred, the body 12 may be any suitable shape that allows for easy gripping by a user. The body 12 has a body length, in the longitudinal direction, of approximately 2.5 inches and has a body height of about 0.75-1 inches. It is noted that the body 12 may be larger or smaller, as desired by the user. For example, the length of the body is preferably in the range of between 2.5 and 3.25 inches. The length and height of the body 12 should be conducive to the user gripping the device 10.
The opening 14 preferably has a predetermined length L in the longitudinal direction of the body 12 and a predetermined height H perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, as illustrated in
It is preferred that both the height H and width W of the opening 14 are set to prevent the head end K2 of the key from passing therethrough, however, this is not necessary. The height H of the opening 14 may be set greater than the maximum width of the key provided that the length L of the opening 14 is set at less than the maximum height of the head end of the key. Similarly, the length L of the opening 14 may be set larger than the maximum height of the elongated end of the key provided that the height H of the opening 14 is set at less than the maximum with of the head end of the key.
The device 10 is preferably connected to the key ring 30, which may hold a plurality of keys K. A connector 18 is preferably provided between the body 12 and the key ring 30 to secure the two together. The connector 18 may be a chain, a rope, or any other similar flexible element. In one embodiment, the length of the connector 18 may be adjusted as desired by the user.
Since the connector 18 is flexible, it allows the device 10 to be manipulated with respect to the key ring 30. Thus, in use, the user may slide the elongated end K1 of a key K through the opening 14 of the body 12, as illustrated in
The connector 18 is illustrated as connected to the body 12 via a second opening in the body formed at an end of the body opposite the opening 14, however, any suitable fastener may be used to connect the connector 18 to the body 12. The connector 18 may be secured to the body 12 with a screw, for example. Alternatively, the connector may be welded or soldered into place. If desired, an adhesive may be used to secure the connector 18 to the body 12. Where the body 12 is made if a hard plastic, the connector 18 may be molded with the body 12, if desired.
Generally, car ignition keys are the longest keys on a key ring, and thus,
Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims
1. A security device for use with a key, comprising:
- a body, the body including, a front surface; and a rear surface positioned opposite to the front surface, wherein an opening is formed in the body between the front surface and the rear surface, the opening having a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that an elongated end of the key is passable through the opening and a substantial portion of the elongated end extends out from the front surface of the body, and a head end of the key is not passable through the opening.
2. The security device of claim 1, wherein substantially the entire elongated end of the key extends out from the front surface of the body.
3. The security device of claim 1, wherein the front surface and the rear surface of the body are curved for ease in gripping.
4. The security device of claim 1, further comprising a connector secured to the body and configured to connect the body to a key ring including at least the key.
5. The security device of claim 4, wherein the connector is made of a flexible material such that the body is movable relative to the key ring to allow the elongated end of the key on the key ring to pass through the opening in the body.
6. A security device for use with a key, comprising:
- a substantially flat body, the substantially flat body including an opening with a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that an elongated end of a key is passable through the opening and a head end of the key is not passable through the opening.
7. The security device of claim 6, wherein the substantially flat body further comprises:
- a front surface; and
- a rear surface positioned opposite the front surface, wherein a substantial portion of the elongated end of the key extends out from the front surface after passing through the opening.
8. The security device of claim 7, wherein the front surface and the rear surface are curved for ease in gripping.
9. The security device of claim 7, wherein the substantially flat body is rectangular in shape.
10. The security device of claim 7, wherein the predetermined length of the opening is substantially 0.850 inches.
11. The security device of claim 7, wherein the predetermined height of the opening is a maximum of 0.380 inches.
12. The security device of claim 7, further comprising a connector secured to the substantially flat body and configured to connect the substantially flat body to a key ring including at least the key.
13. The security device of claim 12, wherein the connector is made of a flexible material such that the substantially flat body is movable relative to the key ring to allow the elongated end of the key on the key ring to pass through the opening in the substantially flat body.
14. A security system comprising:
- a key including, an elongated end; and a head end opposite the elongated end; and
- a security device including a body, the body including, a front surface; and a rear surface positioned opposite to the front surface, wherein an opening is formed in the body between the front surface and the rear surface, the opening having a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that the elongated end of the key is passable through the opening and a substantial portion of the elongated end extends out from the front surface of the body, and the head end of the key is not passable through the opening.
15. The security system of claim 14, wherein substantially the entire elongated end of the key extends out from the front surface of the body.
16. The security system of claim 15, wherein the front surface and the rear surface of the body are curved for ease in gripping.
17. The security system of claim 15, further comprising
- a key ring configured to carry the key; and
- a connector secured to the body and configured to connect the body to the key ring.
18. The security system of claim 17, wherein the connector is made of a flexible material such that the body is movable relative to the key ring to allow the elongated end of the key on the key ring to pass through the opening in the body.
19. A security system comprising:
- a key including, an elongated end; and a head end opposite the elongated end; and
- a security device having a substantially flat body, the substantially flat body including an opening with a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that the elongated end of the key is passable through the opening and the head end of the key is not passable through the opening.
20. The security system of claim 19, wherein the substantially flat body further comprises:
- a front surface; and
- a rear surface positioned opposite the front surface, wherein a substantial portion of the elongated end of the key extends out from the front surface after passing through the opening.
21. The security system of claim 20, wherein substantially the entire elongated end of the key extends out from the front surface of the body.
22. The security system of claim 20, wherein the front surface and the rear surface of the substantially flat body are curved for ease in gripping.
23. The system device of claim 20, further comprising:
- a key ring configured to carry the key; and
- a connector secured to the substantially flat body and configured to connect the substantially flat body to the key ring.
24. The security system of claim 23, wherein the connector is made of a flexible material such that the substantially flat body is movable relative to the key ring to allow the elongated end of the key on the key ring to pass through the opening in the substantially flat body.
25. A method of self defense comprising steps of:
- providing a key with an elongated end and a head end opposite the elongated end;
- providing a security device including a body with an opening formed therein;
- passing the elongated end of the key through the opening in the substantially flat body such that a substantial portion of the elongated end extends out from the body;
- preventing the head end of the key from passing through the opening; and
- gripping the substantially flat body such that the substantial portion of the elongated end of the key extends outward.
26. The method of self defense of claim 18, wherein the step of providing the security device further comprises forming the opening in the body with a predetermined length and a predetermined height such that the substantial portion of the elongated end of the key passes through the opening and the head end of the key does not pass through the opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 12, 2012
Inventors: Richard D. Zaccari (Jersey City, NJ), Kay G. Zaccari (Jersey City, NJ)
Application Number: 12/902,664
International Classification: F41B 13/00 (20060101); F41B 15/00 (20060101);