Mini Protective Key

Abstract

A small protective key is provided for placing distance between a user and a touch surface, thereby avoiding direct contact between the user's skin and the touch surface. The protective key helps protect the user from exposure to viruses or bacteria that may be present on the touch surface. The protective key can be formed of an antimicrobial material that resists accumulation of viruses and bacteria.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a small protective key that is useful for protecting a user from a contact surface such as a doorbell, keypad or touch pad, thus avoiding direct contact between the user's skin and bacteria or viruses that may be present on the contact surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The coronavirus pandemic has generated a need or desire for gloves, masks and other protective equipment that prevent direct contact between consumers and various articles that form part of their daily environment. This need or desire is based on concerns that viruses may live for measurable, often extended periods of time on various surfaces. Surfaces that have typically required direct contact with a user's skin include keypads on ATM machines, electronic signature pads, touch pads used for credit card processing, doorbells, and various objects. Many of these items require only a pointed touch or pressing. While protective gloves are commonly used, the gloves themselves may accumulate viruses and bacteria that can be transferred to the user's skin or clothing when the gloves are removed or manipulated. There is a need or desire for a protective device that not only avoids direct skin contact between the user and various surfaces but is formed of an antimicrobial material that resists the accumulation of viruses and bacteria.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a small protective key that can be used to protect a user from direct skin exposure to a contact surface. The contact surface can be a keypad, touch pad, doorbell, button or other surface that requires only a touch or lightly applied pressure from the user. The protective key not only places distance between its user and the contact surfaces of interest but can be formed of an antimicrobial material that resists accumulation of viruses and bacteria on the protective key surfaces.

In one embodiment, the protective key includes:

an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top surface and a bottom surface;

an opening at the first end of the elongated shaft for receiving a carrier;

a touch surface at the second end of the elongated shaft;

a first abrasive region covering at least a portion of the top surface; and

a second abrasive region covering at least a portion of the bottom surface.

In another embodiment, the protective key includes:

an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top surface and a bottom surface;

a carrier opening at the first end of the elongated shaft;

a touch surface at the second end of the elongated shaft;

a first corrugated region covering at least a portion of the top surface; and

a second corrugated region covering at least a portion of the bottom surface.

wherein the protective key comprises an antimicrobial alloy.

In another embodiment, the protective key includes:

an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top surface and a bottom surface;

a carrier opening at the first end of the elongated shaft;

a touch surface at the second end of the elongated shaft;

a first abrasive region covering about 25% to about 75% of the top surface; and

a second abrasive region covering about 25% to about 75% of the bottom surface;

wherein the protective key is formed using an antimicrobial alloy comprising about 50% to about 80% by weight copper and about 20% to about 50% by weight zinc.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a feature and advantage of the invention to provide a protective key that maintains distance and avoids skin contact between a user and a surface such as a keypad, credit card processing pad, doorbell, button, and other touch surfaces.

It is also a feature and advantage of the invention to provide a protective key that is formed using an antimicrobial material that resists accumulation of viruses and bacteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the protective key according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a first side view of the protective key of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a second side view of the protective key of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the protective key of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the protective key of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a left end view of the protective key of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a right end view of the protective key of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the protective key showing one use environment, in which the protective key is attached to a keychain (shown in dotted lines).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate of one embodiment of a small protective key of the invention, which is designed to protect a user from direct exposure to a contact surface. The protective key 10 can be fitted to a keychain ring 52 as shown in FIG. 8, or to another suitable carrier, and can be small enough so that it does not occupy significant space in the user's pocket. The protective key 10 includes an elongated shaft 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16, a first side 18, a second side 20, a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24. A carrier opening 26 is located at the first end 14 of the elongated shaft 12. The carrier opening 26 can receive a keychain as shown in FIG. 8, a string or elastic band attached to a belt, or another suitable carrier. A touch surface 28 is located at the second end 16 of the elongated shaft 12. The touch surface 28 is shown as a flat surface that is perpendicular to the nearest flat portion 30 of the top surface 22 and the nearest flat portion 32 of the bottom surface 24. In the embodiment shown, the touch surface 28 is joined to the top surface 22 by a beveled corner 34 and is joined to the bottom surface 24 by a beveled corner 36. In addition to being flat as shown, the touch surface 28 can be curved, pointed, angled, or can have any suitable configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the elongated shaft 12 has a length extending from the outermost point 44 of the first end 14 to a corresponding outermost point 46 on the second end 16, a height extending from the outermost planar portion 30 on the upper surface 22 to the outermost planar portion 32 on the lower surface 24, and a ratio of length to height of about 1.25:1 to about 2.75:1, suitably about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1, or about 2:1. This relatively small length to height ratio enables the protective key 10 to fit easily and comfortably into pockets and small purses, while allowing enough length to place some distance between the user and the contact surface that is being engaged by the touch surface 28.

The carrier opening 26 need only be large enough to receive a key ring, string, elastic band or other suitable carrier and can be circular (as shown), elliptical, oval, square, rectangular or any suitable shape. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, the protective key 10 of the invention is sized to fit comfortably on a key ring 52 with or without a plurality of additional keys 54. In another embodiment, the protective key 10 can be sized to fit on a string or rope, suitably an elastic band that can be attached to a user's belt or belt loop. In another embodiment, the protective key 10 can be sized and designed to fit in a Keysmart® pocket key organizer, such as shown in U.S. Design Pat. D705,533 to Tunney, U.S. Design Pat. D754,427 to Tunney, U.S. Pat. D754,428 to Tunney, and/or U.S. Pat. D705,533 to Tunney, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The protective key 10 of the invention can be sized and designed for a wide variety of uses ranging from small to large, ranging from light touch to heavy pressure, and requiring any degree of strength and integrity.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5, a first abrasive region 38 covers at least a portion of the top surface 22 and a second abrasive region 40 covers at least a portion of the bottom surface 24 of the elongated shaft 12. The first and second abrasive regions 38 and 40 can be formed of a plurality of corrugations 50 in the top and bottom surfaces as shown, or can be formed using any rough, serrated, or textured surface design. The abrasive region 38 can cover up to 100% of the top surface 22, or about 25% to about 75% of the top surface 22, or about 40% to about 60% of the top surface 22. The abrasive region 40 can cover up to 100% of the bottom surface 24, or about 25% to about 75% of the bottom surface 24, or about 40% to about 60% of the bottom surface 24.

The abrasive regions 38 and 40 are used as gripping regions for a user to grip the protective key 10 and urge the touch surface 28 toward the contact surface of a doorbell, keypad, touch pad or other object. To this end, when the first and second abrasive regions 38 and 40 are corrugated regions, the corrugations 50 may extend from the first side 18 to the second side 20 of the elongated shaft 12 and can be perpendicular to the first side 18 and the second side 20. Further to this end, the top surface 22 can be designed such that one or more flat portions 30 and 31 of the top surface 22 define a plane and the first abrasive region 38 is located inward from the plane. The bottom surface 24 can be similarly designed such that one or more flat portions 32 and 33 of the bottom surface 24 define a plane and the second abrasive region 40 is located inward from the plane.

The protective key 10 of the invention is suitably formed using an antimicrobial alloy that resists or prevents accumulation of virus and bacteria on the protective key surfaces. One suitable antimicrobial material is an alloy of copper and zinc. The antimicrobial alloy can include about 50% to about 80% by weight copper and about 20% to about 50% by weight zinc, suitably about 60% to about 70% copper and about 30% to about 40% by weight zinc. Other antimicrobial materials can also be used to form the protective key of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and all changes that fall within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A protective key for protecting a user from direct exposure to a contact surface, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top surface and a bottom surface;

an opening at the first end of the elongated shaft for receiving a carrier;

a touch surface at the second end of the elongated shaft;

a first abrasive region covering at least a portion of the top surface; and

a second abrasive region covering at least a portion of the bottom surface.

2. The protective key of claim 1, comprising an antimicrobial alloy.

3. The protective key of claim 2, wherein the antimicrobial alloy comprises about 50% to about 80% by weight copper and about 20% to about 50% by weight zinc.

4. The protective key of claim 2, wherein the antimicrobial alloy comprises about 60% to about 70% by weight copper and about 30% to about 40% by weight zinc.

5. The protective key of claim 1, wherein portions the top surface define a plane between the first end and the second end of the elongated shaft and the first abrasive region is indented relative to the plane.

6. The protective key of claim 1, wherein portions the bottom surface define a plane between the first end and the second end of the elongated shaft and the second abrasive region is indented relative to the plane.

7. The protective key of claim 1, wherein the first abrasive region comprises corrugations in the at least a portion of the top surface.

8. The protective key of claim 7, wherein the corrugations extend from the first side to the second side of the elongated shaft.

9. The protective key of claim 1, wherein the second abrasive region comprises corrugations in the at least a portion of the bottom surface.

10. The protective key of claim 9, wherein the corrugations extend from the first side to the second side of the elongated shaft.

11. The protective key of claim 1, wherein the touch surface is generally perpendicular to adjacent portions of the top surface and the bottom surface.

12. The protective key of claim 11, further comprising a first beveled portion joining the touch surface to the top surface and a second beveled portion joining the touch surface to the bottom surface.

13. The protective key of claim 1, wherein the elongated shaft has a length extending from the first end to the second end and a height extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and wherein a ratio of the length to the height is about 1.5:1 to about 2.5:1.

14. The protective key of claim 13, wherein the ratio of the length to the height is about 2:1.

15. A protective key for protecting a user from direct exposure to a contact surface, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top surface and a bottom surface;

a carrier opening at the first end of the elongated shaft;

a touch surface at the second end of the elongated shaft;

a first corrugated region covering at least a portion of the top surface; and

a second corrugated region covering at least a portion of the bottom surface;

wherein the protective key comprises an antimicrobial alloy.

16. The protective key of claim 15, wherein the first corrugated region covers about 25% to about 75% of the top surface.

17. The protective key of claim 15, wherein the second corrugated region covers about 25% to about 75% of the bottom surface.

18. The protective key of claim 15, wherein the antimicrobial alloy comprises about 50% to about 80% by weight copper and about 20% to about 50% by weight zinc.

19. The protective key of claim 15, wherein the antimicrobial alloy comprises about 60% to about 70% by weight copper and about 30% to about 40% by weight zinc.

20. A protective key for protecting a user from direct exposure to a contact surface, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a first end, a second end, a first side, a second side, a top surface and a bottom surface;

a carrier opening at the first end of the elongated shaft;

a touch surface at the second end of the elongated shaft;

a first abrasive region covering about 25% to about 75% of the top surface; and

a second abrasive region covering about 25% to about 75% of the bottom surface;

wherein the protective key is formed using an antimicrobial alloy comprising about 50% to about 80% by weight copper and about 20% to about 50% by weight zinc.