CONNECTING RING APPARATUS AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

Abstract

A key ring comprises an elastomeric material. Specifically, the key ring comprises an outer coating of an elastomeric material, such as a silicone material such as, for example, polysiloxane, and an inner material of a relatively rigid material, such as metal, or other like material, for forming into a wound ring for holding keys, for example, and remaining in the wound ring formation. Alternatively, the key ring comprises no internal hard material and comprises an elastomeric material or a blend of an elastomeric material, such as silicone, thereby forming the key ring with the silicone material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority to U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 63/417,752, titled “Connecting Ring Apparatus and Methods of Making the Same,” filed Oct. 22, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connecting ring, such as, for example, a key ring or the like, comprising an elastomeric material. Specifically, the connecting ring comprises an outer coating of an elastomeric material, such as a silicone material such as, for example, polysiloxane or other like elastomeric material, and an inner material of a relatively rigid material, such as metal, or other like material, for forming into a wound ring for holding keys or other objects, for example, and remaining in the wound ring formation. Alternatively, the connecting ring comprises no internal hard material and comprises an elastomeric material or a blend of an elastomeric material, such as silicone, thereby forming the connecting ring with the silicone material.

BACKGROUND

Metal and rigid plastic key rings are, of course, known to hold keys or other items thereon. Typically, a metal key ring comprises a ring of metal, typically wound over several loops that are disposed adjacent each other and allow a key to be placed between the loops and slid until the key is held by the plurality of wound loops. Alternatively, key rings may comprise a single winding of material and, typically, a spring-loaded gate that is openable to allow a key to be placed on the key ring. The gate is subsequently closed and held in the closed position, thereby holding the key thereon.

It is often difficult to manipulate a key ring made from metal and/or rigid plastic. Oftentimes, one must separate the closely held wound rings and slip the key within the same. It is often difficult to separate the adjacent wound rings from each other. Once the key ring is place, it is also difficult to slide the key through the wound rings until the key is placed in the open space in the middle of the key ring. Likewise, removing a key from such a key ring is also difficult.

The difficulty in placing keys and other items onto key rings is exacerbated if the user of the keyring is older and has difficulty with manual hand dexterity. Many individuals lose dexterity in their hands and fingers as they age, making the task of placing keys on or removing keys from keyrings even more difficult.

In addition, the terminal ends of the metal or plastic material that forms the wound rings may be sharp and may cause damage or injury to a user attempting to manipulate the same to place a key or other object thereon or remove a key or other object therefrom.

Moreover, keys or other objects that may be connected via such a ring may be noisy and cause a relatively loud jangle or metallic “clunk” sound when the keys or objects bang against the ring. This may be disruptive, especially in quiet settings. In addition, metal rings may be shiny and have a glare that may further be disruptive, and may also oxidize during use, especially if exposed to weather. Further, metal connecting rings may interfere with medical or security scanning equipment, such as x-ray machines, MRI or catscan machines, or other like machines.

A need, therefore, exists for an improved connecting ring. Specifically, a need exists for an improved connecting ring that is easy to use by a user thereof. More specifically, a need exists for an improved connecting ring that more easily allows a user to place keys or other objects thereon or remove keys or other objects therefrom.

Moreover, a need exists for an improved connecting ring that is made from a relatively soft, elastomeric material. Specifically, a need exists for an improved connecting ring that more easily allows a user to separate wound rings to place a key or other object thereon or remove a key or other object therefrom. More specifically, a need exists for an improved connecting ring that prevents damage or injury to a user manipulating the same. Further, a need exists for an improved connecting ring that does not contribute to noise and is free of glare or the capacity to rust.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connecting ring, such as a key ring, for example, comprising an elastomeric material. Specifically, the connecting ring comprises an outer coating of an elastomeric material, such as a silicone material such as, for example, polysiloxane or other like elastomeric material, and an inner material of a relatively rigid material, such as metal, or other like material, for forming into a wound ring for holding keys, for example, and remaining in the wound ring formation. Alternatively, the connecting ring comprises no internal hard material and comprises an elastomeric material or a blend of an elastomeric material, such as silicone, thereby forming the connecting ring with the silicone material.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a connecting ring, such as a key ring, for example, is provided. The connecting ring comprises an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material may be a silicone material, such as polysiloxane. In an embodiment, the elastomeric material coats a rigid material. In an embodiment, the rigid material is selected from the group of a metal and a rigid plastic material. In an alternate embodiment, the elastomeric material forms the connecting ring without a rigid material therein.

It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved connecting ring, such as a key ring, for example.

Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved connecting ring that is easy to use by a user thereof.

More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved connecting ring that more easily allows a user to place keys or other objects thereon or remove keys or other objects therefrom.

Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved connecting ring that is made from a relatively soft, elastomeric material.

Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved connecting ring that more easily allows a user to separate wound rings to place a key or other object thereon or remove a key or other object therefrom.

More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved connecting ring that prevents damage or injury to a user manipulating the same

Further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide an improved connecting ring that does not contribute to noise and is free of glare or the capacity to rust.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a connecting ring, such as a keyring, for example, comprising an elastomeric material. Specifically, the connecting ring comprises an outer coating of an elastomeric material, such as a silicone material such as, for example, polysiloxane or other like elastomeric material, and an inner material of a relatively rigid material, such as metal, or other like material, for forming into a wound ring for holding keys, for example, and remaining in the wound ring formation. Alternatively, the connecting ring comprises no internal hard material and comprises an elastomeric material or a blend of an elastomeric material, such as silicone, thereby forming the connecting ring with the silicone material.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a connecting ring is provided. The connecting ring comprises an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material may be a silicone material, such as polysiloxane. Other elastomeric materials that may be useful for the present invention may include natural rubbers, styrene-butadiene block copolymers, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, fluoroelastomers, polyurethane elastomers, and nitrile rubbers. Alternatively, the elastomeric material may be a blend of an elastomeric material and another material or materials that helps to strengthen and/or stiffen the elastomeric material. In addition, the elastomeric material may be crosslinked to itself or crosslinked or otherwise bonded to another material to impart toughness, resiliency, and strength. Moreover, the elastomeric material may retain its softness but comprise a rigidity that allows it to be formed into a ring shape and maintain its shape. More specifically, the elastomeric material may be blended or bonded with another material allowing the same to retain its shape when wound into a ring form or shape, and hold its shape when keys are slid thereon.

In an embodiment, the elastomeric material as described herein may coat a rigid material. Specifically, the rigid material may be a metal material, a plastic material, or any other material that may allow the ring to maintain its shape and hold rings thereon. In an alternate embodiment, the elastomeric material forms the key ring without another rigid material therein.

The connecting ring of the present invention may have a plurality of uses. Specifically, as mentioned above, the connecting ring may be utilized preferably as a key ring, for holding keys or other objects thereon. Such a key ring may be relatively light, when compared to metal key rings, relatively soft and easy and safe to manipulate, allowing a user to easily open the same and add and/or remove keys or other objects easily and without damage or injury. The connecting ring of the present invention may further be any size and may be utilized generally to connect items to each other, such as for connecting items to tags, in place of hood pins on classic cars or race cars, to connect items to backpacks, purses, and/or laptop bags, such as ID tags. Further, the connecting rings may have applications in aerospace, automotive, personal uses, military, and/or medical applications.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A connecting ring comprises:

an elastomeric material, wherein the elastomeric material is selected from the group of a silicone material, a natural rubber, and blends thereof.

2. The connecting ring of claim 1 wherein the connecting ring is a keyring.

3. The connecting ring of claim 1 wherein the silicone material is polysiloxane.

4. The connecting ring of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material coats a rigid material.

5. The connecting ring of claim 4 wherein the rigid material is selected from the group of a metal and a rigid plastic.

6. The connecting ring of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material forms the connecting ring without a rigid material therein.

7. The connecting ring of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material is crosslinked.

8. The connecting ring of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material is crosslinked to another material.

9. The connecting ring of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric material is crosslinked to itself.