Key holder

Abstract

A key holder includes a housing which stores a plurality of keys. The keys are presented automatically for use in response to an operator pushing a button. The housing supports a plurality of buttons with each button corresponding to an individual key.

1 . A key holder comprising: 
 a housing having a top panel;    a plurality of keys disposed within said housing;    a plurality of operating buttons disposed on said top panel;    a plurality of driving connections connecting, one each, said keys and said operating buttons to drive a selected key from a retracted position disposed in said housing to an extended position projecting from said housing.    
   
   
       2 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein each of said operating buttons can be depressed relative to said top panel.  
   
   
       3 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein each of said operating buttons is slideably mounted on said top panel.  
   
   
       4 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein each of said operating buttons is pivotally mounted on said top panel.  
   
   
       5 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections include a rotatably mounted disc.  
   
   
       6 . The key holder according to  claim 5  further comprising a spring connected to said rotatably mounted disc.  
   
   
       7 . The key holder according to  claim 1  further comprising a key platform connected to said rotatably mounted disc for selectively driving said keys to said extended position.  
   
   
       8 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connection comprises: 
 a first gear;    a first rack in mesh with said first gear;    a second rack connected to said first rack;    a second gear in mesh with said second rack;    a pair of link members connected to said second gear and to a selected key for reversibly driving said selected key to an extended position relative to said housing responsive to rotation of said first gear.    
   
   
       9 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections comprise: 
 a toothed wheel;    a spring for rotation of said toothed wheel;    a catch member for engaging said toothed wheel;    a screw shaft driven by said toothed wheel; and    a threaded block driven by said threaded block and connected to a selected key for reversibly driving said selected key to an extended position relative to said housing.    
   
   
       10 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections comprise: 
 a rigid rack member;    a gear in mesh with said rigid rack member; and    a flexible rack member in mesh with said gear.    
   
   
       11 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections comprise: 
 a rigid rack member;    a gear in mesh with said rigid rack member;    a drum connected to said gear for rotation with said gear; and    a belt member connected to said drum and connected to a selected key for reversibly driving said key to an extended position relative to said housing.    
   
   
       12 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections comprise: 
 a support plate;    a gear rotatably mounted relative to said support plate;    a rack member connected to said housing;    a link member connected to said gear and to a selected key for reversibly driving said key to an extended position relative to said housing.    
   
   
       13 . The key holder according to  claim 12  wherein said support plate further comprises an integrally formed compression spring.  
   
   
       14 . The key holder according to  claim 12  wherein said link member further comprises an integrally formed leaf spring.  
   
   
       15 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein each of said buttons further comprises a latch member.  
   
   
       16 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections comprise: 
 a pivoting link member with said pivoting link member having a first end, an intermediate portion and a second end, with said first end of said pivoting link member connected to a selected button, with said intermediate position pivotally connected to said housing and with said second end connected to a selected key for reversibly driving said selected key to an extended position relative to said housing.    
   
   
       17 . The key holder according to  claim 16  wherein said driving connections further comprise a plurality of compression springs with said compression springs disposed, one each between a selected button and said housing and urging said button corresponding to a retracted position of said selected key.  
   
   
       18 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections comprise: 
 a plurality of spring wires each having a first end and a second end;    a plurality of pivotally mounted buttons, with said first end of said spring wire connected to a selected pivotally mounted button and with said second end of said spring wire connected to a selected key for reversibly driving said selected key to an extended position relative to said housing responsive to operation of said selected pivotally mounted button.    
   
   
       19 . The key holder according to  claim 1  wherein said driving connections comprise a clockwork spring.