Key Ring with Corners and Attached Sliding Cover

Abstract

This invention is directed toward a low-profile key ring. The key ring has a split running through a portion of its body creating inner and outer segments along a portion of the plane of the body. The split line may be non-linear creating protrusions and slots running along the length of the split, and interacting mechanically to allow the key ring to remain securely closed when radial forces are applied.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A low-profile key ring comprising:
 a. a planar body;   b. a split within the planar body wherein the split forms an outer segment and an inner segment within the planar body; and   c. the outer segment and the inner segment further comprising complimentary contouring suited for securing the outer segment to the inner segment and releasably detaching the outer segment from the inner segment.   
     
     
         2 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 1  wherein the outer segment or the inner segment further comprises at least one protrusion and at least one slot. 
     
     
         3 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 1  wherein the body includes a first corner and a second corner and a connecting section disposed between the first corner and the corner. 
     
     
         4 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 1  further comprising a slide cover configured to slide over a first corner and cover the connecting section. 
     
     
         5 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 4  wherein the slide cover is comprised of a flexible material that can stretch with the application of force and slide over a first corner. 
     
     
         6 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 4  further wherein the constriction element is comprised of a low durometer material. 
     
     
         7 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 6  wherein the slide cover and the constriction element are separate elements. 
     
     
         8 . A low-profile key ring comprising:
 a. a planar body wherein the planar body comprises a first corner;   b. a connecting section disposed adjacent to the first corner;   c. a split disposed in the connecting section wherein the connecting section further comprises an outer segment and an inner segment wherein the outer segment and inner segment are complementarily contoured; and   d. a slide cover wherein a constriction element is comprised of a low durometer material.   
     
     
         9 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 8  wherein the outer segment or the inner segment further comprises at least one protrusion and at least one slot. 
     
     
         10 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 8  wherein the body includes a second corner and a connecting section disposed between the first corner and the corner. 
     
     
         11 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 8  wherein the slide cover is comprised of a flexible material that can stretch with the application of force and slide over a first corner. 
     
     
         12 . The low-profile key ring of  claim 6  wherein the slide cover and the constriction element are separate elements. 
     
     
         13 . A method of making a low-profile key ring comprising the steps of:
 a. cutting or stamping a planar body wherein the body is shaped as substantially circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, S-shaped, or polygonal, and comprises at least one corner;   b. creating a split in the body wherein the split forms an outer segment and an inner segment within the body, the outer and inner segments further comprising complimentary contouring; and   c. affixing a slide cover to the body, the slide cover configured to slide over a first corner and cover the connecting section upon application of manual force.