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.

I claim: 
     
         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.