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.

I claim: 
     
         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.