Handcuff key with illumination

Abstract

A handcuff key that is partially enclosed in a grip housing having the ends of the handcuff key plate extending out of the grip housing. The external portions of the middle of the handcuff key plate are ribbed and attach to the external end portions of the handcuff key plate. The grip housing has a depression button on one side and a threaded notched cover that can be removed for cell replacement on the other. The grip housing includes a cell that sits in a recess on one side of the handcuff key plate and is lined with a circular conductive strip. The recess surrounds a hole that is integrated in with the structure of the key. An insulated wire is connected to the circular conductive strip and runs to the terminals of two light emitting diodes and then to another conductive strip that is affixed to the internal side of a depression button. The two light emitting diodes sit in grooved slots of the grip housing and face opposite each other toward the respective ends of the handcuff key plate. By depressing a depression button on the outside of the grip housing the conductive strip that is connected to the insulated wires contacts the cell through the handcuff key plate hole and forms a closed circuit so that the two light emitting diodes illuminate a light beam that will extend towards both ends of the key.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A handcuff key comprising: 
       a handcuff key plate ( 1 ) having two opposite ends, three holes ( 15  and  19 ), with the center hole ( 19 ) being larger and surrounded on one side by a recess ( 12 ); the other holes ( 15 ) are opposite each other at the end of the key plate ( 1 ), said key plate having two ribbed grips ( 2 ) at opposing lateral sides;  
       a grip housing ( 5 ) is attached to the center of the key plate ( 1 ) via circular attaching means ( 18 ) and fits in the length of the parallel slots ( 17 ) along the longitudinal of the key plate ( 1 ), said grip housing attaches to the key plate ( 1 ) between the two ribbed grips ( 2 ) and having the two opposite ends of the handcuff key plate ( 1 ) extending from the grip housing ( 5 );  
       a illumination circuit contained within the grip housing ( 5 ), the illumination circuit includes two light emitting diodes ( 9 ) connected by wire ( 10 ), said wire being insulated ( 11 ) and a circular conductive strip ( 13 ) to a battery cell ( 8 ) to another conductive strip ( 16 ) that attaches to the inner side of a depression button ( 14 );  
       a threaded cell cover ( 3 ) has a notch ( 4 ) at the middle of an external portion;  
       said grip housing ( 5 ) includes two grooved slots ( 7 ) at opposite ends where each light emitting diode ( 9 ) is positioned to illuminate the opposite ends of the key plate ( 1 ),  
       said grip housing ( 5 ) includes said depression button ( 14 ) and a threaded hole ( 6 ) positioning the battery cell ( 8 ) above the center hole ( 19 ) and recess ( 12 ) of the key plate ( 1 );  
       said threaded cell cover ( 3 ) covers the threaded hole ( 6 )  
       wherein when said depression button is depressed said illumination circuit illuminates both ends of said handcuff key plate.  
     
     
       2. A handcuff key comprising: 
       
         a handcuff key plate having two opposite ends, three holes, with the center hole being larger and surrounded on one side by a recess; the other holes are opposite each other at the end of the key plate, said key plate having two ribbed grips at opposing lateral sides;  
       
       
         a grip housing is attached to the center of the key plate via circular attaching means and fits in the length of the parallel slots along the longitude of the key plate, said grip housing attaches to the key plate between the two ribbed grips and having the two opposite ends of the handcuff key plate extending from the grip housing;  
       
       
         a illumination circuit contained within the grip housing, the illumination circuit includes two light emitting diodes connected by wire, said wire being insulated, and a circular conductive strip to a battery cell to another conductive strip that attaches to the inner side of a depression button;  
       
       
         a threaded cell cover has a notch at the middle of an external portion;  
       
       
         said grip housing includes two grooved slots at opposite ends where each light emitting diode is positioned to illuminate the opposite ends of the key plate,  
       
       
         said grip housing includes said depression button and a threaded hole positioning the battery cell above the center hole and recess of the key plate;  
       
       
         said threaded cell cover covers the threaded hole,  
       
       
         wherein when said depression button is depressed said illumination circuit illuminates both ends of said handcuff key plate. 
       
     
     
       3. A handcuff key comprising: 
       
         a handcuff key plate having two opposite ends and a hole surrounded on one side by a recess;  
       
       
         a grip housing is attached to the center of the key plate and having the two opposite ends of the handcuff key plate extending from the grip housing;  
       
       
         a illumination circuit contained within the grip housing, the illumination circuit includes two light emitting diodes connected by wire to a battery cell and a depression button;  
       
       
         a cell cover has a notch at the middle of an external portion;  
       
       
         said grip housing includes two grooved slots at opposite ends where each light emitting diode is positioned to illuminate the opposite ends of the key plate,  
       
       
         said grip housing includes said depression button and a hole positioning the battery cell above the hole and recess of the key plate;  
       
       
         said cell cover covers the hole,  
       
       
         wherein when said depression button is depressed said illumination circuit illuminates  
       
       
         both ends of said handcuff key plate. 
       
     
     
       4. A handcuff key comprising: 
       
         a handcuff key plate having two opposite ends and a center hole;  
       
       
         a housing attached to the key plate and having the two opposite ends of the handcuff key plate extending from the housing,  
       
       
         wherein the housing includes a depression button proximate a battery disposed in the center hole of the key plate;  
       
       
         an illumination circuit within the housing, the illumination circuit including two light emitting diodes connected to the battery responsive to the depression button; and  
       
       
         wherein the housing includes slots at opposite ends, wherein each light emitting diode is positioned in a respective slot to illuminate the respective opposite ends of the key plate,  
       
       
         whereby, when the depression button is depressed, the illumination circuit illuminates the two opposite ends of the handcuff key plate. 
       
     
     
       5. A handcuff key comprising: 
       
         a housing having opposite ends of a handcuff key extending therefrom,  
       
       
         the housing including a depression button proximate a battery enclosed by the housing and having slots near the opposite ends of the handcuff key, respectively;  
       
       
         two light emitting diodes, one in each of the slots of the housing for illuminating the opposite ends of the handcuff key, respectively;  
       
       
         an illumination circuit within the housing, the illumination circuit including the two light emitting diodes connected to the battery responsive to the depression button;  
       
       
         whereby, when the depression button is depressed, the illumination circuit illuminates the opposite ends of the handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       6. A handcuff key comprising: 
       
         a housing having a key end and a pin end of a handcuff key extending therefrom,  
       
       
         the housing including a depression button proximate a battery enclosed by the housing and having slots near the key end and the pin end of the handcuff key, respectively;  
       
       
         two light emitting diodes each in one of the slots of the housing for illuminating the key end and the pin end, respectively;  
       
       
         an illumination circuit within the housing, the illumination circuit including the two light emitting diodes connected to the battery responsive to the depression button;  
       
       
         whereby, when the depression button is depressed, the illumination circuit illuminates the key end and the pin end of the handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       7. In a handcuff key comprising a key end and a pin end and a housing therebetween: 
       
         a battery enclosed in said housing;  
       
       
         first and second light emitting diodes in said housing and positioned for illuminating in the respective directions of the key end and the pin end of said housing, respectively;  
       
       
         a depressable button in said housing for selectively connecting said battery and said first and second light emitting diodes in an illumination circuit,  
       
       
         wherein, when said depressable button is depressed, said illumination circuit causes said first and second light emitting diodes to illuminate the key end and the pin end of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       8. The handcuff key of  claim 7  wherein said housing includes a central hole enclosing said battery. 
     
     
       9. The handcuff key of  claim 7  wherein said housing has first and second slots for receiving the first and second light emitting diodes, respectively. 
     
     
       10. The handcuff key of  claim 7  further including a wire and a conductive strip, wherein depressing and releasing said depressable button causes said conductive strip to selectively make and break electrical contact. 
     
     
       11. The handcuff key of  claim 7  further including an electrical conductor, wherein depressing and releasing said depressable button causes said electrical conductor to selectively make and break electrical contact. 
     
     
       12. The handcuff key of  claim 7  wherein said housing includes a cover for enclosing the battery therein. 
     
     
       13. The handcuff key of  claim 7  wherein said housing comprises first and second grip housings and means for attaching said first and second grip housings. 
     
     
       14. In a handcuff key comprising opposite ends and a housing therebetween: 
       
         a battery enclosed in said housing;  
       
       
         first and second light emitting diodes in said housing and positioned for illuminating in the respective directions of the opposite ends of said housing, respectively;  
       
       
         a depressable button in said housing for selectively connecting said battery and said first and second light emitting diodes in an illumination circuit,  
       
       
         wherein, when said depressable button is depressed, said illumination circuit causes said first and second light emitting diodes to illuminate the opposite ends of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       15. The handcuff key of  claim 14  wherein said housing includes a central hole enclosing said battery. 
     
     
       16. The handcuff key of  claim 14  wherein said housing has first and second slots for receiving the first and second light emitting diodes, respectively. 
     
     
       17. The handcuff key of  claim 14  further including a wire and a conductive strip, wherein depressing and releasing said depressable button causes said conductive strip to selectively make and break electrical contact. 
     
     
       18. The handcuff key of  claim 14  further including an electrical conductor, wherein depressing and releasing said depressable button causes said electrical conductor to selectively make and break electrical contact. 
     
     
       19. The handcuff key of  claim 14  wherein said housing includes a cover for enclosing the battery therein. 
     
     
       20. The handcuff key of  claim 14  wherein said housing comprises first and second grip housings and means for attaching said first and second grip housings. 
     
     
       21. A handcuff key comprising opposite ends and a housing therebetween; and an illumination circuit in said housing, 
       
         said illumination circuit including a battery in circuit with first and second light emitting diodes positioned for illuminating in the respective directions of the opposite ends of said housing, respectively, and a button for selectively energizing said first and second light emitting diodes,  
       
       
         wherein depressing said button energizes said first and second light emitting diodes to illuminate the opposite ends of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       22. A handcuff key comprising a key end and a pin end and a housing therebetween; and an illumination circuit in said housing, 
       
         said illumination circuit including a battery in circuit with first and second light emitting diodes positioned for illuminating in the respective directions of the key end and the pin end of said housing, respectively, and a button for selectively energizing said first and second light emitting diodes,  
       
       
         wherein depressing said button energizes said first and second light emitting diodes to illuminate the key end and the pin end of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       23. A handcuff key comprising a housing having opposite ends extending therefrom, and an illumination circuit in said housing, 
       
         said illumination circuit comprising a battery in circuit with first and second lights positioned for illuminating in the respective directions of the opposite ends of said housing, respectively, and a button for selectively energizing said first and second lights,  
       
       
         wherein depressing said button switch energizes said first and second lights to illuminate the opposite ends of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       24. A handcuff key comprising a housing having a key end and a pin end extending therefrom, and an illumination circuit in said housing, 
       
         said illumination circuit comprising a battery in circuit with first and second lights positioned for illuminating in the respective directions of the key end and the pin end of said housing, respectively, and a button for selectively energizing said first and second lights,  
       
       
         wherein depressing said button energizes said first and second lights to illuminate the key end and the pin end of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       25. An article comprising: 
       
         a handcuff key having first and second ends;  
       
       
         first and second lights positioned for illuminating in the respective directions of the first and second ends of said handcuff key; and  
       
       
         a button for selectively energizing said first and second lights,  
       
       
         wherein depressing said button energizes said first and second lights to illuminate the first and second ends of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       26. In a handcuff key comprising first and second ends and a housing therebetween: 
       
         a battery enclosed in said housing;  
       
       
         first and second lights in said housing and positioned for illuminating in the directions of the first and second ends of said housing, respectively;  
       
       
         a depressable button in said housing for selectively connecting said battery and said first and second lights in an illumination circuit,  
       
       
         wherein, when said depressable button is depressed, said illumination circuit causes said first and second lights to illuminate the first and second ends of said handcuff key. 
       
     
     
       27. A handcuff key comprising: 
       
         a handcuff key plate having two opposite ends and three holes, wherein the center hole is larger and is surrounded on one side by a recess, the other holes are opposite each other at the end of the key plate, and the key plate has two ribbed grips at opposing lateral sides;  
       
       
         a grip housing attached to the center of the key plate via circular attaching means fits in the length of the parallel slots along the longitude of the key plate, wherein the grip housing attaches to the key plate between the two ribbed grips and has the two opposite ends of the handcuff key plate extending from the grip housing;  
       
       
         an illumination circuit contained within the grip housing, wherein the illumination circuit includes two light emitting diodes connected by wire, the wire being insulated, and a circular conductive strip to a battery cell to another conductive strip that attaches to the inner side of a depression button; and  
       
       
         a threaded cell cover having a notch at the middle of an external portion;  
       
       
         wherein the grip housing includes two grooved slots at opposite ends where each light emitting diode is positioned to illuminate the opposite ends of the key plate;  
       
       
         wherein the grip housing includes the depression button and a threaded hole positioning the battery cell above the center hole and recess of the key plate;  
       
       
         wherein the threaded cell cover covers the threaded hole; and  
       
       
         wherein when the depression button is depressed the illumination circuit illuminates both ends of the handcuff key plate. 
       
     
     
       28. A handcuff key comprising: 
       
         a handcuff key plate having two opposite ends and a hole surrounded on one side by a recess;  
       
       
         a grip housing attached to the center of the key plate and having the two opposite ends of the handcuff key plate extending from the grip housing;  
       
       
         an illumination circuit within the grip housing, the illumination circuit including two light emitting diodes connected by wire and a circular conductive strip to a battery cell and a depression button; and  
       
       
         a cell cover;  
       
       
         wherein the grip housing includes two notches at opposite ends where each light emitting diode is positioned to illuminate the opposite ends of the key plate;  
       
       
         wherein the grip housing includes the depression button and a hole positioning the battery cell above the hole and recess of the key plate;  
       
       
         wherein the cell cover covers the hole of the grip housing; and  
       
       
         wherein when the depression button is depressed the illumination circuit illuminates both ends of the handcuff key plate.