Connection device for holding an object, such as a key, dog tag, and the like

Abstract

A connector ring includes a body with first and second ring portions. Each ring portion is configured to extend through the item opening of a corresponding item. The first ring portion includes a wire coil that is defined by wire sections and includes an overlapped coil segment. The body is configured such that the wire sections are yieldably shiftable away from each other along the overlapped coil segment to define a space through which the corresponding item can move along a coil axis. One of the wire sections turns off axis relative to the other wire section at a location to form an offset end portion that extends away from the overlapped coil segment. The wire sections are configured for prying engagement by the corresponding item generally at the location to facilitate shifting of the wire sections away from one another along the overlapped coil segment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector ring operable to removably connect items that each present an item opening, said connector ring comprising:
 a body including first and second ring portions, with each of the ring portions being configured to extend through the item opening of a corresponding item,   said first ring portion including a wire coil that presents a longitudinal coil axis,   said wire coil being defined by wire sections and including an overlapped coil segment along which the wire sections extend axially alongside one another to restrict movement of the corresponding item along the coil axis,   said body being configured such that the wire sections are yieldably shiftable away from each other along the overlapped coil segment to define a space through which the corresponding item can move along the coil axis,   one of said wire sections turning off axis relative to the other wire section at a location to form an offset end portion that extends away from the overlapped coil segment, with the wire sections being configured for prying engagement by the corresponding item generally at the location to facilitate shifting of the wire sections away from one another along the overlapped coil segment.   
     
     
         2 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said body presenting an outermost ring perimeter,   said offset end portion extending away from the perimeter.   
     
     
         3 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 2 ,
 said offset end portion extending inwardly relative to the perimeter.   
     
     
         4 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 said offset end portion presenting a terminal end spaced from the ring perimeter.   
     
     
         5 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 4 ,
 said terminal end being defined by a wire end.   
     
     
         6 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 5 ,
 said wire end being semispherically shaped.   
     
     
         7 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 said offset end portion partly defining a ring opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of the corresponding item therethrough so that the corresponding item may be received on the first ring portion.   
     
     
         8 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 7 ,
 said body being configured to prevent the corresponding item from passing through the ring opening when in a minimum open condition,   said body being flexible so that the ring opening is expandable from the minimum open condition to thereby permit the corresponding item to pass therethrough.   
     
     
         9 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 3 ,
 said second ring portion being at least partly defined by at least one of the wire sections so as to permit the corresponding item to be moved between the ring portions.   
     
     
         10 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 9 ,
 said wire sections cooperatively forming the second ring portion such that the second ring portion is defined by a single wire loop.   
     
     
         11 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said offset end portion partly defining a ring opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of the corresponding item therethrough so that the corresponding item may be received on the first ring portion.   
     
     
         12 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 said body being configured to prevent the corresponding item from passing through the ring opening when in a minimum open condition,   said body being flexible so that the ring opening is expandable from the minimum open condition to thereby permit the corresponding item to pass therethrough.   
     
     
         13 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 11 ,
 said offset end portion presenting a terminal end spaced from the coil segment,   said ring opening being defined in part by the terminal end.   
     
     
         14 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said second ring portion being at least partly defined by at least one of the wire sections so as to permit the corresponding item to be moved between the ring portions.   
     
     
         15 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 14 ,
 said wire sections cooperatively forming the second ring portion such that the second ring portion is defined by a single wire loop.   
     
     
         16 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said offset end portion presenting a terminal end spaced from the coil segment.   
     
     
         17 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 16 ,
 said terminal end being defined by a wire end.   
     
     
         18 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 17 ,
 said wire end being semispherically shaped.   
     
     
         19 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said other wire section turning off axis relative to said one wire section at a second location to form a second offset end portion that extends away from the overlapped coil segment, with the wire sections being configured for prying engagement by the corresponding item generally at the second location to facilitate shifting of the wire sections away from one another along the overlapped coil segment.   
     
     
         20 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 19 ,
 said offset end portions cooperatively defining a ring opening that is configured to receive at least a portion of the corresponding item therethrough so that the corresponding item may be received on the first ring portion.   
     
     
         21 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 20 ,
 said body being configured to prevent the corresponding item from passing through the ring opening when in a minimum open condition,   said body being flexible so that the ring opening is expandable from the minimum open condition to thereby permit the corresponding item to pass therethrough.   
     
     
         22 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 21 ,
 said offset end portions extending at least partly alongside one another so as to be at least partly overlapped,   said offset end portions being yieldably shiftable away from one another to define the ring opening therebetween.   
     
     
         23 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 22 ,
 said body presenting an outermost ring perimeter,   said offset end portions extending inwardly relative to the perimeter toward one another.   
     
     
         24 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 23 ,
 said offset end portions each presenting a terminal end spaced inwardly from the ring perimeter.   
     
     
         25 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 24 ,
 each of said terminal ends being defined by a wire end.   
     
     
         26 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 25 ,
 each of said wire ends being semispherically shaped.   
     
     
         27 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 19 ,
 said body presenting an outermost ring perimeter,   said offset end portions extending away from the perimeter.   
     
     
         28 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 27 ,
 said offset end portions extending inwardly relative to the perimeter toward one another.   
     
     
         29 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 19 ,
 said offset end portions each presenting a terminal end spaced from the ring perimeter.   
     
     
         30 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 29 ,
 each of said terminal ends being defined by a wire end.   
     
     
         31 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 30 ,
 each of said wire ends being semispherically shaped.   
     
     
         32 . The connector ring as claimed in  claim 1 ,
 said wire sections being formed as part of a unitary wire that defines the ring portions.