Aspects of the present disclosure generally pertain to an apparatus and method for holding a key for self-defense. Aspects of the present disclosure more specifically are directed toward a self-defense key holder or an apparatus that rapidly converts a key (e.g., house key) into a fighting weapon, for example, for self-defense. The defense key holder may utilize an existing key (e.g., home/office/auto) to replace bulky and often prohibited self-defense aids. This disclosure may be useful for giving a user additional control and force in a variety of motions with a key or other object.

A resin molded article is equipped with a laminated body in which a core material layer, a cushion layer, and a skin layer are included and laminated. In this configuration, a lowermost layer and a peripheral edge portion of the laminated body are covered by a resin covering layer, and only the upper surface of the skin layer is exposed and serves as a design surface. Moreover, the peripheral edge portion of the laminated body is embedded in an interior part of the resin covering layer.

A resin molded article is equipped with a laminated body in which a core material layer, a cushion layer, and a skin layer are included and laminated. In this configuration, a lowermost layer and a peripheral edge portion of the laminated body are covered by a resin covering layer, and only the upper surface of the skin layer is exposed and serves as a design surface. Moreover, the peripheral edge portion of the laminated body is embedded in an interior part of the resin covering layer.

A lock system may comprise a lock operating key for operating a lock, with the key including a bow and a blade extending from the bow along a longitudinal axis of the blade. The blade may include a blade wall with an arcuate main wall portion and a pair of side wall portions extending radially inward from opposite sides of the main wall portion. Bitting may be formed on the blade and be positioned on at least one of the side wall portions of the blade wall. The lock system may also include a lock plug defining a keyway having a transverse keyway profile configured to receive the blade of the key, with at least a portion of the keyway having an arcuate shape to receive the arcuate main wall portion of the blade wall of the key.

A lock system may comprise a lock operating key for operating a lock, with the key including a bow and a blade extending from the bow along a longitudinal axis of the blade. The blade may include a blade wall with an arcuate main wall portion and a pair of side wall portions extending radially inward from opposite sides of the main wall portion. Bitting may be formed on the blade and be positioned on at least one of the side wall portions of the blade wall. The lock system may also include a lock plug defining a keyway having a transverse keyway profile configured to receive the blade of the key, with at least a portion of the keyway having an arcuate shape to receive the arcuate main wall portion of the blade wall of the key.

An electronic key includes a mechanical key, a case in which to store the mechanical key, and a restraint member provided to the case and restraining the mechanical key from falling out of the case. The mechanical key includes a key engagement plane which is a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of a bar portion in a lock state. The restraint member includes a lock engagement plane which is a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bar portion in the lock state and engages with the key engagement plane. At least one of the key engagement plane and the lock engagement plane forms a stepped plane structure including a plurality of engagement planes provided at different positions in the axial direction of the bar portion of the mechanical key and engageable with the other one of the key engagement plane and the lock engagement plane.

Proposed is a group of inventions relating to locking mechanisms, containing keys which can be separated into parts and which have catches and a plurality of replaceable blades which fit a plurality of locks, the replaceable blades of the keys of all of said locks attach to the catches of one key part having a bow, thus reducing the weight and overall size of a bunch of keys, allowing a person to carry only one key part having a bow and a plurality of key blades pertaining to different locks, reducing the weight and size of a bunch of keys, and a lock having corresponding mating mechanisms, increasing the security of the locking mechanism. The drawing shows the position of two catches on a key shank, using the example of a key to a pin-tumbler mechanism.

An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.

An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.

A disclosed device may have a clamping mechanism operably coupled to a rotatable positioning mechanism, the clamping mechanism being intended to retain a position of at least one key. The device is shaped such that additional torque can be applied to the key when rotating the key when inserted in a lock. In some embodiments, a light source may be included with the device.