A universal holder for keys with an illuminated member that projects a beam of light substantially parallel to the direction of the key being housed by the holder. One end of the key protrudes outside the holder while the other end is housed within the holder sandwiched by two pad members. Two substantially similar sections joined together by an integral hinge with opposing cavities that receive the pad members. The pad members are deformable and conform to the dimensions of the cavities providing a firm grip on the key avoiding any internal play. Keys with different configurations can be thus accommodated. A battery operated circuit is closed with membrane switches that cause the light element to produce a light beam.

A key structure with illumination function including a grip housing composed of a first and a second casing, a key plate enclosed in the grip housing and having a key head extending out of the grip housing, a cell disposed beside the key plate and a light emitting diode having two terminals extending to two electrodes of the cell. By depressing a depression button, the terminals of the light emitting diode are electrically connected with the cell to form a closed circuit so that the light emitting diode can emit a light beam to illuminate the circumference of the key hole. Accordingly, in a dim place, a user can easily use the key to unlock the lock.

An improved light attachable to a key is provided with a housing and back plate having substantially similar widths between which is secured the head portion of a key. The housing encases a frame formed with recesses to accept a battery, light bulb, contacts and a switch. The frame fits into the back side of the housing such that a flat back side is formed which allows the head of a key which abuts the back side of the housing to overhang the width of the housing. The back plate attaches to the housing by means of a rectangular tab on one edge of the back plate which engages a correspondingly shaped groove in the housing, and by means of a screw from the face of the housing through a hole in the head of the key to the face of the back plate. The back plate is formed so as to have three open sides to similarly allow the head of the key to overhang its width. The key is held in place by the clamping force between the housing and the back plate provided by the screw, and also adhesive material disposed on the back plate to affix the key head to the back plate. Optionally, a bore is provided in the housing and frame to receive and carry a screwdriver used to tighten or remove the screw.

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.