FOB INTEGRATED KEY

• US 20080127693A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Holmes, Steve, Lyon, Timothy, Cadiz, Mariano, Willyard, James A., Pinardi, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,634,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/456R
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/023 Means for holding keys
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0082 Keys or shanks being removably stored in a larger object, e.g. a remote control or a key fob general constructional details of electronic keys G07C9/00944
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/046 the shank being slidingly mounted on the bow, e.g. for storage
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00992 mechanical key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8676 Key holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8757 Releasable catches

Abstract

A key fob for a vehicle has a first end that is used as a key for insertion into a vehicle ignition receptacle and a second end that defines an opening for internal storage of a separate, removable key. While the key fob will remotely unlock the vehicle doors and start the vehicle engine when turned in the vehicle ignition, the removable key is an auxiliary, mechanical access key that may be used on door locks and interior storage compartments. The key fob will not unlock interior storage compartments and the removable key will not sustain operation of the vehicle engine.

Claims

1. A key fob for a vehicle, the key fob comprising:

a removable key, wherein the key fob defines a receptacle where the removable key resides.

2. The key fob of claim 1, further comprising:

an end configured for insertion into a vehicle ignition receptacle.

3. The key fob of claim 1, the removable key further defining:

a hole, wherein the hole secures a key ring for keys.

4. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the removable key forms a flush fit against the key fob upon stowage of the removable key in the hole.

5. The key fob of claim 1, further comprising:

a second end configured for insertion into a vehicle ignition receptacle,

wherein the removable key further defines a hole, wherein the hole secures a ring for additional keys and the removable key forms a flush fit against the key fob upon stowage of the removable key in the hole.

6. The key fob of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch, wherein the switch is used to release the removable key from the fob.

7. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the removable key further defines a hole, wherein a ring passes through the hole and the removable key forms a flush fit against the key fob upon stowage of the removable key in the hole.

8. The key fob of claim 1, the key fob further defining a slot at a fob end for alignment with a hole defined in the removable key.

9. A key fob for a vehicle, the key fob comprising:

a first fob end configured for insertion into a vehicle ignition receptacle; and

a second fob end defining a key receptacle; and

a removable key, the removable key stowed in the key receptacle.

10. The key fob of claim 9, the removable key further defining:

a hole, wherein the hole secures a key ring.

11. The key fob of claim 10, wherein the fob second end further defines a slot, the slot aligning with the hole in the removable key to permit passage of the key ring.

12. The key fob of claim 9, wherein the removable key forms a flush fit with the second fob end.

13. The key fob of claim 9, further comprising:

a switch, wherein the switch is used to release the removable key from the fob.

14. A key fob for a vehicle, the key fob comprising:

a first fob end configured for insertion into a vehicle ignition receptacle;

a second fob end defining a key receptacle; and

a removable key, the removable key stowed in the key receptacle.

15. The key fob of claim 14, further defining:

a slot at the second fob end; and

the removable key further defining;

a hole, wherein the slot and the hole align.

16. The key fob of claim 15, wherein the removable key forms a flush fit against the key fob upon stowage of the removable key in the hole.

17. The key fob of claim 14, further comprising:

a switch, wherein the switch is used to release the removable key from the fob.

18. The key fob of claim 17, wherein the removable key resides flush against the key fob when stowed in the key receptacle.

19. The key fob of claim 18, the key fob further defining a slot at a fob end for alignment with a hole defined in the removable key.

20. The key fob of claim 19, the switch further comprising:

a post; and

the removable key further comprising;

a recession, wherein the post biases into the recession to secure the removable key within the key receptacle.