VALET KEY STORAGE DEVICE

• US 20090091421A1
• Filed: 10/02/2008
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: HIRANO, Morimichi
• Granted Patent: US 8,138,887 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/248 Electronic key extraction prevention
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/026 the bolt moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/00 Vehicle locks characterised by special functions or purposes locks specially adapted for bicycles E05B71/00; locking arrangements for non-fixed vehicle roofs B60J7/185
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/08 using electromagnets or solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7757 Push or pull key operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7763 Key ejecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 Key-removal preventing

Abstract

A valet key storage device includes a valet key storage portion for storing a valet key on which an engaging portion is formed, a locking portion provided with a locking mechanism for locking an ejection of the valet key by engaging with the engaging portion of the valet key, a key cylinder conducting a release operation of the locking mechanism by a mechanical keys and a control section for controlling an unlocking operation of the locking portion based on a release operation of an immobilizing function and the key cylinder by the mechanical key.

Claims

1. A valet key storage device comprising:

a valet key storage portion for storing a valet key on which an engaging portion is formed;

a locking portion provided with a locking mechanism for locking an ejection of the valet key by engaging with the engaging portion of the valet key;

a key cylinder conducting a release operation of the locking mechanism by a mechanical key; and

a control section for controlling an unlocking operation of the locking portion based on a release operation of an immobilizing function and the key cylinder by the mechanical key.

2. The valet key storage device according to claim 1, wherein the locking portion has a locking bar provided corresponding to the engaging portion of the valet key so as to lock an ejection of the valet key from the valet key storage portion by entering the engaging portion of the valet key when the valet key is stored in the valet key storage portion, and a driving section for driving the locking bar.

3. The valet key storage device according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion or an opening portion which can be hooked onto a projection body is formed as the engaging portion on the valet key.

4. The valet key storage device according to claim 1, wherein the control section controls the driving section when an ID possessed by a regular key of a vehicle and an ID of the vehicle are certified by the immobilizing function, and permits the ejection of the valet key from the valet key storage portion.

5. The valet key storage device according to claim 2, wherein the driving section is an actuator in which a solenoid is used.

6. The valet key storage device according to claim 2, wherein the locking bar has a slant which converts a force in a direction to store an end portion of the valet key into a force in a orthogonal direction when the valet key is stored in the storage portion.

7. The valet key storage device according to claim 4, wherein the control section imparts a valet function to the valet key in which the ID has been certified.

8. The valet key storage device according to claim 4, wherein the control section controls the driving section when a valet key ejection signal is output from a cylinder switch, and displaces the locking bar until it comes out from an opening of the valet key.

9. The valet key storage device according to claim 4, wherein the control section displaces the locking bar in a projecting direction by controlling the actuator when the valet key is taken out from the valet key storage portion and the vehicle is operated.

10. The valet key storage device according to claim 5, wherein the solenoid comprises a rod stored inside the solenoid and a spring arranged around the rod for imparting an spring load in a direction of the locking bar