Adaptable key holder for a remote control transmitter

• US 5,220,319 A
• Filed: 06/03/1991
• Issued: 06/15/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kendel, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hill, Andrew M.
• Application Number:
  US07/709,541
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 70/456 R, 70/456 B, 70/431, 70/432, 70/256, 70/257, 341/20, 341/176, 206/37.1-37.8, 206/38.1, D 3/61-65, D10/60, 362/116, 340/825.69, 455/66, 455/95, 455/128, D14/155, D14/218
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 15/005 Fobs
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0346 Hand-held transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8676 Key holders

Abstract

The present invention provides an adaptable key holder for a remote control transmitter. This includes a remote control transmitter (101) with buttons (102) for activating functions typically located on one surface, and a detachable ring (200) encompassing the remote control transmitter (101) and having a feature to captivate keys (105). This captivating feature (105) feature can be oriented either adjacent or opposite the most used transmitter button.

Claims

1. An adaptable key holder for a remote control transmitter comprising:

a remote control transmitter having a housing with at least one bounded external surface;

at least one button disposed on said at least one bounded external surface; and

a detachable ring disposed about the periphery of said remote control transmitter housing and encircling said housing, said detachable ring including an elongated portion disposed away from said housing, the elongated portion having a void disposed therethrough, wherein said ring and housing are constructed such that said ring is disposed in either of two positions wherein said button is oriented either adjacent or opposite said elongated portion.

2. An adaptable key holder for a remote control transmitter in accordance with claim 1 further comprising means for partitioning an interior volume of said remote control transmitter housing into a plurality of compartments wherein one of said plurality of compartments is formed by an interior wall and said remote control transmitter housing periphery, said remote control transmitter housing periphery having two holes disposed therein and each hole extending from opposite exterior surfaces of said remote control transmitter housing periphery to said one of said plurality of compartments.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing is partitioned into a battery compartment and a microelectronics compartment, wherein said compartments are separated by an interior wall.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said housing is sectioned into two elements, junctioned essentially on a plane parallel to said at least one bounded external surface to form a singular housing.

5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least one bounded external surface further comprises an exterior edge located perpendicular to said plane, and wherein said detachable ring is located annularly surrounding the exterior edge.

6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said battery compartment further comprises a battery exit hole extending from said battery compartment to the exterior edge, and a battery remover entrance hole extending from said battery compartment to the exterior edge located opposite the battery exit hole.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein the battery exit hole is larger than the battery remover entrance hole.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said detachable ring is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer for providing a moisture seal around the exterior edge of said housing.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein the void disposed through the elongated portion of said detachable ring and its void have a geometry such that a key ring can be disposed therethrough either perpendicular or parallel to the exterior edge.

10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least one bounded external surface further comprises an exterior edge, and wherein said detachable ring provides a moisture seal located annularly surrounding the exterior edge of said housing.