Key assembly for vehicle ignition locks

• US 6,367,299 B1
• Filed: 12/09/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Janssen, David C., Reetz, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/457,984
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 704/08, 703/95, 704/13, 702/76, 702/77, 702/781, 702/782, 702/783, 702/784, 702/785, 702/786, 702/787, 702/791, 702/831
• US Class Current: 70/278.3
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/04 Construction of the bow or head of the key; Attaching the bow to the shank
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/048 the record carrier being shaped as a key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7079 Key rotated [e.g., Eurocylinder]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7802 Multi-part structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7904 Magnetic features

Abstract

A key assembly for mounting an electronic component in the head of the key. The electronic component is mounted in either an opening such as a bore or recess formed in the key head, or a carrier connected to the heel end of the key shank. In the former case, a closure member such as a plug or adhesively backed panel member is employed to close off the opening. In the latter case, the carrier is encapsulated within a plastic key head.

Claims

1. A method of making a key assembly or a lock, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a key having a heel end;

positioning a transponder adjacent the heel end of said key;

molding a carrier of a first plastic material around said transponder and the heel end of the key to complete the transponder to the heel end of the key and to cover the transponder and the heel end of the key with the first plastic material; and

molding a second plastic material over the carrier to form an outer shell over said transponder and the carrier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said carrier is molded of a material that is harder than the material of the outer shell.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second plastic material is different from the first plastic material.

4. A method of making a key assembly for a lock, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a key having a heel end;

positioning a transponder adjacent the heel end of said key;

molding a carrier of a first plastic material around a portion of said heel end and a portion of said transponder to couple the transponder to the heel and of the key, and to form a portion of a key head for said key assembly; and

molding a second plastic material to cover said transponder and said heel end and form the remaining portion of the key head.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second plastic material is different from the first plastic material.

6. A method of making a key assembly for a lock, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a key having a heel end;

providing an electronic transponder;

molding a carrier of a first plastic material ones said heel end of said key to mount said electronic transponder to the heel end of said key; and

molding an outer shell of a second plastic material, that is different from the first plastic material over said carrier and said transponder.

7. A method of making a key assembly for a lock, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a key including a heel end;

providing a transponder;

molding a carrier of a first material around the transponder and simultaneously attaching the carrier to the heel end of the key to attach the transponder to the heel end of the key; and

molding an outer shell of a second material that is different from the first material over the heel end of the key, the carrier and the transponder.

8. A method of making a key assembly for a lock, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a key including a heel end;

providing a transponder;

molding a carrier of a first material that is molded around the transponder and onto the heel end of the key to couple the transponder to the heel end of the key; and

molding an outer shell of a second material that is different from the first material over the heel end of the key, the carrier and the transponder.

9. A method of making a key assembly for a lock, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a key including a heel end;

providing a transponder;

molding a carrier of a first plastic material over the heel end of the key and the transponder to mount the transponder to the heel end of the key, with the carrier being attached to the heel end of the key, and the carrier coupling the transponder to the heel end of the key; and

molding an outer shell of a second plastic material that is different from the first material over the heel end of the key, the carrier and the transponder.

10. The method of claim 9, including molding the outer shell and the carrier to form a key head for the key.

11. A method of making a key assembly for a lock, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a key having a heel end;

positioning a transponder adjacent the heel end of said key;

molding a carrier of a first plastic material around said transponder and the heel end of the key in a first molding step to couple the transponder to the heel end of the key; and

molding a second plastic material over the carrier in a second molding step which is performed subsequent to the first molding step to form an outer shell over said transponder and the carrier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said carrier is molded of a material that is harder than the material of the outer shell.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second plastic material is different from the first plastic material.