Key fob for vehicular remote keyless entry systems

• US 6,713,895 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2000
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Krapfl, Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): DEBERADINIS, ROBERT L
• Application Number:
  US09/684,406
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 704/58, 307/10.1, 307/9.1, 307/10.6, 340/5.25, 340/5.64
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

A key fob for a vehicular remote keyless entry system includes a main body which houses electronics for activating the remote keyless entry system. The key fob further includes first and second components having different identifying indicia. The first and second components are releasably secured to the main body, such that they can be interchanged to function as visual or tactile identifiers.

Claims

1. A key fob for a vehicular remote keyless entry system comprising:

a main body including electronics for activating a remote keyless entry system; and

a removable first component having identifying indicia, said component being releasably secured to the main body such that it can be replaced with a similarly shaped second component having different identifying indicia than said indicia of said first component.

2. The key fob of claim 1, wherein one of said identifying indicia is the color of said first and second components.

3. The key fob of claim 1, wherein one of said identifying indicia is the texture of the material of said first and second components.

4. The key fob of claim 1, wherein one of said identifying indicia is the material composition of said first and second components.

5. The key fob of claim 1, wherein said first and second components are rings releasably attached to said main body.

6. The key fob of claim 1, wherein said first and second components are faceplates for covering a portion of said main body.

7. The key fob of claim 6, wherein said faceplates include openings formed therein, and wherein said main body includes electrical switches extending outwardly therefrom disposed in said openings of said faceplates when said faceplates are secured on said main body.

8. The key fob of claim 1 further including a latch mechanism movable between an open and a closed position.

9. The key fob of claim 8, wherein said latch includes a U-shaped member having a pair of co-planar sections spaced from a surface of said main body to form a gap.