Removably mounted wireless vehicle control and method

• US 7,362,211 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Huntzicker, Fred W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): AU, SCOTT D
• Application Number:
  US11/017,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20060132286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,219 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.64, 340/5.62, 340/5.54, 340/928, 340/426.13, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 235/486, 235/380, 704/08
• US Class Current: 340/5.64
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00507 keyless data carrier having more than one function
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7876 Bow or head

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for securing a wireless fob in a vehicle. The fob has a control thereon for controlling a vehicle function. The system comprising a first vehicle region having an opening for receiving the fob. The opening is configured to render the control accessible from the exterior of the vehicle. A second vehicle region is capable of having first and second positions with respect to the first vehicle region. The opening receives the fob when the second vehicle region is in the first position. The second vehicle region prevents removal of the fob from the opening when the second vehicle region is in the second position.

Claims

1. A system for removably securing a wireless fob in a vehicle, the fob having a control thereon for controlling a vehicle function, the system comprising:

a first vehicle region having an opening therein for removably receiving the fob; and

a second vehicle region having first and second positions with respect to said first vehicle region, said opening configured to receive the fob when said second vehicle region is in the first position, said second vehicle region configured to prevent removal of the fob from said opening when said second vehicle region is in said second position, the opening configured to render the control accessible from an exterior of the vehicle when the second vehicle region is in the first position and when the second vehicle region is in the second position.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said second vehicle region is a door of the vehicle and said first vehicle region is a doorframe.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said first vehicle region is a door of the vehicle and the second vehicle region is a doorframe.

4. A system according to claim 2 wherein said first position is an open position and said second position is a closed position.

5. A system according to claim 2 wherein said opening comprises a slot through which the control is exposed.

6. A system according to claim 2 wherein the first vehicle region comprises a pin for engaging the fob.

7. A method for removable attaching to a vehicle a wireless fob for controlling a function of the vehicle, the vehicle having first and second portions capable of being opened and closed with respect to each other, comprising:

mating the fob with the first portion when the first and second portions are open so as to expose the control from an exterior of the vehicle; and

closing the second portion with respect to the first portion to secure the fob in and prevent removal of the fob from said first portion.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the mating step comprises mating the fob with a door and wherein the second portion comprises a doorframe.

9. A method according to claim 7 further comprising engaging a switch on the fob to change its electrical function when mating the fob with the first portion.

10. A method according to claim 7 wherein the mating step comprises sliding the fob over a pin mounted on the vehicle.

11. A remote keyless entry system, comprising:

a fob for controlling a vehicle function;

a frame, the frame separating an internal volume of the vehicle from an exterior of the vehicle, the frame having an opening therein for removably receiving the fob; and

a door installed in the frame, the door having a first position and a second position with respect to the frame, the door configured to allow the removal of the fob from the opening when the door is in the first position, the door configured to prevent the removal of the fob from the opening when the door is in the second position, the opening configured to render the control accessible from the exterior of the vehicle when the door is in the second position.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein said first position is an open position and said second position is a closed position.

13. A system according to claim 11 wherein said opening comprises a slot through which the control is exposed.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said fob has a lip that engages said slot.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein said fob comprises a protrusion that mates with said frame.

16. A system according to claim 11 wherein the frame comprises a pin for engaging the fob.