Key fob with detent mechanism

• US 7,453,346 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2005
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Burca, John, Buccinna, Frank, Pagano, Leonard E., Doyle, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Syed; Nabil H
• Application Number:
  US11/028,095
• Publication Number:
  US 20060145810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,415 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.72, 340/5.64, 703/95, 206/305, 206/320, 361/727, 361/686
• US Class Current: 340/5.72
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/04 Construction of the bow or head of the key; Attaching the bow to the shank
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/34 Protection against weather or dirt, e.g. against water ingress closures or guards for keyholes E05B17/14
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/287 wherein the operating part is made inaccessible or more difficult to access by a lid, cover or guard, e.g. lockable covers

Abstract

A key fob for housing at least one electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system includes a main body having at least one actuator button. The actuator button is operable to control an electrical component for wireless communication with a vehicular system. The main body includes a first detent mechanism. The key fob further includes a cap moveably connected to the main body. The cap is moveable between a closed position and an open position such that in the closed position the cap at least partially covers the actuator button and such that in the open position the cap at least partially exposes the actuator button. The cap includes a second detent mechanism. The second detent mechanism is operable to cooperate with the first detent mechanism to lock the cap relative to the main body in one of the closed position and the open position.

Claims

1. A key fob comprising:

a main body including a peg;

a cap supported on the main body for sliding movement between a closed position and an opened position, the cap having a slot extending therethrough that defines first and second ends and first and second sides, wherein the peg is received in the slot between the first and second ends thereof and between the first and second sides thereof to limit movement of the cap relative to the main body; and

a wireless communication device including an actuator that is supported on the main body, wherein the cap at least partially covers the actuator when located in the closed position and at least partially exposes the actuator when located in the opened position.

2. The key fob defined in claim 1 wherein the cap includes a protrusion that extends into the slot adjacent to the first end thereof and cooperates with the peg to retain the cap in the closed position.

3. The key fob defined in claim 2 wherein the cap includes a hollow that defines a rib that supports the protrusion.

4. The key fob defined in claim 1 wherein the cap includes (1) a first protrusion that extends into the slot adjacent to the first end thereof and cooperates with the peg to retain the cap in the closed position and (2) a second protrusion that extends into the slot adjacent to the second end thereof and cooperates with the peg to retain the cap in the opened position.

5. The key fob defined in claim 4 wherein the cap includes a first hollow that defines a first rib that supports the first protrusion and a second hollow that defines a second rib that supports the second protrusion.

6. The key fob defined in claim 1 wherein the cap includes (1) a first protrusion that extends into the slot adjacent to the first end thereof and cooperates with the peg to retain the cap in the closed position, (2) a second protrusion that extends into the slot adjacent to the second end thereof and cooperates with the peg to retain the cap in the opened position, and (3) a third protrusion that extends into the slot adjacent to the second end thereof and cooperates with the peg to retain the cap in the opened position.

7. The key fob defined in claim 6 wherein the cap includes a first hollow that defines a first rib that supports the first protrusion, a second hollow that defines a second rib that supports the second protrusion, and a third hollow that defines a third rib that supports the third protrusion.

8. The key fob defined in claim 1 wherein the main body includes an outer surface, and wherein the peg extends outwardly from the outer surface.

9. The key fob defined in claim 1 wherein the key fob includes a key.