Key fob device and method

• US 7,897,888 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chemetall GmbH (BASF SE), Strattec Security Corporation
• Original Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
• Inventors: Dimig, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAROC, LHEIREN MAE ANGLO
• Application Number:
  US11/396,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20070227866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 200/302.2
• US Class Current: 200/302.2
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0082 Keys or shanks being removably stored in a larger object, e.g. a remote control or a key fob general constructional details of electronic keys G07C9/00944
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2011/0093 Standardization, e.g. limiting the factory stock by limiting the number of unique, i.e. different components
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/028 Printed information
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/004 U-shaped openings surrounding keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/003 Membrane embracing all keys
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/002 Screen printing
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/02 Laser
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

A device and method for a key fob. The key fob device can include a housing, a lid defining one or more apertures, a circuit board including one or more switches, and a flexible film coupled to the housing and/or the lid. The flexible film can include one or more contact surfaces and stylized graphics.

Claims

1. A key fob comprising:

a housing;

a lid defining at least one aperture;

a circuit board including at least one switch positioned within the at least one aperture; and

a flexible film coupled to at least one of the housing and the lid, the flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob, the exterior surface including at least one contact surface and a surface conterminous with the at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate the at least one switch,

wherein the lid includes a first number of apertures greater than a second number of contact surfaces and switches and wherein the flexible film flexes within at least a portion of each of the first number of apertures.

2. The key fob of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible film and the lid is coupled to the housing with a laser weld.

3. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a hook and an elongated aperture, and wherein a mechanical key blade at least partially conceals the hook when inserted into the elongated aperture.

4. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a removable battery access door.

5. The key fob of claim 4, wherein the battery access door is sealed to the housing with an o-ring.

6. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the flexible film includes silk screen-printed stylized graphics.

7. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the at least one switch includes at least one of a tact switch and a dome switch.

8. The key fob of claim 1, wherein at least one of the flexible film and the lid is coupled to the housing with at least one of a laser weld, a sonic weld, an adhesive, and a snap-fit connection.

9. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the lid defines up to seven apertures, the flexible film includes up to seven contact surfaces, and the circuit board includes up to seven switches.

10. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the flexible film includes stylized graphics for a particular make of vehicle.

11. The key fob of claim 1, wherein the flexible film is coupled to the lid with at least one of a laser weld, a sonic weld, an adhesive, and injection molding the lid onto the flexible film.

12. A key fob comprising:

a housing;

a lid defining a plurality of apertures;

a circuit board including at least one switch positioned in at least one of the plurality of apertures; and

a flexible film coupled to at least one of the housing and the lid and defining an exterior surface of the key fob, the exterior surface including at least one contact surface and a surface conterminous to the at least one contact surface;

a first number of the at least one switch being equal to a second number of the at least one contact surface, the first number and the second number greater than a third number of the plurality of apertures and wherein the flexible film flexes within at least a portion of each of the plurality of apertures.

13. The key fob of claim 12, wherein at least one of the flexible film and the lid is coupled to the housing with a laser weld.

14. The key fob of claim 12, wherein the housing includes a hook and an elongated aperture, and wherein a mechanical key blade at least partially conceals the hook when inserted into the elongated aperture.

15. The key fob of claim 12, wherein the housing includes a removable battery access door.

16. The key fob of claim 15, wherein battery access door is sealed to the housing with an o-ring.

17. The key fob of claim 12, wherein the flexible film includes silk screen-printed stylized graphics.

18. The key fob of claim 12, wherein the at least one switch includes at least one of a tact switch and a dome switch.

19. The key fob of claim 12, wherein at least one of the flexible film and the lid is coupled to the housing with at least one of a laser weld, a sonic weld, an adhesive, and a snap-fit connection.

20. The key fob of claim 12, wherein the lid defines up to seven apertures, the flexible film includes up to seven contact surfaces, and the circuit board includes up to seven switches.

21. The key fob of claim 12, wherein the flexible film is coupled to the lid with at least one of a laser weld, a sonic weld, an adhesive, and injection molding the lid onto the flexible film.