Valet key storage device

• US 7,930,915 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Issued: 04/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Katagiri, Toshiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall; Lloyd A
• Application Number:
  US12/203,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20090064741A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 702/52, 703/89, 704/29, 704/56.R, 704/59, 702/781, 702/782, 704/14, 703/87, 703/88, 703/90, 70182-186, 206/37.1, 206/38.1, 206/37.5, 307 103- 106, 340/5.72, 340/5.73
• US Class Current: 70/252
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/241 whereby access privileges are related to the identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5956 Steering mechanism with switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7757 Push or pull key operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7763 Key ejecting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7768 Key-removal preventing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8676 Key holders

Abstract

A valet key storage device, includes a valet key storage portion for storing a valet key having an opening, a locking bar for locking the valet key, a driving member for driving the locking bar to be inserted into the opening of the valet key, a locking pin for locking the locking bar, a driving section for driving the locking pin to lock the locking bar; and a control section for controlling the driving section to plunge or remove the locking pin into or from the locking bar.

Claims

1. A valet key storage system for an automotive vehicle having an engine switch capable of being started by both a regular key and a valet key, comprising:

a valet key for unlocking and starting the vehicle, the valet key having an opening;

a valet key storage portion located in the body of the vehicle for storing the valet key;

a locking bar for locking the valet key in the valet key storage portion;

an elastic driving member for driving the locking bar into the opening of the valet key by elastic force;

a locking pin for locking the locking bar;

a driving section for driving the locking pin into engagement with a recess in the locking bar to lock the locking bar;

a control section for controlling the driving section to extend or withdraw the locking pin to or from the recess in the locking bar upon the actuation of a valet switch.

2. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the recess in the locking bar is located on a side surface of the locking bar.

3. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the locking bar has a first slant at a tip end which contacts with the opening of the valet key when the valet key is inserted into the valet key storage portion, and a second slant at the tip end which contacts with the opening of the valet key when the valet key is removed from the valet key storage portion.

4. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the body has an antenna which communicates with the valet key stored in the valet key storage portion.

5. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the valet key and the control section have an immobilizing function, and the control section communicates with the valet key stored in the valet key storage portion in a predetermined period based on the immobilizing function.

6. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the control section invalidates a function of the valet key when the valet key is removed from the valet key storage portion in a non-valet mode.

7. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the driving member is a spring.

8. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the driving section is a solenoid.

9. The valet key storage system, according to claim 1, wherein:

the valet key storage portion has a stopper supported by an elastic member on a bottom surface of the valet key storage portion, the elastic member being compressed by the stopper when the valet key is stored in the valet key storage portion, and the valet key being locked by the locking bar inserted in the opening of the valet key, while one end of the valet key is projected from the valet key storage portion in accordance with an elastic force of the elastic member when the valet key is unlocked.

10. The valet key storage system, according to claim 5, wherein:

the control section shifts the valet key storage system into a valet mode when the valet switch is turned on to supply a valet switch-on signal to the control section, and an ID possessed by the regular key of a vehicle and an ID of the vehicle are certified by the immobilizing function.