Backup key for multiple backup key integration into a mobile device case

• US 9,460,571 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2014
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kleve, Robert Bruce, Van Wiemeersch, John Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUIN, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US14/517,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20160110938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/321 combined with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/326 Card-like holders
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0017 Key profiles
• 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 9/20 involving the use of a pass
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/11 Supports for sets, e.g. incorporating armrests

Abstract

A backup key for a vehicle includes a blade extending along an axis within a first plane and a head, attached to the blade, extending along the axis and defining a slot along the axis for insertion of a torque assisting device. The slot may be configured to receive a coin. The slot may be configured such that the torque assisting device, when inserted into the slot, lies in a second plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane. A case for a portable electronic device includes a housing configured to receive the portable electronic device and defining a plurality of receptacles for one or more backup keys. The case also includes a key fob circuit for wirelessly interfacing with a keyless entry system and a communication circuit that connects to the key fob circuit for coupling the portable electronic device and the keyless entry system.

Claims

1. A key for a vehicle comprising:

a blade extending along an axis within a first plane; and

a head, attached to the blade, extending along the axis having a height in the first plane that is at most twenty percent greater than a height of the blade in the first plane to reduce key size and defining a slot having a length along the axis that is greater than a width perpendicular to the axis for insertion of a torque assisting device that, when inserted in the slot, lies in a second plane generally perpendicular to the first plane such that a force applied perpendicular to a surface of the torque assisting device that lies in the second plane creates a torque to rotate the key about the axis.

2. The key of claim 1 wherein the slot is configured with a length and a width to accommodate a coin, such that the length is approximately a coin diameter and the width is approximately a coin width.

3. The key of claim 1 wherein a height of the head in the first plane and a height of the blade in the first plane are approximately equal.

4. The key of claim 1 wherein a width of the head in a plane perpendicular to the first plane is less than twenty percent greater than a width of the blade in the plane perpendicular to the first plane.

5. The key of claim 1 wherein a width of the head in a plane perpendicular to the first plane is approximately equal to a width of the blade in the plane perpendicular to the first plane.

6. A case for a portable electronic device comprising:

a housing configured to receive the portable electronic device and defining a plurality of receptacles for concealing one or more backup keys;

a key fob circuit integrated with the housing for wirelessly interfacing with a vehicle keyless entry system; and

a communication circuit integrated with the housing and connected to the key fob circuit for coupling the portable electronic device and the vehicle keyless entry system.

7. The case of claim 6 wherein the housing further defines a receptacle for a torque assisting device for the backup keys.

8. The case of claim 6 further comprising a port configured to connect the portable electronic device to the communication circuit.

9. The case of claim 6 wherein the housing is configured such that the plurality of receptacles are concealed when the portable electronic device is received.

10. The case of claim 6 wherein the housing is configured such that the one or more backup keys are concealed and accessible when the portable electronic device is received.

11. The case of claim 6 further including a cover coupled with the housing.

12. The case of claim 6 wherein the keyless entry system is part of a vehicle.

13. A mobile phone case comprising:

a housing configured to receive a mobile phone and defining a plurality of receptacles for storing and concealing one or more vehicle backup keys;

a key fob circuit integrated with the housing for wirelessly interfacing with a vehicle keyless entry system; and

a communication circuit integrated with the housing and connected to the key fob circuit for coupling an associated mobile phone and the vehicle keyless entry system.

14. The mobile phone case of claim 13 wherein the housing further defines a receptacle for a torque assisting device for the vehicle backup keys.

15. The mobile phone case of claim 13 further comprising a port configured to connect the mobile phone to the communication circuit.

16. The mobile phone case of claim 13 wherein the housing is configured such that the plurality of receptacles are concealed when the mobile phone is received.

17. The mobile phone case of claim 13 wherein the housing is configured such that the plurality of receptacles are accessible while the mobile phone is received.

18. The mobile phone case of claim 13 further including a cover coupled with the housing.