Fob case for reduced transmission interference

• US 9,865,111 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2015
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hermann, Thomas Joseph, Winkel, Tye Arthur, Locke, John, Banasky, Jr., Lawrence, Wisnewski, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCUSO, HUEDUNG XUAN CAO
• Application Number:
  US14/672,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20160294049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 343878
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00984 fob
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• 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: H01Q 1/3241 particular used in keyless entry systems

Abstract

A fob includes a case, an antenna, at least one input device, and a positioning element. The case has an interface portion and a handle portion. The antenna is disposed at the interface portion of the case. The input device is disposed on the interface portion of the case. The finger positioner orients a user'"'"'s hand on the handle portion of the case away from the antenna.

Claims

1. A fob comprising:

a case having an interface portion at a first end and a handle portion at a second end;

an antenna disposed on the interface portion of the case spaced from the handle portion;

at least one input device disposed on the interface portion of the case; and

at least one hand positioning element for orientating a user'"'"'s hand on the handle portion of the case away from the antenna, wherein the interface portion includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side, and the at least one positioning element includes a first and second ridge arranged respectively along first and second lateral sides of the interface portion and extending above a first surface of the interface portion.

2. The fob of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna is disposed on a surface of the interface portion.

3. The fob of claim 1, wherein the handle portion is spaced from a first end of the interface portion.

4. The fob of claim 3, wherein the at least one antenna is disposed in the first end of the interface portion.

5. The fob of claim 1, wherein the at least one positioning element includes at least one finger positioner disposed on the handle portion.

6. The fob of claim 5, wherein the handle portion has first and second lateral sides, and the at least one finger positioner includes a first finger position defining first and second rounded grooves formed respectively in each of the first and second lateral sides.

7. The fob of claim 6, wherein the at least one finger positioner further includes a second finger positioner defining third and fourth rounded grooves respectively in each of the first and second lateral sides, the third and fourth rounded grooves arranged adjacently to respectively the first and second rounded grooves.

8. The fob of claim 1, wherein the first and second ridges are integrally formed with the case.

9. The fob of claim 1, wherein the at least one positioning element includes a ridge extending above the first surface and arranged across a first end of the interface portion opposite the handle portion between the first and second ridges.

10. The fob of claim 1, wherein the antenna is disposed proximate the first surface of the interface portion and the handle portion extends from the interface portion, wherein the handle portion is spaced from the antenna.

11. The fob of claim 10, wherein the antenna is further disposed near a first end of the interface portion.

12. The fob of claim 10, wherein the handle portion is tapered.

13. The fob of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device includes a plurality of buttons.

14. The fob of claim 1, wherein the at least one input device includes a rocker and push button.

15. A fob comprising:

a case having an interface portion at a first end and a handle portion at a second end;

an antenna disposed on the interface portion of the case spaced from the handle portion;

at least one input device disposed on the interface portion of the case; and

at least one hand positioning element for orientating a user'"'"'s hand on the handle portion of the case away from the antenna, wherein the at least one positioning element includes a hood extending at least partially over the interface portion and forming a cavity between the hood and a first surface of the interface portion.

16. The fob of claim 15, wherein the hood includes a barrier that directionally limits access to the interface portion.

17. The fob of claim 15, wherein the hood is integrally formed with the case.

18. The fob of claim 15, wherein the hood is transparent.

19. A fob comprising:

a case having an interface portion at a first end and a handle portion at a second end;

an antenna disposed on the interface portion of the case spaced from the handle portion;

at least one input device disposed on the interface portion of the case; and

means for orientating a user'"'"'s hand on the handle portion of the case away from the antenna, wherein the interface portion includes a first lateral side and a second lateral side, and the at least one positioning element includes a first and second ridge arranged respectively along first and second lateral sides of the interface portion and extending above a first surface of the interface portion.