Abstract:
A key fob for a vehicle has a first end that is used as a key for insertion into a vehicle ignition receptacle and a second end that defines an opening for internal storage of a separate, removable key. While the key fob will remotely unlock the vehicle doors and start the vehicle engine when turned in the vehicle ignition, the removable key is an auxiliary, mechanical access key that may be used on door locks and interior storage compartments. The key fob will not unlock interior storage compartments and the removable key will not sustain operation of the vehicle engine.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a removable vehicle access key that is storable within an electronic vehicle key fob. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern vehicles may employ various methods for vehicle owners to gain entry to their vehicles and also to start their vehicles. One such method of gaining access to and starting a vehicle is by using an electronic key fob. Such electronic key fobs generally provide access to a vehicle when a user presses a button on the fob to unlock a door(s). Such fobs may also have a traditional metal key protruding from the fob which inserts into an ignition component that, when turned, starts a vehicle engine. While such electronic key fobs have proven satisfactory for their purposes, each is associated with its share of limitations. 
     One such limitation of current vehicle key systems occurs when a vehicle operator desires to use a valet to park his or her vehicle while at a restaurant. More specifically, the valet usually takes the key fob from the driver which not only permits the valet to start the car, but also provides the valet with access to the various interior compartments of the vehicle, such as a center console and glove compartment. Another limitation of current vehicle key systems is that while some vehicle manufacturers offer a valet key separate from the electronic key fob, a vehicle operator must remember that he or she wants to use valet parking and remember to bring the separate valet key. Still yet, actually finding a seldom used, separate valet key may be inconvenient, frustrating and time consuming for a vehicle operator. 
     A further limitation of current key systems is that when a key fob is provided to a valet, a vehicle operator&#39;s entire ring of keys, including house keys, is commonly provided to a valet, or time is spent removing such excess keys for a ring on the fob. This presents an opportunity for a valet to copy significant keys of the operator and is also a burden to the valet who must find a place for a bulky and heavy ring of keys. Finally, many electronic key fobs that are used by a valet have no hole or device by which to hang or store the key fob while in the valet&#39;s possession. 
     What is needed then is a device that does not suffer from the above limitations. This, in turn, will provide a device that: possesses a valet key yet limits access to vehicle interior compartments; permits a valet to quickly and easily handle just one key; permits a valet with a method to hang the valet key; is aesthetically pleasing, relatively lightweight, and appear as if only one fob or key is present when in fact more than one are present; provides a way for an operator to very quickly detach a single vehicle access and engine operation key from the balance of an owner&#39;s keys. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A key fob for a vehicle may be used to remotely unlock vehicle doors, access a vehicle interior, and finally start a vehicle engine when an end of the key fob is inserted into a vehicle ignition receptacle. Additionally, a separate, removable key is stored within the key fob through the opposite end of the key fob by inserting the removable key into a slot in the opposite end of the fob. The key fob may be used as a valet key because the key fob permits vehicle access and engine operation, but will not permit access to interior compartments. The removable key may be retained by the vehicle owner when the vehicle is in possession of a valet, since the removable key will unlock door locks and interior compartments; however, the removable key can not be used to sustain engine operation. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a vehicle that may be controlled by an integrated key fob according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of an integrated key fob depicting a location of a removable key according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective front view of an integrated key fob depicting exterior features according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective rear view of an integrated key fob and a removable key according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of an integrated key fob depicting insertion steps of the removable key into the key fob; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an integrated key fob depicting insertion of the key within the key fob; and 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an integrated key fob depicting an internal key securely latched within the integrated key fob. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a top view of a vehicle  10  that may be controlled by a fob integrated key  12  (“fobik”) such as depicted in  FIG. 2 , according to the present invention. The fobik  12  may also be known casually as an electronic key fob, a key fob or simply as a fob. The fobik  12  may operate in conjunction with a control unit  14  to accomplish tasks such as unlocking a lock  16  on the driver side door  18  or a lock  20  on the passenger side door  22 . The fobik  12  fits within a receptacle such as an ignition  24  on the steering column  26  or dash  27 , as depicted in  FIG. 1 . More specifically, and with reference to  FIG. 2 , the end  29  of fobik  12  mates to the ignition  24 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 2 , the fobik  12  has an internal location for a battery  30  to provide power to the remote keyless (“RK”) functions that may be controlled by pressing buttons  32 - 44  on the face of the fob  12 . Examples of RK functions are panic  32 , driver and passenger door unlock  34 , driver and passenger door lock  36 , rear trunk or lift gate unlock  38 , left and right sliding door unlock  42 ,  44 , and remote engine start  40 . Adjacent to the battery  30  a key shank  46  slides into the fobik  12  from an end opposite to the end  29 . The key shank  46  is part of a separate, removable key  48 , also known as a mechanical key, that also has a key head  50  ( FIG. 4 ). As depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 , the removable key  48  inserts into the fobik  12  such that the key head  50  resides within the fob recession  53  or cutout in the key fob  12  and such that the key head  50  smoothly conforms to or smoothly transitions with the overall contour of the fobik  12 . With the key head  50  conforming to the overall contour or shape of the fobik  12 , the fobik  12  not only retains its aesthetically pleasing appearance but also creates a full, seamless device that feels becoming in the palm of a user&#39;s hand. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  also depict exterior features of the fobik  12 . A fob hole  54  is present near the end of the fobik  12  to be used in conjunction with a nail or hook (not shown) so that the fobik  12  may be hung on a board, such as at a valet station or at home, etc. Adjacent to the fob hole  54  and also at the end of the fobik  12  is a fob slot  56 . The fob slot  56  may be molded into the fobik  12  to provide a space for a traditional, mechanical key ring  60  that may be used to hold additional mechanical keys, such as key  62 , as an example. Such additional mechanical keys may be used for entry into other buildings or areas for example by unlocking home door locks, office door locks, desk compartment locks, etc. Because the key ring  60  attaches through the key head hole  58  in the key head  50 , the removable key  48  will be on the same key ring  60  as any additional key(s)  62 . 
     Still yet another feature of the fobik  12  is that the fob itself is a key that inserts into the ignition  24  to start the engine of a vehicle  10 . Stated another way, there is no metal key shank that protrudes from the fobik  12  at any time that is used to start the vehicle  10 . Alternatively, the end  29  of the fob  12  is inserted into the ignition  24  to start the engine. The fobik  12  is made of a plastic that can sustain dropping and extended use without cracking, breaking, etc. Because the fobik  12  is molded from plastic, it is lightweight, relative to fobs with metal or heavy batteries, or non-detaching key rings, or permanent or flip-out metal key shanks. 
     A more detailed explanation of the operation of the fobik  12  and removable key  48  will now be explained. With the fobik  12 , a vehicle operator (not shown) may approach a vehicle  10  and unlock a lock  16  of the driver side door  18  by pressing a button  34 . The fobik  12  is able to communicate with a control unit  14 , as an example, in the vehicle  10  to unlock the door  18  because the fobik  12  is equipped with a battery  30  to provide power. Upon entering the vehicle  10 , the operator inserts the end  29  of the fobik  12  into the ignition  24 , on the steering column  26  or dash  27 , as examples. The electronic fobik  12  is verified as an authorized fob by an authorizing “handshake” between the fobik  12  and the control unit  14 , as an example, after the fob end  29  is placed into the ignition  24  and the vehicle engine (not shown) starts. Without the correct authorization, the engine will stop after a short period of time; therefore, the authorizing handshake with the fobik  12  makes ongoing engine operation possible. 
     Continuing with use of the fobik  12 , when the operator drives his vehicle to a valet stand at a restaurant, for example, that offers valet service, the operator may simply hold the fobik  12  and press laterally on the switch  52 , which is parallel to the surface of fobik  12 , to cause the switch  52  to move across the surface of the fobik  12 . Upon movement of the switch  52 , the removable key  48  easily slides from the hole  64  within which the removable key  48  resides. When the removable key  48  dislodges from the fobik  12 , the key ring  60  and any additional personal key(s)  62  also separate from the fobik  12 . The operator then retains the removable key  48  and any additional key(s)  62  and leaves the electronic fobik  12  with the valet. The valet must retain the fobik  12  because the electronic handshake between the fobik  12  and control unit  14  must occur for the engine to continue to operate; otherwise, the engine will cease to run. 
     The removable key  48  permits the operator to enter the vehicle mechanically by inserting the removable key  48  into the lock  16  or  20 , as examples. Similarly, the removable key  48  permits the operator to open any exterior mechanical vehicle locks, such as a trunk lock (not shown). Additionally, the removable key  48  will permit the operator to lock and unlock interior compartments which include a console lock  66  in a center console  68  and a glove compartment lock  70  in a glove compartment  72 . However, the removable key  48  by itself will not sustain operation of the vehicle engine because the removable key  48 , being a mechanical key with no communication capabilities, cannot communicate or handshake with the control unit  14 , as an example. Continuing with the valet scenario, the valet keeps the fobik  12  as the operator leaves with the removable key  48 . With the fobik  12 , the valet will be able to enter the vehicle by RKE, start the vehicle engine, and drive the vehicle yet will not be able to access areas such as the center console  68  or glove compartment  72 . The center console  68  and glove compartment  72  can only be locked and unlocked with the mechanical, removable key  48 . 
     How the mechanical key  48  is secured into and retrieved from the fobik  12  will now be explained. With reference primarily to  FIGS. 4-7 , the key shank  46  is inserted into the hole  64  of the fobik  12 . As the shank  46  proceeds into the hole  64 , a tooth  74  protruding from the key shank  46  contacts a post  76  that is part of the mechanism of the release switch  52 . As depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as the removable key  48  continues to be inserted, the post  76  is biased away from the key shank  46  by the tooth  74  until the tooth  74  passes the post  76 . Upon further insertion, the tooth  74 , which continually biases the spring  78  by its contact with the post  76 , applies a force against the shank slope  80 . As the shank  46  travels past the post  76 , the post  76  will finally settle into a shank recession  82  at the base of the key shank  46 . When the post  76  settles into the recession  82 , the key head base  84  ( FIG. 4 ) rests snugly within the fobik recession  53  such that a smooth appearance and nearly unnoticeable transition exists between the fobik  12  and key head  50  on the rear side of the fobik. With the spring  78  constantly providing force against the switch, which forces the post  76  into the recession  82 , the removable key  48  is securely held in its fully inserted position. Even with the added weight of additional mechanical keys  62  on the key ring  60 , the spring  78  is able to prevent the removable key  48  from withdrawing from the fobik  12 . 
     Withdrawal of the removable key  48  from the fobik  12  is accomplished by pressing the release switch  52  parallel to the face of the fobik  12  to cause the switch  52  to increasingly bias against the internal spring  78  to permit the withdrawal of the post  76  from the recession  82 . When the release switch  52  is biased against the spring  78  to an extent such that the post  76  will clear the lateral extremity of the tooth  74 , the removable key  48  can then be withdrawn from the fobik  12  to separate the fobik  12  and the removable key  48 . 
     There are numerous advantages to the teachings of the present invention. First, there is no protruding metal key shank from the fobik that is necessary to start an engine. To the contrary, the fobik  12  itself is insertable into an ignition  24 . Furthermore, despite being a key itself, the fobik  12  retains its aesthetic appeal and smooth feel in the palm of a user&#39;s hand. Second, the fobik  12  has a second, removable key  48  that resides within the fobik itself. Because the second key resides within the fobik  12 , a vehicle operator will never have to remember to take an extra key, such as a valet key, when the operator desires to valet his or her vehicle yet retain his own access to the vehicle. Third, when the vehicle is retained by a valet, the removable key  48  and any additional keys stay with the owner/operator. This means that the electronic fobik  12  only permits vehicle door access and engine starting; the electronic fobik  12  can not be used to access glove compartment or console locks, which are both unlockable with the removable, mechanical key. Additionally, the removable key  48  permits the operator to access all areas of the vehicle if he or she desires to return to the vehicle and access any door or compartment; the electronic fobik  12  is not necessary. 
     Fourth, because the electronic fobik  12  is all that is necessary to operate the vehicle, and it may be made of lightweight plastic, the metal removable key  48  may be removed and only the lightweight fobik  12  need be carried by a driver. This is especially useful when, for example, the operator is wearing clothing that is not particularly conductive to carrying heavy keys, such as a sweat suit or running shorts. Fifth, because the removable key  48  will not permit a vehicle engine to run for a prolonged period of time, say more than 10 seconds, the removable key may be given to a person to permit access to the vehicle without giving the person the ability to drive the vehicle, as would otherwise be possible with the electronic fobik  12 . 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.