Abstract:
A keyless entry system is disclosed for use in an entry system wherein the latching mechanism may be locked or unlocked by either a key or a remotely controlled mechanism.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/675,112 filed on Apr. 27, 2005. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to keyless entry systems and more particularly to keyless entry systems which may be operated remotely of the location of the entry.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Remotely operated keyless entry systems are presently widely used. A high percentage of vehicles are provided with remote keyless entry systems which are either provided as standard equipment or as an option.  
         [0004]     Most remote keyless entry systems alarm the vehicle against theft and lock and unlock the doors and the trunks of the equipped vehicles. Remote keyless entry systems typically consist of a key fob transmitter and an associated receiver inside the vehicle.  
         [0005]     While remote keyless entry systems have become very popular for use in vehicles, it must be understood that entry systems of buildings, trailers, boats, etc. are likely candidates for such theft prevention systems, both as original equipment or as an after-market accessory.  
         [0006]     There is a need for a remote keyless entry system which is simple in structure and may be readily and easily adapted to a wide variety of end uses.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, it would be desirable to produce a keyless entry system which is simple in structure and could be easily installed as original equipment or as an after-market accessory.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A keyless entry system which is simple in structure and can be easily installed as original equipment or as an after-market accessory, as well as others, has surprisingly been discovered.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, a keyless entry system comprises, a housing; a latch assembly disposed within the housing and including an operating shaft having a first end extending outwardly of the housing and terminating in a manually manipulated handle, the shaft including an aperture formed therein; a remotely actuated power locking mechanism disposed within the housing; a key actuated locking mechanism disposed within the housing; and a sliding member interposed between and operably connected with the power locking mechanism and the key actuated locking mechanism, the sliding member including a detent for selective engagement with the aperture of the shaft to selectively lock and unlock the latch assembly.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, a keyless entry system comprises, a housing; a latch assembly disposed within the housing and including an operating shaft having a first end extending outwardly of the housing and terminating in a manually manipulated handle, the shaft including an aperture formed therein; a remotely actuated power locking mechanism disposed within the housing; a key actuated locking mechanism disposed within the housing; and a pin slidably received in the aperture on the shaft of the latch assembly, wherein the pin is movable by the power locking mechanism and the key actuated locking mechanism to selectively lock and unlock the latch assembly.  
         [0011]     In yet another embodiment, a keyless entry system comprises, a housing; a latch assembly disposed within the housing and adapted to be selectively locked and unlocked; a remotely actuated power locking mechanism disposed within the housing for selectively locking an unlocking the latch assembly; a terminal assembly including a pair of conductive terminals; and an electrical connector in electrical communication with a source of electricity and adapted to engage the terminal assembly, the electrical connector including a non-conductive pin adapted to be received between the pair of conductive terminals of the terminal assembly to form an electric circuit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily manifest to those skilled in the art from reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of a keyless entry system according to an embodiment of the invention including a housing containing operative parts of the keyless entry system;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of the housing illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a rear elevational view of the housing illustrated in  FIG. 2  with the back panel removed to expose the internal operational components thereof in a normal static locked position with the remotely actuated locking mechanism in a keyless locked position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  with the remotely actuated locking mechanism in a keyless unlocked position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  with the key actuated locking mechanism in a key locked position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  with the key actuated locking mechanism in a key unlocked position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of a housing in accordance with another embodiment of the invention with the back panel removed to expose the internal operational components thereof in a normal static locked position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary sectional view similar to  FIG. 7  according to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a fragmentary sectional view similar to  FIG. 7  according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a rear elevational view of a housing according to another embodiment of the invention showing an emergency release knob, with the back panel removed to expose the internal operational components thereof in a normal static locked position;  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a rear elevational view of a housing including a power cord and plug in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the housing illustrated in  FIG. 12 , taken along line  13 - 13  and showing the plug disengaged from the housing; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 14  is a fragmentary sectional view of the housing illustrated in  FIG. 12 , showing the plug engaged with the housing.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]     The objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily manifest to those skilled in the art from reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawing.  
         [0028]     Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a keyless entry system incorporating the features of the invention including a housing  10  configured to enclose the operational and functional elements of the invention. The housing  10  can be formed in plastic material or a metal stamping or casting, for example. The housing  10  may be provided with means for attachment (not shown) to an associated structure such as a door, trunk, camper entry, etc. The front of the housing  10  is provided with an aperture  12  for receiving a latch assembly  14 , and an aperture  16  for receiving a key actuated locking mechanism  18 , as more clearly shown in  FIGS. 2-6 .  
         [0029]     The housing  10  is provided with a backing plate or cover  26  which may be secured to the housing  10  by threaded fasteners (not shown) or other suitable fastening means, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0030]     The latch assembly  14  includes a centrally disposed shaft  20 , the outermost end of which is attached to a palm handle  22  or other suitable handle. The palm handle  22  is operative to rotate the shaft  20  about the longitudinal axis thereof from the normal position shown in  FIG. 1  in full lines, to the position illustrated in phantom lines, to actuate a latch (not shown) of an associated entry system.  
         [0031]     The outermost end of the key actuated locking mechanism  18  is adapted to receive a key  24  for selectively moving the locking mechanism  18  to a locking position or an unlocking position. While the locking mechanism  18  may be of a variety of types, it has been discovered that favorable results are attained using a self centering type locking mechanism. The self centering type mechanism normally maintains the key receiving slot and the associated key  24  in the static position illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Spring means (not shown) may be employed to urge the mechanism  18  to the static position when any rotational torque being applied to the key  24  is released. The locking mechanism  18  is provided with an integral radially outwardly extending arm  32  which terminates in a transversely extending end portion  34 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 .  
         [0032]     The backing plate or cover  26  is provided with an aperture  28  which receives the latch assembly  14  and the associated shaft  20  therein. An aperture  30  is formed in the backing plate or cover  26  spaced from the aperture  28  for receiving the locking mechanism  18 .  
         [0033]     In  FIGS. 3-6 , a remotely actuated power locking mechanism  35  is shown disposed in the housing  10 . The power locking mechanism  35  includes an actuator  36  having an associated armature  38 . The actuator  36  can be any conventional operator such as a solenoid, for example. Upon energization of the actuator  36 , the armature  38  is caused to be moved to one of an extended position as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , or a retracted position as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 .  
         [0034]     An elongate sliding member  40 , having a central aperture  42 , has one end coupled to the armature  38  of the actuator  36 , and the opposite end provided with a slot  44  for receiving the terminal end portion  34  of the radially extending arm  32  of the locking mechanism  18 . The central aperture  42  is provided with an inwardly extending tab or detent  46  formed on the sliding member  40  adapted to engage an aperture  48  in the form of a slot, hole, groove, or recess formed in the shaft  20  of the latch mechanism  14 , as more clearly shown in  FIG. 7 . It is understood that the tab  46  could be formed separately from the sliding member  40  without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.  
         [0035]     While the sliding member  40  is shown with a central aperture  42  which is generally circular, it will be understood that the member  40  may be formed of different configurations such as having generally straight end portions for connecting with the remotely actuated power locking mechanism  35  and the key actuated locking mechanism  18 , respectively, and a curved interconnecting central portion. The function of the sliding member  40  is to mechanically interconnect the remotely actuated power locking mechanism  35  and the key actuated locking mechanism  18  to selectively permit or militate against the rotation of the shaft  20  of the latch assembly  14 .  
         [0036]     In operation, the locked position of the keyless entry system of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated, the shaft  20  is prevented from rotation due to the insertion of the tab  46  into the aperture  48  of the shaft  20 . The keyless entry system is in a locked position and militates against rotation of the shaft  20  of the palm handle  22 .  
         [0037]     To unlock the keyless entry system, the tab  46  is moved outwardly to disengage from the aperture  48  of the shaft  20 . The tab  46  may be moved outwardly by selecting one of two alternatives. One of the alternatives involves operation of the actuator  36  to cause the armature  38  and the sliding member  40  to move from the position illustrated in  FIG. 3  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Such movement of the sliding member  40  permits the tab  46  to disengage from the aperture  48  of the shaft  20 , thus enabling the palm handle  22  to effect rotation of the shaft  20 .  
         [0038]     The operation of the actuator  36  may be typically achieved by a receiver (not shown) in relatively close proximity to the actuator  36  which will, upon receiving an appropriate signal from a transmitter (not shown) such as a key fob, cause operation of the actuator  36 . Such systems are commercially available, for example, from Dallas Semiconductor Corp., Dallas, Tex. 75244.  
         [0039]     The other alternative, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , involves actuation of the locking mechanism  18  by the key  24 . Rotation of the key  24  causes movement of the radially extending arm  32 . As the arm  32  is caused to move, the terminal end  34  abuts an end wall of the slot  44  of the sliding member  40  to cause the sliding member  40  to move from the position shown in  FIG. 5  to the position shown in  FIG. 6 , thus permitting the tab  46  to disengage from the aperture  48 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  illustrates the locked condition of the system wherein the locking mechanism  18  has been rotated to position the terminal end  34  and the arm  32  against one end wall of the slot  44 , which causes the tab  46  to move into engagement with the aperture  48  of the shaft  20 .  
         [0041]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show a keyless entry system incorporating the features of another embodiment of the invention, including a housing  10 ′ configured to enclose the operational and functional elements of the invention. Similar structure to that described above for  FIG. 1  and repeated herein includes the same reference numeral and a prime (′) symbol. In this embodiment, a second tab or detent  49  is formed on the sliding member  40 ′ and is adapted to engage a pin  50 . It is understood that the tab  49  could formed separately from the sliding member  40  without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. The pin  50  is slidably disposed in the aperture  48 ′ formed in the shaft  20 ′. The remaining structure is the same as discussed above for  FIGS. 1-7 . When the keyless entry system is in a locked position, the pin  50  and the tab  46  engage the aperture  48 ′ of the shaft  20 ′ to militate against the rotation of the shaft  20 ′ as shown in  FIG. 8 . However, when the keyless entry system is in an unlocked position (not shown), the pin  50  and tab  46  are disengaged from the aperture  48 ′ of the shaft  20 ′ to permit the rotation of the shaft  20 ′.  
         [0042]     In operation, the shaft  20 ′ is prevented from rotation due to the engagement of the pin  50  and the tab  46  with the aperture  48 ′ of the shaft  20 ′. Accordingly, when the keyless entry system is in a locked position, rotation of the shaft  20 ′ is militated against, and the operating palm handle  22  may not be rotated. The shaft  20 ′ may be permitted to rotate upon unlocking of the keyless entry system by one of the two alternatives discussed above. Upon unlocking of the keyless entry system, the pin  50  and tab  46  are disengaged from the shaft  20 ′, thus allowing a rotation of the shaft  20 ′. The addition of the pin  50  to the keyless entry system provides a two-point locking system, wherein the pin  50  and the tab  46  each militate against rotation of the shaft  20 ′. The two-point locking system increases security and reduces stresses and wear on the keyless entry system, thus maximizing the life of the keyless entry system.  
         [0043]      FIG. 10  shows a keyless entry system incorporating the features of another embodiment of the invention, including the operational and functional elements of the invention and an operating palm handle  22 ″. Similar structure to that described above for  FIG. 1  and repeated herein includes the same reference numeral and a double prime (″) symbol. In this embodiment, the shaft  20 ″ includes a spring  51  or similar device disposed thereon. The spring  51  abuts a collar  53  disposed or formed on the shaft  20 ″ at a first end and a collar  55  disposed or formed on the housing  10 ″ at a second end. The spring  51  allows for the palm handle  22 ″ and shaft  20 ″ to be pulled outwardly and spaced apart from the housing  10 ″ when the keyless entry system is in an unlocked position. The remaining structure is the same as discussed above for  FIGS. 1-7 .  
         [0044]     In operation, the palm handle  22 ″ can be manually pulled outwardly to create spacing from the housing  10 ″. This operation can be performed when the tab  46  is not engaged with the shaft  20 ″ and the keyless entry system is in an unlocked position. To create the spacing between the palm handle  22 ″ and the housing  10 ″, force is applied outwardly to the palm handle  22 ″. The palm handle  22 ″ and the shaft  20 ″ cooperatively slide outwardly from the housing  10 ″ and return to their normal static position when the force is released. As the palm handle  22 ″ and shaft  20 ″ are pulled outwardly, the spring  51  is caused to compress. The spacing created between the palm handle  22 ″ and the housing  10 ″ serves as an anti-pinching aid by reducing direct surface contact between palm handle  22 ″ and the housing  10 ″. As the outward force applied to the palm handle  22 ″ is released, the spring  51  expands to its normal static position and the palm handle  22 ″ and shaft  20 ″ return to their static positions.  
         [0045]      FIG. 11  shows a rear elevational view of a housing  10 ″′ including an emergency release knob  52  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, wherein a backing plate or cover (not shown) is removed from the housing  10 ″′. Similar structure to that described above for  FIG. 1  and repeated herein includes the same reference numeral and a triple prime (″′) symbol. The emergency release knob  52  is disposed at a second end of the shaft (not shown). The emergency release knob  52  extends through an aperture (not shown) formed in the backing plate and is accessible from the back side of the housing  10 ″′. The emergency release knob  52  is in communication with a cable or similar device  54  at a middle portion thereof. The cable  54  is attached at a first and second end to a latch (not shown) of an associated entry system (not shown). It is understood that more cables can be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as desired, wherein the emergency release knob  52  may be attached to first ends of the cables rather than at a middle portion of the cables. The remaining structure is the same as discussed above for  FIGS. 1-7 .  
         [0046]     The emergency release knob  52  allows for an opening of the entry system from the rear side of the housing  10 ″′ without the use of a key (not shown) or a remote (not shown) to unlock the keyless entry system. When the emergency release knob  52  is rotated, tension is created in the cable  54  causing actuation of the latch, thus causing the entry system to open. In this operation, rotation of the shaft to actuate the latch is bypassed.  
         [0047]      FIG. 12  shows a rear elevational view of a housing  10 ″″ including an electrical lead  56  attached to an electrical conductor  58  at a first end and a power source (not shown) at a second end. Similar structure to that described above for  FIG. 1  and repeated herein includes the same reference numeral and a quadruple prime (″″) symbol. The electrical lead  56  and electrical conductor  58  supply electrical power to the keyless entry system from the power source.  
         [0048]     As more clearly shown in  FIG. 13 , the electrical conductor  58  includes a pin  60  and a pair of terminals  62  extending outwardly therefrom. The pin  60  is formed from a non-conductive material such as plastic, for example. The terminals  62  are formed from a conductive material such as metal, for example. The housing  10 ″″ includes an aperture  64  formed therein adapted to receive the electrical conductor  58 . A terminal assembly  66  is disposed in the aperture  64  and includes a pair of conductive terminals  68 . The terminals  68  are substantially J-shaped.  
         [0049]     In use, the conductive terminals  68  abut each other to short circuit an electrical path. When the electrical conductor  58  is inserted into the aperture  64  formed in the housing  10 , the pin  60  causes the pair of conductive terminals  68  to be moved laterally outwardly from one another, as shown in  FIG. 14 , thus forming a complete circuit. The insertion of the pin  60  between the terminals  68  causes outer edges  70  of the terminals  68  to contact the conductive terminals  62  of the electrical conductor  58  to create a conductive path.  
         [0050]     From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.