Patent Publication Number: US-6669017-B2

Title: Protective cover for a key fob

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a protective cover for a key fob and more specifically to a protective cover for a remote keyless entry key fob having communication button on the exterior of the key fob. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Keyless remote entry has become prevalent in its inclusion in new vehicle accessories. More specifically, the use of key fob type mechanisms which allow for the locking and unlocking of vehicle door lock systems, the opening of truck latch mechanisms and the setting and unsetting of alarm systems has become commonplace in new vehicle accessories. High end, as well as low end, vehicles are including the above noted functions as well as other functions in standard accessory packages. In this manner, the importance of the protection of remote keyless entry key fobs is rising. 
     As the public begins to rely more on more on these key fobs systems, it becomes imperative to protect and preserve the electrical circuitry of these devices. The introduction of moisture either by rain, mist or inadvertent dropping in water puddles near the vehicle inevitably occurs in common use of the key fobs. The introduction of foreign particle such as dust, dirt and sand also occurs through common use and over time begins to degrade if not completely hinder the normal operation of the key fob. In addition, as the key fob is often, if not entirely kept along with the car keys and other house keys, the common use also entails inadvertent dropping, knocking banging and hitting the key fob against hard objects. This continuous physical shock to the key fob over time begins to degrade if not completely hinder the normal operation of the key fob. 
     Consequently, a need exists for a protective cover for the remote keyless entry key fob. A system that will allow full implementation of all the communication buttons on the system while still providing protection for the key from the above noted hazardous conditions will greatly improve the longitivity of the key fob. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a key fob such that the key fob is shield from moisture, foreign particles and unwanted shock from inadvertent dropping of the key fob by the user. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a key fob that includes a buoyancy feature such that the key fob when included within the protective cover will float in water. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a key fob that allows the user to access the full compliment of communication buttons located on the key fob. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a key fob that accepts at least 60% of the key fob. 
     Yet still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a key fob that accepts the entire body of the key fob. 
     Still further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for a key fob that includes a advertising section for accepting either an attachment emblem or sticker, an embossed indicia or a molded in recessed indicia. 
     In carrying out these and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a protective cover for a key fob including a body section having a first side and an oppositely disposed second side, and a cavity defined by the body section adapted to receive at least 60% of the key fob, wherein at least one of the first or second sides includes an aperture such that the key fob is accessible through the aperture. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cavity is disposed directly adjacent the communication buttons located on the key fob to allow for access to the complete compliment of functions allowed by the key fob. 
     Multiple embodiments of the protective cover are contemplated by the present invention as in manufacture of the protective cover in foam rubber, carbon reinforced polymers, resins, thermoset and thermoplastics, metals and rubbers compounds wherein each material affords advantageous features to the protective cover. 
     The above objects and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the protective cover system of the present invention including the protective cover, “O” ring and remote keyless entry key fob; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective cover system of FIG. 1 in the assembled position; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the protective cover system of FIG. 1 in the assembled position taken along lines  3 — 3  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the protective cover of the present invention showing the advertising section having an embossed indicia; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the protective cover of FIG. 4 taken along lines  5 — 5  of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 5 a  is a partial, top view of the protective cover of the present invention showing an alternative embodiment of the body section; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the protective cover system of the present invention illustrating a different shape key fob; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the protective cover of the present invention illustrating the advertising section and an unapplied applique indicia; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the protective cover of FIG. 7 taken along lines  8 — 8  of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the protective cover; and 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     As shown in FIG. 1, there is shown generally, a protective cover  10  for a key fob  12 . “O” ring  14  is disposed between protective cover  10  and key fob  12 . The protective cover  10  includes a body section  16  having a first side  18  and an oppositely disposed second side  20 . A cavity  22  is defined by the body section. The body section is configured to receive at least 60% of the key fob  12 . It is contemplated by the present invention that, depending on the key fob  12  design and shape, that anywhere from 60 to 100% of the key fob can be situated within the cavity of the body section. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first side  18  includes an aperture  24 . Aperture  24  is designed to allow the key fob  12  to be accessible through said aperture  24 . More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, key fob  12  is a remote keyless entry key fob having at least one communication button  26 . Aperture  24  is disposed directly adjacent the communication button  26  to allow a user to operate the communication button  26 . In FIG. 2, the other communication buttons  28  and  30  are also fully accessible through aperture  24  allow the full compliment of operations to be operated while the remote keyless entry key fob  12  is located within the protective cover  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown “O” ring  14  disposed between protective cover  10  and key fob  12 . “O” ring  14  is disposed between the key fob  12  and protective cover  10  for providing a press fit connection between the protective cover  10  and the key fob  12 . Further the “O” ring  14  allows the key fob  12  to positively located or situated within the protective cover  10 . The “O” ring  14  also prevents dirt, water or other foreign particles from entering the space between the protective cover  10  and the key fob  12 . As shown in FIG. 5A, there is shown body section  16  including an integrally molded extending lip  32  for providing the above noted a press fit connection between the protective cover  10  and the key fob  12  such that the key fob is positively located within said protective cover as discussed above. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the protective cover  10  including an advertising section  34 . Advertising section  34  is located on the opposite side of the body section  16  having the aperture  24 . More specifically, as seen in FIG. 5, aperture  24  is located on second side  20  and advertising section  34  is located on first side  18 . In FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown a raised or embossed indicia  36  which can be any symbol, character or word etc. which may be desirable for location on the protective cover. As shown, the key fob communication buttons are completely accessibly to the user while also allowing the advertising section to display some form of indicia  36 . Referring now to FIG. 7, the indicia may also take the form of a applique or sticker  38 . The advertising section may be a raised, lowered or flat section  40 . In addition, the present invention contemplated integrally molding or machining any form of indicia  36  directly in the advertising section  34  of the body section  18 . 
     According to the present invention the protective cover  10  may be made from different materials. The protective cover  10  may be from foam rubber, carbon reinforced polymers, resins, thermoset and thermoplastics, metals and rubbers compounds wherein each material affords advantageous features to the protective cover  10 . As shown in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  4 , and  5  the protective cover  10  is made from a carbon reinforced plastic or polymer. In FIG. 8, the protective cover  10  is made from a closed cell foam rubber. In FIG. 9, the protective cover  10  is made from a metal, specifically aluminum. As shown in FIG. 3, the protective cover  10  may be made from a composite polymeric material including an internal cloth design having a weaved twill pattern. Various patterns and composite combinations, as known in the art, may be used to obtain different structural features for the protective cover  10 . 
     As noted above, in FIG. 8, the protective cover is made from a foam rubber. More specifically the foam rubber is a closed cell foam rubber. This construction affords the protective cover with the dual properties of excellent protection of the key fob  12  from external physical shocks due to inadvertent dropping of the key fob  12 . The foam rubber insulates, protects and absorbs the shock of the key fob hitting most hard surfaces in normal conditions. Further, the closed cell foam rubber is designed such that the protective cover  10  and key fob  12  will float if dropped in water. This is particularly useful for users having both boat key and automotive vehicles keys or key fobs on one ring. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Protective cover  40  is comprised of a first section  42  and a second section  48 . The first and second sections are attached together in a snap fit manner by the use of interlocking tabs  46 . The interlocking tabs cooperate with the tab retainer sections  48  shown in phantom. The present inventions contemplates the use of any attachment means such as the use of adhesives in glueing, melting or heat sealing screw types systems for attaching the first and second sections together. As shown in FIG. 6, the key fob is of an irregular shape and the use of a two piece protective cover construction such as described herein and disclosed in FIG. 10 allows the protective cover to be fit over any form or key fob shape. 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown first side  18  having molded integrally therein a buoyancy pocket  50  for adding to the buoyancy of the protective cover. In this manner, as discussed above, the protective cover  10  and key fob  12  will float if dropped in water. The buoyancy pocket  50  is yet another means for allowing the protective cover and key fob to float in water. 
     It is known that the public is using remote keyless entry key fobs, and it is imperative to protect and preserve the electrical circuitry of these devices. The present invention of a remote keyless entry system  60  comprising a remote keyless entry key fob  12  having at least one communication button  26 , a protective cover  10  including a body section  16  and a first side  18  and an oppositely disposed second side  18 , and a cavity  20  defined the body section a  16  adapted to receive at least 60% of said remote keyless entry key fob  12  and an “O” ring  14 . The remote keyless entry system using the protective cover  10  of the present invention protects the key fob  12  against the introduction of moisture either by rain, mist or inadvertent dropping in water puddles near the vehicle inevitably occurs in common use of the key fobs. The blocking or hindering of the introduction of foreign particle such as dust, dirt and sand lengthens the normal operating life of the key fob  10 . As shown in FIG. 3, there exists a pocket  52  defined between the protective cover  10  and key fob  12 . This pocket  52  acts as a buffer when in the common use, the key fob  12  is inadvertently dropped, knocked banged or hit against hard objects. This reduction in the effects of the continuous physical shock to the lengthens the normal operating life of the key fob  12 . 
     While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.