Abstract:
A device for positioning and holding a key in a container including a cover and a casing. The device includes an opening/closing mechanism enabling the cover and the casing to be mobile in relation to each other at least in rotation, about a rotational axis, between an open position providing access to a housing of the container and a closed position. The device also includes a locking/unlocking mechanism of the cover and the casing, at least in a closed position, comprising a locking/unlocking control device which is mobile in translation following a translation axis.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a device for positioning and holding an emergency key. 
     It relates, in particular but not exclusively, to the positioning and holding of an emergency key in a system for starting a vehicle, it being understood that for this type of application the container has to make it possible to ensure easy and ergonomic positioning of the key in its housing, and removal of the key from its housing, inside the container. Moreover, it is necessary to guarantee good security of the closure of the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many solutions have already been proposed for concealing an emergency key within a car. Thus, in particular, magnetized boxes exist which have a cover which may be placed, for example, inside the wheel arch. This type of box is frequently used in the United States of America. However, these boxes do not allow easy and ergonomic operation to simplify the task of the operator. Furthermore, they are very difficult to incorporate in the passenger compartment of a vehicle. 
     Integral supports also exist, allowing the emergency key to be held in a cavity provided to this end. This solution does not allow the key to be sufficiently protected. 
     Currently, containers for emergency keys have an additional function. More specifically, these containers are used as an interface between the emergency key which comprises a transponder and the security system of the vehicle comprising a reader capable of receiving the container and reading the data from the transponder. It is, therefore, necessary to have a container which ensures the functions of this interface and which allows a specific positioning of the emergency key in the container so that when said emergency key is inserted into the reader of the vehicle, the reading of the transponder may be carried out. 
     Moreover, current containers are not ergonomic, for example they do not permit opening with one hand. More specifically, it is important to be able to open and close the container with one hand to be able to hold the key in the other hand and thus to position and remove the key easily from its container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to remedy these major drawbacks by proposing a device which is particularly well adapted to improve the level of protection of the key, the ergonomics and the ease of use which are essential factors today so that vehicle equipment is acceptable to users. This device also permits a specific positioning of the key in the container so that the transponder of the key may interact in an optimal manner with the reader of the security system of the vehicle. 
     To this end, the invention proposes a device for positioning and holding a key, said device using a container comprising at least two parts which are mobile relative to one another and comprising
         opening/closing means allowing the two parts to be mobile in relation to one another, at least in rotation, about a rotational axis, between an open position providing access to a housing of the container and a closed position in addition to   means for locking/unlocking the two parts at least in a closed position comprising a locking/unlocking control member which is mobile in translation along a translation axis.       

     The translation axis and the rotational axis may be perpendicular or parallel to one another. 
     In the case where the two axes are perpendicular, one of the parts comprises a joint link having two oblong parallel recesses allowing a locking/unlocking path in translation whilst the other part comprises means for articulation such as journals which engage in said recesses. The two parts comprise, moreover, interlocking means with axes parallel to the translation axis which cooperate with one another at the end of the locking path to prevent any relative rotation of the two parts in the locked position. 
     In contrast, the two parts are configured to pivot relative to one another at the end of the unlocking path. Locking/unlocking control means are in this case formed by the parts themselves. 
     In a complementary manner, the locking/unlocking means may moreover comprise guide means with slide rails provided on said parts permitting a relative movement in axial translation of the two parts. 
     In the case where the two axes are parallel, the two parts are rotatably mounted relative to one another about an axis which is fixed relative to the two parts. In this case, the locking means may comprise a control member which is mobile in translation along an axis parallel to the rotational axis and even coaxial therewith. 
     The following characteristics may be incorporated in the device described above:
         the rotational axis and the translation axis may be merged.   the locking/unlocking means may comprise a button being able to be moved by an operator in translation along an axis Y Y′ and having two principal positions, the first position, pushed-in, making it possible to release the rotational movement and the second position, which is not pushed-in, holding the parts in their closed and locked position.   the locking/unlocking means may comprise a button slidably mounted in a cavity of the cover between a pushed-in position and a raised position, in addition to locking means actuated by the button which act on the rotatable mounting of the cover on the body so as to prevent the rotation of the cover in the raised position and to allow rotation in the pushed-in position.   the locking/unlocking means may comprise, moreover, an elastic element tending to bring the button back into the locked position.   the elastic element may be a spring operating in compression.   means may be provided to allow the return of the button only when the parts are in the closed position.   the opening/closing means may comprise a restoring spring tending to bring the parts back into the closed position.   the opening/closing means may comprise a second elastic element opening the cover automatically as soon as the unlocking means are actuated.   the second elastic element opening the cover automatically as soon as the unlocking means are actuated may be a spring operating in torsion and being prestressed in the closed position.   the slots may each comprise a notch in which a protuberance provided on each elastic tab engages when the button is in the raised position.   the elastic element and the second elastic element may be combined in a single spring operating in compression and in torsion.   the cover may comprise an opening in order to allow the key to be passed through to allow the passage of the bow of the key.   the container may comprise an opening allowing the passage of the bow of the key.   the container may comprise on one part visible to the operator a surface for carrying information such as a logo.   the information carrier may be placed on the locking/unlocking control member which is mobile in translation.       

     As a result of the arrangements described above, the process of inserting the key comprises in principle the steps consisting in: 
     a) unlocking a part (known as mobile) relative to the other part (known as fixed) 
     b) opening the mobile part 
     c) inserting the key into the fixed part 
     d) closing the mobile part 
     e) locking the mobile part 
     The process of removal, for taking out the key from the container, comprises simultaneously the steps consisting in: 
     a) unlocking the mobile part 
     b) opening the mobile part 
     c) removing the key from the fixed part 
     d) closing the mobile part 
     e) locking the mobile part 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter by way of non-limiting example, by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  shows schematically in an exploded perspective view a container according to a preferred arrangement of the invention.  FIG. 1  is a partial longitudinal section of the cover of the container shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIGS. 2 to 8  are schematic perspective views illustrating the sequences for positioning and removing a key from the container according to the preferred solution of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of a further preferred solution according to the invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a partial view of the base  13 F of the circular sleeve  13 D of the cover  13  showing the shape of the recesses  13 FD and  13 FG. 
         FIGS. 10 to 15  show schematically the sequences for positioning and removing a key from the container according to the preferred solution of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 16  shows a section of the assembly of the assembled device according to  FIG. 9  perpendicular to the rotational axis YY′, the container being in the closed position, and locked. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  the container comprises a housing  2  having the general shape of a case comprising a tubular body (first part) closed on one side by a base and having on the other side a opening sealable by a cover  3  (second part) in order to be able to position a key  1 . 
     In the region of the opening, the lateral faces of the body are extended by two lateral parallel slide rails  4 D,  4 G joined to one another by the extension of one face of the body. Said slide rails comprise a lower part acting as a guide. In the region of their connection with these slide rails  4 D,  4 G, the lateral faces of the body comprise two axially re-entrant cavities CD, CG into which two respective oblong parallel apertures LD, LG open, oriented according to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     The cover  3  has a U-shaped transverse section of which the lateral segments  3 D and  3 G are intended to be engaged on the lateral sides of the slide rails so as to ensure an axial guiding of the cover relative to the body. 
     The cover further comprises in the region of its front end a return at right angles intended to ensure with its upper face the seal of the body in the closed position and in the region of its rear part two lateral arms  3 D 1 ,  3 G 1  which extend axially to form a joint link provided with two respective coaxial journals  5 D,  5 G, with the axis XX′, intended to be engaged in the apertures of the body. 
     The cover also comprises in the region of its front end an aperture  3 A making it possible to verify the presence of the key without having to open the container. 
     These two lateral arms are shaped so as to be able to be engaged in the two re-entrant cavities of the body to ensure locking in rotation of the body and of the cover at the end of the locking path. 
     The use of the container described above is relatively simple. Starting from an empty closed and locked container, in order to insert the key it suffices to displace the cover  3  longitudinally, removing the cover from the casing  2  perpendicularly to the axis XX′. The journals  5 G and  5 D are thus displaced in the apertures LD and LG to be brought into abutment on the front part of the apertures. In this position, the cover is free to turn about the axis XX′ at least sufficiently to allow the passage of the key. More specifically, only in this position is the lower slide rail in contact with the lateral arms  3 D 1 ,  3 G 1  of the cover  3 . The shape of the end of these lateral arms is rounded to allow the rotation of the cover. It suffices, therefore, after having inserted the key, to close the cover and to push said cover in the direction of the casing to lock the closure of the assembly. 
     This positioning and arranging device, in addition to the mounting in said device, makes it possible to guarantee the positioning of the key in the container such that the transponder of the key is positioned optimally in the reader when the container which incorporates said transponder is arranged in the reader of the security system of the vehicle. This reader therefore verifies the data of the transponder to authorize or not, for example, the start up of the vehicle. 
     To remove the key from the container while it is positioned in the closed and locked container, it suffices to carry out the same operations but by removing the key instead of inserting it. 
     The steps of the process of positioning and removing the key from the container are shown in the series of  FIGS. 2 to 8 .  FIG. 2  shows the empty container and the mobile part in the closed and locked position.  FIG. 3  shows the empty container and the mobile part in the closed and unlocked position.  FIG. 4  shows the empty container and the mobile part in the open position.  FIG. 5  shows the introduction of the key.  FIG. 6  shows the key in position in the container, the mobile part being in the open position.  FIG. 7  shows the container containing the key and the mobile part in the closed and unlocked position.  FIG. 8  shows the container containing the key and the mobile part in the closed and locked position. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  16 , the container is formed by a substantially parallelepiped casing  14  which is open in its upper part. The casing  14  comprises a substantially rectangular base bordered by two lateral faces, a front face and a rear face. This container is intended to receive a key  1 . 
     The casing  14  comprises, moreover, on the side of its rear face a tubular cylindrical section  14 C with the axis YY′ provided with two diametrically opposing notches  14 B (symmetrical relative to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the casing), perpendicular thereto. These notches  14 B permit the housing of the longer front end part of the key  1 . 
     The casing  14  is closed by a cover  13  pivotably mounted coaxially about the axis YY′ of the tubular section  14 C. This cover, of substantially identical shape to that of the base, has in its rear part a circular orifice  13 C extended to the inside of the casing  14  by a cylindrical sleeve  13 D of external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the tubular section  14 C but at a height less than said tubular section. 
     This cylindrical sleeve  13 D comprises a base  13 F provided with two diametrically opposed slots  13 FD and  13 FG. These slots  13 FD and  13 FG respectively comprise an external circular part  13 FG 1  and  13 FD 1 , two internal circular parts  13 FG 2 ,  13 FD 2  and  13 FG 5 ,  13 FD 5  and a planar part  13 FG 3  and  13 FD 3  located closer to the axis YY′ and forming a notch. This base comprises a centering stud TC permitting the centering and the positioning of an elastic element  15 . 
     The fixing of the cover to the casing  14  in this assembled position is ensured due to a button  16  having a cylindrical head of external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the cylindrical sleeve  13 D of the cover in which it is engaged. The skirt of this button is extended by two diametrically opposed elastic axial tabs  16 D and  16 G arranged so as to pass through the slots  13 FD and  13 FG of the base  13 F of the cover  13 . 
     The lower ends of each of these tabs  16 D,  16 G are provided with an internal protuberance  16 FG 3 ,  16 FD 3  forming successively a recess  16 DE and a chamfer  16 CH. 
     This internal protuberance  16 FG 3 ,  16 FD 3  is intended to be clipped (in particular due to the chamfer) under a circular edge provided on the internal surface of the tubular section  13 C to ensure both the holding of the button  16  on the casing  14  and indirectly of the cover  13  on the casing  14 . A housing  14 A in the casing  14  permits the pushing-in of the button  16  but prevents the rotation of the button  16 . The internal protuberance when the button is in the pushed-out position, prevents the rotation of the cover  13 . In contrast, when the button is pushed in, the internal protuberance is released and passes under the base of the cylindrical sleeve  13 D and thus permits the release of the cover  13  which is thus free to rotate. In this case an angle of rotation in the order of 50° is possible. 
     The elastic element  15  is arranged between the upper face of the push button and the base so as to ensure an elastic clamping of the housing/cover/push button assembly. 
     In this assembly, the holding of the cover  13  in the perfectly closed position is ensured as the cover  13  interlocks into the casing  14  under the effect of the elastic action of the spring. This interlocking relates, in this case, to the precise relative positioning of the cover on the casing when the container is closed. This is obtained in this example by a chamfer CH located all around the extent of contact between the casing and the cover. 
     The mounting of the assembly and its use are relatively simple. More specifically, this structure makes it possible with a relatively low number of parts to implement a plurality of functions and thus to reduce the cost of implementation and mounting. 
     To mount the container, it suffices to place the cover  13  on the casing  14  and to position the spring  15  and the button  16  and to push in the button to clip it onto the casing. 
     To use the container which is initially empty and in the closed and locked position it suffices to press on the button. The translation of the button along the axis YY′ compresses the spring  15  and drives the protuberance of the button below the base of the cover  13  and permits the rotation of the cover  13 . It is possible to open the container by rotating the cover  13  about the axis YY′. It is thus possible to place the key in the container, then to close the cover  13  by rotating said cover in the opposite direction. When the cover  13  comes into the closed position the protuberance of the button is positioned opposite the notches  13 FG 3  and  13 FD 3  and thus allows the button to be lifted up under the action of the spring and thus locks the assembly. To remove the key it suffices to repeat the operations by removing the key instead of placing it in the container. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 9 and 16 , the steps of the process of positioning the key in the container and removing the key from the container are presented in the series of  FIGS. 10 to 15 .  FIG. 10  shows the empty container and the mobile part in the closed and locked position.  FIG. 11  shows the empty container and the mobile part in the closed and unlocked position; the push button is in this case pushed in.  FIG. 12  shows the empty container and the mobile part in the open position.  FIG. 13  shows the key in position in the container, the mobile part being in the open position.  FIG. 14  shows the container containing the key and the mobile part in the closed and unlocked position.  FIG. 15  shows the container containing the key and the mobile part in the closed and locked position. 
     Further technical solutions and variants may be easily conceived from this structural design. More specifically, it is possible for example to clip the cover  13  directly onto the casing  14  and to design a button which would only be used to lock or unlock the cover  13 . It is also possible to design a structure of the assembly where one or more locking tabs might be fixed relative to the cover  13 . 
     It is also possible to prestress the compression spring in torsion so that this spring operates in compression and in torsion so that when the button is pushed in, the spring has the tendency to open the cover. 
     The compression spring may also be replaced by any elastic element having the same functions as said spring. 
     The container or the unlocking control button  16  may comprise on its visible face a surface for carrying information such as a logo for example. 
     The device according to the invention is well suited for ensuring predetermined positioning and improving the protection of an emergency key in a container. This device according to the invention is, therefore, not limited to the examples cited above, but may be modified within the scope of the claims without changing the scope thereof.