Backup Key for Multiple Backup Key Integration into a Mobile Device Case

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016110938-A1
Application number	US-201414517061-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 17, 2014
Priority date	Oct 17, 2014
Publication date	Apr 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A backup key for a vehicle includes a blade extending along an axis within a first plane and a head, attached to the blade, extending along the axis and defining a slot along the axis for insertion of a torque assisting device. The slot may be configured to receive a coin. The slot may be configured such that the torque assisting device, when inserted into the slot, lies in a second plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane. A case for a portable electronic device includes a housing configured to receive the portable electronic device and defining a plurality of receptacles for one or more backup keys. The case also includes a key fob circuit for wirelessly interfacing with a keyless entry system and a communication circuit that connects to the key fob circuit for coupling the portable electronic device and the keyless entry system.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A key for a vehicle comprising:
a blade extending along an axis within a first plane; and a head, attached to the blade, extending along the axis and defining a slot along the axis for insertion of a torque assisting device.

2 . The key of claim 1 wherein the slot is configured such that the torque assisting device, when inserted into the slot, lies in a second plane that is generally perpendicular to the first plane.

3 . The key of claim 1 wherein the slot is configured with a length and a width to accommodate a coin, such that the length is approximately a coin diameter and the width is approximately a coin width.

4 . The key of claim 1 wherein a height of the head in the first plane is less than twenty percent greater than a height of the blade in the first plane.

5 . The key of claim 1 wherein a height of the head in the first plane and a height of the blade in the first plane are approximately equal.

6 . The key of claim 1 wherein a width of the head in a plane perpendicular to the first plane is less than twenty percent greater than a width of the blade in the plane perpendicular to the first plane.

7 . The key of claim 1 wherein a width of the head in a plane perpendicular to the first plane is approximately equal to a width of the blade in the plane perpendicular to the first plane.

8 . A case for a portable electronic device comprising:
a housing configured to receive the portable electronic device and defining a plurality of receptacles for one or more backup keys; a key fob circuit integrated with the housing for wirelessly interfacing with a vehicle keyless entry system; and a communication circuit integrated with the housing and connected to the key fob circuit for coupling the portable electronic device and the vehicle keyless entry system.

9 . The case of claim 8 wherein the housing further defines a receptacle for a torque assisting device for the backup keys.

10 . The case of claim 8 further comprising a port configured to connect the portable electronic device to the communication circuit.

11 . The case of claim 8 wherein the housing is configured such that the plurality of receptacles are concealed when the portable electronic device is received.

12 . The case of claim 8 wherein the housing is configured such that the plurality of receptacles are accessible when the portable electronic device is received.

13 . The case of claim 8 further including a cover coupled with the housing.

14 . The case of claim 8 wherein the keyless entry system is part of a vehicle.

15 . A mobile phone case comprising:
a housing configured to receive a mobile phone and defining a plurality of receptacles for one or more vehicle backup keys; a key fob circuit integrated with the housing for wirelessly interfacing with a vehicle keyless entry system; and a communication circuit integrated with the housing and connected to the key fob circuit for coupling the mobile phone and the vehicle keyless entry system.

16 . The mobile phone case of claim 15 wherein the housing further defines a receptacle for a torque assisting device for the vehicle backup keys.

17 . The mobile phone case of claim 15 further comprising a port configured to connect the mobile phone to the communication circuit.

18 . The mobile phone case of claim 15 wherein the housing is configured such that the plurality of receptacles are concealed when the mobile phone is received.

19 . The mobile phone case of claim 15 wherein the housing is configured such that the plurality of receptacles are accessible while the mobile phone is received.

20 . The mobile phone case of claim 15 further including a cover coupled with the housing.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Kleve Robert Bruce
• Van Wiemeersch John Robert

Classifications

• G07C9/20 Primary

  involving the use of a pass · CPC title

• B60R25/20 Primary

  Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off · CPC title

• A45C11/00

  Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) · CPC title

• E05B19/0082

  Keys or shanks being removably stored in a larger object, e.g. a remote control or a key fob (general constructional details of electronic keys G07C9/00944) · CPC title

• H04M1/11

  Supports for sets, e.g. incorporating armrests · CPC title