Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-08-14
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S679090, C361S689000, C248S316500, C024S458000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275379
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to portable remote keyless entry (RKE) type transmitters, and more particularly, to an arrangement that can be easily attached to the interior of a vehicle to provide removable mounting of a transmitter unit to a visor.
BACKGROUND ART
Generally, the use of remote keyless entry (RKE) systems in vehicle has become common. Such systems typically include a portable, handheld RF transmitter unit arranged to transmit a signal to a receiver unit mounted in the vehicle to allow remote locking and unlock of doors, or unlatching of a trunk. Such transmitters are generally formed having a housing or fob that can attach to a person's key chain.
However, RKE systems are being developed that allow the transmitter to operate nonvehicle security systems in addition to the normal vehicle devices. For example, an RKE system can be arranged so that the transmitter unit generates a signal to operate a garage door opener. While such RKE systems provide enhanced convenience to a user by reducing the number of separate transmitter units needed to operate each of the respective systems, affixing the transmitter to a key chain makes use of the transmitter difficult when the keys are in the ignition of the vehicle. As a result, a need exists for an arrangement that allows a transmitter to be securely mounted to an accessible area of the vehicle, such as a sun visor, but also allows easy removal of the transmitter by a user upon exiting of the vehicle.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a docking arrangement for a portable transmitter unit that can be easily attached to the interior of a vehicle, and allows a portable transmitter to be securely retained and removed when desired.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a docking arrangement for a portable transmitter unit that can be securely mounted to a vehicle visor, and allows a portable transmitter to be securely docked therein or removed when desired;
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a low cost docking arrangement for a portable transmitter unit that can be folded about and affixed to a visor in a vehicle.
In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention provides a docking element for a removable transmitter device having a docking base portion formed with a hinge to allow the base portion to be folded upon itself, receiving slot formed in the base portion so as to receive and retain the removable transmitter device, and a plurality of mounting pins formed in the base portion on one side of the hinge. A plurality of mounting holes are formed in the base portion on an opposing side of the hinge from the plurality of mounting pins. The holes are positioned and arranged to receive and retain the mounting pins when the base portion is folded upon itself. A moveable transmitter retention member is positioned in the receiving slot and arranged to latch the removable transmitter device upon insertion into the receiving slot. The base portion can then be folded about a visor in the vehicle, and the mounting pins pushed through the visor so as to engage the mounting holes and attached the base portion to the visor.
The above object 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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4817253 (1989-04-01), Harmatuik
patent: 5054734 (1991-10-01), Gabas
Leshan Kimberly C.
Quinno James L.
Sleboda Pawel W.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Chang Yean-Hsi
Lear Corporation
Picard Leo P.
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