Key assemblies and methods of making same

US6308542A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Ortech LLP · US

Inventor

• Brian Bolton · Kirksville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 1997
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2001
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T70/8811
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Key assemblies each having a key blank, a transponder, a transponder holder and a key head section cover molded to encapsulate the transponder and at least part of its holder. A logo may be provided on one or both sides of the key head section cover, or on a transponder holder which is molded about a part of the key head section. In one embodiment, the transponder holder is premolded, after which the transponder is inserted in it and resiliently held in place by resilient parts of the holder. The transponder and holder subassembly is then slid into a generally U-shaped key head with the legs defining the sides of that key head sliding in open channels formed by legs of the holder which are moved against the resilience of the cantilever mounting of the legs to the transponder mounting section of the holder. The holder legs are latched in a snap-fitting action by protrusions which cam the holder legs toward the transponder mounting section of the holder, then snap into openings in the bottoms of the open channels to precisely locate and hold the transponder holder and the transponder in place in the key head section. The disclosure includes the elements and the method of making the c…