# US 10,864,861 B1 · Customizable over-mount structure for vehicle start/stop button > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,864,861 B1 - Document ID: US10864861B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/709,475 - Filed: 2019-12-10 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-10 - Assignees: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Jacob Dodman; Brian Saloka; Zachary Bolton; Jason Schwegler - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10864861B1 ## CPC - B60R 13/02: {Internal} Trim mouldings {; Internal} Ledges; Wall liners {for passenger compartments}; Roof liners (B60R13/01 takes precedence {; padded linings for the vehicle interior B60R21/04; arrangements or adaptations of floor mats or carpets in vehicles B60N3/04; internal lining for trains B61D17/18}) - H01H 11/0018: {for allowing different operating parts} - B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor - B60K 35/50: Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle (B60K35/231 takes precedence) - B60R 25/045: by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit - B60R 25/24: using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user - H01H 9/182: {Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks (H01H9/181 takes precedence)} - H01H 13/14: Operating parts, e.g. push-button - B60K 37/00: Dashboards (as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14) - B60K 2360/128: Axially displaceable input devices for instruments - B60K 2360/345: Illumination of controls - B60R 13/005: {Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor} - B60R 2325/205: Mobile phones - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract An over-mount structure for over-mounting a vehicle start/stop button that is mounted in a housing with a gap defined between an outer periphery of the start/stop button and an inner periphery of the housing. The over-mount structure includes a mounting body having a first, generally cylindrical, mounting portion having a wall thickness sized to be received within the gap and having an inner diameter sized to make a removable press-fit engagement with an outer diameter of the start/stop button. The mounting body also includes a second generally cylindrical mounting portion, integral with the first mounting portion and in opposing relation therewith. A faceplate is removably coupled to the second mounting portion to cover an end thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An over-mount structure for over-mounting a vehicle start/stop button that is mounted in a housing with a gap defined between an outer periphery of the start/stop button and an inner periphery of the housing, the over-mount structure comprising: a mounting body comprising: a first, generally cylindrical, mounting portion having a wall thickness sized to be received within the gap and having an inner diameter sized to make a removable press-fit engagement with an outer diameter of the start/stop button, and a second generally cylindrical mounting portion, integral with the first mounting portion and in opposing relation therewith, and a faceplate constructed and arranged to be removably coupled to the second mounting portion to cover an end thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The over-mount structure of claim 1, wherein the second mounting portion has an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the first mounting portion such that when the first mounting portion is in press-fit engagement with the start/stop button, a part of the second mounting portion engages a face of the housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The over-mount structure of claim 1, wherein the faceplate and second mounting portion include snap-fitting structure constructed and arranged to removably snap-fit the faceplate to the second mounting portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The over-mount structure of claim 1, wherein the snap-fitting structure comprises: tabs, extending from a periphery of the second mounting portion, each defining an engagement face, and hooks, extending from a periphery of the faceplate for engaging the engagement faces. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The over-mount structure of claim 1, wherein the faceplate includes indicia thereon. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The over-mount structure of claim 1, in combination with the start/stop button and housing, with the first mounting portion in press-fit engagement with the start/stop button. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The over-mount structure of claim 1, wherein the second mounting portion includes a recess therein and the over-mount structure further comprising coil structure disposed in the recess and covered by the faceplate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The over-mount structure of claim 7, wherein the coil structure comprises: a first coil configured to wirelessly communicate with a transponder of a key fob of the vehicle, and a second coil configured to wirelessly communicate with an immobilizer associated with the start/stop button, wherein the first coil is configured to receive a signal sent from the transponder of the key fob and, based thereon, the second coil is configured to transmit a signal to the immobilizer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The over-mount structure of claim 7, wherein the coil structure comprises: a first coil configured to wirelessly communicate with a smart phone, and a second coil configured to wirelessly communicate with an immobilizer associated with the start/stop button, wherein the first coil is configured to receive a signal sent from the smart phone and, based thereon, the second coil is configured to transmit a signal to the immobilizer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The over-mount structure of claim 8, in combination with the start/stop button, immobilizer, and key fob, with the first mounting portion being in press-fit engagement with the start/stop button. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The over-mount structure of claim 8, in combination with the start/stop button, and immobilizer, with the first mounting portion being in press-fit engagement with the start/stop button. ### Claim 12 A method of enabling customization of a start/stop button of a vehicle, the start/stop button being mounted in a housing with a gap defined between an outer periphery of the start/stop button and an inner periphery of the housing, the method comprising the steps of: providing an over-mount structure having a mounting body and a faceplate removably coupled to an end of the mounting body, the faceplate having indicia thereon, and ensuring that a portion of the mounting body can be inserted into the gap and be press-fitted to a periphery of the start/stop button to couple the over-mount structure to the start/stop button without modifying the start/stop button. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the ensuring step includes: providing the portion of the mounting body as generally cylindrical, having a wall thickness sized to be received within the gap and having an inner diameter sized to make a removable press-fit engagement with an outer diameter of the start/stop button. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the faceplate and the mounting body are removably coupled in snap-fit relation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the mounting body includes a recess therein and the over-mount structure further comprising coil structure disposed in the recess and covered by the faceplate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the coil structure comprises: a first coil configured to wirelessly communicate with a transponder of a key fob of the vehicle, and a second coil configured to wirelessly communicate with an immobilizer associated with the start/stop button, the method further comprising: configuring the first coil to receive a signal sent from the transponder of the key fob and, configuring the second coil to transmit a signal to the immobilizer based on the received signal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the coil structure comprises: a first coil configured to wirelessly communicate with a smart phone, and a second coil configured to wirelessly communicate with an immobilizer associated with the start/stop button, the method further comprising: configuring the first coil to receive a signal sent from the smart phone and, configuring the second coil to transmit a signal to the immobilizer based on the received signal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising: providing a plurality of different faceplates each having different indicia and/or color, such that a user can select a customized faceplate for coupling with the mounting body.