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US 8,541,705 B2Granted
Electronic communication device and method
AssigneeStrattec Security Corporation
InventorSteven J. Dimig
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic communications device such as a key fob is provided, and in some embodiments comprises a flexible film and a spacer layer defining at least one aperture. The flexible film can cover at least a portion of the spacer layer, and defines an exterior surface of the key fob. The flexible film includes at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface. The at least one contact surface flexes when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch.
Claims31
A key fob comprising:
- a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- and
- encapsulating material defining at least a portion of an interior of the key fob, the encapsulating material lining a portion of an interior surface of the flexible film and bonded thereto, wherein the encapsulating material encases one or both of
- a) a flexible spacer layer including at least one aperture, and
- b) a flexible circuit including the at least one switch and at least one connector for connecting the flexible circuit to a printed circuit board.
2 more elements
A method of forming a key fob comprising:
- providing a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- and
- injecting an encapsulating material into an interior of the key fob to define at least a portion of the interior of the key fob.
A key fob comprising:
- a first housing portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface;
- a second housing portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, wherein the first and second housing portions meet to define a joint, and the interior surface of the first housing portion and the interior surface of the second housing portion cooperate to at least partially define an internal chamber of the key fob;
- a printed circuit board disposed in the chamber;
- an encapsulating material occupying at least a portion of the chamber, wherein the encapsulating material lines an interior of the joint to secure the joint.
1 more element
A key fob comprising:
- a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- and
- encapsulating material defining at least a portion of an interior of the key fob, wherein the encapsulating material encases a flexible spacer layer including at least one aperture.
A key fob comprising:
- a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- and
- encapsulating material defining at least a portion of an interior of the key fob, wherein the encapsulating material encases a flexible circuit including the at least one switch, and wherein the encapsulating material encases at least one connector for connecting the flexible circuit to a printed circuit board.
A method of forming a key fob comprising:
- providing a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- injecting an encapsulating material into a mold to define at least a portion of an interior of the key fob;
- and
- providing a flexible spacer layer including at least one aperture and encasing the flexible spacer layer with the encapsulating material.
1 more element
A method of forming a key fob comprising:
- providing a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- injecting an encapsulating material into a mold to define at least a portion of an interior of the key fob;
- providing a flexible circuit including the at least switch and encasing the flexible circuit with the encapsulating material;
- providing at least one connector for connecting the flexible circuit with a printed circuit board;
- and
- encasing the at least one connector with the encapsulating material.
3 more elements
A method of forming a key fob comprising:
- providing a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- and
- injecting an encapsulating material into an interior of the key fob to thereby secure the flexible film.
A method of forming a key fob comprising:
- providing a flexible film defining an exterior surface of the key fob including at least one contact surface and a surface adjacent to the at least one contact surface, the at least one contact surface flexing when a force is applied in order to actuate at least one switch;
- and
- providing a housing defining an exterior surface of the key fob, the housing meeting the flexible film at a joint;
- injecting an encapsulating material into a mold to define at least a portion of an interior of the key fob, the encapsulating material lining the joint to secure the flexible film and the housing.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.