IES83605Y1 - A key fob - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present invention provides a key fob (1) or the like comprising a front surface (2), and a rear surface (3), a nameplate receiving location (4) on the front surface, a name plate (7) detachably securable to the receiving location and an aperture (5) extending from the rear surface to the front surface at the receiving location. The nameplate may be detached from the receiving location by means of a tool (8) inserted through the aperture. The key fob may further comprise means for detachably securing the name plate to the receiving location, including a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coated on the rear surface of the name plate and/or on the front surface of the name plate receiving location.

Description

A Kev Fob Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a key fob.

Background of the Invention Key fobs that are provided with a name printed or otherwise mounted on them are well known. These are generally known as personalised key fobs. Usually, these personalised key fobs are all provided with the same design on one portion ofthe fob.

Each fob is then also provided with one ofa selection of different names, usually forenamcs, on a second section. There may be up to 500 different names provided, e.g. from "Adam" to "Zoe". A problem associated with providing such a large selection of names is that certain names are more popular than others and key fobs bearing less popular names may go unsold for long periods oftime, while those bearing more popular names have a high rate oftumover. Since the key fo@are identical apart from the names provided on them, the only reason that a particular fob islnot sold is the unpopularity ofthe name it bears. This may lead to poor stock control and poor stock flexibility for the retailer, since some key fobs may never be sold, while others may be sold out very quickly.

Object of the lnvention It is an object ofthe present invention to overcome the problem described above. it IS also an object of the invention to provide a personalised key fob including a «letacliahly mountable nameplate and means for detachably securing a nameplate to a key fob.

Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, there is provided a key fob or the like comprising a front surface and a rear surface, a nameplate receiving location on the front surface, a name plate detachably securable to the receiving location and an aperture extending from the rear surface to the front surface at the receiving location.

The nameplate may be detached from the receiving location by means of a tool inserted through the aperture.

Preferably, the nameplate receiving location is dimensioned to accommodate a nameplate selected from a sheet of such nameplates. Advantageously, the receiving location is recessed slightly from the front surface ofthe fob. An advantage ofthis feature is that it allows the nameplate to be more securely fastened to the front face of the key fob. Suitably, the nameplates are made from a flexible material. An advantage ofthis feature is that it allows the nameplate to be more accurately positioned at the receiving location. Preferably, the key fob is adapted for attachment to a key ring.

According to further feature of the invention, there is provided means for detaehably securing the name plate to the receiving location, comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coated on the rear surface of the name plate and/or on the front surface ofthe name plate receiving location. Suitably, the pressure sensitive adhesive is an epoxy—based adhesive.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is front view ofa key fob according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view ofthe key fob of Figure l with a nameplate attached; Figure 3 is a rear view ofthe key fob ofFigure l (with key ring omitted); Figure 4 a cross—sectional side view ofthe key fob ofFigure 3 with a nameplate attached; Figure 5 is a cross—sectional side view ofthe key fob of Figure 4, showing a tool being used to remove the nameplate; and Figure 0 is a front view ofa sheet of self—adhesive nameplates for use with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figures 1 to 3 ofthe drawings show a key fob l having a front surface 2 and a rear surface 3, the front surface 2 having a nameplate receiving location 4. An aperture extends, through the key fob, from the rear surface 3 to the front surface 2 at the receiving location 4. The fob 1 also comprises an aperture 6 for attachment of the fob to a key ring 10. Figure 2 ofthe drawings shows the key fob l with a nameplate 7, ofthe type shown in Figure 6, detachably mounted on the fob 1 at the nameplate receiving location 4.

Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings show a cross-sectional side View of the key fob l. Aperture 5 is shown extending from the rear surface 3 to the front surface 2 of the fob 1. In the embodiment shown, the nameplate receiving section 4 is recessed slightly from the front surface 2 ofthe fob 1. Figure 4 shows a nameplate 7 detachable mounted on the key fob at the nameplate receiving location 4. Figure 5 shows how a tool, for example a screwdriver 8, may be inserted into the aperture 5 to remove a nameplate 7. bearing an unpopular name, from the fob.

Figure 6 shows a sheet 9 having a plurality of nameplates 7 mounted thereon.

The nameplates 7 are releasably attached to the sheet 9 by means ofa pressure sensitive adhesive, for example an epoxy resin, applied to the rear surfaces ofthe nameplates. A nameplate 7 may be selected from the sheet 9, peeled off and detachably mounted on the fob l at the nameplate receiving location 4.

The words "compn'ses/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A key fob comprising a front surface and a rear surface, a nameplate receiving location on the front surface, a nameplate detachably securable to the receiving location and an aperture extending from the rear surface to the front surface at the receiving location.

2. A key fob as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nameplate may be detached from the receiving location by means of a tool inserted through the aperture and the nameplate is optionally made from a flexible material.

3. A key fob as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the receiving location is recessed from the front surface of the key fob and the fob is optionally adapted for attachment to a key ring.

4. A key fob as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising means for detachably securing the name plate to the receiving location, comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive coated on the rear surface of the name plate and/or on the front surface of the name plate receiving location, and the adhesive is optionally an epoxy—based adhesive type.

5. A key fob substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as illustrated in figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.