Waterproof shroud for smart key

Abstract

A waterproof shroud for a smart key includes a housing; two grooves provided on two sides of the housing respectively; a first fastening member provided on a top of the housing; a second fastening member provided on a bottom of the housing; a through hole provided through one side of the first fastening member; two side mounts releasably secured to the grooves; and two front mounts formed with the side mounts respectively and configured to fasten between the first fastening member and the second fastening member. A TPU layer is provided on a back of the housing between the first fastening member and the second fastening member. A transparent layer is provided on the front mounts.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The invention relates to protective coverings and more particularly to a waterproof shroud for a smart key.

2. Description of Related Art

[0002] A smart key (or called passive keyless entry (PKE)) is an electronic access and authorization system that is available either as standard equipment or as an option in several car models.

[0003] The smart key allows the driver to keep the key fob pocketed when unlocking, locking and starting the vehicle. The key is identified via one of antennas in the car's bodywork and a radio pulse generator in the key housing. Depending on the system, the vehicle is automatically unlocked when a button or sensor on the door handle or trunk release is pressed.

[0004] Vehicles with a smart-key system can disengage the immobilizer and activate the ignition without inserting a key in the ignition, provided the driver has the key inside the car.

[0005] When leaving a vehicle that is equipped with a smart-key system, the vehicle is locked by either pressing a button on a door handle, touching a capacitive area on a door handle, or simply walking away from the vehicle.

[0006] Shrouds for smart key are commercially available. However, they are not waterproof. It is often that a smart key is damaged due to contact with water. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a waterproof shroud comprising a housing; two grooves provided on two sides of the housing respectively; a first fastening member provided on a top of the housing; a second fastening member provided on a bottom of the housing; a through hole provided through one side of the first fastening member; two side mounts releasably secured to the grooves; and two front mounts formed with the side mounts respectively and configured to fasten between the first fastening member and the second fastening member.

[0008] Preferably, there is further provided with a TPU layer provided on a back of the housing between the first fastening member and the second fastening member.

[0009] Preferably, there is further provided with a protective member on the TPU layer.

[0010] Preferably, there is further provided with a plurality of enhancement members at four corners of an interior of the housing respectively for increasing a structural strength of the waterproof shroud.

[0011] Preferably, there is further provided with a transparent layer on the front mounts.

[0012] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view of a waterproof shroud for smart key according to the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the waterproof shroud;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a top view of the waterproof shroud;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the waterproof shroud;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a left view of the waterproof shroud;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a right view of the waterproof shroud;

[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the waterproof shroud viewing from the left side; and

[0020] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the waterproof shroud viewing from the front.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 8, a waterproof shroud for a smart key in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

[0022] Two grooves 9 are provided on two sides of a housing 4 respectively. A first fastening member 8 is provided on a top of the housing 4. A second fastening member 5 is provided on a bottom of the housing 4. A through hole 1 is provided through one side of the first fastening member 8. Two front mounts 3 are secured to two side mounts 2 respectively. The side mounts 2 are releasably secured to the grooves 9 respectively. The front mount 3, the side mounts 2 and the grooves 9 are secured to the housing 4.The front mount 3 is complimentary to both the first fastening member 8 and the second fastening member 5. A thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer 7 is provided on a back of the housing 4 between the first fastening member 8 and the second fastening member 5. On the TPU layer 7, there is provided a protective member. Further, four corners of the interior of the housing 4 are provided with enhancement members for increasing the structural strength of the housing 4. A transparent layer 6 is provided on the front mount 3 so that a driver may clearly see buttons of a smart key received in the waterproof shroud for smart key.

[0023] It is envisaged by the invention that the shroud is waterproof so as to prevent water and/or moisture from entering.

[0024] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A waterproof shroud, comprising: a housing; two grooves disposed on two sides of the housing respectively; a first fastening member disposed on a top of the housing; a second fastening member disposed on a bottom of the housing; a through hole disposed through one side of the first fastening member; two side mounts releasably secured to the grooves; and two front mounts formed with the side mounts respectively and configured to fasten between the first fastening member and the second fastening member.

2. The waterproof shroud of claim 1, further comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer disposed on a back of the housing between the first fastening member and the second fastening member.

3. The waterproof shroud of claim 2, further comprising a protective member on the TPU layer.

4. The waterproof shroud of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of enhancement members at four corners of an interior of the housing respectively for increasing a structural strength of the waterproof shroud.

5. The waterproof shroud of claim 1, further comprising a transparent layer disposed on the front mounts.