I noticed that FHI received a new US design patent a couple of days ago. The patent claims it's for the design of an "automobile key" but it looks like a lowly keyless entry controller to me (I was expecting to see some exciting new "STi key" thingy). Anyhow, since there's not been much exciting Subaru news lately, ...
http://jon.in.ct.home.att.net/USD495585.gif
You can read the patent's text at D495,585 (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?TERM1=D495%2C585&Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=0&f=S&l=50) but, to see the images, you'll need a tif/tiff plug-in for your web browser. The free one at http://www.alternatiff.com works very well for me (under IE 5.5).

Yeah, according to the Claim on the patent, it's just for the 'ornamental design' of the key. Since it is listed as a 'key' perhaps it's for a proximity key with a start/stop button in the dash like some of the newer high end luxury cars?

Steve

Maybe "Automotive Key" is just the heading that remotes fall under because it kind of looks just like the new 05 remotes.

Looks like my 2005 key fob.

:D That's what I said!!

to the best of my knowledge, design patents are numerous and fairly easily obtained. they imply no functional specs, the only thing pattented is the "look."

Looks like my 2005 key fob.

Ditto, except for the trunk release button. Then again, my car doesn't have a trunk. ;)

Just a smaller remote?

It would be nice if they would integrate that junk into the key itself so there was less crap rattling around.

Or integrate the key into the remote, a la VW for the last 5 years.

Just a smaller remote?

It would be nice if they would integrate that junk into the key itself so there was less crap rattling around.

My wife's MINI Cooper S has all integrated into the key (it's nice - but makes for a big key). VW's do this too - with a "switchblade" key that flips out.

Design patents are a dime a dozen - really cheap to get - and only protect EXACTLY what is pictured (no functional aspects of the invention are protected). They are commonly used to protect the "look" that a certain manufacturer might want to protect for its consumer goods. (You see a "ton" of design patents for shoes, sunglasses and stuff like that - where the function is old news but the "look" is all new). This is why there is very little verbage in a design patent -- only drawings really (because that is all that is covered).

Cheers,
Your friendly neighborhood patent attorney.

My wife's MINI Cooper S has all integrated into the key (it's nice - but makes for a big key).


Exactly. :D If Subaru wanted to differentiate themselves, they could make a slimmer one.

Exactly. :D If Subaru wanted to differentiate themselves, they could make a slimmer one.

Now we're cooking with gas!

That Cooper key is HUGE! Am I right?

Yes, but it works well, and it's smaller than the combined key & remote combo SOA uses. :disco:

OTOH, I have washing-machine tested the WRX's remote, and it passed. So it's not a total piece of junk. ;)

Yeah, I just recently got rid of my Cooper, and I preferred that key to the separate FOB I have on my WRX. I know someone disassembled a MINI key to try and make it two separate pieces, I'm sure with a little bit of time and ingenuity, someone could do the reverse with a Subaru set.

Steve

It's pretty sad when the keys on the freakin' Chevy Aveo have the lock/unlock function built right into the key too (and doesn't really increase the size of the key by much either)... :lol:

They should make the doors unlock and ignition activate by voice recognition software that recognizes the driver! That way, no keys at all ... valets would love that! :lol:

That Top of the line Lexus does that by Touch Right?

Love the switchblace of VW, but want the transmitter of a Corvette ZR-1, 50 feet or so, auto lock and/or unlock


S

That new remote design is absolutely horrible. Has anybody heard about all the complaints on the 2005 cars with those alarm fobs? The buttons on this remote are not recessed, and everytime you put your alarm fob in your pocket, you tend to accidentally unlock your doors or set off your alarm.

I like the original Alpine alarm fobs that Subaru has been using for several years. Or better yet, like every else says, just integrate the remote into the key itself.

VW switchblade gets my vote. I just got a cheap knock-off for my MR2 from one of the group buys over on the MR2 Owners Club forum. Besides the length of the Subaru key I don't see why it wouldn't work on a Subie.

The knock-off is composed of two major parts; the key blank and the handle. The key blank is just like a regular key with the head snapped off. It is held to the handle assembly with a tiny screw. This screw is the size of an eyeglass screw. An important note is that part of the base of the key blank is notched and threaded for the screw. That makes it a PITA to use anything other than the blank that is provided with the switchblade.

I think the original VW/Audi switchblades are attached with a pin. They are made by Huf, a German company.

I'd like to see a universal knock-off that holds the key blank better. That way a person could take a factory key, cut the head off, drill some small holes in the base, and be done with it.

I'd also like to see Subaru offer a switchblade. Better yet, Subaru could make a keyed version of some other illegal knives that are even cooler...like a gravity knife (a.k.a. para knife).

Maybe I'll just get a Benchmade and make my own. :D

That new remote design is absolutely horrible. Has anybody heard about all the complaints on the 2005 cars with those alarm fobs? The buttons on this remote are not recessed, and everytime you put your alarm fob in your pocket, you tend to accidentally unlock your doors or set off your alarm.

Blame the stupid soccer moms with their long fake fingernails complaining about not being able to hit the buttons on their key fobs :(

I really hate my keys, I end up walking around with them in my hands until I'm out of range, then I can put them in a pocket.

Don't you really hate it when your keys stab you in the groin. :D Humans are stupid. This should have been solved much earlier in the first century of automobile development.

Don't you really hate it when your keys stab you in the groin. :D Humans are stupid. This should have been solved much earlier in the first century of automobile development.
And pants development... we don't need pockets that reach around into our nether-regions.

subaru really screwed up the design of that keyless entry fob, I like the classic design of the older keyless...

:D

I'm sure with a little bit of time and ingenuity, someone could do the reverse with a Subaru set.

Steve

Been done a long, long, time ago. It's on scoobymods, I believe.

subaru really screwed up the design of that keyless entry fob, I like the classic design of the older keyless...

:D

I didn't like the new key design at first, but it has grown on me. Really, it is all about function anyways, as long as it can pop the trunk from 50 feet away, in the rain, and it weighs less than 1.5 oz, who cares how it looks? :D

I don't know, I had always found the little blue button thingy to be a halmark of the subaru key fob, if they got rid of that, they would be losing their key fob heritage :p

Could anybody link to a picture of the old key setup? Our keys here in Europe look different, so I'd like to see how the old keys look better(compared to the new ones...)

greetings
Arne

And pants development... we don't need pockets that reach around into our nether-regions.

:huh: I do. :D :banana: :lol:
Some times you gotta scratch where it itches.