Automobile remote and key cover

Abstract

A protective cover is provided for vehicle remote control device comprising a housing and a plurality of buttons on the surface of the housing which can be pressed for activating predetermined vehicle functions. The protective cover comprises an inner plastic sheath for fittingly surrounding the housing, the inner plastic sheath being comprised a relatively soft and pliable plastic material and having an opening therein through which the remote control device can be inserted. Further, an outer sheath substantially surrounds the inner plastic sheath. The outer sheath is comprised of a material selected for its ability to protect the remote control device. The outer sheath has an opening therein which substantially corresponds to the opening in the inner plastic sheath, and has at least one window therein, the window being located on the outer sheath so that the buttons can be seen through the window when the remote control device is inserted in the protective cover.

1 . A protective cover for a vehicle remote control device comprising a housing and a plurality of buttons on the surface of the housing which can be pressed for activating predetermined vehicle functions, the protective cover comprising:
 an inner plastic sheath for fittingly surrounding the housing, the inner plastic sheath being comprised a relatively soft and pliable plastic material and having an opening therein through which the remote control device can be inserted; and   an outer sheath substantially surrounding the inner plastic sheath, the outer sheath being comprised of a material selected for its ability to protect the remote control device, the outer sheath having an opening therein which substantially corresponds to the opening in the inner plastic sheath, the outer sheath having a least one window therein, the window being located on the outer sheath so that the buttons can be seen through the window when the remote control device is inserted in the protective cover.   
   
   
       2 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a closure member for at least partially selectively closing the openings in the inner plastic sheath and the outer sheath. 
   
   
       3 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer sheath has an upper surface and a lower surface and a pocket overlay is formed in the lower surface for receiving a photograph viewable through the pocket overlay. 
   
   
       4 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer sheath has a clamp attached thereto, the clamp for fastening the protective cover to a substrate. 
   
   
       5 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the outer sheath has an upper surface, a lower surface and side edges and further comprises a substantially rigid insert against the side edges to maintain a spaced relationship between at least a portion of the upper and lower surfaces of the outer sheath. 
   
   
       6 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a luminescent threaded piece. 
   
   
       7 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the remote control device incorporates a vehicle key movable between a withdrawn position in or against the remote control device and an extended position away from the remote control device, and the protective cover member has an additional opening therein to allow free passage of the movable vehicle key as it moves between the withdrawn and extended positions. 
   
   
       8 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising a closure member for releasably opening and closing the additional opening. 
   
   
       9 . A protective cover for a vehicle remote control device comprising a housing having upper and lower surfaces and side edges and a plurality of buttons on the upper surface of the housing which can be pressed for activating predetermined vehicle functions, the protective cover comprising:
 a front panel member having a front panel with dimensions substantially the same as the upper surface of the housing, at lease three side edges depending from edges of the front panel and extending somewhat normal to the front panel and able to cover at least a portion of the side edges of the housing, the front panel member further comprising a window therein through which the buttons on the housing can be viewed;   a rear panel member having a rear panel with dimensions substantially the same as the lower surface of the housing, at lease three side edges depending from edges of the rear panel and extending somewhat normal to the rear panel and able to cover at least a portion of the side edges of the housing, the three side edges of the rear panel member overlapping the three side edges of the front panel member; and   a rigid U-shaped member adjacent the three side edges of the front and rear panels respectively.   
   
   
       10 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a plastic sheath in the window of the front panel member. 
   
   
       11 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 9  wherein one side thereof has an opening through which the remote control device can be inserted in the protective cover, and a closure member is provided over a portion of the opening for selectively opening and closing the opening. 
   
   
       12 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the rigid member fastens the three side edges of the front panel member to the three side edges of the rear panel member. 
   
   
       13 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the remote control device incorporates a vehicle key movable between a withdrawn position in or against the remote control device and an extended position away from the remote control device, and the protective cover member has an additional opening therein to allow free passage of the movable vehicle key as it moves between the withdrawn and extended positions. 
   
   
       14 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising accessories for securing to the protective cover, the accessories being selected from the group consisting of: Bluetooth chip, GPS chip, precious stones, semi-precious stones, simulated plastic stones resembling precious or semi-precious stones, color panel inlays or overlays, metal rings, carry straps, handles, identification tags, photograph pocket, advertising indicia, religious indicia, jewelry items. 
   
   
       15 . A protective cover as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a space between the remote control device and the front or rear panel members which operates as a compartment for holding accessories attached to the protective cover. 
   
   
       16 . A method of forming a protective cover for a vehicle remote control device comprising a housing and a plurality of buttons on the surface of the housing which can be pressed for activating predetermined vehicle functions, the method comprising:
 first locating an inner plastic sheath fittingly about the housing, the inner plastic sheath being comprised a relatively soft and pliable plastic material, and forming an opening therein through which the remote control device can be inserted; and   second wrapping an outer sheath substantially about the inner plastic sheath, the outer sheath being comprised of a material selected for its ability to protect the remote control device, the outer sheath having an opening formed therein which substantially corresponds to the opening in the inner plastic sheath, the outer sheath having a least one window inserted therein, the window being located on the outer sheath so that the buttons can be seen through the window when the remote control device is inserted in the protective cover.   
   
   
       17 . A method for making aq protective cover for a vehicle remote control device comprising a housing having upper and lower surfaces and side edges and a plurality of buttons on the upper surface of the housing which can be pressed for activating predetermined vehicle functions, the method comprising:
 locating a front panel member on the housing, the front panel member having a front panel with dimensions substantially the same as the upper surface of the housing, at least three side edges depending from edges of the front panel and extending somewhat normal to the front panel and able to cover at least a portion of the side edges of the housing, the front panel member having a window formed therein through which the buttons on the housing can be viewed;   locating a rear panel member on the housing, the rear panel member having a rear panel with dimensions substantially the same as the lower surface of the housing, at least three side edges depending from edges of the rear panel and extending somewhat normal to the rear panel and able to cover at least a portion of the side edges of the housing, the three side edges of the rear panel member overlapping the three side edges of the front panel member; and   inserting a rigid U-shaped member adjacent the three side edges of the front and rear panels respectively.