Safety shut-off device for vehicle having a rotary on-off switch
First Claim
1. Apparatus for controlling the operation of an engine of a vehicle when a person falls off the vehicle, of the type having a rotary type ignition switch that may be manually rotated between at least a run and a stop position by means of a removable key having a grip portion that projects from the body of the ignition switch, comprising:
- means for wirelessly sending a signal from a person on the vehicle to a receiver on the vehicle;
a receiver, mounted on the vehicle, for receiving a wireless signal;
means for engaging and rotating the grip portion of said key, sufficient to turn the engine off, responsive to a predetermined change in the strength of said wireless signal at the receiver; and
, controller means for electromagnetically communicating information between the receiver and the means for engaging and rotating.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A safety system, which stops the motion of a boat or other craft when a person falls off the craft, is comprised of a wireless transmitter carried by the person, a receiver-controller, an actuator, and a rotary on-off switch, such as a common ignition switch. When the person falls off and moves away, the diminution in wireless signal causes the electromechanical actuator, attached to the control panel, to rotate the key which is in the ignition switch. A linear actuator either pushes or pulls on the grip portion of the key, with or without the use of an end cap which receives the key grip portion, for better connection or mechanical advantage. The actuator stores manually input energy, to enable the use of a compact and low power solenoid type coil.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling the operation of an engine of a vehicle when a person falls off the vehicle, of the type having a rotary type ignition switch that may be manually rotated between at least a run and a stop position by means of a removable key having a grip portion that projects from the body of the ignition switch, comprising:
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means for wirelessly sending a signal from a person on the vehicle to a receiver on the vehicle;
a receiver, mounted on the vehicle, for receiving a wireless signal;
means for engaging and rotating the grip portion of said key, sufficient to turn the engine off, responsive to a predetermined change in the strength of said wireless signal at the receiver; and
,controller means for electromagnetically communicating information between the receiver and the means for engaging and rotating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling the operation of an engine of a vehicle when a person falls off the vehicle, of the type having a rotary type ignition switch that may be manually rotated about an axis of rotation, between at least a run and a stop position, by means of a removable key having a grip portion that projects from the body of the ignition switch, comprising:
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wirelessly sending a signal from a transmitter carried by the person to a receiver on the vehicle;
mechanically rotating said removable key from a run position to a stop position responsive to a predetermined change in the strength of signal at the receiver by means of an actuator which is engaged with the grip portion of the key. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification