Vehicle Lock Box

• US 20100228666A1
• Filed: 03/06/2009
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laskowski & Squier, LLC
• Original Assignee: Laskowski & Squier, LLC
• Inventors: Squier, Jason Glen, Laskowski, Edward Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,892,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/02 Small garages, e.g. for one or two cars attached to, or supported by, the vehicle B62D
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists

Abstract

A relocatable and remotely actuatable vehicle security system. In some embodiments, the vehicle security system includes a relocatable structure forming an enclosure over a parking surface and an electronic actuation system. The relocatable structure has a closeable opening through which a vehicle enters and leaves the enclosure. The electronic actuation system is configured to actuate a drive mechanism to close the opening or to expose the opening upon receipt of a remotely generated signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle lock box, comprising:

a relocatable structure forming an enclosure over a parking surface, the structure having a closeable opening through which a vehicle enters and leaves the enclosure; and

an electronic actuation system configured to actuate a drive mechanism to close the opening or to expose the opening upon receipt of a remotely generated signal.

2. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, wherein the relocatable structure comprises a door coupled to the drive mechanism and wherein the drive mechanism is actuatable to extend the door over the closeable opening and to retract the door from the closeable opening.

3. The vehicle lock box of claim 2, wherein the door is a rolling door.

4. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, wherein the relocatable structure includes at least one wall comprising a skin coupled to a frame.

5. The vehicle lock box of claim 4, wherein the skin comprises at least one layer from the group consisting of wirewall and perforated metal plate panel.

6. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, wherein the relocatable structure includes at least one sidewall having one or more pre-cast concrete blocks for ballast and stability.

7. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is one of a group consisting of an automobile, a truck, a motorcycle, and a boat mounted on a trailer.

8. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, wherein the relocatable structure includes external features which enable lifting of the relocatable structure.

9. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, wherein the relocatable structure includes a bumper guard coupled to an interior surface of the enclosure.

10. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, wherein the relocatable structure includes an electric outlet positioned on an interior surface of the enclosure.

11. The vehicle lock box of claim 1, further comprising an anchor system configured to prevent movement of the relocatable structure relative to a vehicle within the enclosure.

12. A system for securing a vehicle, the system comprising:

an enclosure formed by a multi-walled structure positioned on a parking surface and configured to receive the vehicle therein, the enclosure having an closeable opening through which the vehicle is accessible;

an attendant system remotely located from the enclosure and configured to control access to the vehicle through the opening; and

an electronic actuation system configured to receive a first signal from the attendant system and to deliver a second signal, whereby the opening is covered or exposed.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a door that is extendable to cover the opening and retractable to expose the opening; and

a drive mechanism coupled to the door, the drive mechanism configured to receive the second signal and to extend or retract the door upon receipt of the second signal.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the door is configured to allow light to pass therethrough.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the drive mechanism is mounted within the enclosure and inaccessible from outside of the enclosure.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the attendant system comprises:

an attendant configured to receive a request for access to the vehicle; and

a transmitter for generating the first signal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the attendant is an automated system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the transmitter is coupled to the automated system.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the multi-walled structure includes at least one wall comprising a skin coupled to a frame by coupling members having fastening means accessible only from inside of the enclosure.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the multi-walled structure includes at least one wall comprising a skin coupled to a frame and configured to allow light to pass therethrough.

21. The vehicle lock box of claim 12, wherein the multi-walled structure includes a lighting panel coupled to an interior surface of the enclosure.

22. The vehicle lock box of claim 21, wherein the lighting panel is actuatable to illuminate the interior of the enclosure when the drive mechanism retracts the door.

23. A method for securing a vehicle, the method comprising:

requesting access to a vehicle lock box, the vehicle lock box comprising;

a relocatable structure forming an enclosure over a parking surface, the structure having a closeable opening through which a vehicle enters and leaves the enclosure; and

an electronic actuation system configured to actuate a drive mechanism to close the opening or to expose the opening upon receipt of a remotely generated signal;

transmitting a first signal to the electronic actuation system;

retracting a door covering the closeable opening upon receipt of the first signal;

driving a vehicle through the closeable opening into the enclosure;

transmitting a second signal to the electronic actuation system; and

extending the door to cover the closeable opening and enclose the vehicle within the vehicle lock box upon receipt of the second signal.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein requesting access further comprises calling a telephone number displayed on the vehicle lock box.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein transmitting a first signal further comprises transmitting a first signal from a remote location.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing identifying and payment information when requesting access.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

subsequently requesting access to the vehicle lock box;

providing information matching identifying information previously provided to verify a requester'"'"'s identity;

transmitting a third signal to the electronic actuation system; and

retracting the door to uncover the closeable opening upon receipt of the third signal.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising paying a fee based on the time during which the vehicle was secured within the vehicle lock box.

29. A method for renting a secure enclosure for a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving a request for access to a vehicle lock box, the vehicle lock box comprising;

a relocatable structure forming the secure enclosure over a parking surface, the structure having a closeable opening through which a vehicle enters and leaves the enclosure; and

an electronic actuation system configured to actuate a drive mechanism to close the opening or to expose the opening upon receipt of a remotely generated signal;

receiving payment information;

transmitting a first signal to the electronic actuation system;

retracting a door covering the closeable opening upon delivery of the first signal;

transmitting a second signal to the electronic actuation system; and

extending the door to cover the closeable opening and enclose the vehicle within the vehicle lock box upon delivery of the second signal.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising charging a fee based on the time during which the vehicle was secured in the vehicle lock box.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein receiving a request further comprises receiving identifying information.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

subsequently receiving a request for access to the vehicle lock box;

requesting verification of at least some of the identifying information;

transmitting a third signal to the electronic actuation system; and

retracting the door to uncover the closeable opening upon receipt of the third signal.