EXTENSION OF A VEHICULAR ALARM TO ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT CARRIED BY AN AUTOMOBILE

• US 20160052490A1
• Filed: 08/21/2015
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neris Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Neris Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Hardy, James L., Graham, Joseph M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,908,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/10 actuating a signalling device
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018

Abstract

A system for extending a vehicular alarm system includes a base unit and a remote unit. The system is configured to extend the vehicular alarm system to an accessory or equipment secured to, carried by (e.g., outside or inside) or in proximity to an automobile and/or to equipment secured to the accessory. The base unit is configured to be carried by the automobile and to communicate with the vehicular alarm system. The base unit may be configured to mimic activation of a sensor of the vehicular alarm system in a manner that can activate the vehicular alarm system. The remote unit is configured to be carried by the accessory, and may sense removal of the accessory from the automobile, opening of the accessory and/or removal of equipment from the accessory. Methods for extending a vehicular alarm system to operate with one or more accessories are also disclosed, as are methods for detecting and providing an alarm when an accessory or equipment secured by the accessory is undesirably disturbed.

Claims

1. A system for extending a vehicular alarm system to an accessory carried by an automobile, comprising:

a base unit, including;

wiring for electrically communicating with a sensor of the vehicular alarm system;

a switch in communication with the wiring and the sensor of the vehicular alarm system, the switch configured to mimic an action that activates the sensor of the vehicular alarm system; and

a wireless communication component in communication with the switch and configured to cause the switch to mimic the action that activates the sensor of the vehicular alarm system; and

a remote unit configured to be used in conjunction with an accessory carried by the automobile, the remote unit including;

a sensor for determining a state of the accessory carried by the automobile; and

a wireless communication component in communication with the sensor and configured to communicate data regarding the state of the accessory to the wireless communication component of the base unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is configured for connection with a hood sensor, a trunk sensor, a door sensor, or a hatchback sensor of the vehicular alarm system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the base unit is further configured to connect to a battery of the automobile.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote unit is configured to be used with a rack, a trailer, a camper shell, or a tonneau cover secured to the automobile.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor of the remote unit is configured to detect removal of the accessory from the automobile.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor of the remote unit is configured to detect opening of the accessory.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor of the remote unit is configured to detect removal of equipment from the accessory.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote unit is configured to be used with a cargo box secured to the automobile.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor of the remote unit is configured to detect removal of the cargo box from the automobile.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor of the remote unit is configured to detect opening of the cargo box.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote unit is configured to be used with a toolbox secured the automobile.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor of the remote unit is configured to detect removal of the toolbox from the automobile.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor of the remote unit is configured to detect opening of the toolbox.

14. An accessory system for use in securing equipment to an automobile, comprising:

an accessory secured to the automobile; and

an accessory alarm for extending a vehicular alarm system of the automobile, the accessory alarm including;

a remote unit configured to be used in conjunction with the accessory, the remote unit including;

a sensor for determining a state of the accessory carried by the automobile; and

a wireless communication component in communication with the sensor and configured to communicate data regarding the state of the accessory to a wireless communication component of a base unit in communication with a sensor of the vehicular alarm system.

15. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein the accessory alarm further includes:

the base unit.

16. The accessory system of claim 15, wherein the base unit of the accessory alarm includes:

a switch in communication with the sensor of the vehicular alarm system, the switch configured to mimic an action that activates the sensor of the vehicular alarm system; and

a wireless communication component in communication with the switch and configured to receive data regarding the state of the accessory from the wireless communication component of the remote unit and to cause the switch to mimic the action that activates the sensor of the vehicular alarm system.

17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein the switch of the base unit of the accessory alarm is wired to the sensor of the vehicular alarm system.

18. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein the switch of the remote unit of the accessory alarm is configured to detect removal of the accessory from the automobile.

19. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein the switch of the remote unit of the accessory alarm is configured to detect removal of equipment from the accessory or opening of the accessory.

20. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein the accessory comprises a rack, a ski/snowboard rack, a bike rack, a cargo box or a toolbox.

21. A method for extending a vehicular alarm system to an accessory secured to an automobile, comprising:

placing a base unit of an accessory alarm in communication with a sensor of the vehicular alarm system of the automobile in a manner that enables the base unit to mimic activation of the sensor;

associating a remote unit of the accessory alarm with an accessory that has been secured to the automobile;

activating the remote unit; and

monitoring activity of the remote unit with the base unit.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein placing the base unit of the accessory alarm in communication with the sensor of the vehicular alarm system comprises wiring the base unit to the vehicular alarm system.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein associating the remote unit of the accessory alarm with the accessory comprises associating the remote unit of the accessory alarm with the accessory in such a way that the remote unit will detect removal of the accessory from the automobile.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein associating the remote unit of the accessory alarm with the accessory comprises associating the remote unit of the accessory alarm with the accessory in such a way that the remote unit will detect removal of equipment from the accessory.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein associating the remote unit of the accessory alarm with the accessory comprises associating the remote unit of the accessory alarm with the accessory in such a way that the remote unit will detect opening of the accessory.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein activating the remote unit comprises establishing communication between the remote unit and the base unit.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein activating the remote unit comprises establishing wireless communication between remote unit and the base unit.