Motor vehicle security system and security method

• US 3,880,477 A
• Filed: 07/19/1973
• Issued: 04/29/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anchorlok Corp.
• Original Assignee: Billy E. Stevenson, Thomas R. Rumsey
• Inventors: Stevenson, Billy E., Rumsey, Thomas R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Blix, Trygve M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frankfort, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US05/380,851
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 303/6.1,7,9,14,89 188/16F,265,353 180/82R,114 137/384.2,384.6,598,384.8 70/226,228 92/63
• US Class Current: 303/89
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/09 by restraining wheel rotation, e.g. wheel clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/18 with control of pump output delivery , e.g. by distributor valves B60T13/167 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/083 Combination of service brake actuators with spring loaded brake actuators

Abstract

A motor vehicle security system for trucks, trailers and the like equipped with conventional fluid operated braking assemblies. The security system comprises a manually operable valve for controlling the application of fluid under pressure to the braking assemblies to manually set the vehicle brakes. The valve is arranged with a mechanical, key-operated lock for controlling and locking the valve in a selected position. When the valve is in a '"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"'locked'"'"''"'"''"'"''"'"' position it allows the brakes to be set and the vehicle maintained in situ to prevent the unauthorized movement thereof. The brake assemblies are also secured and locked to prevent the manual operation thereof by means of a conventional lockout tool.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle security system for a motor vehicle comprising a motor vehicle including a tractor and at least one trailer coupled thereto, each having a plurality of wheels, a source of pressurized air, separate braking assemblies for each of the plurality of wheels for the tractor and the trailer each adapted to be activated to a braking position, pneumatic control means coupled to the source of pressurized air for controllably activating the braking assemblies, the braking assemblies for the tractor and trailer including mechanically powered alternate brake setting means coupled to the source of pressurized air and maintained in a de-actuated brake setting condition in response to the application of pressurized air thereto and automatically activated to a brake setting position in response to the loss of pressurized air below a predetermined level, and a lockable valve means coupled in series with the source of pressurized air and the mechanical brake setting means for controlling the application of pressurized air thereto and thereby the braking condition of each of the braking assemblies, the mechanically powered brake setting means being a spring powered brake setting means constructed and defined to allow manual resetting of the spring powered brake setting means at said brake means, said spring powered brake setting means including means for preventing the manual resetting of the spring powered brake setting means at said brake means to prevent unauthorized operation of the braking assemblies when the lockable valve means is in the locked brake setting position, the lockable valve means being manually operable to a locked condition for producing a brake setting operation and thereby render said control system inoperative and manually operated to an unlocked condition for allowing the controllable and automatic setting of the brakes without interference with the normal operation of the control system therefor.

2. A motor vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein the valve means is a three way valve means for conveying the pressurized air to the spring powered braking means and having a port for de-pressurizing said braking means.

3. A motor vehicle security system as defined in claim 2 including means for indicating the operative position of the lockable valve means.

4. A motor vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein the lockable valve means is a key operated and controlled valve.

5. A motor vehicle security system as defined in claim 4 wherein the valve means is a combination of a key operated mechanical lock and a valve.

6. A motor vehicle security system as defiNed in claim 4 wherein the valve means is adapted for carrying a key.

7. A motor vehicle security system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for preventing the unauthorized manual operation of the braking assemblies at said brake means comprises key operated, removable locking means secured to the mechanically powered brake setting means.

8. A method for securing motor vehicles to prevent the theft thereof, the motor vehicle being of the type having a tractor and at least one trailer coupled thereto, including the steps of providing at least the trailer of a tractor-trailer combination with mechanically powered brake settting means, manually operating the mechanically powered brake setting means to set the brakes on at least the trailer, the brakes being maintained in a set condition until manually reset, lockably securing the set brake setting means at the brake by operating a key actuated lock means to prevent unauthorized access to the brake setting means and to thereby prevent the manual resetting of same, and decoupling the tractor from the trailer to leave the trailer in situ in the locked and secured condition.