Theft prevention switch device

• US 4,092,506 A
• Filed: 04/22/1977
• Issued: 05/30/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cecil Clyde Saulters
• Original Assignee: Cecil Clyde Saulters
• Inventors: Saulters, Cecil Clyde
• Primary Examiner(s): Ward, Jr., Robert S.
• Application Number:
  US05/789,930
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 200/42 R, 200/42 A, 200/162, 200/42 T, 200/271, 200/272, 200/281, 200/61.93, 200/61.85, 180/114, 307/10 AT, 123/198 B, 340/63, 340/64, 290/37 R
• US Class Current: 200/43.05
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 27/00 Switches operated by a removable member, e.g. key, plug or plate; Switches operated by setting members according to a single predetermined combination out of several possible settings combined with plug-and-socket connectors H01R13/70; with current-carrying plug H01R31/08

Abstract

A theft prevention switch device for use in a vehicle with an electrical system selectively operable off one of a plurality of battery sources. In the preferred embodiment, three electrical conducting means are attached to a support plate which can be mounted within a box that can be locked shut. One of the electrical means is connected to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system and each of the other two is connected to a battery source. The electrical conducting means are spaced from each other about a common point. A portable and removable plunger can be selectively placed to electrically connect the first electrical conducting means either to the second or the third electrical conducting means. The portable and removable plunger has two substantially planar portions joined at an angle and an insulated, cylindrical gripping member. The first electrical conducting means is spaced from each of the other two about a common common point at an angle corresponding to the angle between the planar portion of the plunger. The electrical system of the vehicle can be easily and quickly connected to either battery source by merely reversing the planar portion of the plunger received in the first electrical conducting means. The other planar portion of the plunger will then automatically be in alignment with either the second or third electrical conducting means.

Claims

1. A theft prevention apparatus for a vehicle having an electrical system selectively operable off one of at least two battery sources, said apparatus comprising:

first electrical conducting means operably connectable to said electrical system,

second electrical conducting means operably connectable to said first battery source,

third electrical conducting means operably connectable to said second battery source,

support means including a first member and means to attach said first, second, and third electrical conducting means to said first member in a predetermined relationship in which each electrical conducting means is spaced from the other two,

removable means for selectively connecting said first electrical conducting means to said second and third electrical conducting means, said removable means being portable and removable from each of said first, second, and third electrical conducting means whereby said electrical system can be made inoperable by removing said removable means to prevent theft of the vehicle, said removable means having two substantially planar portions joined at an angle, and,

said attaching means of said support means attaching said first, second, and third electrical conducting means to said first member in positions spaced from each other about a common point whereby a first plane extending between said second electrical conducting means and said common point and a second plane extending between said third electrical conducting means and said common point each intersect a third plane extending between said first electrical conducting means and said common point at an angle substantially the same as the angle between said two substantially planar portions of said removable means, said removable means being easily movable between a first position in which one planar portion of the removable is connected to the first electrical conducting means and the other planar portion is connected to the second electrical conducting means and a second position in which said one planar portion is connected to the third electrical conducting means and said other planar portion is connected to said first electrical conducting means.

2. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said first, second, and third electrical conducting means each have means to slidable receive one of said portions of said removable means.

3. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said removable means includes grip means operably connected to said two planar portions for easy manipulation thereof.

4. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said grip means is electrically insulated for safety.

5. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said grip means is substantially cylindrical for easy insertion of a finger to manipulate said two planar portions.

6. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

each of said first, second, and third electrical conducting means includes a pair of substantially U-shaped conducting members and means to support said substantially U-shaped members to form an M shape, each of said two planar portions of said removable means being selectively slidably receivable between the inner two members of the M of each of said first, second and third electrical conducting means to form an electrical connection therewith.

7. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 1 further including means for enclosing said first, second, and third electrical conducting means, said enclosing means having means movable from a closed position preventing access to the interior of said enclosing means to an open position providing access to the interior thereof, said enclosing means further including lockable means for preventing movement of said movable means away from said closed position.

8. The theft prevention device of claim 1 wherein said electrical system includes a starter motor and said first electrical conducting means is operably connectable to said starter motor.

9. A theft prevention apparatus for a vehicle having an electrical system selectively operable off one of at least two battery sources, said apparatus comprising:

first electrical conducting means operably connectable to said electrical system,

second electrical conducting means operably connectable to said first battery source,

third electrical conducting means operably connectable to said second battery source,

each of said electrical conducting means being spaced from the other two, and,

removable means for selectively connecting said first electrical conducting means to said second and third electrical conducting means, said removable means being portable and removable from each of said first, second, and third electrical conducting means whereby said electrical system can be made inoperable by removing said removable means to prevent theft of the vehicle, said removable means including contact means having first and second portions joined at an angle, said removable means further having grip means operably connected to said contact means for easy manipulation of said first and second portions thereof.

10. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 9 wherein said grip means is electrically insulated for safety.

11. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 9 wherein said grip means is substantially cylindrical for easy insertion of a finger to manipulate said removable means.

12. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 9 further including:

support means including a first member and means to attach said first, second, and third electrical conducting means to said first emember in a predetermined relationship in which each of said electrical conducting means is spaced from the other two about a common point whereby lines joining said common point to each respective first, second, and third electrical conducting means form an angle between said respective first and third lines and said respective first and third lines substantially equal to the angle between said first and second portions of said removable means.

13. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

each electrical conducting means includes means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means of said removable means.

14. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

each of said means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means includes a pair of substantially U-shaped conducting members and means to support said substantially U-shaped members to form an M shape, one of said portions of said contact means being slidably receivable between the inner two members of each M.

15. The theft prevention apparatus of claim 9 further including:

means for enclosing said first, second, and third electrical conducting means, said enclosing means having means movable from a closed position preventing access to the interior of said enclosing means to an open position providing access to the interior thereof, said enclosing means further including lockable means for preventing movement of said movable means away from said closed position.

16. The theft prevention device of claim 9 wherein said electrical system includes a starter motor and said first electrical conducting means is operably connectable to said starter motor.

17. A theft prevention switch device to be used in combination with two electrical systems designed to be powered independently of each other from two separate battery sources, said device making a first of said two electrical systems selectively operable from either of said two battery sources, said device comprising:

first electrical conducting means operably connected to said first electrical system,

second electrical conducting means operably connected to one of said battery sources,

third electrical conducting means operably connected to the other of said battery sources, and,

removable means for selectively connecting said first electrical conducting means to said second and third electrical conducting means, said removable means being portable and removable from each said first, second, and third electrical conducting means whereby said first electrical system can be selectively operated from either of said two battery sources and said first electrical system can be made inoperable by removing said removable means, said removable means including contact means having first and second portions joined at an angle, said removable means further having grip means operably connected to said contact means for easy manipulation of said first and second portions thereof.

18. The device of claim 17 further including:

support means including a first member and means to attach said first, second, and third electrical conducting means to said first member in a predetermined relationship in which each of said electrical conducting means is spaced from the other two about a common point whereby lines joining said common point to each respective first, second, and third electrical conducting means from an angle between said respective first and third lines and said respective first and third lines substantially equal to the angle between said first and second portions of said removable means.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein:

each electrical conducting means includes means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means of said removable means, each of said means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means includes a pair of substantially U-shaped conducting members and means to support said substantially U-shaped members to form an M shape, one of said portions of said contact means being slidably receivable between the inner two members of each M.

20. The device of claim 17 further including:

means for enclosing said first, second, and third electrical conducting means, said enclosing means having means movable from a closed position preventing access to the interior of said enclosing means to an open position providing access to the interior thereof, said enclosing means further including lockable means for preventing movement of said movable means away from said closed position.

21. The device of claim 17 wherein said first electrical system includes a starter motor and said first electrical conducting means is operably connectable to said starter motor.

22. A switch apparatus for selectively operating an electrical system off one of at least two electrical sources, said switch apparatus comprising:

first electrical conducting means operably connectable to said electrical system,

second electrical conducting means operably connectable to one of said electrical sources,

third electrical conducting means operably connectable to the other of said electrical sources,

each of said electrical conducting means being spaced from the other two, and,

removable means for selectively connecting said first electrical conducting means to said second and third electrical conducting means, said removable means including contact means having first and second portions joined at an angle, said removable means being portable and removable from each of said first, second, and third electrical conducting means whereby said electrical system can be made inoperable by removing said removable means.

23. The switch apparatus of claim 22 wherein:

said removable means further includes grip means operably connected to said contact means for easy manipulation of said first and second portions thereof.

24. The switch apparatus of claim 23 wherein said grip means is electrically insulated for safety.

25. The switch apparatus of claim 23 wherein said grip means is substantially cylindrical for easy insertion of a finger to manipulate said removable means.

26. The switch apparatus of claim 22 further including:

support means including a first member and means to attach said first, second, and third electrical conducting means to said first member in a predetermined relationship in which each of said electrical conducting means is spaced from the other two about a common point whereby lines joining said common point to each respective first, second, and third electrical conducting means form an angle between said respective first and third lines and said respective first and third lines substantially equal to the angle between said first and second portions of said removable means.

27. The switch apparatus of claim 26 wherein:

each electrical conducting means includes means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means of said removable means.

28. The switch apparatus of claim 26 wherein:

each of said means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means includes a pair of substantially U-shaped conducting members and means to support said substantially U-shaped members to form an M shape, one of said portions of said contact means being slidably receivable between the inner two members of each M.

29. The switch apparatus of claim 22 further including:

means for enclosing said first, second, and third electrical conducting means, said enclosing means having means movable from a closed position preventing access to the interior of said enclosing means to an open position providing access to the interior thereof, said enclosing means further including lockable means for preventing movement of said movable means away from said closed position.

30. A switch device to be used in combination with two electrical systems designed to be powered independently of each other from two separate electric sources, said device making a first of said two electrical systems selectively operable from either of said two electrical sources, said device comprising:

first electrical conducting means operably connected to said first electrical system,

second electrical conducting means operably connected to one of said electrical sources,

third electrical conducting means operably connected to the other of said electrical sources, and,

removable means for selectively connecting said first electrical conducting means to said second and third electrical conducting means, said removable means including contact means having first and second portions joined at an angle, said removable means being portable and removable from each said first, second, and third electrical conducting means whereby said first electrical system can be selectively operated from either of said two electrical sources and said first electrical system can be made inoperable by removing said removable means.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein said removable means further includes grip means operably connected to said contact means for easy manipulation of said first and second portions thereof.

32. The device of claim 30 further including:

support means including a first member and means to attach said first, second, and third electrical conducting means to said first member in a predetermined relationship in which each of said electrical conducting means is spaced from the other two about a common point whereby lines joining said common point to each respective first, second, and third electrical conducting means from an angle between said respective first and third lines and said respective first and third lines substantially equal to the angle between said first and second portions of said removable means.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein:

each electrical conducting means includes means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means of said removable means, each of said means for slidably receiving one of said portions of said contact means includes a pair of substantially U-shaped conducting members and means to support said substantially U-shaped members to form an M shape, one of said portions of said contact means being slidably receivable between the inner two members of each M.

34. The device of claim 30 further including:

means for enclosing said first, second, and third electrical conducting means, said enclosing means having means movable from a closed position preventing access to the interior of said enclosing means to an open position providing access to the interior thereof, said enclosing means further including lockable means for preventing movement of said movable means away from said closed position.