Vehicle security system

• US 4,137,985 A
• Filed: 11/25/1977
• Issued: 02/06/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Winchell, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McGiehan, Donn
• Application Number:
  US05/854,530
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 180/101, 180/111, 180/112, 180/114, 70/237, 70/238, 70/239, 70/252, 70/255, 70/256, 70/257, 307/10 AT, 340/63
• US Class Current: 180/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/48 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5956 Steering mechanism with switch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch

Abstract

A vehicle security system includes a door locking mechanism and control circuitry which prevents access to the vehicle interior unless a door lock key is used thus making it unnecessary to specifically lock the doors upon exiting the vehicle. Steering shaft lock means are also energizable by operation of the door lock key permitting elimination of the ignition key and lock cylinder.

Claims

1. A vehicle security system comprising electromechanical door latch means for releasably latching a vehicle door, electromechanical steering shaft lock means adapted when energized to permit steering shaft rotation, first switch means actuable from the exterior of said vehicle for energizing said latch means to release said vehicle door, and for energizing said steering shaft lock means to permit steering shaft rotation, second switch means actuable to a circuit closing position in response to door opening, third switch means operable in response to actuation of said first switch means, said third switch means establishing an energizing circuit between said steering shaft lock means and said second switch means whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after deactuation of said first switch means if said vehicle door is open, fourth switch means connected in series with said third switch means and in parallel with said second switch means for providing an energizing circuit for said steering shaft lock means independent of said second switch means whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after door closure, and means electrically isolating said door latch means from said second, third and fourth switch means to prevent energization of said door latch means as a result of actuation of said second, third or fourth switch means.

2. A vehicle security system comprising electromechanical door latch means for releasably latching a vehicle door, electromechanical steering shaft lock means adapted when energized to permit steering shaft rotation, first switch means actuable from the exterior of said vehicle for energizing said latch means to release said vehicle door, and for energizing said steering shaft lock means to permit steering shaft rotation, second switch means actuable to a circuit closing position in response to door opening, third switch means operable in response to actuation of said first switch means, said third switch means establishing an energizing circuit between said steering shaft lock means and said second switch means whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after deactuation of said first switch means if said vehicle door is open, fourth switch means connected in series with said third switch means and in parallel with said second switch means for providing an energizing circuit for said steering shaft lock means independent of said second switch means in response to seat occupancy whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after door closure if the vehicle seat is occupied, and diode means electrically isolating said door latch means from said second, third and fourth switch means to prevent energization of said door latch means as a result of actuation of said second, third or fourth switch means.

3. A vehicle security system comprising electromechanical door latch means for releasably latching a vehicle door, electromechanical steering shaft lock means adapted when energized to permit steering shaft rotation, first switch means actuable from the exterior of said vehicle for energizing said latch means to release said vehicle door, and for energizing said steering shaft lock means to permit steering shaft rotation, second switch means actuable to a circuit closing position in response to door opening, third switch means operable in response to actuation of said first switch means, said third switch means establishing an energizing circuit between said steering shaft lock means and said second switch means whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after deactuation of said first switch means if said vehicle door is open, fourth switch means connected in series with said third switch means and in parallel with said second switch means for providing an energizing circuit for said steering shaft lock means independent of said second switch means in response to seat occupancy whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after door closure if the vehicle seat is occupied, and time delay means connected with said fourth switch means to prevent deenergization of said steering column lock means for a predetermined time interval following deactuation of said fourth switch means.

4. A vehicle security system comprising electromechanical door latch means for releasably latching a vehicle door, electromechanical steering shaft lock means adapted when energized to permit steering shaft rotation, first switch means actuable from the exterior of said vehicle for energizing said latch means to release said vehicle door, and for energizing said steering shaft lock means to permit steering shaft rotation, second switch means actuable to a circuit closing position in response to door opening, third switch means operable in response to actuation of said first switch means, said third switch means establishing an energizing circuit between said steering shaft lock means and said second switch means whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after deactuation of said first switch means if said vehicle door is open, fourth switch means connected in series with said third switch means and in parallel with said second switch means for providing an energizing circuit for said steering shaft lock means independent of said second switch means in response to seat occupancy whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after door closure if the vehicle seat is occupied, and fifth switch means operable from the interior of said vehicle and connected in parallel with said diode means and operable when actuated to establish an energizing circuit for said door latch means through said second and fourth switch means.

5. A vehicle security system comprising electromechanical door latch means for releasably latching a vehicle door, electromechanical steering shaft lock means adapted when energized to permit steering shaft rotation, first switch means actuable from the exterior of said vehicle for energizing said latch means to release said vehicle door, and for energizing said steering shaft lock means to permit steering shaft rotation, second switch means actuable to a circuit closing position in response to door opening, third switch means operable in response to actuation of said first switch means, said third switch means establishing an energizing circuit between said steering shaft lock means and said second switch means whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after deactuation of said first switch means if said vehicle door is open, fourth switch means connected in series with said third switch means and in parallel with said second switch means for providing an energizing circuit for said steering shaft lock means independent of said second switch means in response to seat occupancy whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after door closure if the vehicle seat is occupied, and sixth switch means responsive to vehicle speed and connected in series with said fifth switch means to prevent energization of said door latch means when the vehicle is above a predetermined speed.

6. A vehicle security system comprising electromechanical door latch means for releasably latching a vehicle door, electromechanical steering shaft lock means adapted when energized to permit steering shaft rotation, key actuable switch means actuable from the exterior of said vehicle for energizing said latch means to release said vehicle door and for energizing said steering shaft lock means to permit steering shaft rotation, a door jam switch actuable to a circuit closing position in response to door opening, a relay operable in response to actuation of said key actuable switch means and including relay contact means establishing, upon energization of said relay, an energizing circuit between said steering shaft lock means and said door jam switch means whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after the actuation of said key actuable switch means if said vehicle door is open, seat occupancy responsive switch means connected in series with said relay contact means and in parallel with said door jam switch for providing an energizing circuit for said steering shaft lock means independent of said door jam switch, whereby said steering shaft lock means remains energized after door closure if the vehicle seat is occupied, diode means electrically isolating said door latch means from said relay switch means, time delay means connected with said seat occupancy responsive switch means to prevent deenergization of said steering column lock means unless said seat occupancy responsive switch has been deactuated for a predetermined interval of time, operator actuable switch means actuable from the interior of said vehicle and connected in parallel with said diode means and operable when actuated to establish an energizing circuit for said door latch means through said relay switch means and said seat occupancy responsive switch means, vehicle speed responsive switch means connected in series with said operator actuable switch means to prevent energization of said door latch means when the vehicle is above a predetermined speed.