Anti-theft control and method

• US 4,315,160 A
• Filed: 08/22/1979
• Issued: 02/09/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marc A. Levine
• Original Assignee: Marc A. Levine
• Inventors: Levine, Marc A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hix, L. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Application Number:
  US06/068,617
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10 AT, 340/63, 340/64, 180/287
• US Class Current: 307/10.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/21 using hidden switches

Abstract

An anti-theft control provides for the delivery indirectly and from a remote location a signal that causes enabling of the starter apparatus of a vehicle, for example, to start the vehicle engine. Thus, the major portion of the anti-theft control may be well hidden in the vehicle. The means for operating the anti-theft control by providing indirectly a signal thereto from a remote location may be, for example, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet which produce a magnetic field that can be directed to a switch or the like that closes in response to the magnetic field. Very importantly, such switch or like device in particular may be hidden within the vehicle seat, dashboard, door, console, roof covering fabric, etc. and ordinarily need never be exposed.

Claims

1. A secretive power controller for a vehicle or the like having controllable starter means for starting the vehicle source of mechanical power, such starter means including a starter motor means energizable for starting the source of mechanical power, a source of electrical power, and an ignition switch, said ignition switch having an ignition off position for stopping the source of mechanical power, an ignition on position for permitting operation of the source of mechanical power after starting thereof, and a start position for permitting energization of such starter motor, comprising a relay means for controlling energization of such starter means, remotely operable magnetically responsive switch means for controlling energization of said relay means, said switch means being readily hideable in such vehicle or the like and being responsive to an externally applied magnetic force for operating said switch means to activate said relay means to energize such starter means, magnetic means for applying such magnetic force from a location spaced from said magnetically responsive switch means, coupling means for coupling said relay means to such source through such ignition switch requiring that both said relay means be activated and such ignition switch at the same time be closed in such start position to energize such starter motor, said relay means comprising a normally open relay capable of being activated to energize such starter means only while said magnetically responsive switch means is operated by such magnetic force, said magnetically responsive switch means comprising a normally open switch capable of being operated to closure only while such magnetic force is applied to said magnetically responsive switch means, and said coupling means, said magnetically responsive switch means, and such ignition switch means being cooperably related to require that said relay means will be in its activated state only while both such ignition switch means is closed in its start position and said magnetically responsive switch means is operated by such a magnetic force.

2. The controller of claim 1, said magnetically responsive switch means comprising a reed switch.

3. The controller of claim 1, said magnetic means comprising a magnet.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein such starter means includes a starter relay, wherein said coupling means comprises means for connecting the start position of such ignition switch, said switch means and said relay means in a series circuit, wherein said relay means has normally open contacts closable upon energization of said relay means, and said coupling means further comprises means for connecting such start position of such ignition switch, said contacts and such starter relay in a series circuit.

5. The controller of claim 1, said coupling means including means for coupling said switch means and relay means in a circuit that is in parallel with a circuit of said contacts and such starter relay.

6. A secretive power controller for a vehicle or the like having controllable starter means for starting the vehicle source of mechanical power, such starter means including a starter motor means energizable for starting the source of mechanical power, a source of electrical power, and an ignition switch, said ignition switch having an ignition off position for stopping the source of mechanical power, an ignition on position for permitting operation of the source of mechanical power after starting thereof, and a start position for permitting energization of such starter motor, comprising an SCR means for controlling energization of such starter means, remotely operable magnetically responsive switch means for applying a gate signal to said SCR means to activate the same to energize such starter means, said switch means being readily hideable in such vehicle or the like and being responsive to an externally applied magnetic force to activate said SCR means, magnetic means for applying such magnetic force to said switch means from a location spaced from said switch means, means for coupling said SCR means to such source of electrical power through such ignition switch to require that said SCR means be activated by said switch means only while such ignition switch is closed in such start position to energize such starter motor, and further coupling means for coupling said switch means to such source of electrical power through such ignition switch to require that a gate signal be provided to said SCR to actuate the same only while such ignition switch is closed in such start position, and said switch means has been operated at least briefly by such a magnetic force while such ignition switch is closed.

7. The controller of claim 6, said magnetically responsive switch means comprising a reed switch.

8. The controller of claim 6, said magnetic means comprising a magnet.

9. The controller of claim 6, wherein such starter means includes a starter relay, wherein said coupling means includes means for connecting the start position of such ignition switch, said switch means and the gate terminal of said SCR means in a series circuit, and said coupling means further comprises means for connecting such start position of such ignition switch, the anode/gate terminals of said SCR means, and such starter relay in a series circuit.

10. The controller of claim 9, said coupling means comprising means for connecting said switch means between the gate terminal of said SCR means and the anode of said SCR means.