Vehicle theft-prevention system

• US 4,834,207 A
• Filed: 10/06/1987
• Issued: 05/30/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Point Sentry Corp.
• Original Assignee: HNS Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Sharp, James B., Havenhill, Max L., Nichter, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rice, Kenneth R.
• Application Number:
  US07/105,007
• Time in Patent Office: 602 Days
• Field of Search: 180/287, 180/289
• US Class Current: 180/287
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2025/1013 Alarm systems characterised by the type of warning signal, e.g. visual, audible
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/08 operating on brakes or brake systems
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply

Abstract

A system for the prevention of theft of a motor vehicle comprising a valve system and electronic package for the control thereof. The valve system is connected between the master cylinder and the slave cylinder of the vehicle brake system and is selectively actuatable to cause the brakes of the vehicle to lock when the vehicle'"'"'s ignition is turned off. The electronic package is connected to the valve system and the ignition system for generating an alarm system for generating an alarm system for selectively actuating the valve system. A keyboard is connected to the electronic package for controlling the operation thereof and means are provided for receiving a multi-digit code in the keyboard to effect actuation and deactuation of the valve system and the release of the vehicle brakes for operation of the vehicle. A series of separate alarm sensors are provided in conjunction with the electronic package for affording added safety and theft deterrence. In addition a manual override valve is incorporated into the system to facilitate emergency deactivation as well as disengagement of the system for vehicle repair and the like.

Claims

1. A system for the prevention of theft of a motor vehicle having doors, an engine, a driver area, an ignition system and an hydraulic brake system including at least one master cylinder, at least one slave cylinder, and a network of hydraulic fluid-flow lines coupled to said brakes, said brake system being capable of locking the wheels of the vehicle in response to the application of pressure within said brake system and the maintenance of said pressure upon said slave cylinder, said theft prevention system comprising:

a valve system connected between said master cylinder and said slave cylinder of said vehicle, said valve system being selectively actuatable to allow passage of fluid only from said master cylinder to said slave cylinder for creating pressure and engaging said brakes and maintaining said pressure thereon;

an electronic package connected to said valve system and said ignition system for generating an alarm signal for selectively actuating said valve system;

a keyboard connected to said electronic package for controlling the operation thereof, including means for receiving multi-digit code in said keyboard to effect de-actuation of said valve system and the release of said brakes for the operation of said vehicle;

said valve system including at least one one way valve and a remotely actuatable solenoid valve in parallel flow relationship therewith and coupled to said electronic package, said solenoid valve having a normally closed position when not remotely actuated by said electronic package for permitting closure once said ignition system of said vehicle is turned off therein allowing only one-way flow of said hydraulic fluid to said slave cylinder; and

a manual fluid flow valve disposed in parallel flow communication with said solenoid valve for facilitating the select bypass thereof by manual operation and disabling said system.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes a trunk and said electronic package includes a deadbolt and solenoid actuation system disposed to lock said trunk area in response to an alarm signal from said electronic package.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes a hood disposed over said engine and said electronic package includes a hood deadbolt coupled to said electronic package adapted for securing said hood in a locked position in response to an alarm generated by said electronic package.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes a gas line and said electronic package includes a gas line solenoid valve coupled to said electronic package and adapted for interrupting the flow of gas in response to an alarm signal generated by said electronic package.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle brake system includes at least two master cylinders coupled to a plurality of slave cylinders.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including a check valve disposed in series flow communication with said solenoid valve to prevent fluid pressure on said upstream side of said solenoid valve during actuation of pressure within said brake system.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electronic package is disposed in said engine area and includes said keyboard being disposed in said driver area and coupled to said electronic package by electrical cabling.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including a horn disposed within said vehicle and said electronic packaging including a horn driver connected to said vehicle horn and selectively actuated by said electronic package in response to said alarm signal.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including a siren alarm unit disposed within said vehicle and coupled to said electronic package for actuation thereof in response to an alarm signal therefrom.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes headlights and said electronic package includes a relay connected to said headlights and to said electronic package for actuation in response to an alarm signal generated thereby.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electronic package includes a solenoid driver for said remotely actuatable solenoid valve, logic circuitry and one or more alarm sensors, said logic circuitry being adapted for detecting sensor alarm signals from said alarm sensors and producing an alarm signal to said solenoid drivers.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said vehicle includes a trunk and trunk lid and said electronic package further includes a trunk lid sensor connected to said logic circuit for generating a sensor alarm signal in the event of movement of said trunk lid.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said vehicle further includes a hood covering said engine and said electronic package further includes a hood sensor connected to said logic circuit for generating a sensor alarm signal in the event of movement of said hood.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said electronic package further includes a door sensor connected to said logic circuit for generating a sensor alarm signal in the event of movement of one of said doors.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said solenoid driver is coupled to said solenoid valve of said valve system and connected to said logic circuit for receiving a sensor alarm signal and activating said brake locking system.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said vehicle is constructed with glass windows and said system further includes at least one glass breakage sensor disposed adjacent at least one of said windows and coupled to said electronic package.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said electronic package further includes a motion sensor connected to said logic circuit for generating a sensor alarm signal in response to motion of said vehicle.

18. A system for the prevention of theft of a motor vehicle having an engine, a driver area, an ignition system, and a pneumatic brake system including at least one master brake control and at least one slave cylinder coupled to said brakes, said pneumatic brake system being capable of locking the wheels of the vehicle in response to the loss of pressure within said brake system, said theft prevention system comprising:

a valve system connected between said master brake control and said slave cylinder of said vehicle, said valve system being selectively actuatable to vent said brake line causing actuation of said slave cylinder for engaging said brakes and maintaining said brake engagement in said vehicle;

an electronic package connected to said valve system and said ignition system for generating an alarm signal for selectively actuating said valve system;

a keyboard connected to said electronic package for controlling the operation thereof, including means for receiving a multi-digit code in said keyboard to effect closure of said venting for the release of said breaks in the operation of said vehicle;

said pneumatic brake system including an air pressure source and a network of air lines disposed between said master brake control and said brakes;

said valve system including at least one solenoid valve in series flow relationship with said air pressure source, said solenoid valve being remotely actuatable and coupled to said electronic package, said solenoid valve further having a normally open position when not remotely actuated by said electronic package for permitting open when said ignition system of said vehicles is turned off therein allowing the venting of said pneumatic brakes lines; and

further including a manual pneumatic flow valve disposed in flow communication with said solenoid valve for facilitating the select by-pass thereof by manual operation and disabling of said system.

19. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 and further including a pressure relief valve disposed in flow communication with said solenoid valve to permit the release of pressure therefrom in excess of a preselect limit.

20. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 wherein said electronic package is disposed in said engine area and includes said keyboard being disposed in said driver area and coupling said electronic package by electronic cabling permitting the control and the operation thereof.

21. The apparatus set forth in claim 18 and further including a horn disposed within said vehicle and said electronic packaging including a horn driver connected to said vehicle horn and being selectively actuatable by said electronic package in response to said alarm signal therefrom.

22. A system for the prevention of theft of a motor vehicle having doors, an engine, a driver area, an ignition system and an hydraulic brake system including at least one master cylinder, at least one slave cylinder, and a network of hydraulic fluid flow lines coupled to said brakes, said brake system being capable of locking the wheels of the vehicle in response to the application of pressure within said brake system and the maintenance of said pressure upon said slave cylinder, said theft prevention system comprising:

a valve system connected between said master cylinder and said slave cylinder of said vehicle, said valve system being selectively actuatable to allow passage of fluid only from said master cylinder to said slave cylinder for creating pressure and engaging said brakes and maintaining said pressure thereon;

an electronic package connected to said valve system and said ignition system for generating an alarm signal for selectively actuating said valve system;

a keyboard connected to said electronic package for controlling the operation thereof, including means for receiving multi-digit code in said keyboard to effect deactuation of said valve system and the release of said brakes for the operation of said vehicle; and

said keyboard including means for preventing accidental engagement of said valve system while said vehicle is in motion.

23. A method for the prevention of theft of a motor vehicle having doors, an engine, a driver area, an ignition system and an hydraulic brake system including at least one master cylinder and at least one slave cylinder coupled to said brakes, said brake system being capable of locking the wheels of the vehicle in response to the application of hydraulic pressure within said brake system and the maintenance of said pressure upon said slave cylinder, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a valve system having at least one one-way valve for selectively permitting the one-way flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough;

disposing said valve system between said master cylinder and said slave cylinder of said vehicle;

selectively actuating said valve system to allow passage of hydraulic fluid only from said master cylinder to said slave cylinder for creating pressure therein and engaging said brakes and maintaining said pressure thereon;

providing an electronic package for generating an alarm signal for selectively actuating said valve system;

connecting said electronic package to said valve system;

providing a keyboard for controlling the operation of said electronic package;

connecting said keyboard to said electronic package;

providing means for receiving a multi-digit code in said keyboard to effect the actuation of said valve system and the release of said brakes for the operation of said vehicle; and

programming said electronic package in conjunction with said keyboard for receiving a select code for the actuation of said system for preventing the accidental engagement of said valve system while said vehicle is in motion.

24. A method for the prevention of theft of a motor vehicle having doors, an engine, a driver area, an ignition system and an hydraulic brake system including at least one master cylinder and at least one slave cylinder coupled to said brakes, said brake system being capable of locking the wheels of the vehicle in response to the application of hydraulic pressure within said brake system and the maintenance of said pressure upon said slave cylinder, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a valve system having at least one one-way valve for selectively permitting the one-way flow of hydraulic fluid therethrough;

disposing said valve system between said master cylinder and said slave cylinder of said vehicle;

selectively actuating said valve system to allow passage of hydraulic fluid only from said master cylinder to said slave cylinder for creating pressure therein and engaging said brakes and maintaining said pressure thereon;

providing an electronic package for generating an alarm signal for selectively actuating said valve system;

connecting said electronic package to said valve system;

providing a keyboard for controlling the operation of said electronic package;

connecting said keyboard to said electronic package;

providing means for receiving a multi-digit code in said keyboard to effect the actuation of said valve system and the release of said brakes for the operation of said vehicle;

said method further including the steps of coupling a network of hydraulic fluid flow lines between said master cylinder and said brakes with said one-way valve disposed therein, providing a remotely actuable solenoid valve, disposing said solenoid valve in parallel flow relationship with said one-way valve, coupling said remotely actuatable solenoid valve to said electronic package, closing said solenoid in response to said ignition system of said vehicle being turned off, and imparting one-way flow of hydraulic fluid to said slave cylinders; and

further including the step of providing a manual flow valve and coupling said manual flow valve in parallel flow communication with said solenoid valve for facilitating the select by-pass thereof.

25. The method as set forth in claim 24 and further including the step of providing a horn and horn driver and connecting said horn and horn driver to said vehicle and said electronic packaging for the select actuation thereof by said electronic package in response to said alarm signal.

26. The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein said vehicle includes a gas line and said method includes the steps of providing a gas line solenoid and coupling said solenoid to said gas line and to said electronic package for interrupting the flow gas in response to an alarm signal generated by said electronic package.

27. The method as set forth in claim 24 and further including the steps of providing at least one alarm sensor and coupling said alarm sensor to said vehicle and to said electronic package for generating an alarm sensor signal in response to certain movement on said vehicle.

28. The method as set forth in claim 27 wherein said alarm sensor comprises a door sensor and said method includes the step of connecting said door sensor to said electronic package for generating an alarm signal in the event of movement of said doors.