Anti-theft vehicle system

• US 4,991,683 A
• Filed: 08/17/1989
• Issued: 02/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FAIL Proof ANTI Theft System Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: FAIL Proof ANTI Theft System Pty Limited
• Inventors: Howitt, Warren A. M., Vanda, Edward, Garretto, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertsch, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US07/397,481
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 180/287, 340/309.15, 340/438, 340/825.56, 307/10.4, 307/10.2, 70/243
• US Class Current: 180/287
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5916 With switch

Abstract

An anti-theft vehicle system comprises a relay (R1) which shuts off power to an engine coil (14), fuel pump (16) or fuel flow valve (50) to prevent the engine from starting until the reset device in the form of a switch (S1) or a keyboard (150) is activated. Relay (R1) is controlled by a processor (100) which is coupled to a keyboard (150) so that when a code is keyed into the keyboard (150) the processor outputs a signal to the relay to cause the relay to supply power to the engine coil (14), fuel pump (16) or flow valve (50).

Claims

1. An anti-theft system for a vehicle having an engine and an ignition switch comprising:

an actuating means in an ignition line in the vehicle;

a normally open switch means in a power supply line for supplying power to said actuating means;

at least two branch lines in said ignition line on the side of said actuating means opposite said ignition switch;

an engine component connected in each branch line; and

isolating means connected in each branch line for preventing power flow in a direction from the respective component to said actuating means but allowing power flow from said actuating means to said respective component and for preventing power from being supplied to one of said engine components in the event of hot-wiring another of said engine components to prevent said vehicle engine from starting, said actuating means being normally non-conducting to disrupt power supply to said components;

so that turning on the ignition switch and actuation of said switch means to close the switch means supplies power to said actuating means to cause said actuating means to conduct power to said engine components, notwithstanding de-activation and opening of said switch means, and turning off the ignition switch disconnects ingition power supply to said actuating means in the ignition line to cause said actuating means to open said ignition line and stop conducting to said engine components, and said vehicle can only be restarted when said ignition switch and switch means are both closed.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said actuating means comprises a self-locking relay.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said switch means comprises a manually operated button which closes the switch thereof only when pressure is applied to the button and opens the switch thereof when the pressure is released.

4. The system as claimed in claim 2 wherein:

said switch means comprises a manually operated button which closes the switch thereof only when pressure is applied to the button and opens the switch thereof when the pressure is released.

5. An anti-theft ignition system for a vehicle comprising:

a keyboard for receiving a code;

processor means electrically coupled to said keyboard for receiving signals indicative of said code from said keyboard;

switching means electrically coupled to said processor means for receiving an output from said processor means when a predetermined code is inputted into said keyboard, and for allowing power to be supplied to a vehicle engine to enable the vehicle engine to be started and the vehicle to be driven, said processor means outputting said output to the switching means when the vehicle ignition is switched on for a predetermined period after the vehicle engine stops, without the need to input said code into said keyboard, and means for said keyboard to receive a further code to cause said processor means to output said output signal when the vehicle ignition is switched on until said further code is cancelled by an input into said keyboard.

7. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein a mode memory circuit is electrically coupled to said processor so that in the event of power disruption to said processor, said processor supplies information contained in the processor to said mode memory circuit for storage and wherein said mode memory circuit supplies the processor with said information after power is resupplied to said processor means.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein a mode memory circuit is electrically coupled to said processor so that in the event of power disruption to said processor, said processor supplies information contained in the processor to said mode memory circuit for storage and wherein said mode memory circuit supplies the processor with said information after power is resupplied to said processor means.

6. An anti-theft ignition system for a vehicle comprising:

a keyboard for receiving a code;

processor means electrically coupled to said keyboard for receiving signals indicative of said code from said keyboard;

switching means electrically coupled to said processor means for receiving an output from said processor means when a predetermined code is inputted into said keyboard, and for allowing fuel to be supplied to a vehicle engine to enable the vehicle engine to be started and the vehicle to be driven, said processor means outputting said output to the switching means when the vehicle ignition is switched on for a predetermined period after the vehicle engine stops, without the need to input said code into said keyboard, and means for said keyboard to receive a further code to cause said processor means to output said output signal when the vehicle ignition is switched on until said further code is cancelled by an input into said keyboard.