Automobile anti-theft switch

• US 5,360,997 A
• Filed: 06/28/1993
• Issued: 11/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toy F. Watson
• Original Assignee: Toy F. Watson
• Inventors: Watson, Toy F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krishnan, Aditya
• Application Number:
  US08/082,394
• Time in Patent Office: 491 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.1, 307/10.2, 307/10.6, 307/9.1, 180/287, 340/426, 340/428, 340/407, 340/568, 116/33, 116/83, 116/87, 116/214, 109/20, 109/29, 109/31, 109/32
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• 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

A new and improved automobile anti-theft switch is installed in series with ignition circuitry for the automobile. The apparatus includes a relay assembly which includes a relay-controlled switch. The relay-controlled switch is in series with the ignition circuitry for the automobile. A relay driver assembly is connected to the relay assembly and controls the relay-controlled switch. A timer assembly is connected to the relay driver assembly and controls operation of the relay driver assembly and the relay assembly. A disguised first switch assembly is connected to the timer assembly. When the disguised first switch assembly is in the closed state, it controls initialization of the timer assembly. On the other hand, when the disguised first switch assembly is moved to the open state, it permits discharge of the timer assembly. The disguised first switch assembly is covered by an object in the automobile so that the disguised first switch assembly is not visible to a person sitting behind a steering wheel for driving the automobile. The automobile can run as long as the disguised first switch assembly is in a closed state and as long as the disguised first switch assembly is in an open state and the timer assembly is running. When a thief hijacks the automobile, the thief can leave the legitimate driver behind and drive away. Then, after the timer discharges, the automobile comes to a stop.

Claims

1. A new and improved automobile anti-theft switch apparatus installed in series with ignition circuitry for the automobile, said apparatus comprising:

a relay assembly which includes a coil and a relay-controlled switch, said relay-controlled switch being in series with the ignition circuitry for the automobile, said relay-controlled switch including a closed switch state and an open switch state,

a relay driver assembly, connected to said relay coil, for controlling whether said relay-controlled switch is in the closed switch state or the open switch state,

a timer assembly, connected to said relay driver assembly, for controlling operation of said relay driver assembly and said relay assembly, wherein said timer assembly maintains said relay-controlled switch in a closed switch state for a predetermined period of time permitting automobile operation for a predetermined of time, and

a disguised first switch assembly including a closed switch state and an open switch state, said disguised first switch assembly connected to said timer assembly for controlling initialization of said timer assembly and permitting discharge of said timer assembly.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said disguised first switch assembly is covered by an object in the automobile so that said disguised first switch assembly is not visible to a person sitting behind a steering wheel for driving the automobile.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said first switch assembly, said relay assembly, said relay driver assembly, and said timer assembly are housed in a common housing.

4. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said relay driver assembly includes a transistor, a bias resistor, and a load resistor.

5. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said timer assembly includes means for adjusting a timing interval timed by said timer assembly, wherein said timer assembly includes a charged capacitor and a bleeder resistor controlling a rate of discharge of said capacitor, wherein said bleeder resistor is an adjustable, variable resistor, wherein said relay driver assembly includes a transistor, a bias resistor, and a load resistor, and wherein a single variable resistor serves dual functions of said load resistor in said relay driver assembly and said bleeder resistor in said timer assembly.

6. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein:

said disguised first switch assembly, said relay assembly, said relay driver assembly, and said timer assembly are housed in a common housing,

said timer assembly includes a charged capacitor and a bleeder resistor controlling a rate of discharge of said capacitor,

said housing includes an adjustment aperture through which an adjusting tool can be inserted to adjust said adjustable bleeder resistor in said timer assembly.