Car theft prevention device

• US 5,412,370 A
• Filed: 01/21/1993
• Issued: 05/02/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph C. Noe, Leonard C. Berman
• Original Assignee: Joseph C. Noe, Leonard C. Berman
• Inventors: Berman, Leonard C., Noe, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US08/007,144
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/430, 340/527, 307/10.2, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.36
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2009 Antitheft state indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/21 using hidden switches

Abstract

A system and method for preventing the unauthorized starting and driving away of a vehicle. The vehicle cannot be started unless a secret starting sequence is initiated, and the vehicle will stall if a flight prevention sequence is initiated.

Claims

1. A vehicle anti-theft system for preventing unauthorized starting of the vehicle and for preventing unauthorized flight of the vehicle, the vehicle having a first circuit for starting the engine and a second circuit for allowing the engine to run once started, said system comprising:

first interrupt means for interrupting electrical power to the first circuit;

second interrupt means for interrupting electrical power to the second circuit;

sequence means, electrically connected to said first and second means, including a starting sequencer means for permitting starting of the engine and allowing running of the engine and also including a flight prevention sequencer means for prohibiting running of the engine, wherein said sequence means comprises;

a normal operation switch, electrically connected to said first and second interrupt means, said normal operation switch actuable by an authorized vehicle user to initiate said starting sequencer means;

a theft switch, electrically connected to said second interrupt means, said theft switch actuable by the authorized vehicle user to initiate said flight prevention sequencer means;

wherein said flight prevention sequencer comprises means for delaying activation of said second interrupt means until a predetermined flight period has expired;

wherein said flight prevention sequence means further comprises;

means for detecting slowing or stopping of the vehicle wherein said delay means delays activation of said second interrupt means until said predetermined flight period has expired and said detection means detects a slowing or stopping of the vehicle;

wherein said detection means comprises;

a brake switch actuable by a vehicle user when the user slows or stops the vehicle; and

means for timing the duration for which said brake switch is activated, wherein said brake switch being activated for a predetermined continuous braking time comprises said detected slowing or stopping.

2. An anti-theft device for preventing the starting and driving away of a motor vehicle by a thief, the vehicle having a starter circuit for starting the motor, having a fuel pump circuit for delivering fuel to the motor and having a brake switch connected to a brake pedal for indicating the vehicle is being slowed or stopped, said device comprising:

a starter circuit interrupt electrically connected to the starter circuit;

a fuel circuit interrupt electrically connected to the fuel pump circuit;

a hidden start switch electrically connected to said starter circuit interrupt and said fuel circuit interrupt; and

a carjack switch electrically connected to said fuel circuit interrupt;

wherein said starter circuit interrupt and said fuel circuit interrupt disable the starter and fuel pump circuits until said hidden starter switch is activated, and wherein activation of said hidden start switch disables said starter circuit and fuel circuit interrupts for a predetermined start time to allow starting of the vehicle during said start time, and wherein said starter circuit interrupt disables the starter circuit after expiration of said start time regardless of whether the vehicle has been started or not, and wherein said fuel circuit interrupt disables the fuel pump circuit after expiration of said start time if the vehicle has not been started during said start time, and where said carjack switch is activated by the vehicle'"'"'s authorized user when the thief takes the vehicle after it has been started, and wherein activation of said carjack switch causes said fuel circuit interrupt to disable the fuel pump circuit after expiration of a predetermined delay time, the anti-theft device further comprising;

a brake switch detector, electrically connected to the brake switch and said fuel circuit interrupt, for detecting actuation of the brake switch; and

a brake switch time, electrically connected to said brake switch detector, for timing the duration the brake switch is continuously activated;

wherein said fuel circuit interrupt disables the fuel pump circuit after expiration of said predetermined delay and also when said brake switch time has timed the actuation of the brake switch by means of the brake switch detector for at least a predetermined braking period of time.