Motor vehicle security system

• US 5,444,430 A
• Filed: 01/04/1993
• Issued: 08/22/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Mcshane
• Original Assignee: Richard Mcshane
• Inventors: McShane, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US08/000,292
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/428, 340/429, 340/430
• US Class Current: 340/426.34
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/10 responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/018 Thief traps
• 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: B60W 2520/10 Longitudinal speed

Abstract

A motor vehicle having an engine and drive train is protected by a security system including a sensor, a sequencer and an interrupter. The sensor can detect motion of the motor vehicle to provide a motion signal. The sequencer is coupled to the sensor and responds to the motion signal for providing a disable signal after production of the motion signal. The interrupter is coupled to the engine for disabling it in response to the disable signal. Thus the motor vehicle is disabled only after its motion is detected.

Claims

1. A security system for a motor vehicle having an engine and drive train, comprising:

sensor means for detecting motion of said motor vehicle to provide a motion signal, said motion signal of said sensor means being arranged to signify distance travelled by said motor vehicle;

sequencing means coupled to said sensor means and responsive to said motion signal for providing a disable signal after production of said motion signal, said sequencing means being operable to provide said disable signal in response to said motion signal signifying motion extending beyond a predetermined distance; and

interrupt means coupled to said sequencing means for receiving said disable signal, said interrupt means being coupled to said engine for disabling said engine in response to said disable signal, whereby said motor vehicle is disabled only after motion of said vehicle is detected.

2. A security system according to claim 1 wherein said sequencing means is operable to provide said disable signal in response to said motion signal signifying an interval of motion of at least a predetermined magnitude.

3. A security system according to claim 1 wherein said sequencing means is operable to provide said disable signal after the expiration of a predetermined delay interval beginning in response to said motion signal.

4. A security system according to claim 1 wherein said sequencing means is operable to provide said disable signal after the expiration of a predetermined delay interval elapsing when said motion signal signifies motion of said motor vehicle.

5. A security system according to claim 2 wherein said drive train has a rotary member, said sensor means being operable to produce a signal signifying rotation of said rotary member.

6. A security system according to claim 5 wherein said motion signal of said sensor means provides pulses at a rate proportional to the speed of said rotary member.

7. A security system according to claim 6 wherein said sensor comprises:

a magnetic source mounted on said rotary member to rotate therewith; and

a magnetic sensor mounted on said motor vehicle and responsive to motion of said magnetic source.

8. A security system according to claim 5 wherein said interrupt means comprises a valve for interrupting fuel to said engine.

9. A security system according to claim 5 wherein said motor vehicle includes a fuel tank and a fuel pump for supplying fuel to said engine, said interrupt means comprising:

an electrically operated valve serially connected between said fuel pump and said fuel tank.

10. A security system according to claim 2 wherein said engine has an ignition circuit, said interrupt means comprising:

selector means for disabling the ignition circuit of said engine.

11. A security system according to claim 1 comprising:

an operator actuatable switch connected to said interrupt means and adapted for mounting in said motor vehicle, said interrupt means being normally ineffective to disable said engine, said interrupt means being operable in response to said operator actuatable switch.

12. A security system according to claim 11 wherein said motor vehicle has a dashboard, passenger seats and a floor, said operator actuatable switch being adapted for mounting in said dashboard.

13. A security system according to claim 12 wherein said operator actuatable switch being adapted for mounting in said floor adjacent one or more of said passenger seats.

14. A security system according to claim 13 wherein said motor vehicle has radio mounted in said dashboard, said operator actuatable switch being adapted for mounting in said radio.

15. A security system according to claim 11 wherein said sensor means is coupled to said drive train to detect motion of said motor vehicle.

16. A security system according to claim 15 wherein said sequencing means is operable to provide said disable signal in response to said motion signal signifying an interval of motion of at least a predetermined magnitude.

17. A security system according to claim 15 wherein said motion signal of sensor means is arranged to signify distance travelled by said motor vehicle, said sequencing means being operable to provide said disable signal in response to said motion signal signifying motion extending beyond a predetermined distance.

18. A security system according to claim 11 comprising:

release means coupled to said sequencing means eliminating said disable signal and allowing said engine to operate undisturbed by said sequencing means, so that said motor vehicle can be restored to operation after being disabled by said system.

19. A security system according to claim 18 wherein said release means comprises:

a keypad for manually assembling a release code signal; and

a decoder for deciphering said release code.

20. A security system according to claim 11 wherein said sequencing means is normally armed, said system comprising:

manual means coupled to said sequencing means for disarming said sequencing means before production of said disable signal and allowing said engine to operate undisturbed by said sequencing means.

21. A security system according to claim 5 wherein said interrupt means comprises an alarm signalling device.

22. A security system according to claim 21 wherein said motor vehicle has a plurality of signal sources including lights and a horn, said alarm signalling device comprising:

means for operating at least one of said signal sources.

23. A security system according to claim 21 wherein said motor vehicle has a plurality of securing devices including electrically operated locks, said alarm signalling device comprising:

means for operating at least one of said securing devices.

24. A security system according to claim 5 wherein said sequencing means comprises:

a counter for counting revolutions of said rotary member and producing said disable signal in response to the revolutions exceeding a predetermined number.

25. A security system according to claim 24 wherein said counter is an electronic digital counter.

42. A security system according to claim 1 wherein said sensor means comprises:

accelerometer means mounted on said motor vehicle and responsive to acceleration of said motor vehicle for providing a motion signal signifying departure of said motor vehicle.

26. A method for securing a motor vehicle having an engine and drive train, comprising the steps of:

detecting motion of said motor vehicle and measuring the distance travelled by said motor vehicle; and

disabling said engine provided said motor vehicle departs in an interval of motion exceeding a predetermined magnitude after said motor vehicle moves more than a predetermined distance, whereby said motor vehicle is disabled only after its motion is detected.

27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the step of disabling is performed after the expiration of a predetermined delay interval beginning when the motor vehicle moves.

28. A method according to claim 26 wherein the step of disabling is performed after the expiration of a predetermined delay interval during which said motor vehicle is moving.

29. A method according to claim 26 wherein the step of disabling is performed by interrupting fuel to said engine.

30. A method according to claim 26 wherein the engine has an ignition circuit, and wherein the step of disabling is performed by disabling the ignition circuit of said engine.

31. A method according to claim 26 wherein said motor vehicle has an operator actuatable switch and wherein the step of disabling is performed provided the operator actuatable switch is operated first.

32. A method according to claim 31 wherein said motor vehicle has an operator actuatable switch and wherein the step of disabling is performed if the operator actuatable switch is operated first by foot.

33. A method according to claim 31 further comprising the step of:

restoring said motor vehicle to operation after being disabled.

34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the step of restoring is performed by:

issuing a release code; and

deciphering said release code before restoring said motor vehicle to operation.

35. A method according to claim 33 wherein the step of disabling is performed unless manually prevented before said engine is disabled.

36. A method according to claim 29 comprising the step of:

signalling an alarm when said engine is disabled.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said motor vehicle has lights and a horn, the method comprising one or more of the following steps:

operating said lights when said engine is disabled; and

operating said horn when said engine is disabled.

38. A method according to claim 36 wherein said motor vehicle has electrically operated locks, the method comprising the step of:

locking said locks when said engine is disabled.

39. A method according to claim 26 wherein said motor vehicle has rotary member in said drive train, the method comprising the step of:

counting revolutions of said rotary member and disabling said engine in response to the revolutions exceeding a predetermined number.

40. A security system for disabling a motor vehicle having an engine and drive train after said motor vehicle has left a vicinity, comprising:

sensor means for detecting departure of said motor vehicle from said vicinity and providing a variable motion signal signifying an interval of motion of said motor vehicle;

sequencing means coupled to said sensor means for providing a disable signal in response to production of said variable motion signal at a magnitude signifying departure of said motor vehicle in an interval of motion exceeding a predetermined amount, said sequencing means being operable to provide said disable signal after the expiration of a predetermined time delay interval, said delay interval beginning in response to departure of said motor vehicle as indicated by said motion signal; and

interrupt means coupled to said sequencing means for receiving said disable signal, said interrupt means being coupled to said engine for disabling said engine in response to said disable signal, whereby said motor vehicle is disabled only after its motion is detected.

41. A security system according to claim 40 wherein said sensor means comprises:

accelerometer means mounted on said motor vehicle and responsive to acceleration of said motor vehicle for providing a motion signal signifying departure of said motor vehicle a predetermined distance from said vicinity.