Anti-hijacking and theft prevention device for motor vehicles

• US 5,486,806 A
• Filed: 11/09/1994
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harold A. Firari, Werner, John A.
• Original Assignee: Harold A. Firari, Werner, John A.
• Inventors: Werner, John A., Firari, Harold A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US08/336,815
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.6, 180/284, 180/287
• US Class Current: 340/426.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 operating on the fuel supply

Abstract

An anti-hijacking and theft prevention device for motor vehicles having a fuel restricting solenoid valve assembly including an interchangeable solenoid operated fuel restricting valve and a circuit for operating the system. The solenoid operated fuel restricting valve is installed in the vehicle'"'"'s fuel line. When the ignition key is inserted into the ignition switch of a vehicle and turned to the "on" position and the engine is started, a timer will start to count down from a predetermined period of time. If the system is not disabled by activating a hidden switch during the count down period, the solenoid operated fuel restricting valve moves from an open position to a closed position. The solenoid valve has a small valve orifice which allows only a small restricted amount of fuel to flow through the valve assembly in the fuel line. While the amount of fuel is sufficient to keep the engine from stalling, the vehicle will be capable of a speed of no more than 5 to 10 miles per hour.

Claims

1. An anti-hijacking and theft prevention device for a motor vehicle having a fuel supply and an ignition switch, the device comprising:

a solenoid valve located in the fuel supply, the valve having a fuel restricting orifice formed therethrough;

a timer for timing a predetermined period of time, the timer connected to the valve;

a deactivating switch connected to the timer;

the valve moving from an open position to a closed position when the deactivating switch remains inactivated during the predetermined time period.

2. The anti-hijacking and theft prevention device of claim 1 further including a beeper connected to the timer, the beeper emitting an audible signal during the predetermined time period.

3. The anti-hijacking and theft prevention device of claim 1 wherein the deactivating switch is located in a transmitter and a receiver is connected to the timer.

4. The anti-hijacking and theft prevention device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined time period begins when the ignition switch is activated.

5. An anti-hijacking and theft prevention device for a motor vehicle having a fuel supply and an ignition switch, the device comprising:

a valve assembly having an inlet, an outlet, a valve body, and a valve;

the valve assembly connected to the fuel line between the inlet and the outlet;

an aperture formed through the valve;

a solenoid connected to the valve body, the solenoid having a solenoid plunger;

the solenoid plunger connected to the valve;

a valve spring located within the valve assembly and biasing the valve in an open position;

a control means for controlling the solenoid, the control means connected to the solenoid.

6. The anti-hijacking and theft prevention device of claim 5 wherein the control means includes a timer for timing a predetermined amount of time and a deactivating switch for deactivating the timer.

7. An anti-hijacking and theft prevention device for a motor vehicle having a fuel line and ignition switch, the device comprising:

a valve installed on the fuel line, the valve having an orifice formed therethrough;

a solenoid for moving the valve from an open position to a closed position, the solenoid connected to the valve;

a control means for controlling the solenoid connected to the solenoid and to the ignition switch;

the control means including a deactivating switch;

the control means maintaining the valve in the open position for a predetermined period of time after the ignition switch is activated;

the control means activating the valve into the closed position at the end of the predetermined period of time provided the deactivating switch has not been activated.

8. A method for preventing hijacking and theft of a motor vehicle having a fuel supply and an ignition switch with a device having a fuel restricting solenoid valve, the valve having a fuel restricting orifice formed therethrough;

a timer for timing a predetermined time period connected to the valve;

a deactivating switch connected to the timer, the method comprising the steps;

installing the fuel restricting solenoid valve in the fuel supply;

activating the timer;

closing the fuel restricting valve when the predetermined period of time expires.