Method and apparatus for preventing auto theft

• US 5,495,224 A
• Filed: 01/05/1994
• Issued: 02/27/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zeev Schneidman
• Original Assignee: Eliyahu Schneidman
• Inventors: Adar, Uriel
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/177,591
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/425.5, 340/428, 340/429, 116/211, 116/214, 116/67 R, 307/10.2, 296/84.1, 296/97.1, 296/97.4, 362/80.1
• US Class Current: 340/426.26
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/016 comprising means for shuttering the windscreen or part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics

Abstract

A method and apparatus for preventing automobile theft which includes structure for rendering the front windshield, or all the windows of the automobile, opaque. The opaqueness may be caused either by mechanical means, or alternatively, by utilizing liquid crystals or similar media, energized by electric fields.

Claims

1. A method to discourage theft of an automobile having a front windshield, which method comprises:

providing said automobile with at least one detection mechanism having at least one detection sensor, each said detection mechanism activatable by unauthorized or forced entry to the automobile;

providing said automobile with means to render the front windshield of said automobile opaque, said means activatable by said detection mechanism;

wherein activation of said detection mechanism by forced or unauthorized entry, will activate said means and render the windshield opaque, effectively preventing operation of said automobile.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one detection mechanism also activates at least one additional deterrent device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one detection mechanism is provided with a plurality of detection sensors.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein there is further provided means to render additional windows of said automobile opaque.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of rendering additional windows of said automobile opaque.

6. An apparatus to discourage theft of an automobile having a front windshield, which apparatus comprises:

at least one detection mechanism having at least one detection sensor, each said detection mechanism activatable by unauthorized or forced entry to the automobile;

means to render the front windshield of said automobile opaque, said means activatable by said detection mechanism;

wherein activation of said detection mechanism by forced or unauthorized entry, will activate said means and render the windshield opaque, effectively preventing operation of said automobile.

7. A method of claim 6, wherein said at least one detection mechanism also activates at least one additional deterrent device.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one detection mechanism is provided with a plurality of detection sensors.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein there is further provided means to render additional windows of said automobile opaque.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein additional windows of said automobile may be rendered opaque.