Electronic system for detecting vehicle wheel theft
First Claim
1. An alarm system for detecting unauthorized removal from a vehicle of a wheel item such as a wheel hub, a wheel assembly and a wheel accessory, the alarm system comprising:
- a sensing device having a secured state when the wheel item is installed on the vehicle, and an unsecured state when the wheel item is removed from the vehicle;
alarm transmitting means, connected to the sensing device, for initiating a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state; and
receiving means, located remotely from the alarm transmitting means, for generating an alarm triggering signal when the alarm transmitting means initiates the RF alarm signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system for detecting unauthorized removal of a wheel assembly or wheel accessory from the vehicle includes a sensor having a secured state and an unsecured state. The sensor is in the secured state when the wheel assembly or accessory is installed on the vehicle and in the unsecured state when it is removed from the vehicle. An alarm transmitter is connected to the sensor and alters a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state. A receiver, located remotely from the alarm transmitter, receives the RF alarm signal and generates an alarm triggering signal in response thereto. The sensor and alarm transmitter are preferably part of a sensing assembly which includes a fastener for connecting the sensing assembly to a wheel lug or other wheel part. The sensing assembly includes a housing with a cavity for enclosing the sensor and the alarm transmitter. The sensor may be a pressure switch, an electronic switch or other sensing device. Different arrangements are disclosed for recharging an internal battery or other electrical energy storage device within the sensing assembly.
63 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An alarm system for detecting unauthorized removal from a vehicle of a wheel item such as a wheel hub, a wheel assembly and a wheel accessory, the alarm system comprising:
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a sensing device having a secured state when the wheel item is installed on the vehicle, and an unsecured state when the wheel item is removed from the vehicle; alarm transmitting means, connected to the sensing device, for initiating a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state; and receiving means, located remotely from the alarm transmitting means, for generating an alarm triggering signal when the alarm transmitting means initiates the RF alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A sensing assembly, for use in a wheel alarm system for an automotive vehicle, for helping detect removal of a wheel item such as a wheel, a wheel hub and a wheel accessory, the sensing assembly comprising:
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a housing including an internal cavity; fastening means for fastening the housing to at least one wheel item; a sensor, positioned at least substantially within the cavity, having a secured state when the selected wheel item is properly installed on the vehicle, and an unsecured state when the selected wheel item is removed from the vehicle; and alarm transmitting means, connected to the sensor, for initiating a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state.
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22. A sensing assembly, associated with a vehicle alarm system, for sensing removal of a wheel assembly or wheel accessory, the sensing assembly comprising:
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a housing including a cavity having an opening for receiving a wheel lug; threads defined by the housing in the cavity for fastening the housing to the wheel lug; a spring located in the housing; a sensor, positioned in the cavity between the opening and the spring, having a secured state and an unsecured state; and alarm transmitting means, connected to the sensor and located in the cavity, for generating a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An alarm system for detecting unauthorized removal of at least one of a wheel assembly and a wheel accessory of a vehicle, comprising:
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a power supply; a sensor having a secured state when the at least one of the wheel assembly and the wheel accessory are installed on the vehicle, and an unsecured state when the at least one of the wheel assembly and the wheel accessory are removed from the vehicle; alarm transmitting means, connected to the sensor and the power supply for initiating a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state; resonant circuit means tuned to a frequency of a RF power signal for receiving the RF power signal and for generating a charge in response thereto; and charge holding means, coupled to the resonant circuit means and the power supply for charging the power supply; power transmitting means, located remote from the alarm transmitting means and the sensor, for generating the RF power signal; and receiving means, located remote from the alarm transmitting means, the resonant circuit means and the charge holding means, for generating an alarm triggering signal when the alarm transmitting means initiates the RF signal.
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28. An RF-based alarm system for detecting unauthorized removal of a wheel item such as a wheel assembly or a wheel accessory from a vehicle, comprising:
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a sensor having a secured state when the wheel item is installed on the vehicle, and an unsecured state when the wheel item is removed from the vehicle; alarm transmitting means, connected to the sensor, for causing a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal to behave differently when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state; an electrical energy storage means, coupled to the alarm transmitting means, for powering the alarm transmitting means; motion charging means, coupled to the electrical energy storage means, for transforming at least a portion of motion into electrical energy for charging the battery; and receiving means, located remote from the alarm transmitting means, the sensor, the motion charging means, and the battery, for generating an alarm triggering signal when the alarm transmitting means initiates the RF alarm signal.
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29. An alarm system for detecting unauthorized removal from a vehicle of a wheel item such as a wheel hub, a wheel assembly and a wheel accessory, the alarm system comprising:
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a sensing device having a secured state when the wheel item is installed on the vehicle, and an unsecured state when the wheel item is removed from the vehicle; alarm transmitting means, connected to the sensing device for altering a radio frequency (RF) alarm signal when the sensor changes from the secured state to the unsecured state; and receiving means, located remotely from the alarm transmitting means, for generating an alarm triggering signal when the alarm transmitting means alters the RF alarm signal. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification