Theft prevention feature using power driver seat

• US 5,683,133 A
• Filed: 10/23/1995
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hoffman, David J., Frusti, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge, Gary C.
• Application Number:
  US08/553,739
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 296/65.1, 297/341, 180/287
• US Class Current: 296/65.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/12 slidable and tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/014 comprising means for locking the seat or parts thereof in a driving prevention position

Abstract

A vehicle anti-theft system for an automotive vehicle positions the driver seat of the vehicle in an undriveable position. The system includes a seat having a seat back and a seat base both of which have a fore and aft position. A first motor is operatively coupled to the seat back for moving the seat back between the fore and aft position. A second motor is operatively coupled to the seat base for moving the seat base between the fore and aft position. An input device generates an activation signal. A controller is connected to the first motor, the second motor, the input device and a power source. The controller upon receiving the activation signal connects the power source to the first motor and second motor whereby the first motor moves the seat back to the fore position and the second motor moves the seat base to the fore position.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a seat having a seat back and a seat base, each of said seat back and said seat base having a respective fore and aft position;

a first motor operatively coupled to said seat back for moving said seat back between said fore and aft position;

a second motor operatively coupled to said seat base for moving said seat base between said fore and aft position;

an input device generating an activation signal;

a power source;

a controller connected to said first motor and said second motor and said input device, said controller upon receiving said activation signal connecting said power source to said first motor and second motor whereby said first motor moves said seat back to said fore position and said second motor moves said seat base to said fore position;

wherein said seat has mounting bolts mounting said seat to said automotive vehicle so that when said seat is in said aft position then said mounting bolts are accessible and when said seat is in said fore position then access to said mounting bolts is prevented.

2. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 1 wherein said input device is a key pad.

3. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 1 wherein said input device is a transmitter and a receiver.

4. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 1 wherein said seat base further having an up and down position, said anti-theft device further comprising a third motor operatively coupled to said seat base for moving said seat base between said up and down position.

5. An anti-theft device for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a seat having a seat back and a seat base, each of said seat back and said seat base having a respective fore and aft position;

a first motor operatively coupled to said seat back for moving said seat back between said fore and aft position;

a second motor operatively coupled to said seat base for moving said seat base between said fore and aft position;

an input device generating an activation signal;

a sensor generating an activation ready output signal;

a power source;

a controller connected to said first motor and said second motor, said input device and said sensor, said controller upon receiving said activation signal and said activation ready output signal connecting said power source to said first motor and second motor whereby said first motor moves said seat back to said fore position and said second motor moves said seat base to said fore position;

wherein said seat has mounting bolts mounting said seat to said automotive vehicle so that when said seat is in said aft position then said mounting bolts are accessible and when said seat is in said fore position then access to said mounting bolts is prevented.

6. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 5 wherein said input device is a switch.

7. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 5 wherein said input device is a key pad.

8. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 5 wherein said input device is a transmitter and a receiver.

9. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 5 wherein said sensor comprises a door open sensor generating a door closed signal and a door open signal and an occupant sensor generating an occupant and a no occupant signal, said activation ready output signal comprises a door closed signal, and a no occupant signal.

10. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 5 wherein said sensor comprises a key in ignition sensor generating a key in ignition signal and a no-key-in-ignition signal, said activation ready output signal comprises a no-key-in-ignition signal.

11. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 5 wherein said sensor comprises a transmission position detector signal generating a transmission-in-park signal and a transmission-not-in-park signal, said activation ready output signal comprise a transmission-in-park signal.

12. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 5 wherein said seat base having an up and down position, further comprising a third motor operatively coupled to said seat base for moving said seat base between said up and down position.

13. An anti-theft device for an automotive vehicle comprising:

a seat having a seat back and a seat base, each of said seat back and said seat base having a respective fore and aft position;

a first motor operatively coupled to said seat back for moving said seat back between said fore and aft position;

a second motor operatively coupled to said seat base for moving said seat base between said fore and aft position;

a plurality of sensors generating output signals indicative of activating said anti-theft device;

a power source;

a controller connected to said first motor and said second motor and said plurality of sensors, said controller upon receiving predetermined signals from said plurality of sensors connecting said power source to said first motor and second motor whereby said first motor moves said seat back to said fore position and said second motor moves said seat base to said fore position;

wherein said seat has mounting bolts mounting said seat to said automotive vehicle so that when said seat is in said aft position then said mounting bolts are accessible and when said seat is in said fore position then access to said mounting bolts is prevented.

14. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 13 wherein one of said plurality of sensors is a door open sensor generating a door closed signal and a door open signal and an occupant sensor generating an occupant and a no occupant signal, said predetermined signal is a door closed signal, and a no occupant signal.

15. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 13 wherein one of said plurality of sensors is a key in ignition sensor generating a key in ignition signal and a no-key-in-ignition signal, said predetermined signals further include a no-key-in-ignition signal.

16. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 13 wherein one of said plurality of sensors includes a transmission position detector signal generating a transmission-in-park signal and a transmission-not-in-park signal, said predetermined signals further include a transmission-in-park signal.

17. An anti-theft device as recited in claim 13 wherein said seat base having an up and down position, further comprising a third motor operatively coupled to said seat base for moving said seat base between said up and down position.