Radio controlled engine kill switch

• US 5,838,227 A
• Filed: 04/24/1997
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Murray Patent Development Co., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Murray Patent Development Co., Inc.
• Inventors: Murray, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C.
• Application Number:
  US08/845,431
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/426, 340/539, 340/506, 340/828.06, 340/604, 340/693, 340/605, 307/9.1, 440/1
• US Class Current: 340/539.21
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/33 of global position, e.g. by providing GPS coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/0011 enabling persons in the water to control the propulsion or manoeuvring means of the boat
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A engine kill switch system has a transmitter and receiver which are linked through specific transmitted codes within a frequency. The receiver is mounted directly on the boat and wired to an engine kill switch, maintaining the switch in the closed position as long as a signal is received from all of the activated transmitters. Once the transmitter signal is unintentionally deactivated, the receiver shuts down the engine. A range adjustment allows the separation distance between the transmitter and receiver to be changed, dependent upon the size of the boat and end use. A strobe and audio warning can also be attached to the receiver and activated simultaneously with, or as an alternative to, the deactivation of the engine. Automatic transmitter activation and deactivation can be provided through storage ports tied to the receiver. The transmitter is a battery powered remote device carried by a user. The transmitter has a programmed unique code recognized by the receiver. The system, or individual components, are provided with deactivation codes entered through an input device. The system can also be used as an antitheft device simply by removal of one transmitter, thereby rendering the engine inoperable.

Claims

1. An engine deactivation system for use with user operated water vehicles, said system having:

at least one waterproof transmitter, each of said at least one transmitter being a portable device transmitting a constant individually identifiable signal powered by an independent power supply, said signal being water sensitive and blocked from said receiver when said transmitter enters the water;

a waterproof receiver, said receiver receiving and recognizing said individually identifiable signal from each of said at least one transmitter, said receiver having cut-off means, said cut-off means being connected to an engine and having a run mode and a deactivation mode, said deactivation mode shutting down said engine; and

an antenna, said antenna transmitting said signal between said transmitter and said receiver;

manual reset means, said manual reset means over riding said receiver cut-off means to manually place said cut-off means in said run mode or said deactivation mode;

wherein receipt of said signal by said receiver maintains said cut-off means in a run mode and interruption of said constant signal from one of said at least one transmitter immediately activates said deactivation mode, thereby requiring reactivation of said vehicle by reinstating transmission of said signal to place said cut-off means in said run mode or over riding said cut-off means with said manual reset means.

2. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 wherein said signal has a low threshold of transmission through water.

3. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising on-off means, said on-off means deactivating said receiver.

4. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 wherein said independent power supply is a rechargeable battery.

5. The engine deactivation system of claim 4 wherein said transmitter is in a position proximate said receiver when not in use, wherein said proximate position provides recharging of said rechargeable battery.

6. The engine deactivation system of claim 5 wherein said transmitter begins transmitting said signal upon separation of said transmitter from said receiver and ceases transmission when proximate said receiver whereby said receiver'"'"'s acknowledging said transmitter'"'"'s proximity maintains said cut-off means in said run mode.

7. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter further comprises an on/off means.

8. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising at least two indicator lights, said indicator lights designating the power status of said transmitter and said receiver.

9. The engine deactivation system of claim 8 wherein said indicator lights designate the power level of said independent power supply within said transmitter.

10. The engine deactivation system of claim 9 wherein said indicator lights are color coded to designate at least one of recharging, transmitting or low battery status check.

11. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising distance control back up means, said distance control back up means varying the signal recognition threshold between said transmitter and said receiver, thereby immediately activating said deactivation mode upon separation of said transmitter and said receiver beyond a predetermined distance.

12. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 wherein said transmitter further comprises water sensor means, said water sensor means halting transmission of said signal from said transmitter to said receiver upon submersion in water.

13. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 wherein said receiver has coding means, said coding means taking said individually identifiable signal from each of said at least one transmitter and coding said receiver to recognize each of said individually identifiable signals.

14. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising data processing means, said data processing means receiving data identifying said individual signal from each of said at least one transmitter said receiver confirming each of said at least one transmitter is in communication with said receiver, integrating data received from said individual signal into a database and displaying said integrated data.

15. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising direct over ride means within said receiver, said direct over ride means enabling said vehicle to remain in said run mode without activating said transmitter to re-transmit said signal.

16. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising water resistant audio alarm means, said audio alarm means having a pitch capable of being heard over ocean waves and ambient sound and being activated upon deactivation of said transmitter signal.

17. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising waterproof visual alarm means, said visual alarm means having a sufficient intensity to be seen long distances in inclement weather and being activated upon deactivation of said transmitter signal.

18. The engine deactivation system of claim 1 further comprising an emergency cut-off means within each of said at least one transmitter, manual activation of said emergency cut-off means breaking transmission of said signal, thereby placing said cut-off means in said deactivation mode.

19. The engine deactivation system of claim 18 further comprising protection means, said protection means preventing said emergency cut-off means from being inadvertently activated.

20. The method of disabling an engine by the elimination of an individually recognized signal using a device having:

at least one waterproof transmitter, each of said at least one waterproof transmitter being a portable device transmitting a constant individually identifiable signal powered by an independent power supply, said signal having a low transmission through water;

at least one indicator light, said indicator light designating the power status of said transmitter;

a waterproof receiver, said receiver receiving and recognizing said identifiable signal from each of said transmitters, said receiver having cut-off means, said cut-off means being connected to an engine and having a run mode and a deactivation mode, said deactivation mode shutting down said engine;

on-off means, said on-off means deactivating said receiver;

at least one indicator light, said indicator light designating the power status of said receiver;

manual reset means, said manual reset means over riding said receiver cut-off means to manually place said cut-off means in said run mode or in said deactivation mode;

distance control means, said distance control means varying the maximum transmission distance between said transmitter and said receiver, determining at what distance said signal is blocked from said receiver, placing said cut-off means in said deactivation mode;

an antenna, said antenna transmitting said signal between said transmitter and said receiver;

comprising the steps of;

a) activating said receiver through said on-off means;

b) verifying the power status of said transmitter;

c) attaching said transmitter to a user;

d) verifying that said receiver is receiving said individually identifiable signal;

wherein receipt of said signal by said receiver maintains said cut-off means in a run mode and interruption of said constant signal from any one of said at least one transmitter, immediately activates said deactivation mode, thereby requiring reactivation of said vehicle by reinstating transmission of said signal to place said cut-off means in said run mode or over riding said cut-off means with, said manual reset means.

21. A signal transmission device having:

at least one waterproof transmitter, each of said at least one transmitters being a portable device transmitting a constant individually identifiable signal powered by an independent power supply, said signal having a low transmission through water;

on/off means, said on/off means controlling said independent supply;

a waterproof receiver, said receiver receiving and recognizing said identifiable signal from each of said transmitters, and having;

cut-off means, said cut-off means being connected to an engine and having a run mode and a deactivation mode, said deactivation mode deactivating said engine,

on-off means, said on-off means deactivating said receiver,

coding means, said coding means taking said individually identifiable signal from each of said at least one transmitter and coding said receiver to recognize said signal;

over ride means, said over ride means allowing said cut-off means to be in said run mode without receiving said signal;

at least one indicator light, said indicator light designating the power status of said receiver and said at least one transmitter, said at least one indicator light being color coded to designate at least one of recharging, transmitting or low battery status checks;

distance control means, said distance control means varying the maximum transmission distance between said transmitter and said receiver;

audio alarm means, said audio alarm means being activated by said deactivation mode;

visual alarm means, said visual alarm means being activated by said deactivation mode;

an antenna, said antenna transmitting said signal between said transmitter and said receiver;

said transmitter being proximate said receiver when not in use, and initiating transmission of said signal upon separation of said transmitter from said receiver and ceasing transmission when proximate said receiver

wherein receipt of said signal from all separated transmitters by said receiver maintains said cut-off means in a run mode and interruption of said constant signal by said transmitter entering the water, or being taken beyond transmission range, from any one of said transmitters initiates said deactivation mode, and either reinstatement of transmission of said signal or activation of said over ride means places said cut-off means in said run mode.