Electrified theft/car-jack prevention device for use with motor vehicles and methods of use

• US 5,912,615 A
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allan J. Kretzmar, Neal Kakimoto
• Original Assignee: Allan J. Kretzmar, Neal Kakimoto
• Inventors: Kretzmar, Allan J., Kakimoto, Neal
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US08/959,733
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/428, 340/430, 340/539, 340/574, 340/441, 340/466, 340/463, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 307/10.6, 180/287, 361/232, 42/1.08, 42/1.13, 42/84, D22/117, 89/1.11
• US Class Current: 340/426.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/08 operating on brakes or brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0018 for nearby electrical discharge, i.e. the electrodes being positioned on the device and the device brought manually or otherwise into contact with a nearby target batons with electric discharge capability F41B15/04; electric shock devices for animals A01K15/02

Abstract

A device for minimizing car theft and car-jacking, the device including an immobilizing means, the immobilizing system including an arming mechanism. Upon the opening of the car door, a timer mechanism is activated. Upon the expiration of the time period, when the wheels of the motor vehicle have completely stopped and the brakes have been applied, the engine is killed, lights are flashed and the audio signal generator is activated. In addition, the immobilizer system activates a interface system, which provides a warning to the unauthorized user of the motor vehicle of an imminent shock being applied to the seats of the motor vehicle. Upon expiration of another time delay period, electric shocks are applied to the seat of the car and, optionally, a visual location indicator, such as a smoke generator may be triggered. Methods of use and other embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A theft prevention device for use in combination with a motor vehicle for use by a driver, said motor vehicle having at least one door, two wheels, brakes attached to said wheels, and a driver'"'"'s seat, said theft prevention device comprising;

separation means for allowing said motor vehicle to be moved from a first location to a second location;

sensor means to establish when said wheels have come to a complete stop at said second location;

immobilizing means for immobilizing said motor vehicle at said second location, said immobilizing means connected to said motor vehicle and electrically connected to said separation means and said sensor means, said immobilizing means activated when said motor vehicle arrives at said second location and on the condition said sensor means has established said wheels have come to a complete stop at said second location; and

deterrent means for deterring a driver from using said motor vehicle, said deterrent means electrically connected to said separation means, said deterrent means activated on the condition that said motor vehicle has come to a complete stop at said second location.

2. A theft prevention device for use in combination with a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor means is a wheel sensor means, said immobilizing means activated after the brakes of said motor vehicle have been applied and said wheel rotation sensor means has established said wheels of said motor vehicle have come to a complete stop at said second location.

3. A theft prevention device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said deterrent means includes a shock generating means for applying an electrical shock to said driver of said motor vehicle, said shock generating means positioned adjacent said driver and electrically connected to said separation means.

4. A theft prevention device as set forth in claim 3, further including warning means for generating a warning of imminent activation of said shock generating means, said warning means electrically connected to said separation means.

5. A theft prevention device for use in combination with a motor vehicle for use by a driver, said motor vehicle having at least one door, two wheels, brakes attached to said wheels, and a driver'"'"'s seat, said theft prevention device comprising:

first time delay means for delaying the activation of said theft prevention device, said first time delay means defining a first time delay period;

wheel rotation sensor means to establish when said wheels have come to a complete stop after said first time delay period has elapsed at said second location;

immobilizing means, said immobilizing means connected to said motor vehicle and electrically connected to said first time delay means;

triggering means for activating said immobilizing means on the condition that said brakes of said motor vehicle have been applied and said wheels of said motor vehicle come to a complete stop after said first time delay period has elapsed as established by said wheel rotation sensor means, said triggering means electrically connected to said first time delay means and said immobilizing means;

shock generating means, said shock generating means positioned within said driver'"'"'s seat and electrically connected to and activated by said triggering means; and

interface time delay means for delaying activation of said shock generating means, said interface time delay means electrically connected to said triggering means and said shock generating means.

6. A theft prevention device as set forth in claim 5, further including warning means for generating a warning of the imminent activation of said shock generating means, said warning means in electrically connected to said triggering means.

7. A theft prevention device as set forth in claim 6, further including location indicator means, said location indicator means in electrical communication with said triggering means.

8. A theft prevention device for use in combination with a motor vehicle for use by a driver, said motor vehicle having at least one door, two wheels, a brake application system attached to said wheels, and a driver'"'"'s seat, said theft prevention device comprising:

arming means, said arming means triggered by the opening of said at least one door;

means to indicated when said brake application system has been activated;

wheel rotation sensor means to establish when said wheels have come to a complete stop;

first time delay means for delaying the activation of said theft prevention device, said first time delay means electrically connected to and activated by said arming means, said first time delay means electrically connected to said wheel rotation sensor means and said means to indicate when said brake application system has been activated, said time delay means defining a first and second time delay periods, said first time delay period initiated by opening said at least one door, said second time delay period initiated on the condition that said brake application system has been activated and said wheel rotation sensor means establishing said wheels of said motor vehicle coming to a complete stop after the elapse of said first time delay period;

triggering means, said triggering means electrically connected to said time delay means, said triggering means activated by the application of said brakes and said wheel rotation sensor means establishing said wheels coming to the complete stop after the elapse of said first time delay period;

immobilizing means for terminating the operation of said motor vehicle, said immobilizing means connected to said motor vehicle and said triggering means, said immobilizing means activated by said triggering means;

shock generating means for deterring the use of said motor vehicle, said shock generating means positioned within said driver'"'"'s seat and electrically connected to and activated by said triggering means after the elapse of said second time delay period; and

interface means for delaying the activation of said shock generating means, said interface means for delaying the activation of said shock generating means electrically connected to said triggering means and said shock generating means.

9. A theft prevention device as set forth in claim 8, further including warning means for generating a warning of the activation of said shock generating means, said warning means in electrical communication with said triggering means and activated by said triggering means prior to the elapse of said second time delay period.

10. A method for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle having a driver'"'"'s seat, a set of wheels and a brake application system, said method comprising the steps:

generating a first time period and a second time period;

indicating when said brake application system has been activated and said set of wheels have come to a complete stop;

triggering a theft protection system conditioned upon activation of the motor vehicle'"'"'s brake application system and the complete halting of the motor vehicle'"'"'s set of wheels subsequent to the elapse of the first time period;

immobilizing the motor vehicle after triggering the theft protection system;

providing an audio warning to an operator of said motor vehicle; and

generating and transmitting a non-lethal electrical shock to the driver'"'"'s seat of the motor vehicle after the elapse of the second time period.

11. A method for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 10, wherein said step of providing said audio warning includes the step of providing a verbal warning of imminent application of said non-lethal electrical shock to the operator of said motor vehicle.

12. A method for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 10, wherein said step of providing said audio warning includes the step of providing an audio countdown of the time remaining before the application of said non-lethal electrical shock to the operator of said motor vehicle.

13. A method for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle, said method comprising the steps:

arming a theft protection system;

generating a first and second time periods;

sensing when the wheels have come to a complete stop;

triggering the theft protection system by communicating the application of the motor vehicle'"'"'s braking system and the complete stopping of the motor vehicle'"'"'s wheels after the elapse of the first time period;

immobilizing the motor vehicle after triggering the theft protection system;

generating and transmitting a warning to a driver of an imminent transmittance of a non-lethal shock to the driver of the motor vehicle; and

generating and transmitting said non-lethal shock to the driver'"'"'s seat of the motor vehicle after the elapse of the second time period.