Locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle

• US 6,023,218 A
• Filed: 08/06/1998
• Issued: 02/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven Tremblay
• Original Assignee: Steven Tremblay
• Inventors: Tremblay, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/130,128
• Time in Patent Office: 551 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/468, 340/474, 340/426, 340/429, 340/539, 340/691.5, 340/693.9, 116/28 R, 116/209, 116/173, 116/30, 40/550, 40/591, 40/600, 180/167, 180/287, 701/224
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1018 Alarm systems characterised by features related to the general power supply
• 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 locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle comprising a housing. A securing means is for securing the housing onto a roof of the motor vehicle. Visual locating means in the housing is for visually indicating location of the motor vehicle. Audio locating means in the housing is for audibly indicating location of the motor vehicle. Visual alarm means in the housing is for visually activating an alarm when a disturbance takes place at the motor vehicle. An audible alarm means in the housing is for audibly activating an alarm when a disturbance takes place at the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a housing;

securing means for securing said housing onto a roof of said motor vehicle;

visual locating means in said housing for visually indicating location of said motor vehicle;

audio locating means in said housing for audibly indicating location of said motor vehicle;

visual alarm means in said housing for visually activating an alarm when a disturbance takes place at said motor vehicle; and

audible alarm means in said housing for audibly activating an alarm when a disturbance takes place at said motor vehicle.

2. The locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said housing is dome-shaped and manufactured out of high impact ABS plastic.

3. The locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein:

said securing means includes a felt covered attachment magnet secured within the bottom of said housing.

4. A locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 3, further including:

a reed switch mounted to undersurface of said roof of said motor vehicle directly below said felt covered attachment magnet on said housing, said reed switch electrically connected between a horn and battery of said motor vehicle, so that when said felt covered attachment magnet is moved away from said reed switch, said reed switch will close to cause said horn to activate an audible alarm sound.

5. The locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 1 wherein:

said visual locating means includes a socket mounted in an apex of said housing; and

a flag assembly having a pole with two associated flags, in which said pole extends upwardly from said socket, so that a person can see said flag assembly to visually locate said motor vehicle.

6. The locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 5 wherein:

said visual locating means further includes a visual circuit board in said housing;

electrical means for supplying electricity to said visual circuit board;

electrical contacts in said socket electrically connected to said visual circuit board; and

a plurality of light emitting diodes about the perimeter of said flags electrically connected to said electrical contacts in said socket, so that said light emitting diodes can be illuminated to help the person see said flag assembly.

7. The locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 6, wherein:

said visual locating means further includes a radio frequency receiver in said housing electrically connected to said visual circuit board; and

a remote control unit having a radio frequency transmitter, a battery and a button switch to send a signal to said radio frequency receiver to activate and deactivate said light emitting diodes in a visual locating mode.

8. The locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 7, wherein:

said audio locating means includes an audio circuit board in said housing electrically connected between said electrical means and said radio frequency receiver; and

a speaker in said housing electrically connected to said audio circuit board, whereby said remote control unit can send a signal to said radio frequency receiver to activate and deactivate said speaker in an audio locating mode.

9. The locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 8, wherein:

said visual alarm means includes a sound/motion sensor electrically connected to said visual circuit board, whereby said remote control unit can send a different signal to said radio frequency receiver to activate and deactivate said light emitting diodes in a visual alarm mode, so that said sound/motion sensor will detect the breaking of glass and loud noises about said motor vehicle in the visual alarm mode.

10. A locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 9, wherein:

said audio alarm means includes said sound/motion sensor electrically connected to said audio circuit board, whereby said remote control unit can send the different signal to said radio frequency receiver to activate and deactivate said speaker in an audio alarm mode, so that said sound/motion sensor will detect the breaking of glass and loud noises about said motor vehicle in the audio alarm mode.

11. A locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 6, wherein:

said electrical means includes an elongate power cord with a cigarette lighter adapter on a distal end to engage with a cigarette lighter port in said motor vehicle.

12. A locating and alarm system for a motor vehicle as recited in claim 6, wherein:

said electrical means includes a back-up battery and an activation switch.