Vehicle theft prevention device

• US 6,074,009 A
• Filed: 02/12/1999
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joseph Farino
• Original Assignee: Joseph Farino
• Inventors: Farino, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US09/249,393
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 297/217.3, 297/378.14, 297/378.12, 297/341, 70/261, 70/211, 70/212, 70/237, 296/65.16
• US Class Current: 297/378.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/12 slidable and tiltable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/20 the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/04, B60N2/22 , B60N2/3002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/014 comprising means for locking the seat or parts thereof in a driving prevention position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5996 For seats

Abstract

A theft prevention device for vehicles employing a seat patterning system to automatically control the position of a vehicle seat is disclosed. The theft prevention device includes a security controller adapted for integration with the seat patterning system such that the security controller instructs the seat patterning system to move the seat between an original position and a forward position with the seat member and lumbar support moved forward to thereby prevent a thief from accessing the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The theft prevention device also includes an actuating switch communicating with the security controller to send the security controller a message to instruct the seat patterning system to selectively move the vehicle seat between the original position and the forward position.

The actuating switch comprises in part a power switch which the owner or user of the vehicle can turn on or off, thereby connecting or disconnecting, as the case may be, the actuating switch from the electrical power system circuit of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A theft prevention device for vehicles employing a seat patterning system to automatically control the position of a vehicle seat movably situated on existing parallel guide rails to enable the seat to move forwardly or rearwardly, wherein the vehicle seat includes a seat member and a lumbar support member, which move independent of one another, the theft prevention device comprising:

a security controller adapted for integration with the seat patterning system such that the security controller instructs the seat patterning system to move the seat between an original portion and a forward security position with the seat member and lumbar support moved forward to prevent a thief from accessing the passenger compartment of the vehicle; and

an activating switch which can only be controlled by the owner or user of the vehicle, communicating with the security controller to send the security controller a message when activated by the owner or user of the vehicle, to instruct the seat patterning system to selectively move the vehicle seat along the existing guide rails and rotate the lumbar support member from their original positions to forward security positions, whereby when the seat and lumbar support members are in the forward security position, the activating switch is disconnected from the vehicle electric power system circuit thereby preventing a thief from activating the activating switch during a break in of the vehicle, said activating switch containing a power switch which upon input from the owner or user of the vehicle, connects or disconnects the activating switch from the vehicle electric power system circuit and wherein the said activating switch comprises a first portion comprising memory buttons to move the seat forwardly or rearwardly, and a second portion which when activated by the owner or user, instructs the security controller to send a message to the seat patterning system to move the seat to the forward security position.

2. The power switch of claim 1 which is key operated.

3. The power switch of claim 1 which comprises a receiver triggered by a remote control.

4. The activating switch of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of a security button or switch, a security code key pad, a receiver triggered by a remote control and a key switch.

5. The activating switch of claim 1 in which the second portion comprises a memory button and a key operated power switch, which when activated by the user, connects the activating switch to the vehicle electric power system circuit permitting movement of the seat and lumbar members, and when placed in the locked configuration by the user, disconnects the activating switch from the vehicle electric power system circuit.

6. A vehicle provided with a theft prevention device comprising:

a seat patterning system to automatically control the position of a vehicle seat movably situated on existing parallel guide rails to enable the seat to move forwardly or rearwardly, wherein the vehicle seat includes a seat member and a lumbar support member, which move independent of one another, the theft prevention device comprising;

a security controller adapted for integration with the seat patterning system such that the security controller instructs the seat patterning system to move the seat between an original portion and a forward security position with the seat member and lumbar support moved forward to prevent a thief from accessing the passenger compartment of the vehicle; and

an activating switch which can only be controlled by the owner or user of the vehicle, communicating with the security controller to send the security controller a message when activated by the owner or user of the vehicle, to instruct the seat patterning system to selectively move the vehicle seat along the existing guide rails and rotate the lumbar support member from their original positions to forward security positions, whereby when the seat and lumbar support members are in the forward security position, the activating switch is disconnected from the vehicle electric power system circuit thereby preventing a thief from activating the activating switch during a break in of the vehicle, said activating switch containing a power switch which upon input from the owner or user of the vehicle connects or disconnects the activating switch from the vehicle electric power system circuit and wherein the said activating switch comprises a first portion comprising memory buttons to move the seat forwardly or rearwardly, and a second portion which when activated by the owner or user, instructs the security controller to send a message to the seat patterning system to move the seat to the forward security position.

7. The power switch of claim 6 which is key operated.

8. The power switch of claim 6 which comprises a receiver triggered by a remote control.

9. The activating switch of claim 6 selected from the group consisting of a security button or switch, a security code key pad, a receiver triggered by a remote control and a key switch.

10. The activating switch of claim 6 in which the second portion comprises a memory button and a key operated power switch, which when activated by the user, connects the activating switch to the vehicle electric power system circuit permitting movement of the seat and lumbar members, and when placed in the locked configuration by the user, disconnect, the activating switch from the vehicle electric power system circuit.