Marine security system

• US 6,265,966 B1
• Filed: 08/06/1999
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian L. Ireland, Charles W. Main Jr
• Original Assignee: Brian L. Ireland, Charles W. Main Jr
• Inventors: Main, Charles W. Jr., Ireland, Brian L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US09/370,628
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 340/423.5, 340/426, 340/429, 340/568.1, 340/571
• US Class Current: 340/426.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 Boats
• 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 25/102 a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner

Abstract

A security system for a vehicle comprises a sensor assembly which can be releasably mounted to a vehicle or to an item contained therein. The sensor assembly includes a sensing device that is actuated upon sensing a predetermined change in inertia relative to the assembly. The sensing device actuates a transmitter within the sensor assembly to transmit a signal upon detection of the predetermined level of inertial change. The security system further includes a receiver/transmitter unit mounted near the sensor assembly for receiving the transmitted signal and then transmitting an amplified signal to a remote station. The receiver/transmitter unit may be operatively connected to the horn or lights of the vehicle so as to foil a potential thief who presumably initiated the inertial change that activated the alarm. The remote station also includes audible and visual alarms for alerting a vehicle owner of the theft that is potentially in progress at the site of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A security system for a vehicle, comprising:

a sensor assembly including structure for releasably mounting said sensor assembly to a vehicle and including a sensing device that is actuated by a predetermined level of inertial change relative to said sensor assembly and including a transmitter for transmitting a signal upon sensing said predetermined level of inertial change;

a receiver mounted on a corresponding vehicle for receiving said transmitted signal from said sensor assembly and generating an output signal;

a slave transmitter operatively coupled to said receiver for receiving said output signal and generating an alarm signal upon receipt of said output signal, said slave transmitter including a transmitter for transmitting said alarm signal; and

a remote station including an alarm and a receiver for receiving said alarm signal, said remote station activating said alarm upon receipt of said alarm signal, wherein said sensing device comprises;

a housing having first and second longitudinally opposed end walls and structure defining an interior space;

a weight slidably mounted within said interior space for movement between said first and second end walls;

a magnet on said first end wall within said interior space for attracting said weight, said weight moveable between a first position in contact with said magnet and a second position displaced from said magnet;

first and second spaced apart electrodes positioned at said second end of said housing;

a power supply positioned within said interior space of said housing, said power supply providing electrical current for energizing said second electrode; and

said first and second electrodes electrically connected together when said weight is in said second position.

2. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said vehicle is a boat.

3. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said weight is moved from said first position to said second position upon exertion of a force upon said sensor assembly sufficient to overcome said attraction between said weight and said magnet.

4. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said transmitter is coupled to said first electrode;

and

said sensing device includes a switch positioned within said interior space for selectively delivering said electrical current to said second electrode, said transmitter transmitting a signal when said switch is positioned to deliver current to said second electrode and said weight is in said second position.

5. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said receiver is operatively coupled to a horn of said vehicle such that said horn is actuated upon receipt of said transmitted signal.

6. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said receiver is operatively coupled to the lights of said vehicle such that said lights are activated upon rceipt of said transmitted signal.

7. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said remote station alarm is an audible alarm.

8. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said remote station alarm is a visual alarm.

9. A security system as in claim 1 wherein said remote station transmits an alarm signal to a pager.

10. A security device for detecting an inertial change indicative of movement of an item, comprising:

a housing having first and second oppositely disposed end walls and structure defining an interior space;

a weight slidably mounted within said interior space for movement between said first and second end walls;

a magnet on said first end wall within said interior space for magnetically attracting said weight;

first and second spaced apart electrodes positioned at said second end of said housing;

a power supply positioned within said interior space of said housing, said power supply providing electrical current for energizing said second electrode;

a switch positioned within said interior space for selectively delivering said current to said second electrode such that said first and second electrodes are electrically connected together upon a movement of said weight from said first end to said second end.

11. A security device as in claim 10 wherein said weight is movable between a first position in con act with said magnet and a second position displaced from said magnet upon exertion of a force upon said security device sufficient to overcome said attraction between said weight and said magnet.

12. A security device as in claim 11 further comprises a spring positioned within said interior space between said first and second electrodes, said spring extending to displace said first electrode from said second electrode when said weight is in said first position, said spring compressing such that said first electrode contacts said second electrode when said weight is in said second position.

13. A security device as in claim 10 includes a transmitter operatively coupled to said first electrode for transmitting a signal when said switch is positioned to deliver current to said second electrode and said first and second electrodes are electrically connected together.

14. A security device as in claim 10 includes means for mounting said device to a vehicle.

15. A security device as in claim 10 wherein said housing includes a first portion releasably coupled to a second portion.

16. A security device as in claim 10 includes means for indicating the strength of said power supply.