Motor vehicle anti-theft apparatus and method

• US 6,615,624 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2002
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas C. Cardwell
• Original Assignee: Douglas C. Cardwell
• Inventors: Cardwell, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US10/119,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20020108411A1
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 702/25--28, 702/37--39, 702/56, 702/57, 702/01, 702/54, 702/55, 188/69, 188/265, 188/353, 180/287, 303/89
• US Class Current: 70/226
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/005 of foot actuated control means rods connecting pedals and steering wheels B60R25/0221
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/08 operating on brakes or brake systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/086 Locking of hand-actuated control actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/573 Single
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5841 Rotation blocking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5973 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5978 With switch

Abstract

An anti-theft system for motor vehicles. The preferred embodiment is designed to prevent theft by preventing a vehicle'"'"'s wheels from turning when the system is activated. In the preferred embodiment, there are inhibitors in the disc rotors of each wheel. Next to each wheel, there is a solenoid, within which is a locking pin or piston rod. When the user enters an activation coded key in an ignition, the solenoids are energized, causing the piston rods to move outward into arcuate recesses, thus preventing the rotor discs from turning. A deactivation code must be entered in the ignition to de-energize the solenoids, causing the piston rods to move back into the solenoids and releasing the rotor discs. Optionally, the parking brake may also be locked when the system is activated.

Claims

1. An anti-theft system for motor vehicles, comprising:

at least one inhibitor in a disc rotor of at least one wheel of a motor vehicle;

at least one locking member that can be inserted into at least one inhibitor to prevent at least one wheel from turning; and

at least one solenoid that, when energized, causes at least one locking member to be inserted into at least one inhibitor, and when de-energized, causes at least one locking member to be withdrawn from at least one inhibitor;

wherein at least one of the inhibitors in at least one of the disc rotors is an arcuate recess;

there are a plurality of the inhibitors in at least one of the disc rotors, and the inhibitors are an equal distance from the center of the wheel;

the inhibitors in at least one of the disc rotors are arranged in a circular pattern around a center of the wheel;

the inhibitors in at least one of the disc rotors are separated by obstructions;

there are four obstructions arranged at right angles;

at least one solenoid is energized when an activation code is entered;

at least one solenoid is de-energized when a deactivation code is entered;

the activation code and the deactivation code are entered using a keypad;

at least one locking member is cylindrical;

means are included for locking at least one brake of the vehicle when the activation code is entered;

means are included for releasing at least one brake when the deactivation code is entered;

at least one brake is locked by preventing release of a cable attached to a lever controlling the brake;

when the activation code is entered, an additional solenoid is energized that causes a clamp to engage a cable inhibitor that prevents release of the cable and the lever; and

when the deactivation code is entered, the additional solenoid is de-energized, causing the clamp to disengage the cable inhibitor, and allowing release of the cable and the lever.

2. The anti-theft system for motor vehicles according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle is an automobile.

3. A method of preventing theft of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of:

entering an activation coded key in an ignition;

energizing at least one solenoid;

movement of a locking member by the solenoid;

engagement of the locking member with an inhibitor in a disc rotor of a wheel of a motor vehicle;

engaging a brake by movement of a cable controlled by a lever;

energizing an additional solenoid;

movement of a clamp by the additional solenoid; and

engagement of an inhibitor on the cable by the clamp to prevent movement of the cable and release of the brake.

4. A method of preventing theft of a motor vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle is an automobile.