Remote de-activation system for a vehicle

• US 7,068,152 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Hager
• Original Assignee: Michael Hager
• Inventors: Hager, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/818,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.15, 340/426.1, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/426.17, 340/825.69, 340/815.4, 307/10.2, 307/10.3
• US Class Current: 340/426.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/042 operating on the fuel supply
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics

Abstract

The present invention is a remote de-activation system for use with vehicles or other motorized equipment consisting of a remote portable RF signal generation unit which communicates with an RF receiver mounted on the vehicle to be disabled. The receiver unit features circuit interruption switching or relays and is transposed within the ignition circuit of the vehicle or equipment to be disabled. The system is further characterized as including independent power sources for the RF transmitter, receiver and alarm systems such as to prevent malfunction of the system through compromising the power sources. Alternative embodiments include the utilization of a centralized battery charger and key locks.

Claims

1. An equipment disablement system for a motorized vehicle or machinery comprising:

a. a remote, portable transmitting unit comprising;

i) a means for transmitting a radio frequency signal for wireless communication,

ii) a power source internal to said remote, portable transmitting unit, and

iii) a switch to enable operation of said transmission means upon activation of said switch;

b. a weatherproof housing located upon the motor vehicle or machinery within easy access to the power circuit of said vehicle or machinery or the controls for the power circuit of said vehicle or machinery, and which is also accessible to the operator;

c. an RF signal receiver mounted within said weatherproof housing on the vehicle or machinery, said receiver oriented to receive a signal from said remote portable transmitting unit, and said receiver connected to a second power source housed within said weatherproof housing;

d. a switching mechanism located within said weatherproof housing and oriented as to open or close the power circuit or controls to the power circuit of said vehicle or machinery upon receipt of a signal from said RF signal receiver;

e. a status indication means for indicating the status of said RF signal receiver to provide information to the operator indicating that a remote disablement signal has been received, said status indication means being located within said weatherproof housing, and being connected to a third power source located within said weatherproof housing;

f. an antenna connected to said receiver and located upon said vehicle or machinery for improving reception of a signal from said remote portable transmitting unit.

2. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim One wherein said first, second and third power source are batteries.

3. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim Two wherein the system includes a battery charger powered by the power system of the vehicle or machinery, said battery charger supplying charging current to said second and third power sources, and said second and third power sources are rechargeable batteries.

4. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim One wherein said first switching mechanism is a spring-loaded push button switch.

5. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim One wherein said second switching mechanism is a normally open/normally closed relay switch.

6. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim One wherein said status indication means is an audible alarm, a light indicator, or both.

7. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim One wherein the apparatus includes a key operated on/off activation switch for bypassing the remote vehicle disablement apparatus, wherein said key lock mechanism is located on the outside case of said weatherproof housing, and wherein said key lock system is operated by a key that is separate and distinct from the ignition key of the vehicle.

8. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim One wherein the apparatus is used to provide remote de-activation for a riding lawn mower, an all-terrain vehicle, a go cart, snowmobile or a personal watercraft vehicle.

9. An equipment disablement system as set forth in claim One wherein the apparatus is used to provide remote de-activation for a manufacturing process or for mining machinery.