Entrapment snare for the termination of vehicle pursuits

• US 7,210,875 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2006
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael C. Goodman
• Original Assignee: The Ya-May Christle Revocable Living Trust
• Inventors: Christle, Ya-May, Goodman, Michael C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hartmann; Gary S.
• Application Number:
  US11/589,553
• Time in Patent Office: 183 Days
• Field of Search: 404/6, 404/72, 404/73
• US Class Current: 404/6
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/12 for forcibly arresting or disabling vehicles, e.g. spiked mats
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00

Abstract

An entrapment snare, consisting of two small but heavy weights connected by a flexible cable covered with spikes, is designed to be launched from a pursuing law enforcement vehicle at one of the rear tires of a fleeing vehicle. One heavy weight is attached to each end of the flexible cable. The weights are forcefully projected, at ground level, in a forward direction at one of the rear tires of the fleeing vehicle such that the weights bracket the tire. Initially, the two projectile weights have forward linear momentum and the cable connecting them is slack. The middle of the cable hits the target tire at or near where the rubber meets the road and the cable goes into tension. Very quickly, the two ends of the cable attached to the projectile weights pull tightly into place in front of the target tire.

Claims

1. A method for deflating a rear tire of a fleeing vehicle, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an entrapment snare which comprises a flexible cable, two projectile weights each of which is attached to one of two ends of said flexible cable; and

a plurality of spikes disposed along said flexible cable, said snare being loaded for being shot from a pursuing vehicle towards said fleeing vehicle;

(b) projecting said snare from said pursuing vehicle towards said rear tire of said fleeing vehicle such that one of said projectile weight passes to the left side of said rear tire and said remaining projectile weight passes to the right side of said rear tire;

(c) contacting the rear side of said rear tire with said flexible cable;

(d) wrapping said flexible cable around said rear tire by swinging said projectile weights around the front side of said rear tire; and

(e) deflating said rear tire as said fleeing vehicle rolls over said spikes which puncture said rear tire so as to stop said fleeing vehicle.