Vehicular anti-theft device

• US 9,007,194 B1
• Filed: 04/30/2013
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis E. Toews
• Original Assignee: Dennis E. Toews
• Inventors: Toews, Dennis E.
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUNT, ERIC
• Application Number:
  US13/873,492
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426.1, 340/426.22, 340/426.23, 340/431, 340/432, 340/427, 340/426.2, 340/568.1, 340/665, 340/666
• US Class Current: 340/426.1
• 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

Abstract

The vehicular anti-theft device is a generally planar matt that includes a plurality of pressure sensors used to detect the presence of a weight thereon, and which is configured for placement under a tire of a vehicle. The matt includes a control panel to input a code to able and disable the alarm function. The alarm function is designed to detect a change in the weight associated with theft of a respective vehicle. The matt may include an array of solar cells on a top surface, which provides alternative means of powering the alarm function. The alarm includes a speaker to emit an audible alarm or alternatively cellular telephone capability in order to signal an alarm via a text message, phone message, or e-mail.

Claims

1. A vehicular anti-theft device comprising:

a matt configured for use in placement of a tire of a vehicle thereon;

wherein at least one pressure sensor detects the weight of the tire placed thereon, and upon a change in the detected weight, an alarm will sound via a speaker;

wherein the matt is a generally rectangularly-shaped object that is planar, and includes a top surface as well as a bottom surface;

wherein the matt is further defined with side surfaces that are angled with respect to a bottom surface;

wherein the matt has a height of not more than 2 inches;

wherein the tire of the vehicle comes to rest upon the top surface of the matt;

wherein a control panel is provided on the top surface, and includes the speaker, a plurality of buttons, and a display.

2. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 1 wherein the buttons are selectively depressed to enter a code for activation or de-activation of the alarm.

3. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 2 wherein a CPU located inside of the matt is in wired communication with the speaker, the buttons, the display.

4. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 2 wherein the CPU is in wired communication with the pressure sensor to detect a change in the amount of weight applied via the tire of the vehicle.

5. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 4 wherein the alarm is in wired communication with a cellular telephone transceiver, which is able to wirelessly communicate an alarm to an intended recipient via a text message, a phone call, or an e-mail.

6. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 4 wherein the CPU is provided electrical power via a powering member;

wherein the powering member includes at least one battery that is contained within a battery compartment.

7. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 6 wherein the battery compartment is accessible from the bottom surface of the matt.

8. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 7 wherein an array of solar cells located on the top surface of the matt provide electrical power to the CPU and/or the powering member.

9. A vehicular anti-theft device comprising:

a matt configured for use in placement of a tire of a vehicle thereon;

wherein at least one pressure sensor detects the weight of the tire placed thereon, and upon a change in the detected weight, an alarm will sound via a speaker;

wherein the matt is a generally rectangularly-shaped object that is planar, and includes a top surface as well as a bottom surface;

wherein the matt is further defined with side surfaces that are angled with respect to a bottom surface;

wherein the tire of the vehicle comes to rest upon the top surface of the matt;

a control panel is provided on the top surface, and includes the speaker, a plurality of buttons, and a display.

10. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 9 wherein the matt has a height of not more than 2 inches.

11. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 10 wherein the buttons are selectively depressed to enter a code to for activation or de-activation of the alarm.

12. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 11 wherein a CPU located inside of the matt is in wired communication with the speaker, the buttons, the display.

13. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 12 wherein the CPU is in wired communication with the pressure sensor to detect a change in the amount of weight applied via the tire of the vehicle.

14. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 13 wherein the alarm is in wired communication with a cellular telephone transceiver, which is able to wirelessly communicate an alarm to an intended recipient via a text message, a phone call, or an e-mail.

15. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 14 wherein the CPU is provided electrical power via a powering member;

wherein the powering member includes at least one battery that is contained within a battery compartment.

16. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 15 wherein the battery compartment is accessible from the bottom surface of the matt.

17. The vehicular anti-theft device as described in claim 16 wherein an array of solar cells located on the top surface of the matt provide electrical power to the CPU and/or the powering member.