Trailer alarm
First Claim
1. An alarm device for use with a vehicle, the device comprising:
- a first connector for electrical connection with a vehicle trailer wiring receptacle of a vehicle;
a second connector for electrical connection with a trailer wiring connector of a trailer;
a power line electrically connecting the first connector to the second connector to deliver vehicle power from the first connector to the second connector;
a signal path electrically connecting the first connector to the second connector to deliver electrical signals from the vehicle to the electrically operable components on the trailer when the vehicle trailer wiring receptacle is connected with the first connector and the trailer wiring receptacle is connected with the second connector;
an alarm component electrically connected in series between the first and second connectors, the alarm component being configured to detect an electrical condition indicating an unauthorized attempt to separate the trailer from the vehicle and produce a corresponding alert signal; and
a sensor mountable to one of the trailer and an item carried by the trailer, wherein the alarm component and the sensor are disposed within a communication circuit covering a predetermined area, wherein the sensor is configured to provide an alert signal when the communication circuit is broken by removal of the sensor from the communication circuit.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm device for use with a vehicle includes an input connector for electrical connection with a vehicle wiring harness of a vehicle, an output connector for electrical connection with a trailer lighting receptacle of a trailer, and an alarm circuit electrically connected in series between the input connector and the output connector. The alarm circuit is configured to detect a presence or absence of an electrical signal supplied to the input connector for delivery through the output connector to an electrically powered component of the trailer. The alarm circuit is configured to deliver an alert signal when the alarm circuit detects the absence of the electrical signal.
47 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An alarm device for use with a vehicle, the device comprising:
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a first connector for electrical connection with a vehicle trailer wiring receptacle of a vehicle; a second connector for electrical connection with a trailer wiring connector of a trailer; a power line electrically connecting the first connector to the second connector to deliver vehicle power from the first connector to the second connector; a signal path electrically connecting the first connector to the second connector to deliver electrical signals from the vehicle to the electrically operable components on the trailer when the vehicle trailer wiring receptacle is connected with the first connector and the trailer wiring receptacle is connected with the second connector; an alarm component electrically connected in series between the first and second connectors, the alarm component being configured to detect an electrical condition indicating an unauthorized attempt to separate the trailer from the vehicle and produce a corresponding alert signal; and a sensor mountable to one of the trailer and an item carried by the trailer, wherein the alarm component and the sensor are disposed within a communication circuit covering a predetermined area, wherein the sensor is configured to provide an alert signal when the communication circuit is broken by removal of the sensor from the communication circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of detecting separation of a towed item from a towing vehicle, the method comprising:
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connecting a sensor to one of the item and the vehicle; connecting an alarm component to the other of the item and the vehicle; placing the alarm component and the sensor within a communication circuit covering a predetermined area; determining the presence of the sensor and the alarm component within the communication circuit; providing an alert signal when one of the sensor and the alarm component is not detected within the communication circuit; and providing a perceptible alert in response to the alert signal, wherein disconnecting the sensor from the one of the item and the vehicle deactivates a circuit completion mechanism to remove the sensor from the communication circuit; and further wherein determining the presence of the sensor and the alarm component within the communication circuit comprises sensing a voltage that is generated when current flows through the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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13. A method of detecting separation of a towed item from a towing vehicle, the method comprising:
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connecting a sensor to one of the item and the vehicle; connecting an alarm component to the other of the item and the vehicle; placing the alarm component and the sensor within a communication circuit covering a predetermined area; determining the presence of the sensor and the alarm component within the communication circuit; providing an alert signal when one of the sensor and the alarm component is not detected within the communication circuit; and providing a perceptible alert in response to the alert signal, wherein disconnecting the sensor from the one of the item and the vehicle deactivates a circuit completion mechanism to remove the sensor from the communication circuit; and further wherein the circuit completion mechanism comprises a switch that is urged into a closed position when the sensor is installed on the one of the item and the vehicle and that returns to an open position when the sensor is disconnected from the one of the item and the vehicle.
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14. A method of detecting separation of a towed item from a towing vehicle, the method comprising:
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connecting a sensor to one of the item and the vehicle; connecting an alarm component to the other of the item and the vehicle; placing the alarm component and the sensor within a communication circuit covering a predetermined area; determining the presence of the sensor and the alarm component within the communication circuit; providing an alert signal when one of the sensor and the alarm component is not detected within the communication circuit; and providing a perceptible alert in response to the alert signal, wherein disconnecting the sensor from the one of the item and the vehicle deactivates a circuit completion mechanism to remove the sensor from the communication circuit; and further wherein the communication circuit comprises a wiring harness between the sensor and the alarm component, and wherein determining the presence of the sensor and the alarm component within the communication circuit comprises generating a sensor detection signal in the alarm component that passes through the communication circuit and monitoring a response of one or more circuit parameters of the detection signal at the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A method of detecting separation of a towed item from a towing vehicle, the method comprising:
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connecting a sensor to one of the item and the vehicle; connecting an alarm component to the other of the item and the vehicle; placing the alarm component and the sensor within a communication circuit covering a predetermined area; determining the presence of the sensor and the alarm component within the communication circuit; providing an alert signal when one of the sensor and the alarm component is not detected within the communication circuit; and providing a perceptible alert in response to the alert signal, wherein disconnecting the sensor from the one of the item and the vehicle deactivates a circuit completion mechanism to remove the sensor from the communication circuit; and further wherein connecting the sensor to one of the item and the vehicle comprises providing the sensor in a housing of an alarm device having a first connector extending from the housing for electrical connection with a vehicle trailer wiring receptacle of a vehicle, and a second connector extending from the housing for electrical connection with a trailer wiring connector of a trailer, the sensor being in electrical communication with the first and second connectors.
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18. A method of detecting separation of a towed item from a towing vehicle, the method comprising:
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connecting a sensor to one of the item and the vehicle; connecting an alarm component to the other of the item and the vehicle; placing the alarm component and the sensor within a communication circuit covering a predetermined area; determining the presence of the sensor and the alarm component within the communication circuit; providing an alert signal when one of the sensor and the alarm component is not detected within the communication circuit; and providing a perceptible alert in response to the alert signal, wherein disconnecting the sensor from the one of the item and the vehicle deactivates a circuit completion mechanism to remove the sensor from the communication circuit; and further wherein connecting the alarm component to the other of the item and the vehicle comprises providing the alarm component in a housing of an alarm device having a first connector extending from the housing for electrical connection with a vehicle trailer wiring receptacle of a vehicle, and a second connector extending from the housing for electrical connection with a trailer wiring connector of a trailer, the alarm being in electrical communication with the first and second connectors.
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Specification