US3650347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile safety and anti-theft device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-10-03
•
Granted: 1972-03-21
•
Expires: 1989-10-03
Abstract
Abstract An automobile safety and anti-theft device consisting of a housing portion on a driver''s seat located between the driver''s thighs. The housing contains a normally closed switch with a transverse sliding operating bar projecting on opposite sides of the housing and being operatively engageable by the driver''s thighs to open the switch responsive to excessive lurching of the driver''s body. The switch is connected in the ignition circuit of the automobile. The housing also contains a tilt-responsive alarm switch connected in an alarm circuit to energize an alarm when the automobile is tilted for towing by an unauthorized person. Also contained in the housing is a key-operated seat lock to lock the driver''s seat in a position too close to the steering wheel for a person to occupy the seat. Releasing the seat lock also deactivates the alarm switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Adolph J Campos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:07
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/014; B60R25/10; B60R25/1004; B60R25/1006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5889; Y10T70/5894; Y10T70/5996
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
336 words
In a motor vehicle including a rearwardly projecting steering wheel column provided with a steering wheel, longitudinally extending support means subjacent the steering wheel, an operator''s seat slidably mounted on said support means and being movable thereon to a forward position sufficiently close to the steering wheel as to prevent a person from occupying the seat, means to lock the seat in said forward position, means to disengage said locking means, tilt-responsive alarm means on the vehicle, and means to render said tilt-responsive alarm means inoperative responsive to the operation of said disengaging means, wherein said seat including an upstanding housing portion located at the intermediate portion of the forward margin of the seat, said locking means being at least in part located in said housing portion, wherein said tilt-responsive alarm means includes a gravity switch assembly in said housing portion including at least one pair of spaced stationary contacts and a tilt-responsive movable rigid conductive member engageable with said contacts when the vehicle is tilted, wherein the means to render the alarm means inoperative comprises a clamping element engageable with said conductive member and means to move said clamping element into engagement with the conductive member responsive to the operation of said disengaging means, wherein said gravity switch assembly comprises means defining a longitudinal arcuate upwardly concave conduit and said conductive member comprises a metal ball disposed for rolling movement in said conduit, said spaced contacts being spaced from the lowest portion of the conduit, wherein said clamping element comprises a vertically movable plunger located above said lowest portion and wherein the means to move the clamping element into engagement with the ball comprises link means interconnecting the plunger and the seat-locking means, and wherein the means defining said arcuate conduit comprises a block formed with a longitudinal arcuate upwardly concave bore, said ball being disposed in said bore, said block being formed with a vertical bore located above the lowest portion of the arcuate bore, said plunger being slidably mounted in said vertical bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
336 words
In a motor vehicle including a rearwardly projecting steering wheel column provided with a steering wheel, longitudinally extending support means subjacent the steering wheel, an operator''s seat slidably mounted on said support means and being movable thereon to a forward position sufficiently close to the steering wheel as to prevent a person from occupying the seat, means to lock the seat in said forward position, means to disengage said locking means, tilt-responsive alarm means on the vehicle, and means to render said tilt-responsive alarm means inoperative responsive to the operation of said disengaging means, wherein said seat including an upstanding housing portion located at the intermediate portion of the forward margin of the seat, said locking means being at least in part located in said housing portion, wherein said tilt-responsive alarm means includes a gravity switch assembly in said housing portion including at least one pair of spaced stationary contacts and a tilt-responsive movable rigid conductive member engageable with said contacts when the vehicle is tilted, wherein the means to render the alarm means inoperative comprises a clamping element engageable with said conductive member and means to move said clamping element into engagement with the conductive member responsive to the operation of said disengaging means, wherein said gravity switch assembly comprises means defining a longitudinal arcuate upwardly concave conduit and said conductive member comprises a metal ball disposed for rolling movement in said conduit, said spaced contacts being spaced from the lowest portion of the conduit, wherein said clamping element comprises a vertically movable plunger located above said lowest portion and wherein the means to move the clamping element into engagement with the ball comprises link means interconnecting the plunger and the seat-locking means, and wherein the means defining said arcuate conduit comprises a block formed with a longitudinal arcuate upwardly concave bore, said ball being disposed in said bore, said block being formed with a vertical bore located above the lowest portion of the arcuate bore, said plunger being slidably mounted in said vertical bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The motor vehicle of claim 1, and wherein said link means comprises an arm pivotally to said block and connected respectively at its opposite ends to said plunger and to said locking means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The motor vehicle of claim 1, and wherein said locking means cOmprises a vertically movable bolt member, said support means being formed with a locking aperture located to receive said bolt member when the seat is in said forward position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
The motor vehicle of claim 3, and wherein said upstanding housing portion includes a further block located adjacent the forward edge of the seat, said further block being formed with a vertical bore i in which said bolt member is slidably mounted, and key-operated means operatively coupled to said bolt member and having a key-receiving opening exposed at the forward edge of the seat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |