US3723967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Induction-keyed door-lock and power control circuit for automotive vehicles and the like
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
•
Filing: 1971-03-24
•
Granted: 1973-03-27
•
Expires: 1991-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A control circuit actuable by an inductive keying circuit, the inductor of which must be placed in a predetermined spatial relationship with the inductor in a tank circuit in the control circuit to effect keying. The energization and de-energization of a relay is thus controlled, and this relay in turn controls at least one door-unlocking solenoid. Circuitry is provided for automatically energizing each door-locking solenoid when the associated vehicle door is sequentially open and closed, and for manually energizing each of the locking and unlocking solenoids. Power control circuitry is also provided to prevent engine startup by an unauthorized person who has broken into the vehicle, to energize an alarm circuit in such event when the unauthorized person actuates the starting switch, and to enable engine startup by actuation of the starting switch within a predetermined length of time after an authorized person has unlccked the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 C Atkins
- 👤 P Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:54
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B77/00; E05B77/46; E05B77/48; B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/04; B60R25/10; B60R25/1001; B60R25/1018; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/00174; G07C9/00658; G07C9/00714
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A door-lock and power control circuit for an automotive vehicle, said control circuit comprising: 1. keyable circuit means normally operative to provide a first signal and operative in response to the coupling of a keying circuit thereto to provide a second signal; 2. door-lock control means associated with each vehicle door lock and operative to close the associated lock after the door has been opened and closed, with at least the first door lock control means being further operative to open the associated lock in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means; and 3. power control circuit means operative in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means to enable start-up of the vehicle engine upon the closing of a first switch within a predetermined period of time after termination of said second signal, and further operative to turn off the vehicle engine and actuate at least said first door lock control means to open the associated lock upon the closing of a second switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A door-lock and power control circuit for an automotive vehicle, said control circuit comprising: 1. keyable circuit means normally operative to provide a first signal and operative in response to the coupling of a keying circuit thereto to provide a second signal; 2. door-lock control means associated with each vehicle door lock and operative to close the associated lock after the door has been opened and closed, with at least the first door lock control means being further operative to open the associated lock in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means; and 3. power control circuit means operative in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means to enable start-up of the vehicle engine upon the closing of a first switch within a predetermined period of time after termination of said second signal, and further operative to turn off the vehicle engine and actuate at least said first door lock control means to open the associated lock upon the closing of a second switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
detection circuit means operative to convert said signal to a direct current signal;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
detection circuit means operative to convert said signal to a direct current signal;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said keyable circuit means comprises:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
a manually operable switch operative to enable selective energization of either said first solenoid or said second solenoid; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
a manually operable switch operative to enable selective energization of either said first solenoid or said second solenoid; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
a manually operable switch operative to enable selective energization of either said first solenoid or said second solenoid; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
a manually operable switch operative to enable selective energization of either said first solenoid or said second solenoid; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
a two-stage amplifier controlled by the output of said emitter-follower amplifier, said winding of said relay being connected in the final stage of said two-stage amplifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
a two-stage amplifier controlled by the output of said emitter-follower amplifier, said winding of said relay being connected in the final stage of said two-stage amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
an indicator circuit energizable by actuation of said first relay.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
an indicator circuit energizable by actuation of said first relay.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
switching means operative to close an energizing current path through said second solenoid in response to an output from said timing circuit means; and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
switching means operative to close an energizing current path through said second solenoid in response to an output from said timing circuit means; and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
latching circuit means operative to maintain the application of electrical power to the associated circuit after said first switch has been actuated during said predetermined period of time during which said enabling circuit means is actuated; and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
latching circuit means operative to maintain the application of electrical power to the associated circuit after said first switch has been actuated during said predetermined period of time during which said enabling circuit means is actuated; and
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
detection circuit means operative to convert said first and second signals to a direct current signal; and
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
detection circuit means operative to convert said first and second signals to a direct current signal; and
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
enabling circuit means operative in response to a predetermined input signal to enable application of electrical power to an associated circuit by actuating said first switch within a predetermined period of time after termination of said predetermined input signal;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
enabling circuit means operative in response to a predetermined input signal to enable application of electrical power to an associated circuit by actuating said first switch within a predetermined period of time after termination of said predetermined input signal;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
door-lock control means associated with each vehicle door lock and operative to close the associated lock after the door has been opened and closed, with at least the first door lock control means being further operative to open the associated lock in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means; and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
door-lock control means associated with each vehicle door lock and operative to close the associated lock after the door has been opened and closed, with at least the first door lock control means being further operative to open the associated lock in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means; and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
switching means operative to close an energizing current path through said second solenoid in response to an output from said timing circuit means; and
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
switching means operative to close an energizing current path through said second solenoid in response to an output from said timing circuit means; and
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
control circuit means operative to cause energization of said alarm means in the absence of any disabling signal;
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
control circuit means operative to cause energization of said alarm means in the absence of any disabling signal;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
a normally de-energized relay comprising an armature, at least one contact, and a winding, said winding being connected in the controlled current path of said transistor, said alarm means being connectable across a source of electric power by energization of said relay.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
a normally de-energized relay comprising an armature, at least one contact, and a winding, said winding being connected in the controlled current path of said transistor, said alarm means being connectable across a source of electric power by energization of said relay.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
relay means operative to delay energization of said second solenoid by said switching means until after said closed normally open switch is reopeNed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
relay means operative to delay energization of said second solenoid by said switching means until after said closed normally open switch is reopeNed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
amplifier circuit means operative to open or close a load current path in response to predetermined variations in said direct current signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
amplifier circuit means operative to open or close a load current path in response to predetermined variations in said direct current signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
a second switch operative when actuated to unlatch said latching circuit means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
a second switch operative when actuated to unlatch said latching circuit means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
relay means operative to delay energization of said second solenoid by said switching means until after said closed normally open switch is reopened.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
relay means operative to delay energization of said second solenoid by said switching means until after said closed normally open switch is reopened.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
circuit means including a normally open switch and operative, when said switch is sequentially closed and opened, momentarily to energize said second solenoid.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
circuit means including a normally open switch and operative, when said switch is sequentially closed and opened, momentarily to energize said second solenoid.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
circuit means including a normally open switch, and operative when said switch is sequentially closed and opened, to momentarily energize said second solenoid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
circuit means including a normally open switch, and operative when said switch is sequentially closed and opened, to momentarily energize said second solenoid.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
74 words
power control circuit means operative in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means to enable start-up of the vehicle engine upon the closing of a first switch within a predetermined period of time after termination of said second signal, and further operative to turn off the vehicle engine and actuate at least said first door lock control means to open the associated lock upon the closing of a second switch.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
74 words
power control circuit means operative in response to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means to enable start-up of the vehicle engine upon the closing of a first switch within a predetermined period of time after termination of said second signal, and further operative to turn off the vehicle engine and actuate at least said first door lock control means to open the associated lock upon the closing of a second switch.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
latching circuit means operative to maintain the application of electrical power to the associated circuit after said first switch has been actuated during said predetermined period of time during which said enabling circuit means is actuated; and
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
latching circuit means operative to maintain the application of electrical power to the associated circuit after said first switch has been actuated during said predetermined period of time during which said enabling circuit means is actuated; and
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
57 words
The control circuit according to claim 2 wherein the degree of oscillation in said tank circuit is controlled by a keying circuit comprising a second inductor and a second capacitor connected in parallel, said second inductor being selectably positioned in or removed from a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to said first inductor in said tank circuit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
first disabling circuit means normally operative to apply a disabling signal to said control circuit means through said first switch of said power control circuit when said first switch is unactuated; and
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
first disabling circuit means normally operative to apply a disabling signal to said control circuit means through said first switch of said power control circuit when said first switch is unactuated; and
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
amplifier circuit means operative to open or close a load current path in response to predetermined variations in said direct current signal; and
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
amplifier circuit means operative to open or close a load current path in response to predetermined variations in said direct current signal; and
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
34 words
a first relay comprising a winding, an armature, and a contact mounted in cooperative make-and-break relationship with said armature, said winding being connected in the load current path controlled by said amplifier circuit means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
a first relay comprising a winding, an armature, and a contact mounted in cooperative make-and-break relationship with said armature, said winding being connected in the load current path controlled by said amplifier circuit means.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
a second switch operative when actuated to unlatch said latching circuit means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
a second switch operative when actuated to unlatch said latching circuit means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
The control circuit according to claim 2 wherein said amplifier circuit means comprises:
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
second disabling circuit means normally operative to apply a disabling signal to said control circuit means from said enabling circuit means of said power control circuit in response to said predetermined input signal.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
second disabling circuit means normally operative to apply a disabling signal to said control circuit means from said enabling circuit means of said power control circuit in response to said predetermined input signal.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
9 words
The control circuit according to claim 2 further including:
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control circuit according to claim 1 wherein each of said door lock control means comprises:
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
The control circuit according to claim 6 wherein said circuit means comprises:
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control circuit according to claim 6 wherein at least said first door lock control means further includes a second relay operative to energize said first solenoid in resPonse to said second signal provided by said keyable circuit means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
34 words
The control circuit according to claim 8 wherein said second relay includes a winding connected in series with a blocking capacitor to enable only momentary energization of said relay means and said first solenoid.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The control circuit according to claim 1 wherein said power control circuit means comprises:
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
40 words
The control circuit according to claim 10 wherein said latching circuit means further comprises discharge circuit means operative to maintain said latching circuit in a latched condition for a predetermined period of time after said second switch has been actuated.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control circuit according to claim 10 wherein said second switch is further operative when actuated to actuate at least said first door lock control means.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
41 words
The control circuit according to claim 10 wherein said power control circuit means further comprises relay means actuated by said first switch and operative to disconnect accessory circuits from the power source during the period of actuation of said first switch.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
6 words
An inductively keyable control circuit comprising:
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
6 words
An inductively keyable control circuit comprising:
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
34 words
The keyable control circuit according to claim 14 further comprising a first relay connected to said load current path and energizable by the flow of a predetermined minimum current in said load current path.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
55 words
The keyable control circuit according to claim 14 wherein the degree of oscillation in said tank circuit is variable by a keying circuit comprising a second inductance and a second capacitance connected in parallel when said second inductance is positioned in a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to said first inductance in said tank circuit.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
5 words
A lock control circuit comprising:
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
5 words
A lock control circuit comprising:
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
13 words
The lock control circuit according to claim 17 wherein said circuit means comprises:
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
The lock control circuit according to claim 17 further including a switch operative to energize said first solenoid in response to a predetermined input signal.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
5 words
A power control circuit comprising:
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
5 words
A power control circuit comprising:
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
41 words
The power control circuit according to claim 20 wherein said latching circuit means further comprises discharge circuit means operative to maintain said latching circuit in a latched condition for a predetermined period of time after said second switch has been actuated.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
15 words
The power control circuit according to claim 20 in combination with an alarm circuit comprising:
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of a power control circuit and an alarm circuit according to claim 22 wherein said normally disabled control circuit means comprises:
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of a power control circuit and an alarm circuit according to claim 22 wherein said first and second disabling circuit means comprise first and second diodes, respectively.
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) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |