US3792435A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile theft prevention alarm system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-05-30
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-05-30
Abstract
Abstract An automobile theft prevention alarm system having an externally mounted control switch operated by the automobile operator to activate the alarm system. The alarm system comprises a central relay connected in series to the automobile battery by the control switch and is adapted to be activated by any of a plurality of sensing switches strategically located throughout the automobile. The relay is, in turn, connected to one or more warning devices, such as the automobile lights and horn, and when activated by one of the sensing switches, such as by the unauthorized opening of a car door or hood, the resulting electrical connection through the relay activates the warning devices. Once the relay has been energized, the subsequent closing of a sensing switch will not deactivate the warning system. In one embodiment of the invention a time delay mechanism is employed to terminate the alarm system after a predetermined period of operation provided the sensing switches are open, that is provided the associated portion of the automobile is returned to a normal authorized position.
Inventors
- 👤 C Pace
- 👤 T Pace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:18
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/104; B60R2325/00; B60R2325/30; B60R2325/304; B60R25/1003; B60R25/1004; B60R25/1018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
339 words
An alarm system for indicating the unauthorized use of an automobile of the type having an engine, a battery operated ignition system, externally mounted driving lights, a horn and electrically operated switching means for selectively connecting the battery to the lights and horn, said alarm system comprising: an externally mounted switching means operable to activate said alarm system; an electromagnetic relay electrically connected to said external switch; a plurality of sensing switches electrically connected in parallel, each associated with a selected portion of said vehicle and adapted to become operative when their associated vehicle portion is used, while said externally mounted switching means is operable; a first circuit comprising said automobile battery connected in series with the power input of said relay through said externally mounted switching means when the same is operable, said relay having a power output electrically connected to said sensing switches such that said relay becomes activated when one of said sensing switches becomes operable; and said activated relay forming a second circuit connecting said battery with said automobile lights and horn, said relay remaining in said actuated state irrespective of the operating mode of said sensing switches, after said relay has been activated by one of said sensing switches, said relay comprising a power coil having a power input and a power output respectively electrically connected in series through said externally mounted switch to said battery and said sensing switches such that said power output end of said coil is grounded when one of said sensing switches is closed, said relay having first and second armatures, each connected to said power input end of said relay and respectively electrically connected to said lights and horn when one of said sensing switches is closed to ground said power coil, a third armature of said relay being electrically connected to said power output end of said coil and adapted to ground same when said coil is activated by said sensing switches, such that said relay remains activated irrespective of the operating modes of said sensing switches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
339 words
An alarm system for indicating the unauthorized use of an automobile of the type having an engine, a battery operated ignition system, externally mounted driving lights, a horn and electrically operated switching means for selectively connecting the battery to the lights and horn, said alarm system comprising: an externally mounted switching means operable to activate said alarm system; an electromagnetic relay electrically connected to said external switch; a plurality of sensing switches electrically connected in parallel, each associated with a selected portion of said vehicle and adapted to become operative when their associated vehicle portion is used, while said externally mounted switching means is operable; a first circuit comprising said automobile battery connected in series with the power input of said relay through said externally mounted switching means when the same is operable, said relay having a power output electrically connected to said sensing switches such that said relay becomes activated when one of said sensing switches becomes operable; and said activated relay forming a second circuit connecting said battery with said automobile lights and horn, said relay remaining in said actuated state irrespective of the operating mode of said sensing switches, after said relay has been activated by one of said sensing switches, said relay comprising a power coil having a power input and a power output respectively electrically connected in series through said externally mounted switch to said battery and said sensing switches such that said power output end of said coil is grounded when one of said sensing switches is closed, said relay having first and second armatures, each connected to said power input end of said relay and respectively electrically connected to said lights and horn when one of said sensing switches is closed to ground said power coil, a third armature of said relay being electrically connected to said power output end of said coil and adapted to ground same when said coil is activated by said sensing switches, such that said relay remains activated irrespective of the operating modes of said sensing switches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The alarm system defined in claim 1, further comprising second sensing switches operable upon opening of the doors of said automobile, said second sensing switches being connected directly to said power output end of said relay coil and adapted to activate said relay upon opening of one of said doors when said switching means is operable, said alarm system remaining activated after said doors are closed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
273 words
An alarm system for indicating the unauthorized use of an automobile of the type having an engine, a battery operated ignition system, externally mounted driving lights, a horn and electrically operated switching means for selectively connecting the battery to the lights and horn, said alarm system comprising: an externally mounted switching means operable to activate said alarm system; an electromagnetic relay electrically connected to said external switch; a plurality of sensing switches electrically connected in parallel, each associated with a selected portion of said vehicle and adapted to become operative when their associated vehicle portion is used, while said externally mounted switching means is operable; a first circuit comprising said automobile battery connected in series with the power input of said relay through said externally mounted switching means when the same is operable, said relay having a power output electrically connected to said sensing switches such that said relay becomes activated when one of said sensing switches becomes operable; said activated relay forming a second circuit connecting said battery with said automobile lights and horn, said relay remaining in said actuated state irrespective of the operating mode of said sensing switches, after said relay has been activated by one of said sensing switches; and first and second switching means connected in series with the ignition coil of said ignition system and adapted to ground said ignition coil when said first and second switching means are operable, said first switching means being manually operated by the vehicle operator, said second switching means being operated by the shifting mechanism of said automobile and being inoperative in a neutral position and operative in a non-neutral position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
273 words
An alarm system for indicating the unauthorized use of an automobile of the type having an engine, a battery operated ignition system, externally mounted driving lights, a horn and electrically operated switching means for selectively connecting the battery to the lights and horn, said alarm system comprising: an externally mounted switching means operable to activate said alarm system; an electromagnetic relay electrically connected to said external switch; a plurality of sensing switches electrically connected in parallel, each associated with a selected portion of said vehicle and adapted to become operative when their associated vehicle portion is used, while said externally mounted switching means is operable; a first circuit comprising said automobile battery connected in series with the power input of said relay through said externally mounted switching means when the same is operable, said relay having a power output electrically connected to said sensing switches such that said relay becomes activated when one of said sensing switches becomes operable; said activated relay forming a second circuit connecting said battery with said automobile lights and horn, said relay remaining in said actuated state irrespective of the operating mode of said sensing switches, after said relay has been activated by one of said sensing switches; and first and second switching means connected in series with the ignition coil of said ignition system and adapted to ground said ignition coil when said first and second switching means are operable, said first switching means being manually operated by the vehicle operator, said second switching means being operated by the shifting mechanism of said automobile and being inoperative in a neutral position and operative in a non-neutral position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The alarm system defined in claim 3, further comprising a time delay switch electrically connected in series in said first circuit and adapted to momentarily electrically disconnect said relay and said battery after a predetermined time after said relay is initially activated by one of said sensing means, said relay remaining in a de-activated state if said sensing switches are inoperative after said time delay switch momentarily disconnects said relay and said battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
The alarm system defined in claim 1, further comprising a time delay switch electrically connected in series with said power input of said coil in said first circuit and adapted to momentarily electrically disconnect said relay coil and said battery after a predetermined time after said coil is activated by the closing of one of said sensing switches, said relay remaining in a de-activated state if said sensing switches are open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The alarm system defined in claim 1, wherein said sensing switches comprise a plurality of mercury switches adapted to close said first circuit and activate said relay, said mercury switches being associated with the automobile doors, trunk lid, motor hood and becoming operable when said automobile portions are opened.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The alarm system defined in claim 6 wherein mercury switches are associated with portions of the automobile and are activated when the automobile is inclined beyond a predetermined amount.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |