US4702094A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric Solenoid operation vehicle hood lock
Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri AG Germany
•
Filing: 1985-11-27
•
Granted: 1987-10-27
•
Expires: 2005-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A solenoid activated locking system primarily for hood and trunk manual release systems for vehicles. The solenoid is connected to a cable tied to the latch of a conventional hood or trunk release system. Unless activated, the solenoid prevents manual release of the trunk or hood lids to prevent access to the truck or engine compartment to someone who has obtained unauthorized access to the vehicle interior. The solenoid is automatically actuated for a preselected period of time whenever the ignition is turned on or off or when a reset switch is closed for more than a minimum and less than a maximum period of time. In addition, the solenoid is activated automatically during closure of the hood or trunk lid to permit secure engagement of the corresponding latch mechanism. An emergency release cable, hidden in an obscure location external of the vehicle, is provided for enabling manual release of the solenoid in the event of vehicle battery failure or other otherwise disabling event.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry O. Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:04
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B47/00; E05B47/06; E05B47/0603; E05B79/00; E05B79/10; E05B79/20; E05B47/0001; E05B47/0002; E05B47/0003; E05B47/0004; E05B81/00; E05B81/02; E05B81/04; E05B81/08; E05B83/00; E05B83/16; E05B83/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/14; Y10S292/25; Y10S292/42; Y10S292/43; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5889; Y10T70/5903; Y10T70/5907; Y10T70/5973; Y10T70/5978; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7051; Y10T70/7062; Y10T70/713
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In combination with a vehicle having a hood or trunk lid and an ignition switch, a solenoid activated locking system primarily for selectively enabling and disabling remote manual release devices in the vehicle permitting the opening of the hood or trunk lid by the release of a latch from the interior of the vehicle; the locking system comprising: a solenoid; means controlled by said solenoid for engaging said latch and selectively preventing and enabling activation of said latch by said manual release device; and means controlling said solenoid and responsive to limited access switching within said vehicle interior for selectively activating said solenoid; said solenoid controlling means comprising means responsive to each of the following events for activating said solenoid: (a) turning the ignition switch of said vehicle ON; (b) turning the ignition switch of said vehicle OFF; (c) activating said limited access switching means for a period of time greater than a selected minimum and less than selected maximum after said vehicle ignition switch has been turned ON for a selected minimum period of time; and (d) closing said lid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In combination with a vehicle having a hood or trunk lid and an ignition switch, a solenoid activated locking system primarily for selectively enabling and disabling remote manual release devices in the vehicle permitting the opening of the hood or trunk lid by the release of a latch from the interior of the vehicle; the locking system comprising: a solenoid; means controlled by said solenoid for engaging said latch and selectively preventing and enabling activation of said latch by said manual release device; and means controlling said solenoid and responsive to limited access switching within said vehicle interior for selectively activating said solenoid; said solenoid controlling means comprising means responsive to each of the following events for activating said solenoid: (a) turning the ignition switch of said vehicle ON; (b) turning the ignition switch of said vehicle OFF; (c) activating said limited access switching means for a period of time greater than a selected minimum and less than selected maximum after said vehicle ignition switch has been turned ON for a selected minimum period of time; and (d) closing said lid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The locking system recited in claim 1 further comprising means for manually releasing said solenoid in the event that said solenoid controlling means is non-operative.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The locking system recited in claim 1 wherein said solenoid controlled means comprises a cable interconnected to said latch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The locking system recited in claim 1 wherein said limited access switching comprises the ignition lock of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The locking system recited in claim 4 wherein said limited access switching further comprises a switch within said vehicle and having another principal switching function.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The locking system recited in claim 1 wherein said solenoid controlling means activates said solenoid for a preselected period of time before automatically deactivating said solenoid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The locking system recited in claim 1 wherein said solenoid controlling means comprises a logic circuit electrically interposed between said solenoid and said limited access switching.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2206137A
Cited
US2469283A
Cited
US3083562A
Cited
US3576119A
Cited
DE2116448A1
Cited
US3744285A
Cited
US3820361A
Cited
US3831408A
Cited
US4430685A
Cited
US4102164A
Cited
US4233642A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-26 | 1991-04-27 | 1991-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-04-27 | 1995-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-26 | 1999-04-27 | 1999-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |