US20050174221A1 - Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit - Google Patents
Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050174221A1 US20050174221A1 US11/099,024 US9902405A US2005174221A1 US 20050174221 A1 US20050174221 A1 US 20050174221A1 US 9902405 A US9902405 A US 9902405A US 2005174221 A1 US2005174221 A1 US 2005174221A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- protective
- alarm unit
- vehicle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
- B60R25/10—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles actuating a signalling device
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62H—CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES
- B62H5/00—Appliances preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of cycles; Locks integral with cycles
- B62H5/20—Appliances preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of cycles; Locks integral with cycles indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J19/00—Parking covers for cycles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R2325/00—Indexing scheme relating to vehicle anti-theft devices
- B60R2325/30—Vehicles applying the vehicle anti-theft devices
- B60R2325/304—Boats
Definitions
- This invention relates to vehicle security systems, and more particularly, to a vehicle security system including a protective cover incorporating an alarm unit.
- protective covers can be made from canvas or other materials and may cover substantially the entire vehicle when the vehicle is an automobile or motorcycle, or only an exposed area of the vehicle when the vehicle is a boat.
- Protective covers typically are held in place with an elastic shock cord that extends along the periphery of the cover for automobile or motorcycle covers, or by snaps for boat covers. Consequently, protective covers do little to deter an intruder from removing the protective cover and taking the cover or the vehicle or its contents.
- protective covers that include a security system have been proposed for producing an alarm indication to alert the owner of an intrusion, to scare a would-be thief away from the vehicle, and/or to alert others in the area that an attempted break-in is occurring.
- Many arrangements for detecting the movement or removal of a protective cover from a vehicle have been developed in the prior art.
- these systems employ switches that are attached to the vehicle and operated in response to movement or removal of the protective cover.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,615, issued to Wilber discloses an alarm system for detecting movement of a protective cover for a boat.
- the alarm system includes a plurality of spring-biased switches that are mounted within the boat. Each switch is held in an open condition by a split edge clamp member to which is attached a cord. The cord, in turn, is attached to the protective cover when the cover is deployed over the boat. When the switch has been coupled to the protective cover by the cord, moving the protective cover pulls on the cord which, in turn, pulls the clamp member from the spring-biased switch. The switch then closes and activates an alarm device.
- This alarm system requires attachment of a plurality of brackets to the boat. Also, the alarm system requires a wire loop that extends around the periphery of the boat and all of the switches must be connected to this loop. Deploying the protective cover requires the user to reach beneath the cover and secure each cord to the cover.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,025, issued to Ross, Sr. discloses a vehicle cover alarm apparatus including a spring-biased switch for operating an alarm in response to removal of a protective cover from a vehicle.
- the switch is maintained in the open condition by a cable which extends through a hole in the side of the vehicle and is removably attached by a clip to the deployed protective cover on the outside of the vehicle. Removing the cover releases the clip, allowing the spring-biased switch to activate an alarm device.
- the switch is mounted on the inside of the vehicle, an undesirable hole must be drilled through the vehicle for the cable to pass through.
- this alarm apparatus requires attachment of brackets to the vehicle.
- this alarm apparatus is only capable of being used with vehicles which already have an alarm system.
- the present invention provides a protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system.
- the protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system includes a protective cover having an inner surface and an outer surface and which is adapted to cover substantially all portions of a vehicle and at least one alarm unit removably affixed to said protective cover.
- An actuator cable has a first end removably coupled to the alarm unit and a second end removably coupled to the vehicle with the actuator cable untensioned. The alarm unit is triggered upon tensioning of the actuator cable by movement of the protective cover relative to the vehicle.
- the alarm unit is a battery-operated alarm unit that is attached to the inner surface of the cover.
- the actuator is contained within the cover and removably couples a switch actuator of the alarm unit to the vehicle for operating a switch to activate the alarm unit producing an audible alarm.
- the cable is removably connected to a fixed portion of the motorcycle, and the alarm unit is contained within a pocket on the inner surface of the protective cover in the proximity of the point of attachment to motorcycle.
- a method of protecting a vehicle includes the steps of providing a protective cover, said protective cover adapted to cover substantially all portions of a vehicle; removably affixing the alarm unit to the protective cover; positioning the protective cover over substantially all portions of the vehicle; and arming the alarm unit by coupling an actuator of the alarm unit to the vehicle by an actuator cable with the actuator cable untensioned, wherein the alarm unit is triggered upon movement of the protective cover relative to the vehicle.
- FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle including a security system including a protective cover incorporating an alarm unit in accordance with the invention
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a wheel of the motorcycle shown in FIG. 1 and showing the connection of the distal end of an actuator cable of the alarm unit to a wheel of the motorcycle;
- FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the inside of the protective cover and showing the alarm unit prior to being inserted into a pocket on an inner surface of the protective cover;
- FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 with the alarm unit contained within the pocket and with the pocket shown partially broken away to show the cable extending out of the pocket;
- FIG. 5 is a view of the inside of the protective cover, showing a plurality of pockets for receiving one or more alarm units;
- FIG. 6 is a plan view of the alarm unit.
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components of the alarm unit, and with a remote arming unit shown in phantom.
- the security system of the present invention includes a protective cover 12 which is deployed on a vehicle 14 , such as a motorcycle, and an alarm unit 16 which is located within the protective cover.
- the alarm unit 16 can be a battery-operated unit that is removably fixed to the protective cover 12 and is coupled to the vehicle, such that the alarm unit is activated if the protective cover is moved or if an attempt is made to remove the protective cover from the vehicle.
- the security system is described with reference to an application for a motorcycle.
- the protective cover can be configured in accordance with the application to fit around any vehicle, including automobiles, boats, and other types of cycles, including mopeds, scooters or bicycles, for example.
- the protective cover 12 is shaped to fit over and around the motorcycle.
- the protective cover has a closed top portion 20 , a left side 22 , a right side (not shown) and an open bottom 26 .
- the bottom 26 can be drawn around the lower portion of the motorcycle by an elastic shock cord passing through grommets (not shown) in the manner known in the art.
- the protective cover 12 is made of two materials, with the upper portion, indicated by reference number 28 , being of a weather proof material, and the lower portion, indicated by reference number 30 , which is located where the protective cover 12 may come into contact with the engine while the engine is hot, being of a heat resistant material.
- the upper portion 28 of the protective cover 12 can be of a solution dried polyester material, and the lower portion 30 of the protective cover 12 can be of aluminized cotton material.
- the protective cover 12 can be a one-piece member of a single material, and can be of canvas, or other materials.
- the alarm unit 16 is located within the protective cover 12 and has an actuator that is coupled to the motorcycle.
- the alarm unit 16 includes a sonic transducer for emitting a loud tone when the alarm unit is activated.
- the alarm unit is located close to the point at which the alarm unit is coupled to the motorcycle 14 .
- the alarm unit 16 is a tether-switch type alarm apparatus.
- the alarm unit 16 can be coupled, by a cable 18 , to any fixed or rigid part of the motorcycle, such as a wheel or a portion of the frame, for example.
- the cable is removably attached to the motorcycle wheel that is closest to the location of the pocket containing the alarm unit 16 .
- the alarm unit 16 is located near the rear wheel 15 of the motorcycle, and accordingly, the cable 18 is attached to the rear wheel 15 . While attachment to a motorcycle wheel is preferred because of its relatively low position on the motorcycle, it is apparent that the distal end of the cable can be attached to the motorcycle at other locations such that the distal end of the cable remains fixed in position and does not move when the protective cover 12 is moved relative to the motorcycle, allowing the cable to become sufficiently tensioned to activate the alarm.
- the alarm unit attached to the protective cover 12 can be coupled to fixed or rigid part of the vehicle such that the distal end of the cable remains fixed in position when the protective cover 12 is moved relative to the vehicle.
- the proximal end of the cable 18 is attached to a plunger actuator 32 extending out of the alarm unit.
- the distal end of the cable includes a removable connector 34 , such as a swivel eye bolt snap, which permits removable attachment of the cable 18 to the wheel 15 .
- the distal end of cable 18 can be attached to any portion of the wheel 15 , (or to the front wheel 17 ).
- the eye bolt snap 34 can be connected to any suitable surface of the motorcycle wheel 15 , such as a lug 19 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the cable 18 can be braided to provide resistance against cutting by an individual attempting to compromise the alarm system or tampering with the motorcycle and/or the protective cover 12 .
- the length of the cable 18 is such that the cable 18 can reach from the alarm unit 16 to the wheel 15 without being tensioned, and such that minimum movement of the protective cover 12 is required to set off an alarm.
- the alarm unit 16 is contained within a pocket 40 which is attached to the inner surface 44 of the protective cover 12 .
- the pocket 40 has an open upper end 48 which can be closed by a sealing edge 50 as shown, or by a flap which folds over the open upper end 48 of the pocket.
- the sealing edge 50 , or flap can be maintained in a closed position by hook and loop fastener, for example, indicated generally at 52 , or by other means. This allows the pocket to be opened so that the alarm unit 16 can be removed from the protective cover 12 when protection is not required, to replace the battery, or for any other reason.
- the pocket can be open at the top, or can have a different closure configuration, such as one that does not include a flap that folds over the open upper end 48 of the pocket.
- the pocket can comprise a single layer of material that is sewn to the protective cover 12 along both sides and the bottom to form the pocket, this embodiment being open at the top or having a closing flap, for example.
- One lower corner 54 of the pocket 40 has an opening 56 through which passes the cable 18 and/or the plunger actuator 32 to which the cable 18 is attached. However, the opening is small enough to prevent the alarm unit from being pulled through the opening.
- the pocket 40 is attached to the inner surface of the protective cover 12 , preferably, by being sewn to the protective cover 12 .
- the two materials 28 and 30 , or components, which make up the protective cover 12 are sewn together at a seam 38 .
- the pocket 40 preferably is sewn to the cover at the seam 38 , and can be attached to the cover at the same time that the two components of the cover are being sewn together.
- the pocket can include a plurality of perforations 46 to minimize attenuation of the audible signal by the material of the protective cover 12 .
- the protective cover 12 includes four pockets 40 - 43 .
- Two of the pockets 40 and 41 are located near the rear wheel 15 of the motorcycle 14 on opposite sides of the motorcycle.
- the other two pockets 42 and 43 are located near the front wheel 17 of the motorcycle 14 on opposite sides of the motorcycle.
- the alarm unit 16 can be placed in any one of the pockets 40 - 43 and attached to the adjacent wheel.
- the alarm system can include four alarm units, one in each of the pockets 40 - 43 .
- the alarm unit 16 includes an alarm circuit 60 , a switch 62 , a transducer 64 , and a battery 66 .
- the components of the alarm unit are contained within a housing 68 which contains the components of the alarm unit.
- the spring loaded plunger actuator 32 extends through an opening 70 in the housing 68 .
- the plunger actuator 32 is spring-biased to an unoperated position. Moving the plunger actuator 32 in the direction of the arrow 72 , operates the switch 62 , activating the alarm unit.
- the transducer 64 can produce an alarm at a 130 db sound level.
- the protective cover 12 to deploy the protective cover 12 , the protective cover 12 , unfolded and with the alarm unit 16 contained within one of the pockets, such as pocket 40 , is arranged and positioned on the motorcycle 14 .
- the owner or operator connects the plunger actuator 32 to the wheel 15 , by connecting the distal end of the cable 18 to the wheel.
- the operator of the motorcycle lifts the protective cover 12 near the wheel 15 and positions the distal end of the cable 18 at the wheel 15 and attaches the eye bolt snap 34 to the lug 19 on the wheel.
- the proximal end of the cable 18 is fixed to the protective cover 12 , by virtue of the alarm unit being contained within the pocket 40 , and the distal end of the cable 18 is fixed to the motorcycle.
- the cable 18 is sufficiently long to reach from the pocket to the mounting point on the motorcycle wheel, or other fixed point on the motorcycle, but the cable 18 does not have to be tensioned.
- the cable 18 does not have to be tensioned.
- there can be some slack in the cable 18 such that the protective cover 12 has to be moved about one-quarter inch to about an inch before the cable 18 is tensioned and further movement of the cover will result in the alarm being sounded.
- the amount of slack is related, for example, to the size of the motorcycle on which the cover is deployed. For a smaller motorcycle, the alarm unit will be located closer to the point of attachment, such as a wheel, and so there will be more slack in the cable 18 .
- the operator After the operator attaches the eye bolt snap 34 onto the lug on the wheel 15 , the operator releases the protective cover 12 , allowing the protective cover 12 to fall around the lower portion of the motorcycle, as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the protective cover 12 conceals the distal end of the cable 18 where it is connected to the wheel 15 . Because the plunger actuator 32 is spring-biased, it resists activating the alarm for slight movement of the protective cover 12 unless the protective cover 12 is moved during an attempt to remove the cover.
- the operator When the operator subsequently wishes to remove the cover for any reason, such as to use the motorcycle, the operator carefully reaches under the protective cover 12 and disconnects the swivel eye bolt snap 34 from the wheel 15 , thereby disconnecting the plunger actuator 32 from the motorcycle, effectively disarming the alarm unit, to allow the operator to remove the protective cover 12 without sounding the alarm.
- an intruder attempting to remove the protective cover 12 will not be aware of the presence of the alarm unit 16 within the protective cover 12 or its connection to the motorcycle. Thus, typically an intruder will lift the protective cover 12 , at any point along the extent of the motorcycle. As the protective cover 12 is moved relative to the motorcycle, the alarm unit 12 also is moved with the protective cover 12 relative to the motorcycle wheel 15 so that the plunger actuator 32 will be drawn out of the housing, in the direction of arrow 72 ( FIG. 6 ) operating the switch 62 ( FIG. 7 ). Referring also to FIG. 7 , when the switch 62 is operated, the alarm circuit 60 is activated, causing the transducer 64 to produce an audible alarm.
- the alarm circuit 60 can include a reset circuit 74 , including a timer 76 , that deactivates the alarm circuit after a preset interval of time.
- the reset circuit 74 can cause the alarm circuit 60 to momentarily deactivate the alarm circuit after a given interval of time, perform a test to determine if the switch 62 has reopened, and if so, rearm the alarm circuit 60 .
- the reset circuit 74 can reactivate the alarm circuit 60 so that the audible alarm is again sounded.
- the duration of the time interval can be about two minutes.
- the alarm circuit 60 can include a manual reset mechanism so the alarm continues to sound until the alarm circuit is reset manually.
- the alarm unit 16 can be armed remotely.
- This embodiment includes a transponder 80 mounted within the housing 68 .
- the transponder 80 is activated by a signal transmitted by a portable hand-held remote unit 82 in response to operation by the operator of an “arm” switch 84 on the hand-held unit 82 .
- the hand-held unit can be battery operated, for example.
- the transponder 80 responds to the arming signal to cause the alarm unit to the arm the alarm circuit 60 .
- the alarm circuit 60 can cause the transponder 80 to return a signal to the hand-held unit 82 to flash an indicator, and/or activate the alarm transducer 64 , or a separate transducer, momentarily, to produce a “chirping” sound, to indicate successful arming of the alarm unit 16 .
- the operator can operate a “disarm” switch 86 on the hand-held unit 82 to cause the alarm circuit 60 to be deactivated.
- a response can be sent to the hand-held unit 82 to indicate that the alarm unit 16 has been deactivated.
- the hand-held control 82 can be used to activate the alarm unit 16 remotely by operating a panic switch 88 on the hand-held unit 82 to produce the audible alarm.
Abstract
A vehicle security system includes a protective cover incorporating a battery operated alarm unit contained within a pocket that is attached to the inner surface of the cover. A cable contained within the cover removably connects a switch actuating plunger of the alarm unit to the vehicle for operating a switch to activate the alarm unit, producing an audible alarm in the event an intruder attempts to remove the cover from the vehicle.
Description
- This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/367,483 which was filed on Feb. 14, 2003, which claims priority of U.S. provisional application No. 60/357,231, which was filed on Feb. 15, 2002.
- This invention relates to vehicle security systems, and more particularly, to a vehicle security system including a protective cover incorporating an alarm unit.
- Many vehicle owners use a protective cover to protect their vehicle when the vehicle is not being used and as a deterrent to theft of the vehicle and its contents. Protective covers can be made from canvas or other materials and may cover substantially the entire vehicle when the vehicle is an automobile or motorcycle, or only an exposed area of the vehicle when the vehicle is a boat. Protective covers typically are held in place with an elastic shock cord that extends along the periphery of the cover for automobile or motorcycle covers, or by snaps for boat covers. Consequently, protective covers do little to deter an intruder from removing the protective cover and taking the cover or the vehicle or its contents.
- Accordingly, protective covers that include a security system have been proposed for producing an alarm indication to alert the owner of an intrusion, to scare a would-be thief away from the vehicle, and/or to alert others in the area that an attempted break-in is occurring. Many arrangements for detecting the movement or removal of a protective cover from a vehicle have been developed in the prior art. Typically, these systems employ switches that are attached to the vehicle and operated in response to movement or removal of the protective cover.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,615, issued to Wilber, discloses an alarm system for detecting movement of a protective cover for a boat. The alarm system includes a plurality of spring-biased switches that are mounted within the boat. Each switch is held in an open condition by a split edge clamp member to which is attached a cord. The cord, in turn, is attached to the protective cover when the cover is deployed over the boat. When the switch has been coupled to the protective cover by the cord, moving the protective cover pulls on the cord which, in turn, pulls the clamp member from the spring-biased switch. The switch then closes and activates an alarm device. This alarm system requires attachment of a plurality of brackets to the boat. Also, the alarm system requires a wire loop that extends around the periphery of the boat and all of the switches must be connected to this loop. Deploying the protective cover requires the user to reach beneath the cover and secure each cord to the cover.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,025, issued to Ross, Sr., discloses a vehicle cover alarm apparatus including a spring-biased switch for operating an alarm in response to removal of a protective cover from a vehicle. The switch is maintained in the open condition by a cable which extends through a hole in the side of the vehicle and is removably attached by a clip to the deployed protective cover on the outside of the vehicle. Removing the cover releases the clip, allowing the spring-biased switch to activate an alarm device. Because the switch is mounted on the inside of the vehicle, an undesirable hole must be drilled through the vehicle for the cable to pass through. In addition, this alarm apparatus requires attachment of brackets to the vehicle. Moreover, this alarm apparatus is only capable of being used with vehicles which already have an alarm system.
- The present invention provides a protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system includes a protective cover having an inner surface and an outer surface and which is adapted to cover substantially all portions of a vehicle and at least one alarm unit removably affixed to said protective cover. An actuator cable has a first end removably coupled to the alarm unit and a second end removably coupled to the vehicle with the actuator cable untensioned. The alarm unit is triggered upon tensioning of the actuator cable by movement of the protective cover relative to the vehicle.
- In one embodiment, the alarm unit is a battery-operated alarm unit that is attached to the inner surface of the cover. The actuator is contained within the cover and removably couples a switch actuator of the alarm unit to the vehicle for operating a switch to activate the alarm unit producing an audible alarm. In an application for protecting a motorcycle, the cable is removably connected to a fixed portion of the motorcycle, and the alarm unit is contained within a pocket on the inner surface of the protective cover in the proximity of the point of attachment to motorcycle.
- In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of protecting a vehicle. The method includes the steps of providing a protective cover, said protective cover adapted to cover substantially all portions of a vehicle; removably affixing the alarm unit to the protective cover; positioning the protective cover over substantially all portions of the vehicle; and arming the alarm unit by coupling an actuator of the alarm unit to the vehicle by an actuator cable with the actuator cable untensioned, wherein the alarm unit is triggered upon movement of the protective cover relative to the vehicle.
- The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
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FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle including a security system including a protective cover incorporating an alarm unit in accordance with the invention; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a wheel of the motorcycle shown inFIG. 1 and showing the connection of the distal end of an actuator cable of the alarm unit to a wheel of the motorcycle; -
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the inside of the protective cover and showing the alarm unit prior to being inserted into a pocket on an inner surface of the protective cover; -
FIG. 4 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 3 with the alarm unit contained within the pocket and with the pocket shown partially broken away to show the cable extending out of the pocket; -
FIG. 5 is a view of the inside of the protective cover, showing a plurality of pockets for receiving one or more alarm units; -
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the alarm unit; and -
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of components of the alarm unit, and with a remote arming unit shown in phantom. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , the security system of the present invention includes aprotective cover 12 which is deployed on avehicle 14, such as a motorcycle, and analarm unit 16 which is located within the protective cover. In one embodiment, thealarm unit 16 can be a battery-operated unit that is removably fixed to theprotective cover 12 and is coupled to the vehicle, such that the alarm unit is activated if the protective cover is moved or if an attempt is made to remove the protective cover from the vehicle. For purposes of illustration of the invention, the security system is described with reference to an application for a motorcycle. However, the protective cover can be configured in accordance with the application to fit around any vehicle, including automobiles, boats, and other types of cycles, including mopeds, scooters or bicycles, for example. - The
protective cover 12 is shaped to fit over and around the motorcycle. The protective cover has a closedtop portion 20, aleft side 22, a right side (not shown) and anopen bottom 26. Thebottom 26 can be drawn around the lower portion of the motorcycle by an elastic shock cord passing through grommets (not shown) in the manner known in the art. In one embodiment, theprotective cover 12 is made of two materials, with the upper portion, indicated byreference number 28, being of a weather proof material, and the lower portion, indicated byreference number 30, which is located where theprotective cover 12 may come into contact with the engine while the engine is hot, being of a heat resistant material. In one preferred embodiment, theupper portion 28 of theprotective cover 12 can be of a solution dried polyester material, and thelower portion 30 of theprotective cover 12 can be of aluminized cotton material. However, theprotective cover 12 can be a one-piece member of a single material, and can be of canvas, or other materials. - Referring also to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thealarm unit 16 is located within theprotective cover 12 and has an actuator that is coupled to the motorcycle. Thealarm unit 16 includes a sonic transducer for emitting a loud tone when the alarm unit is activated. The alarm unit is located close to the point at which the alarm unit is coupled to themotorcycle 14. In one embodiment, thealarm unit 16 is a tether-switch type alarm apparatus. Thealarm unit 16 can be coupled, by acable 18, to any fixed or rigid part of the motorcycle, such as a wheel or a portion of the frame, for example. In one embodiment, the cable is removably attached to the motorcycle wheel that is closest to the location of the pocket containing thealarm unit 16. For the motorcycle illustrated inFIG. 1 , thealarm unit 16 is located near therear wheel 15 of the motorcycle, and accordingly, thecable 18 is attached to therear wheel 15. While attachment to a motorcycle wheel is preferred because of its relatively low position on the motorcycle, it is apparent that the distal end of the cable can be attached to the motorcycle at other locations such that the distal end of the cable remains fixed in position and does not move when theprotective cover 12 is moved relative to the motorcycle, allowing the cable to become sufficiently tensioned to activate the alarm. For other vehicles, the alarm unit attached to theprotective cover 12 can be coupled to fixed or rigid part of the vehicle such that the distal end of the cable remains fixed in position when theprotective cover 12 is moved relative to the vehicle. - The proximal end of the
cable 18 is attached to aplunger actuator 32 extending out of the alarm unit. The distal end of the cable includes aremovable connector 34, such as a swivel eye bolt snap, which permits removable attachment of thecable 18 to thewheel 15. The distal end ofcable 18 can be attached to any portion of thewheel 15, (or to the front wheel 17). In one embodiment, theeye bolt snap 34 can be connected to any suitable surface of themotorcycle wheel 15, such as alug 19, as shown inFIG. 2 . Thecable 18 can be braided to provide resistance against cutting by an individual attempting to compromise the alarm system or tampering with the motorcycle and/or theprotective cover 12. The length of thecable 18 is such that thecable 18 can reach from thealarm unit 16 to thewheel 15 without being tensioned, and such that minimum movement of theprotective cover 12 is required to set off an alarm. - Referring to
FIGS. 1-4 , thealarm unit 16 is contained within apocket 40 which is attached to theinner surface 44 of theprotective cover 12. One or more of the sides and/or bottom of thepocket 40 can be free from or attached to theprotective cover 12. In one embodiment, thepocket 40 has an openupper end 48 which can be closed by a sealingedge 50 as shown, or by a flap which folds over the openupper end 48 of the pocket. The sealingedge 50, or flap, can be maintained in a closed position by hook and loop fastener, for example, indicated generally at 52, or by other means. This allows the pocket to be opened so that thealarm unit 16 can be removed from theprotective cover 12 when protection is not required, to replace the battery, or for any other reason. Moreover, the pocket can be open at the top, or can have a different closure configuration, such as one that does not include a flap that folds over the openupper end 48 of the pocket. In addition, the pocket can comprise a single layer of material that is sewn to theprotective cover 12 along both sides and the bottom to form the pocket, this embodiment being open at the top or having a closing flap, for example. Onelower corner 54 of thepocket 40 has anopening 56 through which passes thecable 18 and/or theplunger actuator 32 to which thecable 18 is attached. However, the opening is small enough to prevent the alarm unit from being pulled through the opening. - In one embodiment, the
pocket 40 is attached to the inner surface of theprotective cover 12, preferably, by being sewn to theprotective cover 12. The twomaterials protective cover 12, are sewn together at aseam 38. In one embodiment, thepocket 40 preferably is sewn to the cover at theseam 38, and can be attached to the cover at the same time that the two components of the cover are being sewn together. The pocket can include a plurality ofperforations 46 to minimize attenuation of the audible signal by the material of theprotective cover 12. - Referring also to the
FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, theprotective cover 12 includes four pockets 40-43. Two of thepockets 40 and 41 are located near therear wheel 15 of themotorcycle 14 on opposite sides of the motorcycle. The other twopockets front wheel 17 of themotorcycle 14 on opposite sides of the motorcycle. Thealarm unit 16 can be placed in any one of the pockets 40-43 and attached to the adjacent wheel. In a further embodiment, the alarm system can include four alarm units, one in each of the pockets 40-43. - Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 7 , thealarm unit 16 includes analarm circuit 60, aswitch 62, atransducer 64, and abattery 66. The components of the alarm unit are contained within ahousing 68 which contains the components of the alarm unit. The spring loadedplunger actuator 32 extends through an opening 70 in thehousing 68. Theplunger actuator 32 is spring-biased to an unoperated position. Moving theplunger actuator 32 in the direction of thearrow 72, operates theswitch 62, activating the alarm unit. Thetransducer 64 can produce an alarm at a 130 db sound level. - Referring to
FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, to deploy theprotective cover 12, theprotective cover 12, unfolded and with thealarm unit 16 contained within one of the pockets, such aspocket 40, is arranged and positioned on themotorcycle 14. To arm thealarm unit 16, the owner or operator connects theplunger actuator 32 to thewheel 15, by connecting the distal end of thecable 18 to the wheel. The operator of the motorcycle lifts theprotective cover 12 near thewheel 15 and positions the distal end of thecable 18 at thewheel 15 and attaches theeye bolt snap 34 to thelug 19 on the wheel. Thus, the proximal end of thecable 18 is fixed to theprotective cover 12, by virtue of the alarm unit being contained within thepocket 40, and the distal end of thecable 18 is fixed to the motorcycle. - The
cable 18 is sufficiently long to reach from the pocket to the mounting point on the motorcycle wheel, or other fixed point on the motorcycle, but thecable 18 does not have to be tensioned. For example, preferably there can be some slack in thecable 18, such that theprotective cover 12 has to be moved about one-quarter inch to about an inch before thecable 18 is tensioned and further movement of the cover will result in the alarm being sounded. The amount of slack is related, for example, to the size of the motorcycle on which the cover is deployed. For a smaller motorcycle, the alarm unit will be located closer to the point of attachment, such as a wheel, and so there will be more slack in thecable 18. - After the operator attaches the
eye bolt snap 34 onto the lug on thewheel 15, the operator releases theprotective cover 12, allowing theprotective cover 12 to fall around the lower portion of the motorcycle, as shown inFIG. 1 . Theprotective cover 12 conceals the distal end of thecable 18 where it is connected to thewheel 15. Because theplunger actuator 32 is spring-biased, it resists activating the alarm for slight movement of theprotective cover 12 unless theprotective cover 12 is moved during an attempt to remove the cover. - When the operator subsequently wishes to remove the cover for any reason, such as to use the motorcycle, the operator carefully reaches under the
protective cover 12 and disconnects the swiveleye bolt snap 34 from thewheel 15, thereby disconnecting theplunger actuator 32 from the motorcycle, effectively disarming the alarm unit, to allow the operator to remove theprotective cover 12 without sounding the alarm. - However, an intruder attempting to remove the
protective cover 12 will not be aware of the presence of thealarm unit 16 within theprotective cover 12 or its connection to the motorcycle. Thus, typically an intruder will lift theprotective cover 12, at any point along the extent of the motorcycle. As theprotective cover 12 is moved relative to the motorcycle, thealarm unit 12 also is moved with theprotective cover 12 relative to themotorcycle wheel 15 so that theplunger actuator 32 will be drawn out of the housing, in the direction of arrow 72 (FIG. 6 ) operating the switch 62 (FIG. 7 ). Referring also toFIG. 7 , when theswitch 62 is operated, thealarm circuit 60 is activated, causing thetransducer 64 to produce an audible alarm. In one embodiment, thealarm circuit 60 can include areset circuit 74, including atimer 76, that deactivates the alarm circuit after a preset interval of time. For example, thereset circuit 74 can cause thealarm circuit 60 to momentarily deactivate the alarm circuit after a given interval of time, perform a test to determine if theswitch 62 has reopened, and if so, rearm thealarm circuit 60. However, if theswitch 62 remains closed, thereset circuit 74 can reactivate thealarm circuit 60 so that the audible alarm is again sounded. By way of example, the duration of the time interval can be about two minutes. Alternatively, Thealarm circuit 60 can include a manual reset mechanism so the alarm continues to sound until the alarm circuit is reset manually. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , in another embodiment, thealarm unit 16 can be armed remotely. This embodiment includes atransponder 80 mounted within thehousing 68. Thetransponder 80 is activated by a signal transmitted by a portable hand-heldremote unit 82 in response to operation by the operator of an “arm”switch 84 on the hand-heldunit 82. The hand-held unit can be battery operated, for example. Thetransponder 80 responds to the arming signal to cause the alarm unit to the arm thealarm circuit 60. Thealarm circuit 60 can cause thetransponder 80 to return a signal to the hand-heldunit 82 to flash an indicator, and/or activate thealarm transducer 64, or a separate transducer, momentarily, to produce a “chirping” sound, to indicate successful arming of thealarm unit 16. Likewise, for disarming the alarm unit, the operator can operate a “disarm”switch 86 on the hand-heldunit 82 to cause thealarm circuit 60 to be deactivated. A response can be sent to the hand-heldunit 82 to indicate that thealarm unit 16 has been deactivated. The hand-heldcontrol 82 can be used to activate thealarm unit 16 remotely by operating apanic switch 88 on the hand-heldunit 82 to produce the audible alarm. - While preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the invention in its broadest aspects.
Claims (20)
1. A protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system, comprising:
a protective cover having an inner surface and an outer surface, said protective cover adapted to cover substantially all portions of a vehicle;
at least one alarm unit removably affixed to said protective cover; and
at least one actuator cable having a first end removably coupled to said alarm unit and a second end removably coupled to said vehicle with said actuator cable untensioned, wherein said alarm unit is triggered upon tensioning of said actuator cable by movement of said protective cover relative to said vehicle.
2. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 1 , wherein said protective cover includes at least one pocket on said inner surface, said alarm unit adapted to be received in said pocket.
3. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 2 , wherein said protective cover includes a plurality of pockets, said alarm unit adapted to be received in any one of said pockets.
4. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 2 , wherein said pocket is defined independently of said inner surface of said protective cover, said pocket including a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls, and wherein at least a portion of said pocket is affixed to said inner surface of said protective cover so that said pocket hangs freely therefrom.
5. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 4 , wherein said top portion of said pocket defines an opening for said pocket to allow said alarm unit to be inserted into said pocket, said top portion adapted to securely close said opening for maintaining said alarm unit in said pocket.
6. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 5 , wherein said pocket further includes an aperture, said first end of said actuator cable extending into said pocket through said aperture and removably coupling to said alarm unit.
7. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 6 , wherein said alarm unit includes a plunger actuator, said actuator cable being removably coupled to said plunger actuator.
8. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 7 , wherein said alarm unit further includes an alarm circuit, a switch and a transducer.
9. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 8 , wherein said alarm circuit includes a reset circuit.
10. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 9 , wherein said reset circuit includes a timer, said timer adapted to deactivate said alarm circuit after a preset interval of time.
11. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 8 , wherein said alarm unit includes a transponder allowing remote arming of said alarm unit.
12. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 6 , wherein said pocket includes at least one perforation to minimize attenuation of audible signals produced by said alarm unit when triggered.
13. A protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system, comprising:
a flexible protective cover having an inner surface and an outer surface, said protective cover adapted to cover substantially all portions of a vehicle;
at least one pocket on said inner surface of said protective cover, said pocket defined by a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side walls;
at least one alarm unit removably contained within said pocket, said alarm unit including a plunger actuator extending therefrom; and at least one actuator cable having a first end removably coupled to said plunger actuator of said alarm unit and a second end removably coupled to said vehicle with said actuator cable untensioned, wherein said alarm unit is triggered upon tensioning of said actuator cable by movement of said protective cover relative to said vehicle.
14. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 13 , wherein said pocket is defined independently of said inner surface of said protective cover, and wherein at least a portion of said top portion of said pocket is affixed to said inner surface of said protective cover so that said pocket hangs freely therefrom.
15. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 14 , wherein said top portion of said pocket defines an opening for said pocket to allow said alarm unit to be inserted into said pocket, said top portion adapted to securely close said opening for maintaining said alarm unit in said pocket.
16. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 15 , wherein said pocket further includes an actuator cable aperture, said first end of said actuator cable extending into said pocket through said actuator cable aperture and removably coupling to said plunger actuator.
17. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 16 , wherein said alarm unit further includes an alarm circuit, a switch and a transducer.
18. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 17 , wherein said alarm circuit includes a reset circuit.
19. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 18 , wherein said reset circuit includes a timer, said timer adapted to deactivate said alarm circuit after a preset interval of time.
20. The protective vehicle cover and vehicle cover security system of claim 17 , wherein said alarm unit includes a transponder allowing remote arming of said alarm unit.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/099,024 US20050174221A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2005-04-05 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
US11/322,490 US20060109093A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2005-12-30 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US35723102P | 2002-02-15 | 2002-02-15 | |
US10/367,483 US6876297B2 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2003-02-14 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
US11/099,024 US20050174221A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2005-04-05 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/367,483 Continuation US6876297B2 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2003-02-14 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/322,490 Continuation US20060109093A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2005-12-30 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20050174221A1 true US20050174221A1 (en) | 2005-08-11 |
Family
ID=27757588
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/367,483 Expired - Lifetime US6876297B2 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2003-02-14 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
US11/099,024 Abandoned US20050174221A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2005-04-05 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
US11/322,490 Abandoned US20060109093A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2005-12-30 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/367,483 Expired - Lifetime US6876297B2 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2003-02-14 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/322,490 Abandoned US20060109093A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2005-12-30 | Vehicle protective cover including an alarm unit |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
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US (3) | US6876297B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003216292A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2476358A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003070511A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2451634A (en) * | 2007-08-06 | 2009-02-11 | Isla Ann Mclean | Security device with tether and time alarm |
US7757734B2 (en) * | 2008-07-25 | 2010-07-20 | Hooker Leonard G | Two wheeled device cover |
GB2476267A (en) * | 2009-12-17 | 2011-06-22 | Antony Clark | Cycle component anti-theft/anti-tamper cover |
US20110253274A1 (en) * | 2010-04-19 | 2011-10-20 | Charley Schreiber | Motorcycle cover |
DE102012110351A1 (en) * | 2012-10-29 | 2014-04-30 | Hans-Dirk Rademacher | Reporting system and method for reporting intrusion or attempt of intrusion into a vehicle, as well as corresponding vehicle skin and corresponding vehicle with reporting system |
PT107746A (en) * | 2014-07-02 | 2016-01-04 | Zelig Serviços De Consultadoria Lda | AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE PROTECTION SYSTEM |
FR3029872B1 (en) * | 2014-12-16 | 2017-01-13 | Renault Sa | "ANTI-THEFT PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE" |
CN109436141B (en) * | 2018-10-30 | 2021-02-09 | 徐州德高电动车科技有限公司 | Anti-theft mounting seat based on electric tricycle battery |
IT201900020452A1 (en) | 2019-11-06 | 2021-05-06 | Massimo Angotti | Covering system for portions of motorcycles |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4222032A (en) * | 1977-10-03 | 1980-09-09 | Speer Gary D | Vehicle cover alarm |
US4274077A (en) * | 1979-11-26 | 1981-06-16 | Feiger Jerrold C | Vehicle cover and alarm system therefor |
US4821025A (en) * | 1986-09-15 | 1989-04-11 | Ross Sr Lawrence D | Vehicle cover alarm system |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4253084A (en) * | 1979-10-09 | 1981-02-24 | Michael Topputo | Snap switch alarm |
US4698615A (en) * | 1986-02-24 | 1987-10-06 | Wilber William E | Canvas adapter alarm |
US5242205A (en) * | 1992-05-18 | 1993-09-07 | Garner John M | Vehicular cover lock apparatus |
US5572186A (en) * | 1994-07-18 | 1996-11-05 | C.O.P. Corp. | Boat security system |
US5686909A (en) * | 1996-06-05 | 1997-11-11 | Steinhauser; Louis P. | Alarm system for boat covers and automobile convertible tops |
US5764144A (en) * | 1996-09-26 | 1998-06-09 | Itza Snap Inc. | Tarpaulin alarm system |
US6040764A (en) * | 1998-04-09 | 2000-03-21 | Crisci; Frances E. | Bicycle cover with an attachable alarm system |
US6028507A (en) * | 1999-03-30 | 2000-02-22 | John Banks | Security system for motor vehicles |
-
2003
- 2003-02-14 CA CA002476358A patent/CA2476358A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-02-14 US US10/367,483 patent/US6876297B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2003-02-14 WO PCT/US2003/004669 patent/WO2003070511A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-02-14 AU AU2003216292A patent/AU2003216292A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-04-05 US US11/099,024 patent/US20050174221A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2005-12-30 US US11/322,490 patent/US20060109093A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4222032A (en) * | 1977-10-03 | 1980-09-09 | Speer Gary D | Vehicle cover alarm |
US4274077A (en) * | 1979-11-26 | 1981-06-16 | Feiger Jerrold C | Vehicle cover and alarm system therefor |
US4821025A (en) * | 1986-09-15 | 1989-04-11 | Ross Sr Lawrence D | Vehicle cover alarm system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6876297B2 (en) | 2005-04-05 |
US20030156018A1 (en) | 2003-08-21 |
WO2003070511A1 (en) | 2003-08-28 |
CA2476358A1 (en) | 2003-08-28 |
AU2003216292A1 (en) | 2003-09-09 |
US20060109093A1 (en) | 2006-05-25 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |