Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specified indicator structure
Patent
1987-05-06
1988-08-30
Swann, III, Glen R.
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specified indicator structure
340 63, 340 87, 340 99, B60R 2510, G09F 1110
Patent
active
047680270
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device for indicating unauthorised use of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are currently available several types of alarm which may be fitted to vehicles, in particular to cars, to give an audible warning when unauthorised use is made of the vehicle. These devices are normally actuated by opening the vehicle door or by turning the ignition key, and need to be turned on and off by the owner or authorised user of the vehicle. If he forgets to turn the alarm on when he leaves the vehicle, the alarm will not be activated, and, if he forgets to turn the alarm off when he returns to the vehicle, the alarm will sound when he attempts to drive the vehicle away. Even with the alarm on, it is often a simple matter for a thief to disconnect or otherwise render inoperative the alarm system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm actuating device responsive to an incorrect key having been inserted into a vehicle lock to actuate an alarm. Preferably the device includes a housing for receiving a key plug of the type having a plurality of resiliently mounted members movable to accommodate a key inserted into the plug, the housing including a sensing arrangement comprising a plurality of sensing regions for sensing respectively whether the resiliently mounted members are in contact with the sensing regions, there being means for actuating the alarm if one or more of said members is in contact with its respective sensing region.
It will be appreciated that a key plug with resiliently mounted members is currently fitted to most types of vehicle lock, e.g. of a door, boot or ignition. Such a key plug generally defines a cylindrical envelope for rotation in a key barrel, the resiliently mounted members being arranged so that, with a correct key inserted in the plug, none of said members extends beyond that envelope. In one form, when the correct key is inserted, end surfaces of all the members lie flush with the plug surface so that the plug can be turned within the key barrel. With an incorrect key inserted, one or more of the members will project from the plug surface, and this condition can be sensed by the sensing arrangement, e.g. when an attempt is made to rotate the plug.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a display arrangement comprising: a display which is mounted or mountable on a vehicle and which has a plurality of alphanumeric character displaying regions, each capable of displaying selectively one of at least two characters; and control means for actuating the display to display normally the registration number of the vehicle and, in response to an alarm signal, an arrangement of characters indicative of unauthorized use.
An appropriate arrangement of characters might read the word "STOLEN".
In a preferred embodiment the display is a liquid crystal display, the work "STOLEN" and the registration number flashing alternately on actuation of the display. The display can hence replace the conventional vehicle number plate.
The display may be connected to an actuating device for actuating the display in response to such unauthorised use, the device being responsive to the insertion of an incorrect key into a vehicle lock, e.g. of a door or of the ignition. Such a display provides a visual indication to third parties of unauthorised use of a vehicle, without giving the thief an audible warning that it has been actuated.
A preferred embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the device is always operative and does not need to be turned on and off by a user of the vehicle. However, the alarm will only be actuated when an incorrect key has been inserted.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a number plate comprising an electronic display;
FIG. 2
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patent: 3863212 (1975-01-01), Nyc
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patent: 4296402 (1981-10-01), Szczepanski
patent: 4631516 (1986-12-01), Clinker
Benjamin William
Gosling Martin
Kadoo Ricky
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