Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Door or window with specified vehicle feature
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-03
2003-08-12
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Door or window with specified vehicle feature
C296S095100, C070S455000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06604776
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to automotive accessories, and more particularly to anti-theft devices for vehicles. The present invention essentially comprises a series of metal plates which are movably placeable adjacent the window glass of an automotive vehicle, and a series of lock protective plates movably placeable over the locks and keyholes of the vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Vehicle theft and break-in has become an increasingly severe problem over the years. Modern automobiles tend to be considerably more sophisticated than their earlier counterparts, and as a result various parts and systems for modern automobiles are relatively costly to repair or replace. This has led to the development of a relatively large black market business involving the theft and dismantling of automobiles for the value of their components.
Of course, automobiles and other motor vehicles are stolen for other reasons as well, i. e., for resale as a complete vehicle. Unscrupulous persons alter and modify the serial numbers found in various areas and on various components of the vehicle, and replace these numbers with new serial numbers which are not readily traceable. If the automobile itself is not of interest to a potential thief, then its contents may be attractive, with the contents oftentimes being readily visible through the window glass of the car if they are stowed within the passenger compartment.
This has led to increasingly sophisticated anti-theft means for newer automobiles and other motor vehicles. Such anti-theft means range from more sophisticated lock and key mechanisms and steering column locks, to various electronic systems including remote lock controls actuated by radio or infrared frequency technology, and various types of alarms actuated by proximity sensors, movement and sound detectors, and other principles.
While these various anti-theft measures provide some additional degree of protection for the vehicle and its contents, it remains true that if a thief can get into the vehicle, either with or without damage to the vehicle, then it becomes most likely that the vehicle, or at least some of its interior components (sound system, etc.) and/or contents will be stolen. While audible alarms have provided some assistance in this regard, their use has become so widespread that most people pay little attention to the sound of an activated automobile alarm.
It is a simple matter for a practiced thief to break the window glass to access the interior door latch, open the door, and silence the alarm (if any) by pulling wiring and/or fuses, all within a few seconds. Once the thief has gained access to the vehicle interior and silenced the alarm (if any), from this point on it becomes relatively easy to remove the stereo and sound system of the vehicle (likely with little regard to the remainder of the vehicle interior), and/or destroy the steering column lock so the vehicle may be driven, or at least towed or transported, away.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for some means for preventing unauthorized persons from gaining access to the interior of the vehicle in the first place. If this prevention of unauthorized access can be achieved, the likelihood of theft of the vehicle drops considerably, and of course nothing can be taken from the interior of the vehicle. The present invention responds to this need by means of a series of movable plates disposed immediately adjacent and exteriorly to the conventional side window glass of the vehicle, with the plates being raised when the vehicle is parked and unattended. Additional plates may be provided to protect the front and rear glass of the vehicle as well. The present invention also provides for protection of the door locks of the vehicle, by means of a corresponding number of protective plates that extend to cover the faces of the lock cylinders and their keyholes. The lock protective means and window protective means may be actuated by a single common actuation means (key, remote control, etc.), as desired.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,096,568 issued on Oct. 19, 1937 to John W. Snively, titled “Cover For Motor Vehicle Locks,” describes a hinged cover adapted to protect the lock cylinder from the elements. The Snively cover is hinged above the lock cylinder, and includes a spring urging the cover to a closed position. This is the only means for closing the cover over the lock; no positive retention means is provided to prevent lifting of the cover to access the lock. The Snively lock cover is not intended to protect the lock from attempts at unauthorized entry. In fact, the Snively cover teaches away from such protection, by providing a lifting tab for ease of access to the lock, and means for holding the cover in its raised position after it has been lifted.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,350 issued on Jan. 14, 1969 to Victor Shanok et al., titled “Protective Cover For A Keyhole Assembly,” describes a cover serving the same purpose as the cover of the Snively '568 U.S. Patent discussed immediately above. The Shanok et al. cover secures magnetically about the exposed end of Ithe lock cylinder and key slot or keyhole, and is secured to the adjacent structure by a small chain or other retaining line. As in the case of the device of the Snively '568 Patent, the Shanok et al. device does nothing to prevent unauthorized entry, as it is easily removable without excessive force, tools, or damage to the lock or surrounding structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,434,318 issued on Mar. 25, 1969 to Gerald J. Thiry, titled “Door And Trunk Lock Cover,” describes a removable cover for exterior locks and handles of an automobile. The Thiry cover is a thin, flexible material having a series of peripherally disposed magnets therein, for removably securing the device over a door lock or handle assembly or the like. The Thiry cover falls in the same category as the Snively and Shanok et al. lock protective devices described further above, in that it is only intended to protect the lock and latch mechanism from the elements, and does nothing to prevent unauthorized access to the lock or latch.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,732 issued on Aug. 11, 1981 to Robert A. Bennett, titled “Dust Cover For Lock,” describes a hinged protective cover more closely related to the cover of the Snively '568 U.S. Patent, than to the present invention. The Bennett cover is hinged to a peripheral frame or bezel, which in turn secures adhesively around the face of the lock cylinder. The Bennett cover is intended for the same purpose as the other lock covers discussed above, i. e., to prevent entry of dust, moisture, etc. from the environment, and does nothing to preclude unauthorized access to the underlying lock cylinder.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,477 issued on Feb. 17, 1987 to Stephen C. Kovatch, titled “Demountable Windshield Armor For Vehicles,” describes the installation of a sheet of transparent armor material within and adjacent to the vehicle windshield. The transparent material comprises some form of relatively thick polycarbonate plastic material (e. g., Lexguard®) which remains in place between the windshield and occupants at all times, due to its transparency. The Kovatch U.S. Patent describes a track and hinge means which allows the transparent armor sheet to be moved upwardly and rearwardly for accessing the space between the armor sheet and the interior of the windshield, for cleaning, etc. The present invention provides movable armor plate for installation immediately within the glass areas of the vehicle, but utilizes completely different, motorized means for retracting the armor panels for vehicle operation. As the present armor panels are not transparent, they must be moved each time the vehicle is operated. The present armor panels utilize either conventional window lift mechanisms (for side window panels) or tracks which raise and lower the panels exteriorly of t
Litman Richard C.
Pape Joseph D.
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