GB2094045A - Vehicle having a security alarm system - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle comprises a motor or engine and a security system, wherein the security system comprises a timing unit (15), means (12) for activating the timing unit, means (14) for disabling the timing unit (preferably by means of a high security key or magnetic or optionally coded key), the timing unit (15) generating a first output signal a selected period of time after activation if not disabled, and means (16) for generating a first indication (e.g. visible and/or audible) that said timing unit (15) has not been disabled. The timing unit (15) further generates a second output signal a selected period of time after the first output signal if not disabled, and the vehicle comprises an alarm (20) which operates in response to the second signal.The fuel lock valve (18) and/or hazard lights (30) may also operate in response to the second signal. The vehicle may additionally comprise a crash switch (28) responsive to violent decleration and a vehicle vibration detector (25) responsive to unauthorized attempts to enter the vehicle, and both the crash switch (28) and vibration detector (25) may cause operation of the alarm (20), fuel lock valve (18) and hazard lights (30). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle having a security alarm system The present invention relates to a vehicle having security alarm system.

The present invention provides a vehicle comprising a motor or engine and a security system, the security system comprising a timing unit which is activated in response to a signal to start the motor or engine, means responsive to a first output signal from the timing unit for generating a first sensible indication that the timing unit has been activated and not de-activated, and a moveable key means which is manually operated to deactivate and activate the timing unit, said timing unit comprising first means for generating the said first output signal after the lapse of a selected time period from the time the timing unit is activated if said timing unit has not been deactivated by manual operation of said key means, and second means for generating a second output signal after the lapse of a second time period from the time the first output signal is initiated if the timing unit has not been deactivated by manual operation of said key means.

Preferably, the removeable key means is a high security key means. The high security key means may be a high security key and/or magneticaliy and/or optically coded key means.

The said means for generating a first sensible indication comprises a visual indication means and/ or an audible indication means which is sensible by and/or perceptible to a driver or other person inside the vehicle.

The vehicle may comprise means responsive to said second output signal for generating a second sensible and/or perceptible indication, and the said means responsive to said second output signal may comprise audible alarm means. The audible alarm may be outside and/or inside the vehicle.

The said means for activating the timing unit may comprise an ignition and/or operating switch for the motor or engine.

Preferably, the means for deactivating the timing unit comprises a key operated switch other than the said ignition and/or operating switch.

The said motor or engine may be operable to propel the vehicle. Alternatively on in addition, the motor or engine may be operable for another purpose.

The vehicle may comprise a fuel lock valve and/or switch means responsive to said second output signal for interrupting and/or shutting off the fuel supply and/or power supply to the motor or engine.

The vehicle may comprise means for generating a perceptible and/or sensible alarm signal upon attempted or actual unauthorized entry into the vehicle. The said means for generating said alarm signal may comprise a further key-operated switch and inertia sensing means which is activated by a key inserted in said further key-operated switch, said inertia sensing means being mounted the vehicle for generating an output signal in response to a vibration of the vehicle and operatively connected to said means for generating a second perceptible and/or sensible indication so as to activate said second perceptible and/or sensible indication means when a vibration is sensed. Preferably, the same key is utilizable for operating both said key operated switch (other than the said ignition and/or operating switch) and the said further key-operated switch.

The said means for generating a perceptible and/or sensible alarm signal upon attempted or actual unauthorized entry may comprise a bell and/or siren mounted inside and/or outside the vehicle.

The vehicle may comprise means responsive to acceleration and/or deceleration indicative of a vehicle crash for activating a, or the said, fuel lock valve and or switch means in the event of a vehicle crash.

The invention is particularly useful to safeguard vehicles intended to carry valuable or dangerous cargoes. Large commercial vehicles invoived in transporting hazardous cargoes may typically be equipped with a vehicle master switch mounted external to the vehicle cab and a vehicle ignition switch mounted internal to the vehicle for starting the vehicle. Normally, the vehicle master switch is utilized to isolate the vehicle battery from the vehicle electrical system in potentially hazardous situations and/or when the driver leaves the vehicle. Typically, however, the vehicle will be equipped with a tachograph circuit for recording events during the vehicle journey. Power to the tachograph circuit should remain on at all times and is supplied directly from the battery.

The invention is now further described by way of a non-limitative example and with reference to the accompanying schematic diagram which shows the principal features of a security system of a vehicle propelled by an internal combustion engine such as a diesel engine.

As shown in the drawing, battery 10, which may be the vehicle battery, is connected to vehicle master switch 11 and to a tachograph circuit (not shown).

Battery 10 may preferably be a 24 volt battery. The voltage from battery 10 may be connected from vehicle master switch 11 through fuse box 9 to vehicle ignition switch 12.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing, the security alarm system includes a vehicle immobilization system, a crash detection system, and an anti-theft system.

The vehicle immobilization system is activated by setting the vehicle ignition switch 12 to its "on" position (e.g. by turning a conventional removeable ignition key in the ignition switch) and is deactivated by turning reset/start switch 14, shown connected to timer unit 15. Switch 14 is operable by a removeable key means which is preferably of the type known in the art as a high security key. The high security key may be a high security edge key and/or a magnetically and/or optically coded key. A suitable switch 14 operable by a high security key is of the type known as a "Spring Return Key Swich" which may be obtained from KABA 20.Timer unit 15 may preferably be designed so that turning reset/start swich 12 a first time after the vehicle ignition switch 12 is turned on will deactivate the first and second timer circuits within timer unit 15, and turning reset/start switch 12 a second time will initiate the timing sequence again. Subsequently the timing sequence will alternately be inhibited or activated each time the reset/start switch 14 is turned, provided that the ignition switch 12 is the "on" position.

The output signal from the second timer circuit is operatively connected to fuel lock valve 18, to shut off the fuel supply to the vehicles engine, and to the external audible siren 20 and vehicle hazard warning lights 30. The output signal from the second timer circuit may preferably be coupled to the siren 20 through a third timer circuit within the timer unit 15 to cause the siren to sound for 15 minutes.

The timer unit 15 comprises circuits of standard design known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Power (+ V) for timer unit 15 may preferably be supplied from the output of fuse box 9 so that timer unit 15 may not be disabled by turning off the vehicle ignition switch. Fuel lock valve 18 may be a Tecalemit Ltd., 24 Volt Unit. Siren 20 may be the API Besson Ltd. Model "Banshee" Unit.

The crash detection system is useful for shutting off the fuel supply to the engine in the event of a crash. As shown in the drawing, power (+ V) from fuse box 9 is connected to the input terminal of crash switch 28. Crash switch 28 may be a Model 481-10 unit which may be obtained from First Inertia Switch Limited, a member of the First Security Group. When crash switch 28 detects a force of the magnitude to indicate that a crash has occurred, which may be about 7 g's, an internal switch within crash swich 28 will be set, supplying an electrical voltage output to activate fuel lock valve 18 and hazard warning lights 30. Fuel lock valve 18 shuts off fuel supply to the engine to reduce the danger of fire and to permit access to the engine. The hazard warning lights will alert other motorists of the vehicle'ds condition.The crash switch 28 is normally equipped with a pushbutton reset mechanism to permit the fuel lock valve 18 and hazard warning lights to be turned off.

The anti-theft system is useful for deterring unauthorized entry into the vehicle. The anti-theft system includes tamper reset/start swich 22 and inertia alarm unit 25. As stated previously, power from the vehicle battery is normally supplied directly to a tachograph circuit rather than through the vehicle master switch. Since the anti-theft system will need to be in an active condition when the vehicle master switch is off, the electrical voltage the anti-theft system may be taken from the tachograph circuit.

The tamper reset/start switch 22 may preferably be operable by the same key which operates reset/start switch 14 for convenience of operation.

When the driver leaves the vehicle, tamper reset/ start switch 22 is turned on, supplying power to inertia alarm unit 25. The inertia alarm unit 25 may comprise the Inertialarm Vehicle Security System, Type 486, which may be obtained from First Inertia Switch Limited, a member of the First Security Group of Companies. In its preferred embodiment, inertia alarm unit 25 may include two sensor units mounted within the vehicle cab doors. When a jarring motion is detected, the sensor units will cause the inertia alarm to generate an output signal which activates the external audible siren 20. The inertia alarm unit 25 includes an internal timer which causes the siren to sound for a selected period of time, which may be 15 seconds, and automatically reset following an alarm condition to detect a new disturbance. The anti-theft system may be switched off by turning the key in the tamper reset/start switch 22, which the authorized driver will normally do prior to entering the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the details described above with reference to the drawings, but that numerous modifications and variations might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims. It will be appreciated that the alarm system may be utilized in passenger cars as well as commercial vehicles and may find other applications in which it is desirable to provide warning signals upon the occurrence of various events.

Claims (18)

1. A vehicle comprising a motor or engine and a security system, the security system comprising a timing unit which is activated in response to a signal to start the motor or engine, means responsive to a first output signal from the timing unit for generating a first sensible indication that the timing unit has been activated and not de-activated, and a removable key means which is manually operated to deactivate and activate the timing unit, said timing unit comprising first means for generating the said first output signal after the lapse of a selected time period from the time the timing unit is activated if said timing unit has not been deactivated by manual operation of said key means, and second means for generating a second output signal after the lapse of a second time period from the time the first output signal is initiated if the timing unit has not been deactivated by manual operation of said key means.

2. A vehicle as in claim 1 in which the removable key means is a high security key means.

3. A vehicle as in claim 2 in which the high security key means is a high security key and/or magnetically and/or optically coded key means.

4. A vehicle as in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said means for generating a first sensible indication comprises a visual indication means and/ or and audible indication means which is sensible by and/or perceptible to a driver or other person inside the vehicle.

5. A vehicle as in any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising means responsive to said second output signal for generating a second sensible and/or perceptible indication.

6. A vehicle as in claim 5 wherein said means responsive to said second output signal comprises audible alarm means.

7. A vehicle as in claim 6 wherein the audible alarm is outside and/or inside the vehicle.

8. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said means for activating the timing unit comprises an ignition and/or operating switch for the motor or engine.

9. A vehicle according to claim 8 in which the means for deactivating the timing unit comprises a key operated switch other than the said invention and/or operating switch.

10. A vehicle as in any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the motor or engine is operable to propel the vehicle.

11. A vehicle as in any one of claims 1 to 10 comprising a fuel lock valve and/or switch means responsible to said second output signal for interrupting and/or shutting off the fuel supply and/or power supply to the motor or engine.

12. A vehicle as in any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising means for generating a percetible and/or sensible alarm signal upon attempted or actual unauthorized entry into the vehicle.

13. A vehicle as in claim 12 wherein said means for generating said alarm signal comprises a further key-operated switch and inertia sensing means which is activated by a key inserted in said further key-operated switch, said inertia sensing means being mounted on the vehicle for generating an output signal in response to a vibration of the vehicle and operatively connected to said means for generating a second perceptible and/or sensible indication so as to activate said second perceptible and/or sensible indication means when a vibration is sensed.

14. Avehicle as in claim 13 wherein the same key is utilizable for operating both said key operated switch (other than the said ignition and/or operating switch) and the said further key-operated switch.

15. A vehicle as in claim 12 or claim 13 or claim 14 wherein said means for generating a perceptible and/or sensible alarm signal upon attempted or actual unauthorized entry comprises a bell and/or siren mounted inside and/or outside the vehicle.

16. A vehicle as in any one of claims 1 to 15 comprising means responsive to acceleration and/or deceleration indicative of a vehicle crash for activating a, or the said, fuel lock valve and/or switch means in the event of a vehicle crash.

17. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 17 substantially as hereinbefore described.

18. A vehicle comprising a motor or engine and a security system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.