GB2195485A

GB2195485A - Electromagnetic car rear number plate

Info

Publication number: GB2195485A
Application number: GB8623146A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jack Croney Lee
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-26
Filing date: 1986-09-26
Publication date: 1988-04-07
Also published as: GB8623146D0

Abstract

A vehicle number plate contains a warning buzzer and electro-magnets which are energised to hold a movable cover plate in position through a keyswitch set from within the vehicle. When set on "low hold" and the car is driven by an unauthorised person, the vibrations set up by the road and suspension cause the cover plate to drop and reveal the word STOLEN.

Description

SPECIFICATION Specification for a rear number plate to be fitted to motor vehicles as a deterent against theft of the vehicles A rear number plate which operates on electro magnets and buzzers which is designed to show the word 'stolen' if removed by an unauthorised person.

Comprises:- An aluminium tray of 20" approx: in length, by approx: 42" wide, and just over 2" in depth. Within the tray there are two electro magnets, sited in the top left and right corners. The electro magnets are 14" in dia, by i" thick. They are coil wound to 1250 turns of 0.125 g wire. In the bottom of the tray are sited two electronic buzzer alarms of 1 41 dia by 2" depth and operate at 12 volts.

Four microswitches are fitted alond the top lip of the tray, one at either end, and there is a fifth sited at the side between top and bottom buzzer.

There are two PC Boards within the body of the tray. Both magnets are wired to each board, as are both buzzers, which allows the microswitches to operate left and/or right buzzer in the event of failure of either, thus rendering the unit still operable.

Supply is via a standard automobile three core cable which is connected to both PC Boards leaving a 'floating' earth. Colour Code:- RED=12V Positive. BLACK=12V Negative. WHITE=12V Positive to Buzzers.

From the unit this cable is connected to a Keyswitch fitted within the vehicle. The switch incorporates a 1K Resistor and a low tone buzzer. There are three positions to the switch, LOW hold, which is denoted by a RED LED-OFF-MAXIMUM hold which is denoted by a GREEN LED.

Further information is available if required.

An insert which displays the word STOLEN in silver on a black background is fitted into the tray, having apertures cut out for the magnets/buzzers/microswitches. The letters are 75mm in height.

The outer cover of the plate unit incorporates the Reg: No; of the vehicle on its inside surface. When on LOW hold the plate drops to reveal the word STOLEN above the vehicles registered number.

Housed insidethe cover plate at top left and right are two armatures (steel) 35mm in dia by 3mm thick, these are secured by 2off 6BA CS screws to each.

There are three fixing points for the outer number plate, those on the left and right are of 4BA studding. There is an additional top fixing hole for use using a nut/bolt if necessary. The cover plate incorporates a lip on its top and both sides as weatherproofing and a guard against sticky tape or glue being used to negate its function. No matter how gently the outer surface of the unit is handled, an audible warning via the buzzers is given.

METHOD OF OPERATION Owner about to drive his vehicle, inserts his key and turns it to MAXIMUM hold.

Vehicle responds normally. Green LED is visible which keeps electromagnets fully energised. When he leaves his vehicle, he turns the switch to LOW hold, the red LED is visible, and the antitheft device is operable.

There is a low buzz within the vehicle to denote that the device is set.

The potential thief gains entry to the vehicle and drives it away. Within a few seconds the normal usage of suspension and raod unevenness has caused the cover plate to drop below the tray, thus showing both the vehicle registration number and the word STOLEN one above the other.

Should the potential thief attempt initially to tape or glue or otherwise cause the number plate to remain in its original position, the slightest pressure will cause the audible sound or buzzers operating within the tray. Should any attempt to cut the wires or disconnect the power from the battery be successful, the electromagnets would revert to LOW hold, thus allowing the unit to operate exactly as it would in any other circumstance where a potential theft is in progress.

NOTE The buzzers do not operate when vehicle is being washed/cleaned/maintained by its owner, since he/she would have set the keyswitch correctly before such operation.

It is considered that the foregoing incorporates two forms of deterent, namely the word STOLEN and the audible warning from the buzzers.

1. Electro-magnet Car Rear Number Plate with built-in warning buzzers and micro-switches. The system operates from 1 2V D.C.

supply.

2. The number plate can only be activated via a special keyswitch S.P.C.O. built-in L.E.D.

lamps P.C.B. and buzzer.

3. When key is turned to green L.E.D.

lamp, electro-magnets are energised to maximum hold for drive.

4. When key is turned to low hold, red L.E.D. is visible, also low buzz is heard. Key should be removed by owner. If vehicle is driven away, the electro-magnets voltage and current will be reduced from 100% hold to 10%. This is achieved by a resistor in series with the supply, within the keyswitch module.

5. Results will be that if the vehicle's back wheels hit a small pot hole, the outer cover of the number plate will drop down and will reveal the word STOLEN.

6. The number plate if tampered with

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Specification for a rear number plate to be fitted to motor vehicles as a deterent against theft of the vehicles A rear number plate which operates on electro magnets and buzzers which is designed to show the word 'stolen' if removed by an unauthorised person. Comprises:- An aluminium tray of 20" approx: in length, by approx: 42" wide, and just over 2" in depth. Within the tray there are two electro magnets, sited in the top left and right corners. The electro magnets are 14" in dia, by i" thick. They are coil wound to 1250 turns of 0.125 g wire. In the bottom of the tray are sited two electronic buzzer alarms of 1 41 dia by 2" depth and operate at 12 volts. Four microswitches are fitted alond the top lip of the tray, one at either end, and there is a fifth sited at the side between top and bottom buzzer. There are two PC Boards within the body of the tray. Both magnets are wired to each board, as are both buzzers, which allows the microswitches to operate left and/or right buzzer in the event of failure of either, thus rendering the unit still operable. Supply is via a standard automobile three core cable which is connected to both PC Boards leaving a 'floating' earth. Colour Code:- RED=12V Positive. BLACK=12V Negative. WHITE=12V Positive to Buzzers. From the unit this cable is connected to a Keyswitch fitted within the vehicle. The switch incorporates a 1K Resistor and a low tone buzzer. There are three positions to the switch, LOW hold, which is denoted by a RED LED-OFF-MAXIMUM hold which is denoted by a GREEN LED. Further information is available if required. An insert which displays the word STOLEN in silver on a black background is fitted into the tray, having apertures cut out for the magnets/buzzers/microswitches. The letters are 75mm in height. The outer cover of the plate unit incorporates the Reg: No; of the vehicle on its inside surface. When on LOW hold the plate drops to reveal the word STOLEN above the vehicles registered number. Housed insidethe cover plate at top left and right are two armatures (steel) 35mm in dia by 3mm thick, these are secured by 2off 6BA CS screws to each. There are three fixing points for the outer number plate, those on the left and right are of 4BA studding. There is an additional top fixing hole for use using a nut/bolt if necessary. The cover plate incorporates a lip on its top and both sides as weatherproofing and a guard against sticky tape or glue being used to negate its function. No matter how gently the outer surface of the unit is handled, an audible warning via the buzzers is given. METHOD OF OPERATION Owner about to drive his vehicle, inserts his key and turns it to MAXIMUM hold. Vehicle responds normally. Green LED is visible which keeps electromagnets fully energised. When he leaves his vehicle, he turns the switch to LOW hold, the red LED is visible, and the antitheft device is operable. There is a low buzz within the vehicle to denote that the device is set. The potential thief gains entry to the vehicle and drives it away. Within a few seconds the normal usage of suspension and raod unevenness has caused the cover plate to drop below the tray, thus showing both the vehicle registration number and the word STOLEN one above the other. Should the potential thief attempt initially to tape or glue or otherwise cause the number plate to remain in its original position, the slightest pressure will cause the audible sound or buzzers operating within the tray. Should any attempt to cut the wires or disconnect the power from the battery be successful, the electromagnets would revert to LOW hold, thus allowing the unit to operate exactly as it would in any other circumstance where a potential theft is in progress. NOTE The buzzers do not operate when vehicle is being washed/cleaned/maintained by its owner, since he/she would have set the keyswitch correctly before such operation. It is considered that the foregoing incorporates two forms of deterent, namely the word STOLEN and the audible warning from the buzzers. CLAIMS

supply.

lamps P.C.B. and buzzer.

3. When key is turned to green L.E.D.

lamp, electro-magnets are energised to maximum hold for drive.

6. The number plate if tampered with whilst keyswitch is in low hold, can set off the electronic buzzers. The system has provision for connecting to a car-alarm.

7. When owner/driver replaces key and turns key to green, a high pitch buzzer operates. This tells he/she to check the number plate. The number plate should be replaced to main unit. Buzzer will stop and the vehicle will be ready to drive away as normal.

8. The circuitry within the number plate housing is in two parts. If one of any of the components fail, the unit is still operable. The system will still operate if battery voltage drops to as low as 8 volts.