GB2362740A

GB2362740A - Vehicle roof cargo alarm device

Info

Publication number: GB2362740A
Application number: GB0012108A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan James Shone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-22
Filing date: 2000-05-22
Publication date: 2001-11-28
Also published as: GB0012108D0

Abstract

A strong and durable weatherproof and tamperproof electronic alerting device 10 which attaches securely to roof racks or roof bars 16 or roofs of vehicles used to carry roof cargo 23. The device 10, is operated via a keyswitch or the like 12, or as part of the vehicles owns security system. In safety mode the device 10, will monitor the roof cargo 23, using its proximity switches 11, and will audibly and visually, alert the driver if the roof cargo moves whilst in transit. In security mode the device 10, will operate its high power siren 13 and strobe 14 unit if the cargo 23, or device itself is tampered with in any way, by use of its proximity switches or adjustable vibration sensor. The device may also comprise a security cable (15, fig.1) which, in use, is wrapped around the cargo and which, if forcibly removed or tampered with, triggers the alarm.

Description

2362740 1 VEHICLE ROOF CARGO ALERT This invention relates to a device

which attaches securely to vehicle roof racks or roof bars or indeed the roof of the vehicle if needed, that are used to carry cargo e.g. Ladders etc on the roofs of vehicles.

The device has a dual purpose; 1: The device will alert the driver of the vehicle if the roof cargo moves whilst in transit therefore avoiding the sometimes fatal accidents that occur when cargo e.g. Ladders fall off vehicles especially whilst travelling at high speeds.

2: The device will deter thieves who attempt to remove the roof cargo whilst the vehicle is stationary as its high power siren/strobe will be activated if the cargo is tampered with in any way.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG 1 shows a plan view of the device.

FIG 2 shows a side view of the device when installed to the roof rack of a vehicle.

FIG 3 shows a closer side view of the device.

Referring to the drawings the device 10, which is weatherproof, and tamperproof is fixed to the roof rack or roof bars 16 or roof of a vehicle. The device 10 is fastened to the roof rack 16 using tamperproof adjustable brackets 22, which are only accessible from inside the device. The device is fixed so that the adjustable length proximity switches 11 located on the top, underneath and behind the device would be normally closed. The device is battery operated, which is located in the battery compartment 17 inside the device, behind its tamperproof front cover 25.

When cargo for example only we will consider ladders 23, are placed onto the roof rack of the vehicle, the weight of the cargo 18 will push down on the top proximity switch and this switch will close.

The device has a 3 position keyswitch 12.The positions are OFF, SAFETY and SECURITY. When the key 19 is inserted into the keyswitch 12 and turned to safety position the device will monitor the cargo on the roof rack. If the cargo was to move whilst in transit the proximity switch 11 on the top of the device would open. This would trigger the red warning LED on the visible warning device 20 which is located on the windscreen of the vehicle, and also trigger the vibrating warning device 21 inside the device.

2 The driver on being alerted would be able to slow the vehicle down pull in and address the problem of the moving cargo before a serious accident is caused by cargo falling from the vehicle.

When the keysWItch is turned to security position, the device will monitor the roof cargo. If the cargo is moved, or indeed the roof rack, or device itself is tampered with, one or all of the proximity switches will operate. This will trigger the devices high power siren 13 and operate the high visibility strobe 14 for a predetermined time to warn off thieves and alert the driver.

The device also has an adjustable vibration detector 24, which is energised in security mode. This will also trigger the high-powered siren 13 and strobe 14 if the cargo, roofrack or the device is tampered with in any way.

There is an optional alarm loop cable 15, which is simply plugged into the device, which is a closed circuit. This is intended to wrap around cargo or additional cargo and will trigger the device in the same way as the proximity switches or vibration detector if it is forcibly removed or tampered with.

Additional tamperproof proximity switches 26 may be connected to the device to monitor additional roof cargo and will trigger the main device 10 in the same way as described above. They are basically miniature versions of the main device 10.

The device 10 can be connected to the vehicles own alarm system if required.

The invention has the following effects:

The device will monitor roof cargo on vehicles and warn the driver both visually and audibly if the cargo was to move therefore avoiding sometimes-fatal disasters that can occur on our roads and motorways.

The device will monitor roof cargo on vehicles and will trigger its high output siren and operate its strobe to warn off thieves and alert the driver if the cargo is tampered with in any way.

3

Claims

1. An electronic vehicle roof cargo alerting device, which is weatherproof and tamperproof and intended to be attached securely to vehicle roof racks, roof bars, or even the vehicle roof 2. An electronic vehicle roof cargo-alerting device, as in 1 that uses proximity switches or the like to monitor the cargo's position and position of the device itself An electronic vehicle roof cargo alerting device, as in claims 1 or 2 that is battery operated and has an adjustable vibration sensor inside.

4. An electronic vehicle roof cargo alerting device, as in claims 1,2, or 3 which will operate an audible and visual warning if the roof cargo moves whilst in transit whilst in safety mode.

5.

An electronic vehicle roof cargo alerting device, as in any preceding claim which will operate its high power siren and strobe if the roof cargo or the device is tampered with in any way whilst in security mode.

6. An electronic vehicle roof cargo alerting device, as in any preceding claim which has a 3 position key switch or the like, Off, Safety and Security.

7. An electronic vehicle roof cargo alerting device, as in any preceding claim which has an optional alarm cable loop which is plugged into the device and can be wrapped around cargo or additional cargo, and will trigger the device if it is tampered with or forcibly removed.

8. An electronic vehicle roof cargo-alerting device, as in any preceding claim, which can be linked, to the vehicles own alarm system if, required.

9.

An electronic vehicle roof cargo alerting device, as in any preceding claim, which will allow additional tamperproof proximity switches or the like to be connected to the device, to monitor additional roof cargo, and will trigger the main device if tampered with. These additional devices are basically miniature versions of the same device.

10. An electronic vehicle roof cargo-alerting device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.