US20050155824A1 - Anti-theft vehicle system - Google Patents

Anti-theft vehicle system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20050155824A1
US20050155824A1 US11/076,503 US7650305A US2005155824A1 US 20050155824 A1 US20050155824 A1 US 20050155824A1 US 7650305 A US7650305 A US 7650305A US 2005155824 A1 US2005155824 A1 US 2005155824A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
vehicle wheel
theft
vehicle system
wheel
linear actuator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/076,503
Inventor
Serge Taba
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gatekeeper Systems Inc
Original Assignee
Gatekeeper Systems Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gatekeeper Systems Inc filed Critical Gatekeeper Systems Inc
Priority to US11/076,503 priority Critical patent/US20050155824A1/en
Publication of US20050155824A1 publication Critical patent/US20050155824A1/en
Assigned to GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. reassignment GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC. MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, LLC
Assigned to GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, LLC. reassignment GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, LLC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TABA, SERGE
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/04Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
    • B62B5/0404Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement automatic
    • B62B5/0423Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement automatic braking or blocking when leaving a particular area
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R25/00Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
    • B60R25/01Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
    • B60R25/09Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens by restraining wheel rotation, e.g. wheel clamps
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/04Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
    • B62B5/0404Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement automatic
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62BHAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/04Braking mechanisms; Locking devices against movement
    • B62B5/0476Rim brakes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to vehicles and, more particularly, to an anti-theft vehicle system used to inhibit rotation of a vehicle wheel outside a predetermined spatial perimeter.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,844 to Zelda discloses a vehicle theft prevention system, which inhibits the use of a shopping cart once it is moved outside a boundary.
  • This patented system includes an electronic wire that extends around and defines a perimeter of normal operating space, which is used by operators of a store's shopping carts.
  • the electronic wire produces an electromagnetic field that is sensed by a sensor located adjacent one wheel of the shopping cart.
  • the sensor sends a signal to a motor that moves a brake pad against the wheel of the shopping cart.
  • Two limit switches are used to stop the motor when the motor has either moved the brake pad into or out of engagement with the wheel of the shopping cart.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,290 to Moreno et al. discloses a cart theft prevention system.
  • This patented cart theft prevention system includes a mechanism disposed inside the wheel.
  • the mechanism includes a radio frequency receiver and a solenoid device connected to the receiver, both of which are disposed inside the wheel.
  • the solenoid has an armature to engage and disengage an opening in a non-rotating shaft.
  • the solenoid device is energized to drive its armature into the opening in the non-rotating support shaft supporting the wheel, thereby locking the wheel against rotation and immobilizing the cart.
  • One disadvantage of the above system is that it fully encases its components and battery in the rubber wheel compound making repair or battery replacement difficult.
  • Another disadvantage is that the system uses an actuated pin that aligns with a bore in the stationary axle to lock the wheel, which requires a special wheel frame to accommodate the square-keyed axle bolt and secondly offers only two locking opportunities per revolution.
  • Yet another disadvantage of this system is that it makes retrofitting to existing carts costly and difficult.
  • Still another disadvantage of this system is that the manner in which the wheel locks is susceptible to misalignment and non-engagement, and if the wheel successfully locks, causes wear to occur at only two specific areas on the wheel tread surface. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an anti-theft vehicle system that overcomes these disadvantages.
  • the present invention is an anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system includes a linear actuator disposed within the vehicle wheel for operatively engaging and disengaging an interior surface of the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system further includes a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive a signal to activate the linear actuator.
  • an anti-theft vehicle system is provided for vehicles such as shopping carts, toys, wheeled inventory, and industrial forklifts.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system provides a vehicle wheel, which deters an operator from moving the vehicle outside a predetermined spatial perimeter.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system provides a cost effective vehicle wheel to deter operators from taking shopping carts out of a retail store's shopping cart boundary by preventing the vehicle wheel from rotating.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system incorporates a linear actuated brake disposed within the wheel for allow existing shopping carts to be retrofitted in a cost effective manner.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anti-theft vehicle system, according to the present invention, illustrated in operational relationship with vehicles and a predetermined spatial perimeter.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the anti-theft vehicle system, according to the present invention, and the vehicle of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the anti-theft vehicle system of FIGS. 1 and 2 .
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 .
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a control circuit of the anti-theft vehicle system of FIGS. 1 through 5 .
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment, according to the present invention, taken along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7 .
  • an anti-theft vehicle system 10 is shown in operational relationship with vehicles inside a predetermined spatial boundary.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 is used to prevent theft of vehicles such as shopping carts 22 from a predetermined spatial boundary or perimeter 11 a of a retail store 11 b .
  • the system 10 may be used on other vehicles such as toys, wheeled inventory, and industrial forklifts to prevent the same from exiting the predetermined spatial boundary 11 a.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes at least one wheel, generally indicated at 12 , for the vehicle embodiment of the shopping cart 22 .
  • the wheel 12 has an inner diameter 14 and an outer diameter 16 and a rotational axis A about which the wheel 12 rotates.
  • the wheel 12 also has a housing or hub 18 forming a cavity 19 therein.
  • the hub 18 is made of a rigid material such as plastic.
  • the hub 18 is made of a plastic material such as ABS or glass-filled reinforced nylon. It should be appreciated that the hub 18 protects internal components from the outside environment.
  • the wheel 12 also includes a surface engaging member or rolling tread 20 secured to the hub 18 .
  • the surface engaging member 20 is made of a suitable material such as a rubber material. It should be appreciated that the surface engaging member 20 secures the two half shells of the hub 18 together. It should also be appreciated that the surface engaging member 20 engages the surface of the predetermined spatial boundary 11 a.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes a lock ring 22 disposed adjacent the inner diameter 14 of the wheel 12 .
  • the lock ring 22 is generally circular in shape and has a plurality of protrusions or lock ridges 24 disposed thereabout for a function to be described.
  • the lock ridges 24 are generally triangular in shape.
  • the lock ridges 24 extend radially inwardly and are spaced circumferentially about the lock ring 22 .
  • the lock ring 22 is secured to the hub 18 by suitable means such as welding.
  • the lock ring 22 is made of a rigid material such as metal.
  • the lock ring 22 and lock ridges 24 are a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece. It should be appreciated that the lock ridges 24 may be formed on the inside surface of the hub 18 . It should also be appreciated that the lock ridges 24 are spaced at regular intervals on the inside diameter 14 of the wheel 12 .
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 further includes an axle pin or shaft 26 extending through the cavity 19 of the hub 18 , which acts as the rotational axis A for the wheel 12 .
  • the shaft 26 is made of a metal material such as steel.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes a hollow axle 28 disposed over the shaft 26 .
  • the axle 28 has at least one, preferably a pair of reduced outer diameter portions forming seats 30 at the ends thereof.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes two bearings 32 disposed between the hub 18 and the axle 28 .
  • the bearings 32 are disposed in the seats 30 of the axle 28 .
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes yoke lock plates 34 supported by the axle 28 .
  • the yoke lock plates 34 may include internal notches 36 which engage the axle 28 and outward extending tabs 38 that engage a vehicle wheel frame 40 , thus holding the axle 28 stationary and preventing it from rotating.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes an axle plate 42 disposed about the axle 28 and within the cavity 19 of the hub 18 .
  • the axle plate 42 is securely mounted, such as by welding, about the axle 38 .
  • the axle plate 42 is made of a metal material such as steel.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes a mounting plate or chassis 44 disposed within the cavity 19 of the hub 18 and connected to the axle plate 42 by suitable means such as a rivet.
  • the chassis 44 is generally circular in shape for a function to be described. It should be appreciated that the axle plate 42 links the chassis 44 to the axle 28 . It should also be appreciated that the axle 28 is non-rotatable and that the axle plate 42 sustains the locking torque transmitted by the rolling element of the hub 18 and surface engaging member 20 when it stops.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 further includes a power supply such as a battery 46 disposed within the cavity 19 of the hub 18 and mounted to the chassis 44 .
  • the battery 46 is electrically connected by wires to a control circuit 60 to be described to provide power thereto. It should be appreciated that the battery 46 is attached to the chassis 44 by suitable means such as clips.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes a linear actuator, generally indicated at 48 , disposed within the cavity 19 of the hub 18 and mounted to the chassis 44 .
  • the linear actuator 48 has linear movement to engage and disengage the protrusions 24 of the lock ring 22 .
  • the linear actuator 48 includes a solenoid 50 , more preferably of a two-way or “push-pull” type, mounted to the axle plate 42 .
  • the linear actuator 48 also includes a plunger 52 extending radially from the solenoid 48 , which is moved linearly by the solenoid 48 when the solenoid 48 is energized and de-energized.
  • the plunger 52 may include a stepped locking member or index 54 at a free end thereof to engage and disengage one of the lock ridges 24 .
  • the index 54 fits the lock ridges 24 on the lock ring 22 .
  • the index 54 is made of a rigid material such as metal.
  • the solenoid 50 is electrically connected by wires to a control circuit 60 to be described to receive power and be electrically activated and de-activated.
  • the solenoid 50 may be of a type commercially available and known as a Richmeg Open-Frame Solenoid of RG-O-0420 L & S or RG-O-0837 L & S.
  • lock ridges 24 are wedge shaped to prevent damage to the solenoid 50 or the plunger 52 if the solenoid 50 is activated while directly over one of the lock ridges 24 . It should also be appreciated that the wedge shape of the lock ridges 24 ensures that the wheel 12 is slightly advanced to allow the plunger 52 to fully extend.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes a control circuit, generally indicated at 60 .
  • the control circuit 60 is an electronic printed circuit board 62 , which is disposed within the cavity 19 of hub 18 of the wheel 12 and mounted to the chassis 44 .
  • the control circuit 60 includes a receiver 64 for receiving a signal to activate the solenoid 50 to move the plunger 52 to engage or disengage the wheel 12 .
  • the receiver 64 is an antenna that receives a perimeter signal such as an RF signal created by a signal generator 74 to be described.
  • the perimeter signal is created by the signal generator 74 and a buried wire cable 76 to be described and illustrated in FIG. 1 .
  • the control circuit 60 includes a tuned receiver 66 that receives the perimeter signal from the receiver 64 , amplifies it and sends it to a tone decoder 68 for decoding the perimeter signal.
  • the control circuit 60 also includes a flip-flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 and a solenoid control timer 71 , which receive the signal once it has been decoded.
  • the flip-flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 determines which direction that the solenoid 50 must be activated. More specifically, the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 will signal the solenoid control timer 71 to operate the solenoid 50 dependent upon the input received by the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 and the tone decoder 68 .
  • the control circuit 60 further includes a master timer 72 that receives input from a rotation sensor 73 such as a magnet.
  • the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 receives input from the tuned receiver 66 stating the location of the shopping cart 22 has changed such that the shopping cart 22 has passed over a buried wire cable 76 signifying that the shopping cart 22 has passed either into or out of the perimeter defined by the buried wire cable 76 .
  • the flip-flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 determines whether the shopping cart 22 was inside or outside the buried wire cable 76 by determining whether the wheel 12 was rotating. From the rotation sensor 73 , determination of the rotation of the wheel 12 will determine whether the shopping cart 22 was inside or outside of the buried wire cable 76 . If the rotation sensor 73 receives no signal, the wheel 12 is not rotating and is already locked.
  • receiving a signal from the tuned receiver 66 will indicate that the shopping cart 22 has passed back into the perimeter of the allowed area for the shopping cart 22 to operate.
  • the rotational state of the wheel 12 goes from a non-rotating state to a rotating state.
  • the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 receives a signal from the tuned receiver 66 when the rotation sensor 73 is sending a signal indicating that the wheel 12 is rotating, it will be determined that the shopping cart 22 has moved to a location outside of the perimeter defined by the buried wire cable 76 and will activate the solenoid 50 such that the plunger 52 will engage the locking ridges 24 , preventing the wheel 12 from rotating.
  • the rotational state of the wheel 12 has gone from a rotating state to a non-rotating state.
  • the solenoid 50 when the control circuit 60 recognizes the lock signal, the solenoid 50 is energized to push the plunger 52 out and that the plunger 52 remains in the lock position until the control circuit 60 receives the reverse or unlock signal. It should also be appreciated that a hand held signal generator (not shown) may be used to send a locking and unlocking signal to operate each wheel 12 individually. It should further be appreciated that more lock ridges 24 disposed about the inside the wheel 12 results in more even tread wear.
  • the signal generator 74 shown in FIG. 1 , generates a square wave output having a low frequency cycle between 60 Hz and 9 kHz that is sent along the buried wire cable 76 and defines the area in which the shopping cart 22 may operate.
  • the signal generator 74 may be any type of signal generator suitable to produce a signal that will pass along the entire length of the buried wire cable 76 .
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 110 includes the hub 118 , surface engaging member 120 , shaft 126 , axle 128 , bearings 132 , yoke lock plates 134 , axle plate 142 , chassis 144 , battery 146 , linear actuator 148 , solenoid 150 , plunger 152 , and control circuit 160 .
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 110 also includes a pair of wedge members 180 disposed within the cavity 119 of the hub 188 and spaced axially.
  • the wedge members 180 extend circumferentially and are generally trapezoidal in cross-sectional shape.
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 110 also includes a pair of hinges 182 to pivotally connect the wedge members 180 to the chassis 144 .
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 110 includes a pair of friction pads 184 with each being connected to one of the wedge members 180 .
  • the friction pads 184 extend circumferentially and are generally planar in shape.
  • the friction pads 184 engage and disengage the interior surface of the hub 118 .
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 110 also includes a sloped wedge 186 disposed upon the outward end of the plunger 152 to move the wedge members 180 .
  • the sloped wedge 186 is generally trapezoidal in shape.
  • the solenoid 150 is electrically energized and the sloped wedge 186 is driven outwardly between the wedge members 180 causing them to move axially and press the friction pads 184 against the interior surface of the hub 118 to apply a friction brake to lock the wheel 12 .
  • the anti-theft vehicle system 110 not only locks the wheel 12 randomly, making the tread to wear evenly, but also offers a progressive braking feature.

Abstract

An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis includes a linear actuator disposed within the vehicle wheel for operatively engaging and disengaging an interior surface of the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis. The anti-theft vehicle system further includes a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive a signal to activate the linear actuator.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
  • The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/222,404, filed Aug. 16, 2002.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates generally to vehicles and, more particularly, to an anti-theft vehicle system used to inhibit rotation of a vehicle wheel outside a predetermined spatial perimeter.
  • 2. Description of the Related Art
  • It is sometimes desired to contain a vehicle within a predetermined spatial boundary or perimeter. In particular, retail stores are attempting to reduce the amount of lost vehicles such as shopping carts, which are either stolen or taken out of the normal bounds of the stores and not returned.
  • Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,844 to Zelda discloses a vehicle theft prevention system, which inhibits the use of a shopping cart once it is moved outside a boundary. This patented system includes an electronic wire that extends around and defines a perimeter of normal operating space, which is used by operators of a store's shopping carts. The electronic wire produces an electromagnetic field that is sensed by a sensor located adjacent one wheel of the shopping cart. The sensor sends a signal to a motor that moves a brake pad against the wheel of the shopping cart. Two limit switches are used to stop the motor when the motor has either moved the brake pad into or out of engagement with the wheel of the shopping cart.
  • One disadvantage of the above system is that it is relatively expensive because the motor must be large and two limit switches are needed. Another disadvantage of the above system is that the motor and brake pad are disposed outside of the wheel.
  • To overcome these disadvantages, U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,290 to Moreno et al. discloses a cart theft prevention system. This patented cart theft prevention system includes a mechanism disposed inside the wheel. The mechanism includes a radio frequency receiver and a solenoid device connected to the receiver, both of which are disposed inside the wheel. The solenoid has an armature to engage and disengage an opening in a non-rotating shaft. When the receiver detects that the cart has been moved outside the prescribed use area, the solenoid device is energized to drive its armature into the opening in the non-rotating support shaft supporting the wheel, thereby locking the wheel against rotation and immobilizing the cart.
  • One disadvantage of the above system is that it fully encases its components and battery in the rubber wheel compound making repair or battery replacement difficult. Another disadvantage is that the system uses an actuated pin that aligns with a bore in the stationary axle to lock the wheel, which requires a special wheel frame to accommodate the square-keyed axle bolt and secondly offers only two locking opportunities per revolution. Yet another disadvantage of this system is that it makes retrofitting to existing carts costly and difficult. Still another disadvantage of this system is that the manner in which the wheel locks is susceptible to misalignment and non-engagement, and if the wheel successfully locks, causes wear to occur at only two specific areas on the wheel tread surface. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide an anti-theft vehicle system that overcomes these disadvantages.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft vehicle system for vehicles.
  • It is another object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft vehicle system for vehicles such as shopping carts, toys, wheeled inventory, and industrial forklifts.
  • It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel to prevent an operator from moving the vehicle outside a predetermined spatial perimeter.
  • It is still another object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft vehicle system for a shopping cart wheel that is inexpensive and effective at making it difficult for an operator to move the shopping cart out of a predetermined operating area of a retail store.
  • It is a further object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft vehicle system for a shopping cart wheel that incorporates a linear actuated brake to lock and unlock the wheel.
  • To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention is an anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis. The anti-theft vehicle system includes a linear actuator disposed within the vehicle wheel for operatively engaging and disengaging an interior surface of the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis. The anti-theft vehicle system further includes a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive a signal to activate the linear actuator.
  • One advantage of the present invention is that an anti-theft vehicle system is provided for vehicles such as shopping carts, toys, wheeled inventory, and industrial forklifts. Another advantage of the present invention is that the anti-theft vehicle system provides a vehicle wheel, which deters an operator from moving the vehicle outside a predetermined spatial perimeter. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the anti-theft vehicle system provides a cost effective vehicle wheel to deter operators from taking shopping carts out of a retail store's shopping cart boundary by preventing the vehicle wheel from rotating. A further advantage of the present invention is that the anti-theft vehicle system incorporates a linear actuated brake disposed within the wheel for allow existing shopping carts to be retrofitted in a cost effective manner.
  • Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anti-theft vehicle system, according to the present invention, illustrated in operational relationship with vehicles and a predetermined spatial perimeter.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the anti-theft vehicle system, according to the present invention, and the vehicle of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the anti-theft vehicle system of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a control circuit of the anti-theft vehicle system of FIGS. 1 through 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment, according to the present invention, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
  • DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
  • Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of an anti-theft vehicle system 10, according to the present invention, is shown in operational relationship with vehicles inside a predetermined spatial boundary. In one embodiment, the anti-theft vehicle system 10 is used to prevent theft of vehicles such as shopping carts 22 from a predetermined spatial boundary or perimeter 11 a of a retail store 11 b. It should be appreciated that the system 10 may be used on other vehicles such as toys, wheeled inventory, and industrial forklifts to prevent the same from exiting the predetermined spatial boundary 11 a.
  • Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes at least one wheel, generally indicated at 12, for the vehicle embodiment of the shopping cart 22. The wheel 12 has an inner diameter 14 and an outer diameter 16 and a rotational axis A about which the wheel 12 rotates. The wheel 12 also has a housing or hub 18 forming a cavity 19 therein. The hub 18 is made of a rigid material such as plastic. Preferably, the hub 18 is made of a plastic material such as ABS or glass-filled reinforced nylon. It should be appreciated that the hub 18 protects internal components from the outside environment.
  • The wheel 12 also includes a surface engaging member or rolling tread 20 secured to the hub 18. The surface engaging member 20 is made of a suitable material such as a rubber material. It should be appreciated that the surface engaging member 20 secures the two half shells of the hub 18 together. It should also be appreciated that the surface engaging member 20 engages the surface of the predetermined spatial boundary 11 a.
  • The anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes a lock ring 22 disposed adjacent the inner diameter 14 of the wheel 12. The lock ring 22 is generally circular in shape and has a plurality of protrusions or lock ridges 24 disposed thereabout for a function to be described. The lock ridges 24 are generally triangular in shape. The lock ridges 24 extend radially inwardly and are spaced circumferentially about the lock ring 22. The lock ring 22 is secured to the hub 18 by suitable means such as welding. The lock ring 22 is made of a rigid material such as metal. The lock ring 22 and lock ridges 24 are a monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece. It should be appreciated that the lock ridges 24 may be formed on the inside surface of the hub 18. It should also be appreciated that the lock ridges 24 are spaced at regular intervals on the inside diameter 14 of the wheel 12.
  • The anti-theft vehicle system 10 further includes an axle pin or shaft 26 extending through the cavity 19 of the hub 18, which acts as the rotational axis A for the wheel 12. The shaft 26 is made of a metal material such as steel. The anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes a hollow axle 28 disposed over the shaft 26. The axle 28 has at least one, preferably a pair of reduced outer diameter portions forming seats 30 at the ends thereof. The anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes two bearings 32 disposed between the hub 18 and the axle 28. The bearings 32 are disposed in the seats 30 of the axle 28. The anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes yoke lock plates 34 supported by the axle 28. The yoke lock plates 34 may include internal notches 36 which engage the axle 28 and outward extending tabs 38 that engage a vehicle wheel frame 40, thus holding the axle 28 stationary and preventing it from rotating.
  • The anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes an axle plate 42 disposed about the axle 28 and within the cavity 19 of the hub 18. The axle plate 42 is securely mounted, such as by welding, about the axle 38. The axle plate 42 is made of a metal material such as steel. The anti-theft vehicle system 10 also includes a mounting plate or chassis 44 disposed within the cavity 19 of the hub 18 and connected to the axle plate 42 by suitable means such as a rivet. The chassis 44 is generally circular in shape for a function to be described. It should be appreciated that the axle plate 42 links the chassis 44 to the axle 28. It should also be appreciated that the axle 28 is non-rotatable and that the axle plate 42 sustains the locking torque transmitted by the rolling element of the hub 18 and surface engaging member 20 when it stops.
  • The anti-theft vehicle system 10 further includes a power supply such as a battery 46 disposed within the cavity 19 of the hub 18 and mounted to the chassis 44. The battery 46 is electrically connected by wires to a control circuit 60 to be described to provide power thereto. It should be appreciated that the battery 46 is attached to the chassis 44 by suitable means such as clips.
  • The anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes a linear actuator, generally indicated at 48, disposed within the cavity 19 of the hub 18 and mounted to the chassis 44. The linear actuator 48 has linear movement to engage and disengage the protrusions 24 of the lock ring 22. Preferably, the linear actuator 48 includes a solenoid 50, more preferably of a two-way or “push-pull” type, mounted to the axle plate 42. The linear actuator 48 also includes a plunger 52 extending radially from the solenoid 48, which is moved linearly by the solenoid 48 when the solenoid 48 is energized and de-energized. The plunger 52 may include a stepped locking member or index 54 at a free end thereof to engage and disengage one of the lock ridges 24. The index 54 fits the lock ridges 24 on the lock ring 22. The index 54 is made of a rigid material such as metal. The solenoid 50 is electrically connected by wires to a control circuit 60 to be described to receive power and be electrically activated and de-activated. The solenoid 50 may be of a type commercially available and known as a Richmeg Open-Frame Solenoid of RG-O-0420 L & S or RG-O-0837 L & S. It should be appreciated that the lock ridges 24 are wedge shaped to prevent damage to the solenoid 50 or the plunger 52 if the solenoid 50 is activated while directly over one of the lock ridges 24. It should also be appreciated that the wedge shape of the lock ridges 24 ensures that the wheel 12 is slightly advanced to allow the plunger 52 to fully extend.
  • Referring to FIG. 6, the anti-theft vehicle system 10 includes a control circuit, generally indicated at 60. The control circuit 60 is an electronic printed circuit board 62, which is disposed within the cavity 19 of hub 18 of the wheel 12 and mounted to the chassis 44. The control circuit 60 includes a receiver 64 for receiving a signal to activate the solenoid 50 to move the plunger 52 to engage or disengage the wheel 12. Preferably, the receiver 64 is an antenna that receives a perimeter signal such as an RF signal created by a signal generator 74 to be described. The perimeter signal is created by the signal generator 74 and a buried wire cable 76 to be described and illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • The control circuit 60 includes a tuned receiver 66 that receives the perimeter signal from the receiver 64, amplifies it and sends it to a tone decoder 68 for decoding the perimeter signal. The control circuit 60 also includes a flip-flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 and a solenoid control timer 71, which receive the signal once it has been decoded. The flip-flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 determines which direction that the solenoid 50 must be activated. More specifically, the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 will signal the solenoid control timer 71 to operate the solenoid 50 dependent upon the input received by the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 and the tone decoder 68. The control circuit 60 further includes a master timer 72 that receives input from a rotation sensor 73 such as a magnet.
  • For example, the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 receives input from the tuned receiver 66 stating the location of the shopping cart 22 has changed such that the shopping cart 22 has passed over a buried wire cable 76 signifying that the shopping cart 22 has passed either into or out of the perimeter defined by the buried wire cable 76. The flip-flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 then determines whether the shopping cart 22 was inside or outside the buried wire cable 76 by determining whether the wheel 12 was rotating. From the rotation sensor 73, determination of the rotation of the wheel 12 will determine whether the shopping cart 22 was inside or outside of the buried wire cable 76. If the rotation sensor 73 receives no signal, the wheel 12 is not rotating and is already locked. Therefore, receiving a signal from the tuned receiver 66 will indicate that the shopping cart 22 has passed back into the perimeter of the allowed area for the shopping cart 22 to operate. The rotational state of the wheel 12 goes from a non-rotating state to a rotating state. If, however, the flip flop retrieval deactivation circuit 70 receives a signal from the tuned receiver 66 when the rotation sensor 73 is sending a signal indicating that the wheel 12 is rotating, it will be determined that the shopping cart 22 has moved to a location outside of the perimeter defined by the buried wire cable 76 and will activate the solenoid 50 such that the plunger 52 will engage the locking ridges 24, preventing the wheel 12 from rotating. Thus, the rotational state of the wheel 12 has gone from a rotating state to a non-rotating state. It should be appreciated that when the control circuit 60 recognizes the lock signal, the solenoid 50 is energized to push the plunger 52 out and that the plunger 52 remains in the lock position until the control circuit 60 receives the reverse or unlock signal. It should also be appreciated that a hand held signal generator (not shown) may be used to send a locking and unlocking signal to operate each wheel 12 individually. It should further be appreciated that more lock ridges 24 disposed about the inside the wheel 12 results in more even tread wear.
  • The signal generator 74, shown in FIG. 1, generates a square wave output having a low frequency cycle between 60 Hz and 9 kHz that is sent along the buried wire cable 76 and defines the area in which the shopping cart 22 may operate. The signal generator 74 may be any type of signal generator suitable to produce a signal that will pass along the entire length of the buried wire cable 76.
  • Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, another embodiment, according to the present invention, of the anti-theft vehicle system 10 is shown. Like parts have like reference numerals increased by one hundred (100). In this embodiment, the anti-theft vehicle system 110 includes the hub 118, surface engaging member 120, shaft 126, axle 128, bearings 132, yoke lock plates 134, axle plate 142, chassis 144, battery 146, linear actuator 148, solenoid 150, plunger 152, and control circuit 160. The anti-theft vehicle system 110 also includes a pair of wedge members 180 disposed within the cavity 119 of the hub 188 and spaced axially. The wedge members 180 extend circumferentially and are generally trapezoidal in cross-sectional shape. The anti-theft vehicle system 110 also includes a pair of hinges 182 to pivotally connect the wedge members 180 to the chassis 144. The anti-theft vehicle system 110 includes a pair of friction pads 184 with each being connected to one of the wedge members 180. The friction pads 184 extend circumferentially and are generally planar in shape. The friction pads 184 engage and disengage the interior surface of the hub 118. The anti-theft vehicle system 110 also includes a sloped wedge 186 disposed upon the outward end of the plunger 152 to move the wedge members 180. The sloped wedge 186 is generally trapezoidal in shape. In operation, when the anti-theft vehicle system 110 is activated, the solenoid 150 is electrically energized and the sloped wedge 186 is driven outwardly between the wedge members 180 causing them to move axially and press the friction pads 184 against the interior surface of the hub 118 to apply a friction brake to lock the wheel 12. It should be appreciated that the anti-theft vehicle system 110 not only locks the wheel 12 randomly, making the tread to wear evenly, but also offers a progressive braking feature.
  • The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
  • Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (12)

1. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis comprising:
a linear actuator having a movable plunger and at least one engagement member disposed within the vehicle wheel, said linear actuator moving said plunger radially along an axis extending through the rotational axis toward and away an interior surface of the vehicle wheel, said linear actuator and said plunger being located along the axis, said plunger having a free end being forced away from the rotational axis to cause said at least one engagement member to axially engage the interior surface of the vehicle wheel, thereby causing the vehicle wheel to resist rotational movement about the rotational axis; and
a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive a signal to activate said linear actuator.
2. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linear actuator comprises a solenoid.
3. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 2 including a sloped wedge disposed on one end of said plunger.
4. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 3 wherein said at least one engagement member comprises a pair of movable wedge members spaced axially, said sloped wedge moving said wedge members axially.
5. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 4 including a pair of friction pads, one of said friction pads being disposed on one of said wedge members for contacting the interior surface of the vehicle wheel.
6. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 1 including an axle plate fixed to an axle of the vehicle wheel.
7. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 6 including a chassis connected to said axle plate, said linear actuator being mounted to said chassis.
8. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis comprising:
a pair of movable wedge members disposed within the vehicle wheel and spaced axially;
a linear actuator disposed within the vehicle wheel, said linear actuator moving to engage and disengage said wedge members thereby causing said wedge members to engage and disengage an interior surface of the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis; and
a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive an electrical signal to activate said linear actuator.
9. An anti-theft vehicle system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said linear actuator comprises a solenoid having a movable plunger.
10. An anti-theft vehicle system as set forth in claim 9 including a sloped wedge disposed on one end of said plunger for contacting said wedge members.
11. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 8 including an axle plate fixed to an axle of the vehicle wheel.
12. An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in claim 11 including a chassis connected to said axle plate, said linear actuator being mounted to said chassis.
US11/076,503 2002-08-16 2005-03-09 Anti-theft vehicle system Abandoned US20050155824A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/076,503 US20050155824A1 (en) 2002-08-16 2005-03-09 Anti-theft vehicle system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/222,404 US6945366B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2002-08-16 Anti-theft vehicle system
US11/076,503 US20050155824A1 (en) 2002-08-16 2005-03-09 Anti-theft vehicle system

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/222,404 Division US6945366B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2002-08-16 Anti-theft vehicle system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050155824A1 true US20050155824A1 (en) 2005-07-21

Family

ID=31714952

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/222,404 Expired - Lifetime US6945366B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2002-08-16 Anti-theft vehicle system
US11/076,503 Abandoned US20050155824A1 (en) 2002-08-16 2005-03-09 Anti-theft vehicle system

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/222,404 Expired - Lifetime US6945366B2 (en) 2002-08-16 2002-08-16 Anti-theft vehicle system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US6945366B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1542875B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE514569T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003256927A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2495655C (en)
WO (1) WO2004016467A2 (en)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20060249320A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-11-09 Carter Scott J Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US20080066979A1 (en) * 2006-09-20 2008-03-20 Carter Scott J Systems and methods for power storage and management from intermittent power sources
US20080116033A1 (en) * 2005-02-03 2008-05-22 Horst Sonnendorfer Shopping Trolley
US20090315691A1 (en) * 2006-08-02 2009-12-24 Horst Sonnendorfer Immobilizer for shopping carts
US20110036671A1 (en) * 2008-05-05 2011-02-17 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Brake mechanism for a non-motorized wheeled vehicle
US20120217103A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2012-08-30 Khuu Thomas K Ball Bearing Braking Apparatus
US8674845B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2014-03-18 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for locating and controlling powered vehicles using a received strength indication signal
US20160089932A1 (en) * 2013-04-25 2016-03-31 Sew-Eurodrive Gmbh & Co. Kg Mobile component having a roller bearing unit
US20210122331A1 (en) * 2018-07-05 2021-04-29 Hardcore Automotive Locking Technologies (Pty) Ltd Retro-fittable vehicle lock
US11235733B2 (en) 2016-09-02 2022-02-01 Hardcore Automotive Locking Technologies (Pty) Ltd Remotely activated vehicle anti-theft device

Families Citing this family (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB0222672D0 (en) * 2002-10-01 2002-11-06 Gray Matter Alpha Ltd Braking assembly
DE102007027836A1 (en) 2007-06-13 2008-12-18 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Anti-theft system for manually operated transport vehicles
DE102007044398B4 (en) * 2007-09-18 2012-10-04 Continental Automotive Gmbh Anti-theft system for a vehicle and method of operating an anti-theft system
DE102007052946B4 (en) * 2007-10-15 2016-02-18 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Apparatus, method and system for detecting when an object or a person exceeds a boundary marked by a magnetic field
WO2010037328A1 (en) * 2008-09-30 2010-04-08 珠海百亚电子科技有限公司 Brake caster
US9321474B2 (en) * 2010-12-07 2016-04-26 Csir Transportation of valuables
WO2012154872A2 (en) 2011-05-10 2012-11-15 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Cart connection assemblies and methods
GB2493341B (en) * 2011-07-28 2014-04-30 Bance And Company Ltd R Electrically operated brake
EP2750903B1 (en) 2011-09-22 2015-10-21 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Non-motorized vehicle wheel replacement treads and methods
AU2012100560A4 (en) * 2012-05-09 2012-06-07 Wuli Holdings Pty Ltd A vehicle locking and/or parking brake
ES2694663T3 (en) 2013-03-06 2018-12-26 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Wheels for non-motorized vehicles
CN106573633B (en) 2014-07-25 2018-11-16 看门人系统公司 Monitor the service condition or state of cart recover
CN107111849B (en) 2015-01-13 2021-06-22 看门人系统公司 System with embedded antenna for bidirectional communication with wheeled vehicle
CN107533140B (en) 2015-03-06 2020-12-25 看门人系统公司 Low energy positioning of movable objects
US10001541B2 (en) 2015-09-04 2018-06-19 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Magnetometer and accelerometer calibration for cart navigation system
US9731744B2 (en) * 2015-09-04 2017-08-15 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Estimating motion of wheeled carts
US9845072B1 (en) 2016-08-12 2017-12-19 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Direction crossing detector for containment boundary
US10232869B2 (en) 2017-03-08 2019-03-19 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Navigation systems for wheeled carts
GB2568970B (en) * 2017-12-04 2021-10-06 Rollersafe As Speed control device attachable to a wheeled article
US11338616B1 (en) * 2018-12-11 2022-05-24 Amzon Technolgies, Inc. Wheel mechanism for autonomous mobile device
US11208134B2 (en) 2020-03-11 2021-12-28 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Monitoring system capable of classifying items added to a shopping cart

Citations (55)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1928750A (en) * 1930-02-05 1933-10-03 Bendix Brake Co Brake mechanism
US1968548A (en) * 1929-03-18 1934-07-31 Brassert & Co Apparatus for the control of blast furnaces
US2325895A (en) * 1942-02-09 1943-08-03 Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Co Caster wheel mounting
US2964140A (en) * 1959-09-14 1960-12-13 Gilbert Florence Anti-theft device for carts
US3029905A (en) * 1960-04-28 1962-04-17 Martin E Nowak Brake mechanism
US3031037A (en) * 1960-09-12 1962-04-24 Stollman Irving Caster structure
US3031038A (en) * 1959-11-16 1962-04-24 Irving Stollman Magnetic wheel lock
US3117655A (en) * 1961-02-13 1964-01-14 Faultless Caster Corp Magnetic lock for a caster assembly
US3157871A (en) * 1960-03-21 1964-11-17 R A Macplum Ind Inc Shopping cart provided with radio receiving apparatus
US3495688A (en) * 1968-10-16 1970-02-17 Elmer H Isaacks Shopping cart wheel lock
US3590962A (en) * 1969-01-06 1971-07-06 Marvin Dizack Metering brake
US3652103A (en) * 1970-03-23 1972-03-28 Stuart P Higgs Automatic brake for a shopping cart
US3717225A (en) * 1971-01-25 1973-02-20 A Rashbaum Anti-theft device for a shopping cart
US3809191A (en) * 1969-08-04 1974-05-07 Index Ind Inc Auxiliary braking system
US3820623A (en) * 1970-10-23 1974-06-28 Sanyo Machine Works Method and system for speed control for vehicles
US4087757A (en) * 1976-12-30 1978-05-02 Rockwell International Corporation Constant delay resonant tank circuit combination for frequency discrimination
US4242668A (en) * 1979-04-30 1980-12-30 Walter Herzog Cart theft prevention system
US4338594A (en) * 1980-11-14 1982-07-06 Holm Lars Erik Trolley check-out monitoring system
US4424511A (en) * 1980-10-30 1984-01-03 Alberts Jr Fred L Noise monitor
US4472706A (en) * 1981-11-30 1984-09-18 Hodge Patrick M Vehicle presence loop detector
US4577880A (en) * 1984-01-06 1986-03-25 Bianco Eric L Theft prevention apparatus for shopping carts
US4591175A (en) * 1982-10-18 1986-05-27 Kart Guard Internationale, Inc. Shopping cart anti-theft apparatus
US4609075A (en) * 1980-06-11 1986-09-02 Snedeker Nelson W Shopping cart disabling device
US4629036A (en) * 1984-08-13 1986-12-16 Choy Kim L Shopping cart braking wheel
US4683461A (en) * 1985-09-17 1987-07-28 Allied Corporation Inductive magnetic field generator
US4738338A (en) * 1986-03-24 1988-04-19 Schandelmeier John L Brake anti-squeal apparatus
US4772880A (en) * 1986-01-21 1988-09-20 Goldstein Larry W Shopping cart anti-theft system
US4809824A (en) * 1987-01-22 1989-03-07 Bendix France Method and device for actuating a braking mechanism by a rotating electric motor
US4868544A (en) * 1988-06-28 1989-09-19 Rex Havens Shopping cart retrieval system
US4878050A (en) * 1987-03-06 1989-10-31 Kelley William L Motor vehicle remote control system
US4908604A (en) * 1987-09-21 1990-03-13 Dimango Products Corporation Remotely controlled security system
US4987406A (en) * 1987-04-13 1991-01-22 Reid Philip L Security system for electrical appliances and other items with electrical circuitry
US4990890A (en) * 1988-05-02 1991-02-05 Newby Lionel L Vehicle security system
US4997066A (en) * 1988-08-29 1991-03-05 Ampafrance Wheel-locking device, in particular for a pram
US5000297A (en) * 1989-05-17 1991-03-19 General Motors Corporation Electric drum brake
US5053768A (en) * 1989-12-21 1991-10-01 Invisible Fence Company, Inc. Golf cart control system
US5133106A (en) * 1989-12-23 1992-07-28 Tente-Rollen Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung Caster with lock
US5194844A (en) * 1988-10-06 1993-03-16 Zelda Arthur W Vehicle theft protection device
US5283550A (en) * 1992-06-04 1994-02-01 Wild's - Wild Things, Inc. Shopping cart receiver alarm system
US5315290A (en) * 1992-08-10 1994-05-24 Computron, Inc. Cart theft prevention system
US5349329A (en) * 1993-05-07 1994-09-20 Ideaz International, Inc. Vehicle security apparatus and method
US5357182A (en) * 1993-01-27 1994-10-18 Wolfe Steven M Shopping cart theft prevention system
US5432412A (en) * 1993-11-19 1995-07-11 David Fulton Security device for a cart wheel
US5465986A (en) * 1993-05-24 1995-11-14 Macrae; Elwyn F. Wheel restraining device for a shopping cart or a portable vehicle
US5576691A (en) * 1995-01-12 1996-11-19 Polytracker, Inc. Method and apparatus for deterring theft of manually operated wheeled vehicles
US5598144A (en) * 1994-12-30 1997-01-28 Actodyne General, Inc. Anti-theft vehicle system
US5607030A (en) * 1995-12-15 1997-03-04 Swift; Daniel P. Centrifugal shopping cart brake
US5694962A (en) * 1994-09-01 1997-12-09 Daewoo Electronic Co., Ltd. Method for controlling a water supply valve of a washing machine
US5823302A (en) * 1996-05-23 1998-10-20 Schweninger; Quentin David Toggle brake assembly for a wheel of a shopping cart or the like
US5831530A (en) * 1994-12-30 1998-11-03 Lace Effect, Llc Anti-theft vehicle system
US6102414A (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-08-15 Schweninger; David Turn wheel locking device
US6139117A (en) * 1998-03-26 2000-10-31 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Electrically operated parking brake apparatus having braking force changing device operable while drive power source switch is off
US6155385A (en) * 1997-10-15 2000-12-05 Rover Group Limited Vehicle brake systems
US6161849A (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-12-19 Schweninger; Q. David Turn wheel locking device
US6362728B1 (en) * 1997-02-07 2002-03-26 Gatekeeper Systems, Llc. Anti-theft vehicle system

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1968584A (en) 1929-11-02 1934-07-31 Bendix Brake Co Brake mechanism
GB2137388A (en) 1983-03-30 1984-10-03 Bruce Stanley Gunton Improvements relating to a security system
FR2584789B1 (en) * 1985-07-11 1987-10-09 Fortin Jean Louis DISC BRAKE WITH AUTOMATIC RETARDER WITH INTEGRATED INERTIA
GB9104555D0 (en) 1991-03-05 1991-04-17 Gray Andrew P P Improvements in and relating to braking devices
DE59203021D1 (en) 1991-09-13 1995-08-31 Mubir Ag Masch & App Blocking device on castors for manually moved trolleys with a touch sensor that only touches the road when needed.
GB9209436D0 (en) 1992-05-01 1992-06-17 Multilop Ltd Tracking systems
WO1999003720A1 (en) * 1997-07-16 1999-01-28 Lace Effect, Llc. Anti-theft vehicle system

Patent Citations (58)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1968548A (en) * 1929-03-18 1934-07-31 Brassert & Co Apparatus for the control of blast furnaces
US1928750A (en) * 1930-02-05 1933-10-03 Bendix Brake Co Brake mechanism
US2325895A (en) * 1942-02-09 1943-08-03 Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Co Caster wheel mounting
US2964140A (en) * 1959-09-14 1960-12-13 Gilbert Florence Anti-theft device for carts
US3031038A (en) * 1959-11-16 1962-04-24 Irving Stollman Magnetic wheel lock
US3157871A (en) * 1960-03-21 1964-11-17 R A Macplum Ind Inc Shopping cart provided with radio receiving apparatus
US3029905A (en) * 1960-04-28 1962-04-17 Martin E Nowak Brake mechanism
US3031037A (en) * 1960-09-12 1962-04-24 Stollman Irving Caster structure
US3117655A (en) * 1961-02-13 1964-01-14 Faultless Caster Corp Magnetic lock for a caster assembly
US3495688A (en) * 1968-10-16 1970-02-17 Elmer H Isaacks Shopping cart wheel lock
US3590962A (en) * 1969-01-06 1971-07-06 Marvin Dizack Metering brake
US3809191A (en) * 1969-08-04 1974-05-07 Index Ind Inc Auxiliary braking system
US3652103A (en) * 1970-03-23 1972-03-28 Stuart P Higgs Automatic brake for a shopping cart
US3820623A (en) * 1970-10-23 1974-06-28 Sanyo Machine Works Method and system for speed control for vehicles
US3717225A (en) * 1971-01-25 1973-02-20 A Rashbaum Anti-theft device for a shopping cart
US4087757A (en) * 1976-12-30 1978-05-02 Rockwell International Corporation Constant delay resonant tank circuit combination for frequency discrimination
US4242668A (en) * 1979-04-30 1980-12-30 Walter Herzog Cart theft prevention system
US4609075A (en) * 1980-06-11 1986-09-02 Snedeker Nelson W Shopping cart disabling device
US4424511A (en) * 1980-10-30 1984-01-03 Alberts Jr Fred L Noise monitor
US4338594A (en) * 1980-11-14 1982-07-06 Holm Lars Erik Trolley check-out monitoring system
US4472706A (en) * 1981-11-30 1984-09-18 Hodge Patrick M Vehicle presence loop detector
US4591175A (en) * 1982-10-18 1986-05-27 Kart Guard Internationale, Inc. Shopping cart anti-theft apparatus
US4577880A (en) * 1984-01-06 1986-03-25 Bianco Eric L Theft prevention apparatus for shopping carts
US4629036A (en) * 1984-08-13 1986-12-16 Choy Kim L Shopping cart braking wheel
US4683461A (en) * 1985-09-17 1987-07-28 Allied Corporation Inductive magnetic field generator
US4772880A (en) * 1986-01-21 1988-09-20 Goldstein Larry W Shopping cart anti-theft system
US4738338A (en) * 1986-03-24 1988-04-19 Schandelmeier John L Brake anti-squeal apparatus
US4809824A (en) * 1987-01-22 1989-03-07 Bendix France Method and device for actuating a braking mechanism by a rotating electric motor
US4878050A (en) * 1987-03-06 1989-10-31 Kelley William L Motor vehicle remote control system
US4987406A (en) * 1987-04-13 1991-01-22 Reid Philip L Security system for electrical appliances and other items with electrical circuitry
US4908604A (en) * 1987-09-21 1990-03-13 Dimango Products Corporation Remotely controlled security system
US4990890A (en) * 1988-05-02 1991-02-05 Newby Lionel L Vehicle security system
US4868544A (en) * 1988-06-28 1989-09-19 Rex Havens Shopping cart retrieval system
US4997066A (en) * 1988-08-29 1991-03-05 Ampafrance Wheel-locking device, in particular for a pram
US5194844A (en) * 1988-10-06 1993-03-16 Zelda Arthur W Vehicle theft protection device
US5000297A (en) * 1989-05-17 1991-03-19 General Motors Corporation Electric drum brake
US5053768A (en) * 1989-12-21 1991-10-01 Invisible Fence Company, Inc. Golf cart control system
US5133106A (en) * 1989-12-23 1992-07-28 Tente-Rollen Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung Caster with lock
US5283550A (en) * 1992-06-04 1994-02-01 Wild's - Wild Things, Inc. Shopping cart receiver alarm system
US5315290A (en) * 1992-08-10 1994-05-24 Computron, Inc. Cart theft prevention system
US5357182A (en) * 1993-01-27 1994-10-18 Wolfe Steven M Shopping cart theft prevention system
US5349329A (en) * 1993-05-07 1994-09-20 Ideaz International, Inc. Vehicle security apparatus and method
US5349329B1 (en) * 1993-05-07 1996-09-10 Ideaz International Inc Vehicle security apparatus and method
US5465986A (en) * 1993-05-24 1995-11-14 Macrae; Elwyn F. Wheel restraining device for a shopping cart or a portable vehicle
US5432412A (en) * 1993-11-19 1995-07-11 David Fulton Security device for a cart wheel
US5694962A (en) * 1994-09-01 1997-12-09 Daewoo Electronic Co., Ltd. Method for controlling a water supply valve of a washing machine
US6127927A (en) * 1994-12-30 2000-10-03 Gatekeeper Systems, L.L.C. Anti-theft vehicle system
US5598144A (en) * 1994-12-30 1997-01-28 Actodyne General, Inc. Anti-theft vehicle system
US5831530A (en) * 1994-12-30 1998-11-03 Lace Effect, Llc Anti-theft vehicle system
US6037869A (en) * 1994-12-30 2000-03-14 Gatekeeper Systems, L.L.C. Anti-theft vehicle system
US5576691A (en) * 1995-01-12 1996-11-19 Polytracker, Inc. Method and apparatus for deterring theft of manually operated wheeled vehicles
US5607030A (en) * 1995-12-15 1997-03-04 Swift; Daniel P. Centrifugal shopping cart brake
US5823302A (en) * 1996-05-23 1998-10-20 Schweninger; Quentin David Toggle brake assembly for a wheel of a shopping cart or the like
US6362728B1 (en) * 1997-02-07 2002-03-26 Gatekeeper Systems, Llc. Anti-theft vehicle system
US6155385A (en) * 1997-10-15 2000-12-05 Rover Group Limited Vehicle brake systems
US6139117A (en) * 1998-03-26 2000-10-31 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Electrically operated parking brake apparatus having braking force changing device operable while drive power source switch is off
US6102414A (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-08-15 Schweninger; David Turn wheel locking device
US6161849A (en) * 1998-09-29 2000-12-19 Schweninger; Q. David Turn wheel locking device

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080116033A1 (en) * 2005-02-03 2008-05-22 Horst Sonnendorfer Shopping Trolley
US8950567B2 (en) * 2005-02-03 2015-02-10 Horst Sonnendorfer Shopping trolley
US20060249320A1 (en) * 2005-03-18 2006-11-09 Carter Scott J Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US8820447B2 (en) * 2005-03-18 2014-09-02 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US9586606B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2017-03-07 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US9630639B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2017-04-25 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Navigation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US8751148B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2014-06-10 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Navigation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US11718336B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2023-08-08 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Navigation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US10730541B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2020-08-04 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Navigation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US10227082B2 (en) 2005-03-18 2019-03-12 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Power generation systems and methods for wheeled objects
US8674845B2 (en) 2005-08-25 2014-03-18 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for locating and controlling powered vehicles using a received strength indication signal
US8314690B2 (en) * 2006-08-02 2012-11-20 Horst Sonnendorfer Immobilizer for shopping carts
US8629765B2 (en) * 2006-08-02 2014-01-14 Horst Sonnendorfer Immobilizer for shopping carts
DE112006004051B4 (en) * 2006-08-02 2016-10-20 Horst Sonnendorfer Immobilizer for shopping carts
US20090315691A1 (en) * 2006-08-02 2009-12-24 Horst Sonnendorfer Immobilizer for shopping carts
US7870916B2 (en) 2006-09-20 2011-01-18 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for power storage and management from intermittent power sources
US20080066979A1 (en) * 2006-09-20 2008-03-20 Carter Scott J Systems and methods for power storage and management from intermittent power sources
US20100148582A1 (en) * 2006-09-20 2010-06-17 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for power storage and management from intermittent power sources
US7658247B2 (en) 2006-09-20 2010-02-09 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Systems and methods for power storage and management from intermittent power sources
US9669659B2 (en) 2008-05-05 2017-06-06 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Brake mechanism for a non-motorized wheeled vehicle
US8973716B2 (en) 2008-05-05 2015-03-10 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Brake mechanism for a non-motorized wheeled vehicle
US20110036671A1 (en) * 2008-05-05 2011-02-17 Gatekeeper Systems, Inc. Brake mechanism for a non-motorized wheeled vehicle
US20170166232A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2017-06-15 Carttronics, Llc Multiple frequency band braking apparatus with magnetic force interposer
US8602176B2 (en) * 2011-02-24 2013-12-10 Carttronics, Llc Ball bearing braking apparatus
US8985282B2 (en) * 2011-02-24 2015-03-24 Carttronics, LLC. Ball bearing braking apparatus
US9610965B2 (en) * 2011-02-24 2017-04-04 Carttronics, LLC. Multiple frequency band braking apparatus with clutch
US20150217600A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2015-08-06 Carttronics, Llc Ball Bearing Braking Apparatus
US20140069749A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2014-03-13 Carttronics, Llc Ball Bearing Braking Apparatus
US9409443B2 (en) * 2011-02-24 2016-08-09 Carttronics, LLC. Ball bearing braking apparatus
US20160339939A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2016-11-24 Carttronics, Llc Multiple frequency band braking apparatus with clutch
US20120217103A1 (en) * 2011-02-24 2012-08-30 Khuu Thomas K Ball Bearing Braking Apparatus
US10266006B2 (en) * 2013-04-25 2019-04-23 Sew-Eurodrive Gmbh & Co. Kg Mobile component having a roller bearing unit
US20160089932A1 (en) * 2013-04-25 2016-03-31 Sew-Eurodrive Gmbh & Co. Kg Mobile component having a roller bearing unit
US11235733B2 (en) 2016-09-02 2022-02-01 Hardcore Automotive Locking Technologies (Pty) Ltd Remotely activated vehicle anti-theft device
US11427153B2 (en) 2016-09-02 2022-08-30 Hardcore Automotive Locking Technologies (PTY) Limited Vehicle anti-theft device
US20210122331A1 (en) * 2018-07-05 2021-04-29 Hardcore Automotive Locking Technologies (Pty) Ltd Retro-fittable vehicle lock
US11840195B2 (en) * 2018-07-05 2023-12-12 Hardcore Automotive Locking Technologies (Pty) Ltd Retro-fittable vehicle lock

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2004016467A3 (en) 2004-07-08
CA2495655A1 (en) 2004-02-26
US6945366B2 (en) 2005-09-20
WO2004016467B1 (en) 2004-09-23
US20040031650A1 (en) 2004-02-19
ATE514569T1 (en) 2011-07-15
EP1542875A2 (en) 2005-06-22
CA2495655C (en) 2008-10-14
WO2004016467A2 (en) 2004-02-26
EP1542875A4 (en) 2009-11-04
AU2003256927A1 (en) 2004-03-03
EP1542875B1 (en) 2011-06-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6945366B2 (en) Anti-theft vehicle system
KR100415898B1 (en) Anti-theft Vehicle System
EP0895629B1 (en) Anti-theft vehicle system
US6362728B1 (en) Anti-theft vehicle system
US5823302A (en) Toggle brake assembly for a wheel of a shopping cart or the like
US6499324B2 (en) Automobile anti-theft system
US20100005620A1 (en) Twin castor with common wheel movement
US20020108411A1 (en) Motor vehicle anti-theft apparatus and method
EP0994799B1 (en) Anti-theft vehicle system
US10023158B2 (en) Anti-theft vehicle brake
AU706914C (en) Anti-theft vehicle system
MXPA97004275A (en) Anti-theft system for vehicu
KR19980016482U (en) Vehicle anti-theft brake lock

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, INC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:020309/0178

Effective date: 20041020

AS Assignment

Owner name: GATEKEEPER SYSTEMS, LLC., CALIFORNIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TABA, SERGE;REEL/FRAME:020294/0348

Effective date: 20020812

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION