# US 11,305,729 B2 · Wheel fastener alarm > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,729 B2 - Document ID: US11305729B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/069,649 - Filed: 2020-10-13 - Published: 2021-02-11 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-28 - Assignees: MacLean-Fogg Company - Applicants: MacLean-Fogg Company - Inventors: David J. Davis; Kryzysztof Misztur; Christian Muehlich; Robert E. Whitney; Larry J. Wilson; Marcus A. Zagorniak; Steven R. Fister; Mark Raves; Luke Michael Roberts; Ben Wilmhoff; Bennett Whitney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305729B2 ## CPC - B60R 25/1001: {Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals (features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018)} - B60B 3/16: by bolts or the like - B60C 9/00: Reinforcements or ply arrangement of pneumatic tyres (inserts having reinforcing means B60C5/08; bead structure, e.g. turnup or overlap construction, B60C15/00) - B60Q 9/00: Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} - B60R 25/1004: {Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means (using door lock sensors B60R25/1001)} - B60R 25/24: using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user - F16B 37/14: Cap nuts; Nut caps or bolt caps - F16B 41/005: {Measures against unauthorised operation of bolts, nuts or pins (F16B23/0007, F16B23/0061, F16B23/0069, F16B23/0076 and F16B31/02 take precedence; locks, keys E05B; for valves, taps or cocks F16K35/00; for pipe-joints with swivel-nuts F16L19/005)} - G07C 5/08: Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time - G08B 25/008: {Alarm setting and unsetting, i.e. arming or disarming of the security system} - G08B 25/10: using wireless transmission systems {(G08B25/009 takes precedence)} - B60R 2025/1016: {Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals} - B60Y 2400/301: for position or displacement - B60Y 2400/304: Acceleration sensors - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION - B60C: VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract A wheel fastener alarm assembly is provided having a fastener body with a first portion defining a wrenching surface and a cavity, and a second portion with a threaded portion to attach and detach from a wheel of a vehicle. A sensor array is disposed in the cavity of fastener body to detect an attribute of the fastener body and generate an output signal based on the attribute of the fastener body. An antenna connected to the sensor array to transmit the signal to a remote location. A cap is secured to the first portion of the fastener body and covers the wrenching surface and the cavity opening to define a capped fastener body. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wheel fastener alarm assembly comprising: a fastener body with a first portion defining a wrenching surface and a cavity, and a second portion with a threaded portion to attach and detach from a wheel of a vehicle; a sensor array disposed in the cavity of the fastener body to detect an attribute of the fastener body and generate an output signal based on the attribute of the fastener body; an antenna connected to the sensor array to transmit the signal to a remote location; and a cap secured to the first portion of the fastener body and covering the wrenching surface and the cavity opening to define a capped fastener body; wherein the antenna extends from the wrenching surface toward the second portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wheel fastener alarm of claim 1, wherein the cap is formed of stainless steel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The wheel fastener alarm assembly of claim 1, wherein the antenna is arranged to transmit the signal when the capped fastener body is received by a fastening tool gripping the wrenching surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The wheel fastener alarm assembly of claim 1, wherein the antenna extends beyond the cap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wheel fastener alarm assembly of claim 1, wherein the wrenching surface has a contoured section formed between adjacent wrenching faces, the contoured section having a radius less than a fastener point, wherein the antenna is routed along the contoured section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wheel fastener alarm assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastener body has a flange extending radially from the wrenching surface, wherein a channel is formed within the flange; and the antenna is routed in the channel and extends below the flange. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wheel fastener alarm assembly of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a first end connected to the sensor array and a circumferential portion positioned outside the cap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The wheel fastener alarm assembly of claim 7, wherein the antenna further comprises a flexible extension segment connecting the sensor array to the circumferential portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The wheel fastener alarm assembly of claim 7, wherein the circumferential portion of the antenna is encased in an antenna carrier being a different material than the cap. ### Claim 10 An alarm subassembly for a vehicle wheel fastener comprising: a sensor housing sized to be retained in a cavity of the vehicle wheel fastener having a fastener body with a first portion defining a wrenching surface, and a second portion with a threaded portion to attach and detach from a wheel of a vehicle; a sensor array contained in the sensor housing to detect an attribute of a fastener body and generates an output alarm signal based on the attribute of the fastener body; a power supply contained in the housing; and an antenna connected to the sensor array to transmit the alarm signal to a remote location, the antenna connected to the sensor array at a first end and extending beyond the cavity to a second end of the antenna, wherein the antenna extends along the wrenching surface toward the second portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The alarm subassembly of claim 10, wherein the second end of the antenna comprises a circumferential portion configured to be secured to an outer surface of the vehicle wheel fastener. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The alarm subassembly of claim 11, wherein the circumferential portion of the antenna is encased in an antenna carrier. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The alarm subassembly of claim 11, wherein the antenna comprises at least one rigid segment and at least one flexible segment connecting the sensor array to the circumferential portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A wheel fastener alarm comprising the alarm subassembly of claim 10, and further comprising: a fastener body with a first portion defining a wrenching surface and a cavity, and a second portion with a threaded portion to attach to, and detach from, a wheel of a vehicle, wherein the sensor array is secured in the cavity of fastener body; and a cap secured to the first portion of the fastener body and covering the wrenching surface to secure the alarm subassembly to the fastener body. ### Claim 15 A method of manufacturing a wheel fastener alarm assembly comprising: providing a fastener body having a first portion defining a wrenching surface and a cavity, the fastener body having a second portion with a threaded portion to attach and detach from a wheel of a vehicle; inserting a sensor array in the cavity of the fastener to detect an attribute of the fastener body and generate output an alarm signal based the attribute of the fastener body; and securing a cap to a first portion of the fastener body to cover the wrenching surface, to secure the sensor array to the fastener body; connecting an antenna to the sensor array to transmit an alarm signal to a remote location, wherein the antenna extends from the wrenching surface toward the second portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: encasing at least a portion of the antenna in an antenna carrier; and crimping the antenna carrier to the fastener body, external of the cap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising: installing the antenna carrier to an outer surface of the fastener body; and inserting the sensor array into the cavity after installing the antenna carrier. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: forming the fastener body with a wrenching surface comprising a contoured section formed between adjacent wrenching faces, the contoured section having a radius less than a fastener point; and routing the antenna along the contoured section.