Wheel fastener alarm

An alarm subassembly for a vehicle wheel fastener comprising:

• a sensor housing sized to be retained in a cavity of the vehicle wheel fastener;
• 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 being a rigid segment shaped to correspond to an outer surface of a wheel fastener, and wherein the antenna comprises at least one flexible segment connecting the sensor array to the rigid segment.

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;
• connecting an antenna to the sensor array to transmit an alarm signal to a remote location;
• routing the antenna along an outer surface 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.