# US 2024/0200280 A1 · Device and method for preventing catalytic converter theft

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2024/0200280 A1
- Document ID: US20240200280A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/081,686
- Filed: 2022-12-15
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-12-15
- Inventors: Goodman Scott
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240200280A1

## CPC

- E01C 9/08: Temporary pavings ({E01C9/008 takes precedence } ; steel gratings E01C9/10)
- F01N 13/00: Exhaust or silencing apparatus characterised by constructional features
- F01N 2260/22: for preventing theft of exhaust parts or devices, e.g. anti-theft arrangements
- E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H)
- F01N: GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES (arrangements in connection with gas exhaust of propulsion units in vehicles B60K13/00; combustion-air intake silencers specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines F02M35/00; protecting against, or damping, noise in general G10K11/16)

## Abstract

A method and device for deterring theft of a catalytic converter connected to a vehicle's exhaust system. A securing device is used to secure a ground clearance reduction device to the ground. The ground clearance reduction device has a width, length and height that is sufficient to decrease the distance between the bottom of a vehicle's catalytic converter and the top of the ground. A vehicle operator drives a vehicle having a catalytic converter over the ground clearance reduction device and parks the vehicle, thereby deterring theft.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A ground clearance reduction device positioned on the ground underneath a vehicle having a catalytic converter for deterring theft of the catalytic converter connected to the vehicle's exhaust system, said ground clearance reduction device comprising:
A. a ground clearance reduction device width,
B. a ground clearance reduction device length,
C. a ground clearance reduction device height, wherein said ground clearance reduction device width, length and height decrease the distance between the bottom of said catalytic converter and the top of the ground, and
D. a securing device for securing said ground clearance reduction device to said ground.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ground clearance reduction device as in claim 1, wherein said ground clearance reduction device is fabricated from vulcanized rubber.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ground clearance reduction device as in claim 1, wherein said ground clearance reduction device comprises a reflective device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ground clearance reduction device as in claim 1, wherein said reflective device is reflective tape.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ground clearance reduction device as in claim 1, wherein said reflective device is reflective paint.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The ground clearance reduction device as in claim 1, wherein said securing device is a plurality of bolts.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The ground clearance reduction device as in claim 1, wherein said securing device is a plurality of spikes.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The ground clearance reduction device as in claim 1, further comprising a booster section rigidly attached to said ground raising section.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The ground raising section as in claim 1, wherein said ground is a parking lot.

### Claim 10

A method for deterring theft of a catalytic converter connected to a vehicle's exhaust system, said method comprising the steps of:
A. utilizing a securing device to secure a ground clearance reduction device to the ground, said ground clearance reduction device comprising:
1. a ground clearance reduction device width,
2. a ground clearance reduction device length, and
3. a ground clearance reduction device height, wherein said ground clearance reduction device width, length and height decrease the distance between the bottom of said catalytic converter and the top of the ground, and
B. driving said vehicle having a catalytic converter over said ground clearance reduction device.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein said ground clearance reduction device is fabricated from vulcanized rubber.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein said ground clearance reduction device comprises a reflective device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein said reflective device is reflective tape.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein said reflective device is reflective paint.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein said securing device is a plurality of bolts.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein said securing device is a plurality of spikes.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, further comprising a booster section rigidly attached to said ground raising section.

### Claim 18 (depends on 10)

The method as in claim 10, wherein said ground is a parking lot.