US 4,702,094 AGranted

Electric Solenoid operation vehicle hood lock

AssigneeCrimestopper Security Products, Inc.

InventorLarry O. Peterson

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Abstract

A solenoid activated locking system primarily for hood and trunk manual release systems for vehicles. The solenoid is connected to a cable tied to the latch of a conventional hood or trunk release system. Unless activated, the solenoid prevents manual release of the trunk or hood lids to prevent access to the truck or engine compartment to someone who has obtained unauthorized access to the vehicle interior. The solenoid is automatically actuated for a preselected period of time whenever the ignition is turned on or off or when a reset switch is closed for more than a minimum and less than a maximum period of time. In addition, the solenoid is activated automatically during closure of the hood or trunk lid to permit secure engagement of the corresponding latch mechanism. An emergency release cable, hidden in an obscure location external of the vehicle, is provided for enabling manual release of the solenoid in the event of vehicle battery failure or other otherwise disabling event.

Claims7

Dependent claims

In combination with a vehicle having a hood or trunk lid and an ignition switch, a solenoid activated locking system primarily for selectively enabling and disabling remote manual release devices in the vehicle permitting the opening of the hood or trunk lid by the release of a latch from the interior of the vehicle;

the locking system comprising:
a solenoid;
means controlled by said solenoid for engaging said latch and selectively preventing and enabling activation of said latch by said manual release device;
and
means controlling said solenoid and responsive to limited access switching within said vehicle interior for selectively activating said solenoid;
said solenoid controlling means comprising means responsive to each of the following events for activating said solenoid:
(a) turning the ignition switch of said vehicle ON;
(b) turning the ignition switch of said vehicle OFF;
(c) activating said limited access switching means for a period of time greater than a selected minimum and less than selected maximum after said vehicle ignition switch has been turned ON for a selected minimum period of time;
and
(d) closing said lid.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.