US 7,553,173 B2 · Vehicle connector lockout apparatus and method of using same

Abstract

According to the present invention, a vehicle connector lockout apparatus capable of being connected to the diagnostic port of a vehicle is provided. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses a raised protrusion, located in the common space below the two rows of pin spacing of the diagnostic port, as a locking point. The preferred embodiment provides a blocking mating connector with a pressure mechanism for clamping the mating connector to the protrusion. In the preferred embodiment the pressure mechanism is activated and released mechanically by operation of a key in a key lock which is an integral part of the mating connector, where rotation of the key to the locked position in the key lock applies pressure to the protrusion so as to clamp the blocking mating connector to the protrusion. A further embodiment of the invention provides a non-volatile microchip memory component to store information about the vehicle operator usable by medical personnel at the scene of a crash.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle connector lockout apparatus, comprising:

means for attaching a blocking mating connector to a vehicle diagnostic port connector, there being a direction of movement for effecting a connection of the mating connector to the vehicle diagnostic port connector, said vehicle diagnostic port connector having a raised protrusion extending from a casing of the diagnostic port in a direction perpendicular to said direction of movement of the mating connector;
means for locking said blocking mating connector to said vehicle diagnostic port connector by a pressure mechanism for clamping the blocking mating connector to said protrusion so as to prevent disconnection of the mating connector from the vehicle diagnostic port connector;
and
means for unlocking said blocking mating connector from said vehicle diagnostic port connector by releasing said pressure mechanism.

1 more element

A vehicle connector lockout apparatus for protecting vehicle owner interests, comprising:

means for blocking access to a vehicle diagnostic port connector, said blocking means further comprising,
means for attaching a blocking mating connector to a vehicle diagnostic port connector, there being a direction of movement for effecting a connection of the mating connector to the vehicle diagnostic port connector, said vehicle diagnostic port connector having a raised protrusion extending from a casing of the diagnostic port in a direction perpendicular to said direction of movement of the mating connector;
means for locking said blocking mating connector to said vehicle diagnostic port connector by a pressure mechanism for clamping the blocking mating connector to said protrusion so as to prevent disconnection of the mating connector from the vehicle diagnostic port connector;
and
means for unlocking said blocking mating connector from said vehicle diagnostic port connector by releasing said pressure mechanism;
and
means attached to said blocking means for enabling access by responders at the scene of a crash of the vehicle to information about the vehicle owner.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle connector lockout apparatus and method of using same

Life of this patent

Vehicle connector lockout apparatus and method of using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20