Abstract:
A method for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft comprising utilization of a removable restraining apparatus to temporarily immobilize a vehicle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit in the form of a continuation-in-part under 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b)(2) of currently pending parent application, Ser. No. 10/894,895 filed on Jul. 19, 2004, by the same inventor. Further, application Ser. No. 10/894,895 filed on Jul. 19, 2004 is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10.694,964 filed on Oct. 28, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to methods having the purpose of disabling the progress of a vehicle, and in particular methods to apparatuses for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0003]     In the area of law enforcement, police and other law enforcement officers are commonly required to stop and question motorists. Frequently, these traffics stops occur on the side of the road. During a traffic stop, there is a possibility that a motorist may attempt to flee causing the officer to pursue the fleeing vehicle at high speeds. Such incidents cause injuries to law enforcement officers and damage to law enforcement vehicles due to collisions caused by high speed chases. Additionally, the fleeing vehicle may harm individuals and property not involved in the traffic stop. Law enforcement agencies may be required to bear the costs of workers&#39; compensation claims, personal injury and other lawsuits against the law enforcement agency, and insurance claims resulting from vehicle damage. Therefore, a means for deterring a detained motorist from fleeing the scene is desired. One such means possesses a mechanism for deflating vehicle tires of a fleeing motorist in order to prevent the motorist from achieving high speeds and prevent injury and or death to innocent bystanders.  
         [0004]     The utility patents U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,397 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,445 issued to Soleau and Jones respectively, disclose a tire deflator including a spike secured to a support mechanism such that upon contact with a tire of a moving vehicle the spike penetrates the tire causing rapid air depletion. However, Soleau and Jones lack a means for positioning the apparatus on either side of the tire. Additionally, Soleau and Jones require the user to position the chocks underneath the vehicle wheel by hand, causing law enforcement officers to be vulnerable to injury if the vehicle moves. Therefore, an apparatus is needed that is easily positioned on a vehicle tire without exposing a user&#39;s body to possible harm.  
         [0005]     The Soleau and Jones patents also fail to include a mechanism for protecting users from the disclosed spikes during placement and while the apparatuses are not in use. Therefore, an apparatus is needed that protects individuals from injury caused by inadvertent contact with deflating spikes.  
         [0006]     The utility patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,981 issued to DeLuca et al. discloses an anti-theft vehicle wheel lock wherein a chock is positioned against a vehicle tire coupled with a bar on the opposing side securing the chock in place. Furthermore, a lock prevents movement of the chock and opposing bar, and a handle extends upward facilitating placement of the device. However, DeLuca et al. only is effective when locked into place, which takes time, and has no effect to prevent a high speed chase such as deflating vehicle tires. Therefore, an apparatus is needed that is easily placed and may be used in an unlocked position in order to prevent a vehicle from achieving high speeds.  
         [0007]     For these reasons, in order to prevent high-speed pursuits and theft, a method for utilizing a deflating apparatus that is easily placed, without exposing a user&#39;s body to harm is needed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention, a method for utilizing an apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft, includes spikes, or other means for deflating a vehicle tire known in the art, disposed on opposing blocks or chocks, further secured to adjustable supports. A vertical user engageable member is secured to the support facilitating placement around a vehicle tire. The instant method is applicable to all types of vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, motorcycles and airplanes.  
         [0009]     The apparatus has two positions, stored and deployed. While the apparatus is in the stored position, the supports are folded upward toward the vertical user engageable member. The spikes are pointed downwards or horizontally towards the opposing block causing the blocks to cover the spikes and protect individuals from unintentional contact and resulting injury. In order to deploy the device, the supports are propelled downward by a spring force, or other deploying mechanism known in the art, when activated by a user.  
         [0010]     Once deployed, the apparatus is locked into position. A user places the apparatus around a vehicle tire using the vertical user engageable member allowing placement without exposing a user&#39;s body to harm or the need for locking the apparatus around the tire. The blocks are positioned along side the outside front and back surfaces of the vehicle tire. The spikes and opposing blocks are positioned so to compress against the lower front and lower back surfaces of a vehicle tire. Foam or cushioning may be placed over the spikes in order to further protect users from exposed spikes. Due to the durability of a vehicle tire, the spikes will not penetrate causing deflation unless a strong force is applied on the spikes, such as vehicle propelled movement.  
         [0011]     Thus, if the vehicle is moved in either direction, the spikes, or other deflating means, puncture the tire, thus releasing the air in the tire well before the vehicle gains any significant forward or reverse motion while at the same time not rendering the vehicle out-of-control from the operator. Thus, escape at high speeds is prevented. The spikes are capable of piercing any sized vehicle tire; regardless of the speed or direction the vehicle attempts to flee.  
         [0012]     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. Therefore, the form of the invention, as set out above, should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front prospective view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft in deployed position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft placed around a vehicle tire in deployed position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft placed around a vehicle tire in deployed position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft in stored position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms, one in the operational position and the other in the horizontally stored position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms, one in the operational position and the other in the vertically stored position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms attached to the median portion of the blocks, one retaining arm is in the operational position and the other in the vertically stored position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms internally contained within the rearward portion of the blocks and having a telescoping ability; and  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms internally contained within the median portion of the blocks and having a telescoping ability. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention represents an apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle and vehicle theft pursuits as shown in  FIGS. 1-10 . The apparatus  1  of the present invention includes spikes  2 , or other means for deflating a vehicle tire known in the art, disposed on blocks  3 ,  4 . The blocks  3 ,  4  are secured to supports  5 ,  6 . A user places the apparatus  1  using a vertical user engageable member  7  allowing placement without exposing a user&#39;s body to harm. The spikes  2  and opposing blocks  3 ,  4  are positioned so to compress against the lower front and lower back surfaces of a vehicle tire. The spikes  2  may be hollow spikes, blades or other deflating means, and foam or cushioning may be placed over the spikes  2 . The apparatus  1  is comprised of steel or other high strength material with similar properties.  
         [0024]     The apparatus has two positions, stored as shown in  FIG. 5  and deployed as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . While the apparatus  1  is in stored position, the supports  5 ,  6  are folded upward toward the vertical user engageable member  7  and fastened as shown in  FIG. 5 . The spikes  2  are pointed downwards or horizontally towards the opposing block  3 ,  4  causing the blocks  3 ,  4  to cover the spikes  2  and protect unintentional contact and resulting injury. As seen in  FIG. 4 , in order to deploy the apparatus  1 , the supports  5 ,  6  are propelled downward, due to a spring force or any other force exerting mechanism  9  as known in the art. Activation may be controlled by a trigger, push button or keyoperated mechanism  13  or any other such actuation mechanism as known in the art, in cooperation with the chosen force exerting mechanism  9 .  
         [0025]     Once deployed, the apparatus  1  is locked in deployed position as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . A user places the apparatus  1  around a vehicle tire using the vertical user engageable member  7  allowing placement without exposing any part of the body in front of or behind a vehicle tire, thus, susceptible to crushing were the vehicle to move. The blocks  3 ,  4  are positioned along side the outside front and back surfaces of the vehicle tire. The spikes  2  and opposing blocks  3 ,  4  are positioned so to compress against the lower front and lower back surfaces of a vehicle tire.  
         [0026]     While the apparatus  1  is in place, if the vehicle begins to move, the spikes  2 , or other deflating means, puncture the tire, thus releasing the air in the tire well before the vehicle gains any significant forward or reverse motion while at the same time not rendering the vehicle out-of-control. The apparatus can be modified such that the spikes  2  are capable of piercing any sized vehicle tire; regardless of the speed or direction the vehicle attempts to flee.  
         [0027]     In a further embodiment, at least one retaining arm  8  may be utilized to protect the user, as shown in  FIGS. 6-10 . At least one retaining arm  8  may be attached or contained within one of the blocks  3 ,  4 . Further, one retaining arm  8  may be attached to each of the blocks  3 ,  4 , thus constituting a set of retaining arms  8 . The individual or set of retaining arms  8  may be utilized to prevent the vehicle occupant or any other person on the scene of a traffic stop from removing the apparatus  1 . Once the apparatus  1  is engaged, actuation of the retaining arms  8  will work to inhibit the removal of the apparatus  1  by restricting the movement of the rearward portion  12  of the apparatus  1  beyond the rear side of the automobile wheel.  
         [0028]     The retaining arms  8  may be comprised of rigid, partially flexible or entirely flexible members. Additionally, the retaining arms  8  may be configured in an initially vertical position, horizontal position, a folded position, or contained inside the blocks  3 ,  4  as shown in  FIGS. 6-10 .  
         [0029]     The blocks  3 ,  4  may possess a frontward portion  10 , median portion  11  and a rearward portion  12 . The set of retaining arms  8  may be also attached to the rearward portion  12  of blocks  3 ,  4 , and stored horizontally as seen in  FIG. 6 . The set of retaining arms  8  may be attached to the rearward portion  12  of blocks  3 ,  4 , and stored vertically as seen in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0030]     Additionally, the set of retaining arms  8  may also be attached to the median portion  10  of the blocks  3 ,  4 , and stored vertically.  FIG. 8  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms attached to the median portion of the blocks, one retaining arm is in the operational position and the other in the vertically stored position.  
         [0031]     When stored in the initially vertical position, as seen in  FIG. 6 , the retaining arms  8  may have a rigid composition. The retaining arms  8  may be held in a vertical position by spring loaded components or other such force exerting mechanism  9 . The force exerting mechanism  9  may be externally or internally housed. Thus when the retaining arms  8  are pressed into operational status, the force upon the retaining arms  8  may be decreased to allow for lowering of the retaining arms  8  to a horizontal position. Additionally, an opposite configuration may be utilized wherein said force exerting mechanism  9  may hold the retaining arms  8  in the vertical position and the force will be removed in order to allow the retaining arms  8  to fall to a horizontal, operational position.  
         [0032]     Further, the retaining arms  8  may be configured in an initially horizontal position and contained on the outer surface of the blocks  3 ,  4  as shown in  FIG. 6-10 . Also as illustrated in  FIG. 6-10 , a force exerting mechanism  9  may be used to either store or actuate the retaining arms  8 .  
         [0033]     Further, the set of retaining arms  8  may be contained internally within the median portion  11  or the rearward portion  12  of the block  3 ,  4 , as seen in  FIG. 8 . In this capacity, the retaining arms  8  may have a telescoping ability and be retractable upon completion of usage as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms internally contained within the rearward portion of the blocks and having a telescoping ability.  FIG. 10  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft with a set of retaining arms internally contained within the median portion of the blocks and having a telescoping ability.  
         [0034]     In further embodiments, the apparatus may be equipped with partially or entirely flexible retaining arms  8 . These arms may be initially folded and comprise a spring loaded system which actuates the retaining arms  8  upon release by a mechanism.  
         [0035]     Upon deployment of the apparatus  1 , the retaining arms  8  may be automatically or manually activated and deactivated in a number of manners. For manual operation of the retaining arms  8 , a push button or key operated mechanism  13 , as known in the art may be utilized, as seen in  FIG. 8 . In order to activate and deactivate the arms a mechanically or electrically controlled system may be utilized. This system may be connected through and located internally within the supports  5 ,  6  or vertical user engageable member  7 , depending upon where an appropriate actuation means is located, as shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0036]     In all configurations, the set of retaining arms  8  may be equipped with at least one or a multiplicity of emergency release or ejection buttons  14  in case the need to dispense of the set of retaining arms  8  in a hasty fashion should arise. An emergency release mechanism may be utilized to enagage or disengage the retaining arm  8  vertical user engageable member  7 .  
         [0037]     Shown here is a method for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits, comprising extending the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits utilizing a deploying mechanism prior to positioning the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits. The method may further include placing the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits around a vehicle tire of a stopped vehicle. Additionally, the method may include removing the apparatus and raising the apparatus into a closed position after removing the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits.  
         [0038]     Further shown is a method for preventing vehicle theft, comprising extending an apparatus for preventing vehicle theft by utilizing a deploying mechanism prior to positioning the apparatus for vehicle theft. The method may further include placing the apparatus for preventing vehicle theft around a vehicle tire of a stopped vehicle and may also include removing the apparatus for preventing vehicle theft. The method may further include raising the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits into a closed position after removing.  
         [0039]     Further shown is a method for preventing vehicle theft, comprising extending an apparatus for preventing vehicle theft by the deploying mechanism prior to placing the apparatus for preventing vehicle theft placing the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft around the vehicle tire of a stopped vehicle. The method may further include locking the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits and vehicle theft by the locking mechanism in position around the vehicle tire and removing the apparatus for preventing vehicle theft. The method may additionally include raising the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits into a closed position after removing the apparatus for preventing high speed vehicle pursuits.