Abstract:
A device when activated, disables a fleeing vehicle from within the operator&#39;s vehicle. The device mounts directly to the operator&#39;s vehicle. This device is controlled by the operator from within the vehicle by way of a control panel. When deemed necessary, the system is armed using a switch mounted on said panel. This allows for deployment upon activation of said switch. Upon positioning of operator car, the switch is activated, extending spike strip laterally. This places the spike strip under the pursued vehicle, in front of one or more of the tires. The operator applies the brakes of said vehicle, causing the spike strip to travel under the pursued vehicle&#39;s tire, disabling the vehicle. Upon traveling under the tire, the operator removes pressure from switch, causing the unit to safely stow itself. The system can then be re-deployed at will.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. provisional patent application, Ser. No. 113264, filed Dec. 1, 2005, for MOBILE, LATERAL DEPLOYING, TIRE DEFLATION DEVICE, by Michael P. Moormeier, Todd C. O&#39;Halloran, included by reference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is hereby claimed. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to vehicle disablement and, more particularly, to a device that is mobile and retractile. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In the year 2005, there were over 750 police pursuits in the city of Los Angeles alone. In the state of California, in that same year, there were over 7,000 police pursuits. No less than three deaths, in the city of Los Angeles alone, can be attributed to those who would run from the police, recklessly endangering the lives and property of American citizens. Unfortunately, law enforcement officials have very limited resources in dealing with this problem. Solutions given to agencies thus far are only effective given a very specific set of circumstances. In addition, presently, agencies across the United States have begun to tie the hands of Law Enforcement personnel by instituting “no pursuit” policies. Although “no pursuit” policies may be the safest alternative, this is only true due to the fact that a means by which to deal with the problem does not exist. 
         [0004]    Every single United States citizen pays for the rise in police pursuit. Studies show that damage from crashes associated with police pursuit is rarely limited to less than five figures. When you consider the fact that the acting vehicle, the police vehicles, and often times bystander vehicles are damaged, it is not hard to understand why damage can run in excess of $100,000 per incident. This cost is passed on to citizens through higher insurance rates. 
         [0005]    Tragedy often times follows high-speed pursuit. The fact is, that innocent people die every year. Mothers and fathers, children and elderly, all walks of life, all across America, people are dying because a tool does not exist that allows police to stop a high-speed pursuit, before it begins. No solution presently exists that allows the police, from within the safety of their vehicle, to disable a fleeing vehicle, and stop a pursuit. 
         [0006]    Devices presently in use include U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,293 in which a device is thrown, by hand, across the roadway into the path of an oncoming pursued vehicle in order to deflate the tires. U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,832 describes a device that is used in the same manner as the previously listed device but differs in that the device itself is wider upon deployment and has a different type of spike. Although presently not in use, U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,205 describes a mobile device which when deployed is said to disable vehicle tires. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,849 describes a device meant to be used from within a police vehicle at speed. Devices described on television programs and magazines have included electronic remote controlled vehicles, which are said to have the ability to shut down a vehicle&#39;s computer, thus disabling said vehicle when remote controlled vehicle is driven under vehicle pursued. Scientific magazines have suggested that electromagnetic pulse may be used in the future. 
         [0007]    Groen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,293 describes a device in which the police must know where the fleeing suspect is going and get there ahead of them, get out of the car and deploy said device across the roadway by hand. Similarly, Kilgrew U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,832 describes a device which must be deployed by hand across the roadway. These devices unfortunately, put the police officer in harm&#39;s way as they make it necessary for the police to exit their vehicle and stand next to the road to deploy their device. Devices such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,205 fail to deal with the fact that pursuits take place on every type of roadway, and that any uneven surface would damage the device described to the point it would be rendered useless and therefore necessitate costly repairs. Lowrie, U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,475 describes a device that necessitates police pulling in front of the pursued vehicle to deploy the device. Police are unwilling to do this, given the possibility that the suspect may have a weapon. Being in front of a suspect with a weapon is too dangerous for the police to even consider this course of action. The tethering of the described device provides for rapid deceleration of said device and therefore must be timed perfectly in order to be effective. In addition, the best possible use of the aforementioned device is its use when the police car is not moving. 
         [0008]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a completely mobile means for vehicle disablement. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide for safe deployment of a vehicle disablement device by allowing deployment from within the police or operator vehicle. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide a vehicle disablement device that automatically retracts. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide a means for multiple deployments. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the invention to provide a device that does not decelerate upon deployment. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention to provide an engineered weak point and flexible joint by which the spike strip is attached to the device so as to prevent damage. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the invention to provide a means for quick spike strip replacement without the aid of tools. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the invention to provide a device that can be used in the blind spot of the pursued vehicle increasing officer safety. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the invention to provide a device which can be deployed during a traffic stop to prevent suspect vehicle from leaving the scene. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the invention to provide a maintained switch enabling deployment of device without operator maintaining pressure on deployment switch. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the invention to provide an on-board tool for vehicle disablement. 
         [0019]    It is another object of the invention to provide for left and right side deployment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a device which upon activation, disables a fleeing vehicle from within the safety of the operator&#39;s vehicle. The device mounts directly to the operator&#39;s vehicle. This device is controlled by the operator from within the vehicle by way of a control panel mounted within reach of either the driver or passenger of said vehicle. When deemed necessary, the system is armed using a protected switch mounted on said panel. This sends power to the momentary deployment switch and allows for instant deployment upon activation of said momentary deployment switch. Upon positioning of operator car, the momentary deployment switch is activated, allowing air from the air reservoir to flow through the solenoid valve and air hose to pressurize the telescoping assembly and thereby extend the piston and inner tube outward to their limiting stops. This action extends the spike strip outside of the inner tube laterally at a downward angle determined by the angle which telescoping assembly is mounted to vehicle. This places the spike strip under the pursued vehicle, in front of one or more of the pursued vehicle&#39;s tires. At this point, the operator of the device needs merely to apply the brakes of said vehicle, thereby causing the spike strip to travel under the pursued vehicle&#39;s tire, puncturing said tire and disabling the vehicle. Once the spike strip has traveled under the tire of the pursued vehicle, the operator needs only to remove pressure from the momentary deployment switch, causing the solenoid valve to exhaust the pressure within the telescoping assembly, allowing the large and small constant force springs to automatically retract and safely stow itself within the outer tubing from whence it came. The system can then be re-deployed at will. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device, in retracted position, mounted to vehicle; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device, in deployed position, mounted to vehicle; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device, with electrical and pneumatic systems attached; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an electrical and pneumatic systems; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in the retracted position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in deployed position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in deployed position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a top sectional view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a front sectional view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted postion; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a front sectional detail view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a front sectional detail view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a left detail view of an outer tube spring housing  430 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a front detail view of an outer tube spring housing  430 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a right detail view of an outer tube spring housing  430 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a top detail view of an outer tube spring housing  430 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a left detail view of an inner tube spring housing  440 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a front detail view of an inner tube spring housing  440 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a right detail view of an inner tube spring housing  440 ; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is a top detail view of an inner tube spring housing  440 . 
       
    
    
       [0042]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0043]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device, in retracted position, mounted to vehicle. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device, in deployed position, mounted to vehicle. 
         [0045]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device, with electrical and pneumatic systems attached. Telescoping assembly  510  may be constructed of metal, plastic, or any suitable material forming a square, rectangle or any suitable shape when viewed from either end. Telescoping assembly  510  consists of all the elements listed except for the electrical and pneumatic systems. Telescoping assembly  510  is connected to the electrical and pneumatic systems using magnetic switch cable  232  and pneumatic air hose  224 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an electrical and pneumatic systems. 
         [0047]    Air hose  224  is a flexible, rubber-like hose or other suitable material. Air hose  224  is coupled to solenoid valve  213  by conventional means. Exhaust muffler  214  prevents debris and insects from entering the exhaust port of solenoid valve  213 . Exhaust muffler  214  can be made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. Exhaust muffler  214  is connected to solenoid valve  213  by conventional means. Solenoid valve  213  is a three way type electrically operated pneumatic control valve or suitable replacement. Solenoid valve  213  is coupled to air reservoir  211  by conventional means. Solenoid valve  213  is electrically connected to electrical control enclosure  226  with electrical wiring. Air reservoir  211  is made of metal, fiberglass or other suitable material. Air reservoir  211  is connected to pneumatic compressor  210  using flexible, rigid or any suitable means of compressed air transfer. Pressure switch  212  is an air pressure operated switch that has a set of electrical contacts for controlling the pneumatic compressor  210 . Pressure switch  212  is coupled to air reservoir  211  by conventional means. Pressure switch  212  is electrically connected to the electrical control enclosure  226  using standard electrical wiring. Pneumatic compressor  210  is an electric motor driven compressor or other suitable style. Pneumatic compressor  210  is electrically connected to electrical control enclosure  226  using standard electrical wiring. Electrical control enclosure  226  houses all wiring connections between the electrical components. Electrical control enclosure  226  is electrically connected to dash controls enclosure  237  using panel cable  233  switch is electrically connected to panel cable  233  and mounted to dash controls enclosure  237  using conventional means. Arming switch  238  is of the safety type with a safety snap cover to prevent unwanted operation of the switch. Arming switch  238  is electrically connected to dash cable and mounted to dash controls enclosure  237 . Momentary deployment pushbutton  240  is electrically connected to dash cable and mounted to dash controls enclosure  237  using conventional means. Deployed indicator light  239  is electrically connected to dash cable and is mounted to dash controls enclosure  237  using conventional means. Maintained deployment switch  241  is electrically connected to dash cable and is mounted to dash controls enclosure  237  using conventional means. Dash controls enclosure  237  provides a housing for the dash area control switches used by the operator and is made of metal, plastic or other suitable material. Dash controls enclosure  237  is mounted to the dash area or any other appropriate area within reach of operator using conventional means. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in the retracted position. 
         [0049]    This figure also shows the reference to the section view of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in deployed position. 
         [0051]    This figure also shows the reference to the section view of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position. 
         [0053]    Inner tube  411  is shown in extended position. Pivot spring assembly  322  is fabricated from spring material and metal or other suitable materials. Pivot spring assembly  322  is shown in extended position to denote its placement in reference to the outermost end of the inner tube  411 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in deployed position. 
         [0055]      FIG. 9  is a top sectional view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position. 
         [0056]    This figure also shows the reference to detailed views of  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is a front sectional view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position. 
         [0058]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged front sectional view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position. 
         [0059]    Outer tube  410  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material and is square, rectangle or other suitable shaped tubing. Inner tube  411  is fabricated from metal, plastic, or other suitable material and is the same shape as outer tube  410 . Inner tube  411  is smaller in size than outer tube  410  allowing it to be inserted inside outer tube  410 . Air hose  224  is connected to threaded hole on bottom of outer tube  410  by conventional means allowing for movement of compressed air from solenoid valve  213  to telescoping assembly  510 . Air hose  224  is attached to threaded hole on bottom of outer tube  410  using a quick release coupling for convenience but is not required or limited to this means of connection. Pop off valve  471  is a pressure relieving device that prevents excessive pressure within telescoping assembly  510  and is attached to threaded hole on bottom of outer tube  410  by conventional means. Outer tube spring housing  430  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material. Outer tube spring housing  430  is inserted into outer tube  410  and is sealed and fastened using conventional means. Large spring drum axles  437  are female threaded metal or other suitable material. Large spring drum axles  437  are mounted within outer tube spring housing  430  using conventional fasteners. Large spring drums  436  are fabricated from plastic or other suitable material and provide a wheel-like action for the large constant force springs  432  to coil and uncoil upon. Large spring drums  436  are mounted and rotate upon large spring drum axles  437 . Large constant force springs  432  are coiled around the circumference of large spring drums  436  and attached to large constant force springs end mount  450  using conventional means. Large constant force springs end mount  450  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material. Outer tube spring housing bumpers  453  are made of a rubber-like material and fastened with a threaded stud or other suitable means. Outer tube spring housing bumpers  453  are attached to outer tube spring housing  430  using conventional means. Large constant force springs end mount  450  is fabricated using metal, plastic or other suitable materials. Large constant force springs end mount  450  is fastened to inner tube spring housing  440  using conventional means. Inner tube seal  452  is made of rubber-like, plastic or other suitable material and fits the shape of the inside walls of the outer tube  410 . Inner tube seal  452  is sandwiched between large constant force springs end mount  450  and inner tube spring housing  440  and is held in place by the compression force of the fasteners which attach large constant force springs end mount  450  to inner tube spring housing  440 . Inner tube plastic bearing plates  415  are fabricated from sheet plastic or other suitable low friction material and are slightly thinner than the clearance between outer tube  410  and inner tube  411 . Inner tube plastic bearing plates  415  are fastened to the outside surfaces at the innermost end of inner tube  411 . Inner tube plastic bearing plates  415  provide a low friction surface for the innermost end of inner tube  411  to slide within outer tube  410 . Inner tube stop plates  413  are fabricated from sheet metal or other suitable high strength material. Inner tube stop plates  413  are fastened to the outside surfaces of the inner tube  411  adjacent to inner tube plastic bearing plates  415 . Inner tube spring housing  440  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material and houses the small constant force springs  442  with their associated small spring drums  445  and small spring drum axles  446 . Inner tube spring housing  440  also provides a mount for inner tube spring housing bumper  451 . Inner tube spring housing  440  is inserted into inner tube  411  and is sealed and fastened using conventional means. Small spring drum axles  446  are female threaded metal or other suitable material and are mounted within inner tube spring housing  440  using conventional fasteners. Small spring drums  445  are fabricated from plastic or other suitable material and provide a wheel-like action for the small constant force springs  442  to coil and uncoil upon. Small spring drums  445  are mounted and rotate upon small spring drum axles  446 . Small constant force springs  442  are coiled around the circumference of small spring drums  445 . Small constant force springs end mount  456  is fabricated from metal, plastic, or other suitable and fastened to inner most end of piston  454  using conventional means. Piston seal  455  is made of rubber-like, plastic or other suitable material and fits the shape of the inside walls of the inner tube  411  and is sandwiched between small constant force springs end mount  456  and piston  454 . Piston seal  455  is held in place by the compression force of the fasteners which attach small constant force springs end mount  456  to piston  454 . Magnet  458  is of the high force permanent type or other suitable style and is mounted within a recess of the piston  454  using friction, adhesives or other suitable means. This recess is deep enough to prevent the magnet  458  from rubbing inner tube  411 . Magnetic switch  466  is of the reed type switch that is activated by the presence of a magnetic force in the immediate area. Magnetic switch  466  senses the magnet  458  that is mounted within piston  454 . Magnetic switch  466  is mounted to the exterior of outer tube  410  using welds, adhesives or other suitable means of attachment. Magnetic switch  466  is electrically connected to electrical control enclosure  226  with magnetic switch cable  232 . Piston  454  is fabricated from plastic or other suitable low friction material and provides a sturdy mount for pivot spring assembly female mounting tube  459 . Piston  454  is inserted inside of inner tube  411  and travels between inner tube spring housing bumper  451  and piston end stops  461 . Pivot spring assembly female mounting tube  459  is fabricated from metal pipe, metal bar stock or other suitable high strength material. Pivot spring assembly female mounting tube  459  is inserted inside of a drilled or machined hole in the outermost end of piston  454  and is fastened using conventional means. Pivot spring assembly female mounting tube  459  provides a sturdy female opening for pivot spring assembly  322  to be inserted within and held in place by pivot spring release pin  326 . Pivot spring assembly  322  is fabricated from metal and an extension spring, or other suitable materials. The extension spring is welded or fastened to the other components forming the pivot spring assembly  322 . This creates a flexible and sacrificial mount for the spike strip  320 . Spike strip  320  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable flexible materials and is attached to the outermost end of pivot spring assembly  322  using conventional means. Tire spikes  321  are fabricated from metal or other suitable high strength material. Tire spikes  321  are of the needle type, broadhead arrow type or other type suitable for being inserted into a tire and deflating it. Tire spikes  321  are inserted into holes in spike strip  320  and held in place by friction, adhesives or other suitable means. Tire spikes  321  are intended to penetrate the tire and be removed from spike strip  320  and stay lodged in tire. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged front sectional view of a mobile, retractile, lateral deploying, vehicle disablement device in retracted position. 
         [0061]    Outer tube anti slide brackets  472  are fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material and are attached to outside bottom of outer tube  410  using conventional means. Outer tube anti slide brackets  472  prevent telescoping assembly  510  from sliding in vehicle mounting brackets. Stop plate bumpers  421  are fabricated from rubber-like sheets or other suitable material and are housed between the outer sides of inner tube  411  and inner sides of outer tube  410 . Stop plate bumpers  421  are thinner than the space between inner tube  411  and outer tube  410  allowing stop plate bumpers  421  to float freely between inner tube stop plates  413  and outer tube stop plates  412 . Stop plate bumpers  421  provide a cushion between inner tube stop plates  413  and outer tube stop plates  412  when inner tube  411  reaches outer most end of extension. Outer tube stop plates  412  are fabricated from sheet metal or other suitable high strength material and are fastened to inside surfaces of outer tube  410  adjacent to outer tube plastic bearing plates  414  using conventional means. Outer tube plastic bearing plates  414  are fabricated from plastic sheet or other suitable low friction material and are fastened to inside surfaces of outer most end of outer tube  410 . Outer tube plastic bearing plates  414  are slightly thinner than clearance between outer tube  410  and inner tube  411 . Outer tube plastic bearing plates  414  provide a low friction surface for inner tube  411  to slide within outer tube  410 . Piston end stops  461  are fabricated from metal or other suitable high strength material and are fastened to two opposite inside surfaces at outer most end of inner tube  411  by conventional means. Piston end stops  461  also serve the function of limiting the travel of spike strip  320  upward within inner tube  411 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 13  is a left detail view of the outer tube spring housing  430 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 14  is a front detail view of the outer tube spring housing  430 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 15  is a right detail view of the outer tube spring housing  430 . 
         [0065]    Outer tube spring housing  430  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material and is shown as a welded metal assembly. However the outer tube spring housing  430  can be glued or machined if suitable. 
         [0066]      FIG. 16  is a top detail view of the outer tube spring housing  430 . 
         [0067]    Outer tube spring housing  430  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material and is shown as a welded metal assembly. However the outer tube spring housing  430  can be glued or machined if suitable. 
         [0068]      FIG. 17  is a left detail view of the inner tube spring housing  440 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 18  is a front detail view of the inner tube spring housing  440 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 19  is a right detail view of the inner tube spring housing  440 . 
         [0071]      FIG. 20  is a top detail view of the inner tube spring housing  440 . 
         [0072]    Inner tube spring housing  440  is fabricated from metal, plastic or other suitable material and is shown as a welded metal assembly. However the inner tube spring housing  440  can be glued or machined if suitable. 
         [0073]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0074]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.