Abstract:
An apparatus for disabling a motor vehicle comprises an expandable head adapted to be inserted and secured into the exhaust pipe of an automobile, motorcycle, go-kart, scooter, boat, tractor or other vehicle having an internal combustion engine. A shaft of the apparatus may be configured to engage with a tool, e.g., a socket wrench, torque wrench, drill driver, or other tool, which may impart a rotational force on the shaft to radially expand a head of the apparatus and secure it within a tailpipe of a vehicle, such that buildup of pressure within the vehicle exhaust system does not expel the apparatus from the pipe. An axial bore through the shaft may be fitted at a terminal end with a pressure release valve to selectively release pressure, e.g., before removing the device, or to allow operation of the vehicle while the apparatus is secured within the tailpipe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/941,994 filed on Feb. 19, 2014, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of motorized vehicles. More specifically, this invention relates to apparatus and methods for disabling a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. Each reference cited herein is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0004]    Various types of devices for inhibiting or disabling a vehicle are known, and have been used for example by vehicle owners as anti-theft devices or by law enforcement personnel to prevent a vehicle from fleeing or otherwise being moved. In the case of law enforcement, wheel locks, spike strips, projectiles, physical barriers and other devices and methods are used to prevent a chase or disable a moving vehicle. Once a chase begins, however, the use of devices such as spike strips or road blocks can result in serious harm to officers or bystanders and/or damage to property. Therefore, devices and methods for effectively disabling operation of a vehicle before a chase ensues are desired. 
         [0005]    One method of disabling a vehicle with an internal combustion engine is to block the engine exhaust, which causes exhaust pressure to build up and inhibits the intake of air needed for the engine to start and/or continue to run. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,735 to Magrobi discloses a lockable cap adapted to fit over a modified exhaust pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,422 to Wright discloses another exhaust pipe lock utilizing a plug that is inserted into the end of an exhaust pipe and a pin or other locking key that is fitted laterally through the pipe and the plug to secure the plug. Both of these devices are clearly visible from the end of the vehicle and require modification of the tailpipe in order to secure the plug or cap to the tailpipe. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,081 to Joao and U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,406 to Postel disclose devices that require modifications to a vehicle&#39;s exhaust system to fit an electronically controlled flow inhibitor within the system. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,451,851 to Wax discloses both (i) an exhaust plug that is manually inserted using an extension handle that extends from the tailpipe, where the plug material expands upon heating and is adhesive to the exhaust pipe, and (ii) a method of disabling a vehicle by blocking the vehicle&#39;s tailpipe with a length of adhesive material attached to the front bumper of a police vehicle. Both of these methods have disadvantages, including the likelihood that the plug or adhesive may be dislodged or ejected from the tailpipe by pressure within the exhaust system, the potential to damage the tailpipe of the vehicle (e.g., by adhesive material fusing to the exhaust pipe or vehicle, or physical damage to the vehicle caused by impact of the bumper of the pursuing vehicle), and that the devices are clearly visible from the rear of the potentially “disabled” vehicle and therefore may be easily removed before starting the vehicle. Also, these and other systems may be potentially dangerous to remove from a vehicle if pressure has built up within the exhaust system. 
         [0007]    Thus, there remains a need for devices and methods for safely and effectively disabling a vehicle without easy detection and without modifying or damaging the vehicle exhaust system. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    An apparatus for disabling a motor vehicle comprises an expandable body that is adapted to be manually inserted and secured into the exhaust pipe of an automobile, motorcycle, go-kart, scooter, boat, tractor or other vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The shaft preferably is configured and dimensioned to engage with a tool, e.g., a socket wrench, torque wrench, drill driver, or other tool, which may be used to impart a rotational force on an elongated shaft of the apparatus to radially expand the head of the apparatus and secure it within a tailpipe of a vehicle, such that buildup of pressure within the engine and exhaust system does not expel the apparatus from the pipe. An axial bore through the shaft is fitted at a terminal end with a pressure release valve to selectively release pressure, e.g., before removing the device, or to allow operation of the vehicle while the apparatus is secured within the tailpipe. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, a method of disabling a vehicle comprises securing an expandable plug apparatus within the exhaust pipe of a vehicle, and activating an expander mechanism to expand the plug radially within the pipe to seal the plug against the inner walls of the pipe. In some embodiments, activating the expander mechanism comprises rotating a shaft of the device using a tool. In some embodiments, the tool is a wrench, a socket wrench, a ratchet device, a driver, or any other tool used to engage the handle portion of the plug apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus is secured manually. Preferably, plug is secured with enough radial force to ensure that the apparatus is not expelled from the tailpipe when engine is running. A pressure relief valve within apparatus may be closed when device is in use, and opened to relieve pressure within the exhaust system to facilitate safe removal of the apparatus from a tailpipe. In preferred embodiments, no alteration to the tailpipe or exhaust system is needed for securing the plug apparatus within a vehicle exhaust pipe, and no damage is done to the exhaust pipe or vehicle when the apparatus is used to disable the vehicle. 
         [0010]    These as well as other aspects and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this overview and elsewhere are intended to be examples only and do not necessarily limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration of an example apparatus for disabling a vehicle; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with the body in a retracted state. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 2A  with the body in an expanded state. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view illustration of an embodiment of an expander mechanism of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown in a retracted state; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view illustration of an embodiment of an expander mechanism of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , shown in an expanded state; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded side-view illustration of an apparatus for disabling a vehicle in accordance with an example embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is cross sectional view illustration of the apparatus of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross sectional view illustration of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , inserted and secured within a tailpipe of a vehicle. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustration of an alternative expander mechanism according to an example embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustration of an expander mechanism according to another example embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for disabling a vehicle. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for removing a device for disabling a vehicle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Described herein are apparatus and methods for disabling a vehicle having an internal combustion engine. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of an apparatus (also referred to herein as a plug)  10  for disabling a vehicle comprises an expandable head  20 , a shaft  30  and a valve  40 . Head is preferably expandable in a radial dimension and comprises an inner expansion mechanism covered with flexible and compressible material adapted to seal with the inner wall of an exhaust pipe when the head is in an expanded position. In some embodiments, shaft  30  is rotatable about a central axis such that rotating the shaft in one direction elongates and retracts the head  20  (e.g., such that the cross sectional radius of head  20  decreases), and rotating the shaft in the opposite direction longitudinally shortens and radially expands the head. The retracted and expanded states are shown in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , respectively. 
         [0026]    Shaft  30  preferably includes an axial bore  350  that extends the length of the shaft. Valve  40  may be disposed at a proximal end of shaft and in communication with the bore, such that opening the valve  40  allows air to pass through the bore and closing the valve prevents or restricts the flow of air through the bore  350 . In some embodiments, e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , valve  40  may be a threaded drain valve. In some embodiments valve is a Porter Cable A17038 Drain Cock ¼″ NPT Tank Drain. In some embodiments, valve  40  may be an may be a pneumatic bleeder valve providing simple push-button bleeding for release of compressed air or exhaust, e.g., an Interstate V11B 1/16 Inch MPT Bleeder Valve. Other types of valves, e.g., ball valve, needle valve, spigot valve, stem valve, or any other desired type of valve or port to selectively or adjustably inhibit and allow air flow through the bore  350  of shaft  30 . Valve  40  may be secured to shaft via threads, or may be secured, fused or integrated with shaft by other desired means. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , apparatus  10  is shown in its refracted ( FIG. 2A ) and expanded ( FIG. 2B ) states. In this embodiment, distal end  230  of shaft, e.g., end opposite valve  40 , is threaded to engage with a nut (e.g., nut  340  of  FIG. 3A ) which travels along the length of threaded portion  230  when shaft  30  is rotated, thereby varying the length and thickness of head  20 . The portion of shaft near its proximal end (e.g., the end closer to valve  40 ) is referred to herein as handle portion  210 , and may be configured and dimensioned to engage a wrench or other tool, e.g., having a hexagonal shape as shown or another shape adapted to engage a socket wrench, driver or other tool to facilitate rotation of shaft. In other embodiments, handle portion  210  may include a grip feature to facilitate manipulation by the hand of a user. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , an example of an expander assembly  300  that may be employed by plug apparatus  10  is shown. In this example, expander assembly includes a pair of opposing wedge members  310  and  312  disposed on shaft. Each wedge member may be generally frusto-pyramidal in shape, with the distal wedge member  310  circumposed on threaded portion  230  of shaft  30  and proximal wedge member  312  circumposed on a non-threaded, cylindrical shank portion (between handle portion  210  and threaded portion  230 , e.g., shank portion  620  of  FIG. 6 ). Each wedge member  310 ,  312  includes eight (or another desired number) planar wedge surfaces  314 , each of which is angled and dimensioned to engage an end of an expansion segment  320 . One or more elastic members  322  may be used to hold the expansion segments  320  in place and bias them against planar wedge surfaces  314 . 
         [0029]    Distal wedge member  310  has a hexagonal cavity dimensioned to engage nut  340  such that wedge member  310  travels along the length of threaded portion  230  with nut  340  as shaft  30  is rotated. Proximal wedge member  312  rotates freely with respect to shaft  30 , and remains relatively fixed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, such that as wedge member  310  moves along the length of shaft during rotation of the shaft, the distance between wedge member  312  and  310  varies. As the distance between wedge members  312  and  310  decreases, expansion segments  320  are forced outward to expand the radium of head portion  20  of the assembly  300  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ). 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, expansion assembly  300  may include aspects of an expander tool for expanding pipes, such as, for example, the expander tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,383 to Petteys, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In other embodiments, other apparatus, methods, and/or mechanisms for adjustably expanding and retracting the radius of head portion  20  of plug device  10  may be used. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , and exploded side view of plug apparatus  10  is shown. A valve  410  may insert within or attach to a distal end of the expansion assembly  300 , as shown, e.g., to selectively prevent or control flow of air or vehicle exhaust through a central bore of the assembly  300 . In some embodiments, valve  410  may be a pressure relief valve, a pneumatic bleeder valve, a drain cock valve, a ball valve, a needle valve, a spigot valve, a stem valve, or any other desired type of valve or port to selectively or adjustably inhibit and allow air flow through a central bore in assembly  300 . In some embodiments, valve  410  may help prevent flow of air through the assembly when apparatus  10  is secured in a vehicle exhaust system. In some embodiments, a sleeve  430  is disposed over a seal  420 , which may be substantially cylindrical as shown and include a capped end  422  and an open end  424  configured to fit over the expansion assembly  300 . In some embodiments, the capped end  422  of the seal may include a hole or opening configured to align with the central bore of the assembly when the seal  420  is positioned over the assembly  300 . In other embodiments, sleeve  430  may be used without seal  420 . In some embodiments, one or both of sleeve  430  and seal  420  may be substantially elastic such that each expands and retracts with changes in diameter of expansion assembly  300 . In some embodiments, sleeve  430  is thicker than seal and/or compressible such that it compresses against and facilitates sealing with an inner wall of a pipe when head  20  is expanded within the pipe. Sleeve  430  may also aid in retaining the expansion segments  320  in desired positions such that elastic members  322  may not be necessary. In some embodiments, sleeve member  430  comprises substantially elastic and compressible material, such as neoprene, foam padding, or other desired material. In some embodiments, seal  420 , sleeve member  430 , and/or an outer sleeve or sheath  440  are comprised of heat resistant material. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a cross-sectional view of a plug apparatus  10  is shown according to one embodiment, here in a retracted state. In this example, cross section is taken through the head portion  20  of apparatus  10  at distal wedge member  310 . Bore  350  is shown in cross section within threaded portion of shaft  230 . Ends of eight expansion segments  320  are shown disposed annularly around shaft  230  and against planar wedge surfaces  314  of wedge member  310 . Sleeve  430  is shown surrounding expansion segments  320  and an outer sheath  440  (e.g., made of shrink wrap tubing, rubber or other elastic material) covers sleeve  430  and ends of head  20  to facilitate sealing with the inner wall of a pipe. In some embodiments, a seal  420 , is disposed over the expansion member  300  to help minimize leakage through and around components of the expansion member  300 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a plug apparatus  10  is shown in use within segment of an exhaust tailpipe  610  of a vehicle. Head  20  of plug is shown in an expanded position, with wedge member  310  drawn toward member  312  when handle portion  210  of shaft  30  is rotated and nut  340  is moved along threaded portion  230  of shaft. This causes expansion segments to move outward radially, compressing sleeve  430  and sheath  440  against the inner wall of tailpipe  610 . Handle  210  may be rotated by hand and/or by using a socket wrench, drill driver, or other tool to impart sufficient torque to shaft to secure apparatus  10  within pipe  610  with a desired radial force (e.g., to prevent apparatus  10  from being expelled when exhaust pressure builds up), and preferably without deforming or otherwise damaging pipe  610 . In other embodiments, ratchet mechanisms, grip mechanisms (e.g., such as used on vice grips or other pipe expanders) or other means may be used to facilitate expansion of body  20 . In some embodiment, handle portion  210  is configured and dimensioned to facilitate gripping and turning by a users hand. In some embodiments handle portion  210  is tightened to five foot-pounds or more of force to secure plug  10  within a tailpipe  610 . 
         [0034]    When plug apparatus  10  is secured within a tailpipe  610  as shown in  FIG. 6 , flow of exhaust through the tailpipe will be blocked, pressure will build within the exhaust system when the engine is started, and the engine will stall and/or fail to start. In some embodiments, outer sheath  440  covers distal end of head  20  and extends to threaded portion of shaft  230  to help restrict air from leaking thorough plug  10 , e.g., around components  310 ,  320  and  312  and through head  20 . In some embodiments, sheath  440  covers nut  340  at distal portion of shaft as shown in  FIG. 6 , and in other embodiments sheath  440  may be disposed between wedge member  310  and nut  340 . Similarly, at proximal end of head  20 , sheath  440  may cover member  312  and extend to handle portion  210  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, proximal end of sheath may extend to shank  620  and be disposed between wedge member  312  and proximal end of handle portion  210 . Sheath  440  may be comprised of shrink wrap tubing, rubber or other desired material, and in some embodiments sheath  440  substantially resistant to heat to avoid melting or otherwise leaving residue on tailpipe when heated. Valve  40  may be twisted or otherwise engaged to prevent or restrict the flow of air through bore  350 . In some embodiments, device may be disposed substantially or completely within a tailpipe such that the device is not readily visible from the side or rear of the vehicle. In other embodiments of use, handle portion  210  extends from the end of tailpipe to facilitate engagement by a tool or by the hand of a user. 
         [0035]    Turning now to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , two alternative embodiment examples of expansion assemblies  700 ,  800  are shown. For example, assembly  700  may be adapted from or configured as a spider clamp having an elongate handle  710  and shaft  720 , with threads  722  disposed about a circumference of shaft  720 . Two collars  730 ,  732  may be disposed about the shaft  720 , with the distal collar  730  engaged with threads  722  such that when handle  710  is rotated, collar  730  moves axially with respect to collar  732 . Such movement of collar is translated through hinged members  740 ,  742  to move bars  750 ,  752  radially, i.e., to expand or contract an outer diameter of the expansion member  700 . 
         [0036]    Member  800  may be used in some embodiments to provide similar expansion of a device, e.g., to fit securely within a vehicle tail pipe. In some embodiments, member  800  includes a body  810  and a handle portion  820  that is rotatable about a central axis of the device  800 . In some embodiments, a cap or nut  840 , is disposed on a distal end of the handle or a coaxial shaft. In some embodiments, rotation of handle portion,  820  causes outward radial movement of longitudinal bars or rails  830 ,  832 . Such outward movement may be used to provide overall expansion or contraction of an apparatus  10 , e.g., as with expansion members  700 ,  300  described above. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , flowcharts are shown for exemplary methods of securing  900  and removing  1000  a plug apparatus within a tailpipe. The exemplary method  900  for disabling a vehicle using a plug apparatus such as apparatus  10  may start with inserting the plug into the tailpipe  910 . The handle portion of shaft may then be rotated  920  to expand the head of the plug. A tool may be used to tighten the shaft  730  to secure the plug within the tailpipe. In some embodiments, shaft  930  may be tightened by hand. Preferably, plug is secured with enough radial force to ensure that the apparatus is not expelled from the tailpipe when the engine is running and accelerated, and that the apparatus is not easily removed manually by an unauthorized user. In some embodiments, pressure relief valve may be closed  940 . In other embodiments, a push or pull-button pressure relive valve is used, wherein the default position of a valve is closed, such that the valve remains closed in a resting state until a user presses or pulls a button, lever or other portion of the valve to open the valve and allow flow of air (or vehicle exhaust). In some embodiments, closing or opening the valve, or otherwise placing the valve into a desired state or position, may be done either before or after inserting the plug device within the tailpipe. In preferred embodiments, no modification to the tailpipe is necessary for securing the plug, and no damage is done to the tailpipe when used on a vehicle. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments, a plug apparatus may be remotely activated. For example, when a plug is positioned within the tailpipe of a vehicle, the pressure relieve valve or other port in the device may be placed in a desired position (e.g., opened or closed). The valve may then be remotely activated, e.g., by a radio signal, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cell phone, or other wired or wireless communication signal or means. In some embodiments, a pressure relieve or exhaust valve is started in an open state (thereby allowing the flow of air and operating of the vehicle while the plug is inserted in the exhaust pipe), and then the valve may be wirelessly or remotely closed to restrict flow of air and disable a vehicle. In other embodiments, a valve may start in a closed state, such that the valve may be remotely, wirelessly, or otherwise selectively opened to allow flow of exhaust and operation of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the state of the plug and/or valve within the plug may by controlled or adjusted in response to a condition in the vehicle, e.g., by turning the vehicle on or off, a heat sensor, speed of the vehicle, a selector or switch within the vehicle, an alcohol breathalyzer, or another wired or wireless sensor or activator within the vehicle or outside the vehicle. In some embodiments, more than one plug may be used in a vehicle, e.g., in a vehicle with multiple exhaust pipes, to ensure effective disabling of the vehicle. 
         [0039]    In exemplary method  1000  of removing a plug, the pressure relief valve  1010  is activated, for example by pressing, pulling or twisting a relieve valve mechanism to allow air to escape thereby reducing pressure within the exhaust system (and reducing a pressure differential acting on the plug). Such release of pressure may help avoid expulsion of the plug from the tailpipe when it is loosened or retracted. In some embodiments, tool may be used to loosen the plug  1020 , e.g., by engaging and rotating the handle, and then plug may be removed from the tailpipe  1030 . 
         [0040]    The foregoing description illustrates various embodiments of apparatus and methods for disabling a vehicle, along with examples of how aspects may be implemented. The above examples and embodiments should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention. Based on the above disclosure and the following claims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents will be evident to those skilled in the art and may be employed without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.