Abstract:
A compact vehicle tire puncturing and deflating assembly for use by law enforcement personnel in preventing high-speed chases comprising a base having a first end and a second end a spike holder attached to the first end of the base, the spike holder being permitted to rotate from a first closed position generally parallel to the base and a second tire puncturing position at an acute angle to the base; and a plurality of spikes attached to the spike holder.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to devices that are used by law enforcement agencies and others for intentionally puncturing the rubber tires of a motor vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to an assembly that can be placed in front of or in back of one or more tires of a stationary vehicle for the purpose of deploying one or more spikes from the assembly in the event the vehicle is moved. It also relates to a vehicle tire puncturing and deflating spike assembly that is compact, that protects the spikes and the person carrying them during storage and otherwise, and that is quickly and easily used in the field. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well known that it is occasionally necessary for law enforcement agencies to impede and stop the movement of a speeding motor vehicle. One method of accomplishing this is by the strategic placement of one or more tire-deflating mechanisms in the path, or the anticipated path, of the moving vehicle to impede and stop its movement. Such portable tire-deflating mechanisms often take the form of strips of material that can be set down on a roadway, the strips including some sort of puncturing device attached to it. One such mechanism, invented by this inventor, is formed with a “scissors-like” base having a plurality of tire-puncturing spikes, each of which is removably held within the base. That mechanism, including the detail of the tire-deflating spikes that are used with it, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,961 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,189 issued to this inventor, respectively. 
         [0003]    In the experience of this inventor, there is another scenario where a tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly can be effectively used. That is where a high speed chase is prevented in the first instance by placing a tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly in front of or in back of one or more tires of a stationary vehicle prior to the driver having an opportunity to speed away. Such use would be considered by this inventor to be a “static” situation. Static situations may include those where a law enforcement officer has temporarily stopped a vehicle for some traffic violation or other reason, where a check-point is being used while the vehicle is at rest and a check-point attendant is performing some sort of security check of the vehicle or of its driver, or where a vehicle is the subject of a law enforcement “stake-out” where it is necessary to prevent the vehicle from moving or being used as a “get-away” vehicle. There are many other applications for such a device and the list provided here is not intended to be all inclusive or limiting in any way. 
         [0004]    Although the tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly described in the patents referred to above could be used for such “static” applications, such use would be cumbersome and inconvenient. Additionally, where stealth is required such that a potential driver of the vehicle is unaware that an assembly of that sort has been placed about the tires of the vehicle, the assembly should assume a smaller and less conspicuous assembly to remain undetected. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides for a unitary, molded combination base and protective case comprised of a base, the base having a hinged connection to a spike base holding a plurality of spikes at one end and at the other having a hinged connection to a cover. In a preferred embodiment, the spike base is permitted to move between two positions, a first “open” position wherein the spike base is locked into its upright position and a second “closed” position wherein the spikes and spike base are folded downwardly against the base. Similarly, in a preferred embodiment, a cover is provided, the cover being operable to fold over the spikes when the spikes and spike base are folded downwardly towards the base. When properly positioned, maintenance of the vehicle in a stationary condition will not damage or harm the vehicle tires in any way. Upon movement of the vehicle tire, in either the forward or rearward direction, will result in the vehicle tire being pierced by one or more of the tire-puncturing and deflating spikes, thereby resulting in deflation of the tire and inoperability of the vehicle. 
         [0006]    The foregoing and other features of the tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly constructed in accordance with this invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1   a  is a top, plan view of a preferred embodiment of the static stop assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1   b  is a top, left and front perspective view of the static stop assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1   c  is a rear elevational view of the static stop assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1   d  is a side cross-sectioned view of the static stop assembly taken along Line B-B in  FIG. 1   a.    
           [0011]      FIG. 2   a  is a rear elevational view of the static stop assembly and showing the assembly in the folded or “closed” position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   b  is a top and side perspective view of the folded static stop assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   c  is a side cross-sectioned elevational view of the folded static stop taken along Line A-A of  FIG. 2   d.    
           [0014]      FIG. 2   d  is a top plan view of the folded static stop assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   e  is a second cross-sectioned elevational view of the folded static stop. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2   f  is a top plan view of the spike base. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   a  is a top plan view of the cover of the assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3   b  is a top and side perspective view of the cover. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3   c  is a side elevational view of the cover. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4   a  is a top plan view of the spike holder of the assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4   b  is a rear side and front view of the spike holder. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4   c  is a back elevational view of the spike holder. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4   d  is a side elevational view of the spike holder. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4   e  is a rear cross-sectioned elevational view of the spike holder. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4   f  is a bottom plan view of the spike holder. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5   a  is a rear elevational view of the base of the static stop assembly and showing the assembly in the “open” position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5   b  is a top, front and right side perspective view of the base. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5   c  is a top plan view of the base. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5   d  is a side elevational view of the base. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements as well,  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment of the static tire-puncturing and deflating spike retaining assembly, generally identified  1 , that is constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0031]    The static stop assembly  1  is comprised of a plurality of spikes  10 , the spikes  10  being retained within a base  40  by a retaining pin  30 . When in use, the spikes  10  are directed generally perpendicularly upwardly from the base  40 . When stored, the spikes  10  fold under a cover  60 . 
         [0032]    In more detail, the puncturing and deflating spike  10  of the present invention includes an upwardly extending plurality of spike blades  15 . Extending from the spike base  11 , the spike blades  15  come together and culminate in a spike point  17 . The spike point  17  serves as the initial portion of the spike  10  that contacts and pierces the tires of a motor vehicle traveling over the assembly  1 . Each of the spike blades  15  of the spike  10  has a razor sharp blade edge  16  which helps slice through the rubber tire and through the steel bands contained within it as the weight of the vehicle bears upon the spike  10 . Situated between each of the spike blades  15  is a longitudinally extending spike groove  18 . Each spike groove  18  extends along the length of the spike  10 , beginning just below the point  17  of the spike  10  and ending just above the spike base  11 . 
         [0033]    The tire spike  10  of the present invention includes a spike base void  12  (not currently shown) in the spike base  11 . The spike base void  12 , in actuality, extends up and into the spike  10  and terminates at a point where the spike base void  12  meets, or intersects, the spike grooves  18  which run along the exterior of the spike  10 . In this fashion, the spike  10  of the present invention creates an air flow continuum which begins just below the point  17  of the spike  10 , runs along the number of spike grooves  18  and terminates in a like number of openings  13  to the spike base void  12 . It is this feature of the spike  10  of the present invention which aids in the tire deflating function of the spike  10 , even when used to pierce today&#39;s anti-leak tires. It should also be mentioned that the placement of the spike openings  13  in the spike  10  is such that strength of the uppermost portion of the spike  10  is maximized whereby the possibility of the air flow along the spike  10  being interrupted because of a collapsed spike  10 , or a portion of it, is minimized. The spikes  10  also have a pair of aligned pin apertures  19  (not currently shown) on opposite sides of the spike base void  12  and an aligning notch  14 , the purpose of which will be more apparent later in this detailed description. 
         [0034]    The base  40  has a bottom  41  having a first end  42  and a second end  43  and two identical sides  46  rising generally upwardly therefrom. The sides  46  of the base  40  are attached to the bottom  41  of the base  40  and are reinforced by a plurality of trusses  49  between the base  40  and the sides  46  of the base  40 . The sides  46  of the base  40  have a small aperture  47  and a larger aperture  48 , the purpose of which will become more apparent later in this detailed description. 
         [0035]    The second end  43  of the base  40  includes a pair of gussets  45  in the bottom of the base that create a flap  51  capable of flexing slightly with respect to the bottom  41  of the base  40 . The flap  51  also contains a pair of rectangular ridges  54 , the purpose of which will also become more apparent later in this detailed description. 
         [0036]    The tire puncturing device  1  further includes spike holder  20 . The spike holder  20  contains a plurality of spike retaining apertures  21 , each of the spike retaining apertures  21  providing an aligning slot  22  that accommodates the aligning notch  14  of the spike  10  to prevent rotation and unintended removal of the spike  10  in and from the spike aperture  21 . Additionally, the alignment of the spikes  10  via the aligning notch  14  of the spike  10  and the aligning slot  22  of the spike holder  20  aligns the pin apertures  19  in the spikes  10 . The spikes  10  are retained in the spike holder  20  by a retaining pin  30  that is inserted through the aperture  23  in the spike base  20  as well as the pin apertures  19  in the spikes  10 . 
         [0037]    The spike holder  20  further comprises a pair of circular knobs  24 . As assembled, the circular knobs  24  are inserted through the large apertures  48  in the sides  46  of the base  40 . When the retaining pin  30  is inserted through the pin aperture  23  in the spike base  20  and the pin apertures  19  in the spikes  10 , the spikes  10  and the spike base  20  are permitted to rotate approximately 90 degrees about the axis created by the retaining pin  30  from a first collapsed position wherein the spikes  10  lay relatively parallel to the bottom  41  of the base  40  and are enclosed by the sides  46  of the base and a second upright position wherein the spikes  10  and spike base  20  are at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the base  40 . 
         [0038]    The bottom  26  of the spike base  20  contains a cam  29 , a recess  27  and a catch  28 . As the spikes  10  and spike holder  20  are rotated open, the cam  29  presses the flap  51  downwardly such that the ridge  54  of the flap  51  clears the catch  28  on the spike base  20 . When the spikes  10  and spike base  20  are fully in position, the ridge  54  of the flap  52  resiliently snaps into the recess  27  in the spike base  20 . When the ridge  54  of the flap  51  is pressed into the recess  27  of the spike base  20 , the spikes  10  are locked in their full upright position. The back  27  of the spike base  20  also includes a notch  26 , the purpose of which will become more apparent later in this detailed description. 
         [0039]    When the spikes  10  are in the collapsed position, it is advantageous to provide a cover  60 . The cover  60  has a first end  61  and a second end  62 , the first end  61  of the cover  60  having a plurality of hinges  67 , the hinges  67  having apertures  63  therethrough. The cover  60  is attached to the base  40  via a pin  68  inserted through the small aperture  47  in the side  46  of the base  40 , and through the aperture  63  in the hinges  67 . It is advantageous to provide a secure means of closing the cover  10  over the spikes  60  to prevent inadvertent injury caused by contact with the spikes  10 . As such, a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for the cover  60  having a latch  65  including a catch  66 , the catch  66 , when closed, snapping over the notch in the spike holder  20 . The latch  65  is provided some flexibility with respect to the cover  60  by gussets  64  in the cover  60 . 
         [0040]    When the cover  60  is open, the cover  60  is used to anchor the static stop device  1  under a car tire such that when the vehicle tire moves forward, it moves onto the cover  60  such that the vehicle anchors the cover  60  and base as the spike or spikes  10  pierce the tire. As such, the cover  60  should be long enough such that when it is open and the spikes  10  are in the upright position, the combined length of the cover  60  and the base  40  should be sufficient to place the second end  62  of the cover  60  under a vehicle tire such that the top  17  of the tire spike  10  is in contact with the vehicle tire. 
         [0041]    When a vehicle tire comes into contact with the spike  10 , the vehicle weight and tire resistance against penetration, and then against removal, is designed to cause the spike  10  to break away from the static stop device  1 . In particular, the retaining pin  30  is engineered to be the most likely item to break, thereby releasing the spikes  10  into the tire. However, it is not essential that the spikes  10  break off the static stop  1  in order for the spikes  10  to deflate a vehicle tire. 
         [0042]    An additional embodiment of the invention may provide for a magnet  75  attached to one or both of the sides  46  of the base  40 . The person, or officer using the invention would then be equipped with a wand or other device having either an additional magnet or ferrous material at one end and a handle at the other. Such a device could be used to place the invention either in front of or behind the tire of a vehicle, without the potential distraction caused to the officer when the officer bends down. 
         [0043]    Accordingly, it will be seen that there has been provided a new, useful and nonobvious tire-puncturing spike and retainer assembly that can be placed in front of or behind at least one tire of a stationary vehicle; that is small and relatively compact, preferably “pocket-sized” in physical dimension; that requires only a minimal number of elements of construction, that is easy to use, and that allows for less conspicuous placement in comparison to similar assemblies of current availability.