Patent ID: 12233816

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used herein to distinguish one element from another, and the elements are not limited by these terms. Thus, a “first” element in an exemplary embodiment may be described as a “second” element in another exemplary embodiment.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification and drawings.

FIG.1illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.3illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.4illustrates a side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.5illustrates a view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention coupled to a vehicle wheel.

Referring toFIGS.1to5, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle locking boot100may include an oversized lug nut blocking plate (e.g., a lug nut blocking plate109) and pad (e.g., a lug nut blocking pad110). The lug nut blocking plate109and pad110may be approximately ten inches in diameter, and may have a substantially octagonal shape. Thus, the lug not blocking plate109and pad110may be dimensioned, shaped and positioned to prevent tampering with the vehicle locking boot100by preventing lug nuts of a locked vehicle (e.g., vehicle500) from being removed.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle locking boot100may include relatively wide front and rear engagement protrusions (e.g., a front engagement protrusion103and a rear engagement protrusion107) configured to be inserted into inner and outer indentations of a wheel. The engagement protrusions may be approximately two inches in diameter, and may taper to approximately one inch in diameter at innermost points of the engagement protrusions which face each other at an inner portion of a wheel (e.g., approximately behind the lug nuts of the vehicle). Upward projecting support arms (e.g., a first vertical support arm102and a second vertical support arm106) of each of the engagement protrusions (the engagement protrusions may project horizontally) and the engagement protrusions may be formed as a single continuous member without weld joints. Thus, the engagement protrusions may be substantially rigid such that they cannot be easily tampered with or broken away from the vehicle locking boot through an application of force to the engagement protrusions or corresponding support arms.

The support arms and the engagement protrusions may be dimensioned, shaped and positioned such that tips of the engagement protrusions come into contact with each other when the vehicle locking boot100is fully closed, and the engagement protrusions may become separated from each other when the vehicle locking boot100is opened (e.g., to lock the vehicle locking boot to a wheel). However, dimensions of a wheel to which the vehicle locking boot100is attached may vary, and thus the engagement protrusions may be separated from each other even when the vehicle locking boot100is locked to a wheel of a vehicle.

A first engagement protrusion (e.g., a front engagement protrusion103) coupled to a first vertical support arm (e.g., a first vertical support arm102) opposite the lug nut blocking plate109may be moved away from a second engagement protrusion (e.g., a rear engagement protrusion107) coupled to a second vertical support arm (e.g., a second vertical support arm106) immediately below the lug nut blocking plate109by way of a horizontal extension portion coupled to the first vertical support arm. The horizontal extension portion may slide through a track immediately below the second vertical support arm. The horizontal extension portion105may move in and out of a receiving sleeve104which is fully enclosed and is positioned approximately below the lug nut blocking plate109. Thus, a distal end of the horizontal extension portion105is not exposed to an outside of the vehicle locking boot, which may prevent damage to the horizontal extension portion, and may reduce an amount of maintenance (e.g., greasing and cleaning) of the horizontal extension portion and the track. An upper surface of the receiving sleeve104may be in a different horizontal plane (e.g., a first horizontal plane401) than an upper surface of a horizontal support arm (e.g., a horizontal support arm101) coupled to the second vertical support arm (e.g., a second vertical support arm106) on an opposite side of the second vertical support arm from the horizontal support arm101. For example, an upper surface of the receiving sleeve104may be below the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101, which may reduce a size and weight of the overall vehicle locking boot, while still protecting the horizontal extension portion.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first vertical support arm may form substantially a ninety degree angle with the horizontal support arm.

The vehicle locking boot may be unlocked and removed by entering a code into keypad, unlocking the boot, and sliding the engagement protrusions away from each other to remove the vehicle locking boot from the wheel.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle locking boot100may be formed of steel or another rigid metal, and may include a relatively small number of weld joints, which may prevent one or more portions of the vehicle locking boot from being tampered with or broken off through an application of force. For example, each of the support arms described herein may have a hollow, tubular steel structure to maximize strength, while minimizing weight, thus allowing the vehicle locking boot100described herein to be easily locked to a vehicle's wheel without being damaged or broken off through an application of mechanical force or through tampering with by an owner of a vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle locking boot100may include countersunk screws112, a charging port113for charging to key pad108or any other connected electronic devices, a lock114and a release button115for releasing the lock114when the release button115is depressed after a correct unlock code is entered into the keypad108.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle locking boot100includes a horizontal support arm101and a first vertical support arm102extending from the horizontal support arm101along a direction orthogonal to an upper surface the horizontal support arm101. The first vertical support arm102includes a front engagement protrusion103extending therefrom. A receiving sleeve104extends from the horizontal support arm at a base of the first vertical support arm102along a direction parallel to an extending direction of the horizontal support arm101. A horizontal extension portion105is coupled to the horizontal support arm101. A second vertical support arm106extends from the horizontal extension portion105along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101. The second vertical support arm106includes a rear engagement protrusion107extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion103faces the rear engagement protrusion107. A keypad108is disposed on the first vertical support arm102. The keypad108is configured to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion105. A lug nut blocking plate109is coupled to the first vertical support arm102above the front engagement protrusion103.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lug nut blocking plate109may include a lug nut blocking pad110disposed on lug nut blocking plate. The lug nut blocking pad110may be a foam or rubber pad having substantially a same size and shape as the lug nut blocking plate109to protect a vehicle (e.g., vehicle500) wheel from damage.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the lug nut blocking plate109may have an octagonal shape, which may prevent the lug nuts from being accessed or tampered with.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal extension portion105may be coupled to an internal track111formed in the horizontal support arm. The horizontal extension portion105may be configured to slide along the internal track111to move the rear engagement protrusion107to varying distances from the front engagement protrusion103.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a distal end of the horizontal extension portion105with respect to the second vertical support arm106may be concealed within the receiving sleeve104when the front engagement protrusion103is in contact with the rear engagement protrusion107.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal support arm101may have a first thickness (e.g., first thickness H1illustrated inFIG.4) along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101. The receiving sleeve104may have a second thickness (e.g., second thickness H2illustrated inFIG.4) along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101. The second thickness may be less than the first thickness.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101may extend along a first horizontal plane (e.g., first horizontal plane401illustrated inFIG.4). An upper surface of the receiving sleeve may extend along a second horizontal plane (e.g., second horizontal plane402illustrated inFIG.4). The first horizontal plane may be spaced apart from the second horizontal plane along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first vertical support arm102may form a 90° angle with the horizontal support arm101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a diameter of the lug nut blocking plate109may be at least 10 inches. Thus, the lug nut blocking pad110may be relatively large to prevent access to and tampering with the underlying lug nuts.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a diameter of each of the front engagement protrusion103at a first end of the front engagement protrusion103opposite the rear engagement protrusion107may be at least 2 inches. A diameter of the rear engagement protrusion107may taper to 1 inch at a second end of the front engagement protrusion103facing the rear engagement protrusion107.

FIG.6illustrates a side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.7illustrates a top down view of a vehicle locking boot and a spacer configured to be coupled to the vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.8illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.9illustrates an angled side view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.10illustrates an exemplary front engagement protrusion of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.11illustrates an exemplary spacer of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.6-11, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle locking boot may include a horizontal support arm101and a first vertical support arm102extending from the horizontal support arm101along a direction orthogonal to an upper surface the horizontal support arm101. The first vertical support arm102may include a front engagement protrusion103extending therefrom. A receiving sleeve104may extend from the horizontal support arm101at a base of the first vertical support arm102along a direction parallel to an extending direction of the horizontal support arm101. A horizontal extension portion105may be coupled to the horizontal support arm101. A second vertical support arm106may extend from the horizontal extension portion105along the direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the horizontal support arm101. The second vertical support arm106may include a rear engagement protrusion107extending therefrom. The front engagement protrusion103may face the rear engagement protrusion107. A keypad108may be disposed on the first vertical support arm102. The keypad108may be configured to lock and unlock the horizontal extension portion105. A lug nut blocking plate109may be coupled to the first vertical support arm102above the front engagement protrusion103. A spacer601is removeably coupled to the horizontal support arm101. The spacer601extends along the extending direction of the horizontal support arm101.

The spacer601substantially closes a space between the horizontal support arm101and a tire positioned above the spacer601(see, e.g.,FIG.5). Accordingly, tampering with the vehicle locking boot by objects (e.g., a pry bar or crowbar) positioned between the horizontal support arm101and the tire may be reduced or eliminated by the spacer601. For example, the spacer601may be positioned and dimensioned to be in direct contact with a tire, thus eliminating an open space into which tools (e.g., a pry bar or crowbar) could be inserted. Accordingly, tampering with the vehicle locking boot may be reduced or eliminated through use of the spacer601.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a diameter of the rear engagement protrusion107may taper to about ⅜ of an inch along a direction toward the front engagement protrusion103. For example, the diameter of the rear engagement protrusion107may taper to about ⅜ of an inch from a diameter of about 2 inches along the direction toward the front engagement protrusion103. Similarly, a diameter of the front engagement protrusion103may taper to about ⅜ of an inch along a direction toward the rear engagement protrusion107.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a length of the spacer601may be less than a length of the horizontal support arm101(see, e.g.,FIG.9). Thus, the spacer601may be smaller than a distance between the vertical support arms102and106in a closed state. Thus, a weight of the spacer601may be relatively low, and manufacturing costs of the vehicle locking boot may be reduced.

The vehicle locking boot described herein may include or be formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The use of aluminum or aluminum alloy in forming the vehicle locking boot may reduce a weight of the vehicle locking boot when compared with steel.

Reducing an overall weight of the vehicle locking boot including the spacer601may allow the vehicle locking boot to be more easily manipulated to be attached to or removed from a vehicle's wheel. Accordingly, damage to a vehicle or vehicle wheel may be reduced or eliminated.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a side surface602of the spacer601facing the first vertical support arm102may be spaced apart from a side surface603the first vertical support arm102. For example, the vehicle locking boot may include a space901between the spacer and the first vertical support arm102(see, e.g.FIG.9). The space may be from 0.5 inches to 3 inches.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a side surface604of the spacer601facing the second vertical support arm106may be substantially aligned with or slightly spaced apart from a side surface605of the horizontal support arm101facing the second vertical support arm106(see, e.g.,FIGS.6and9). This may maximize contact between the spacer601and a vehicle's tire without making the spacer601unnecessarily large. As an example, the spacer601may have substantially a same width as a vehicle's tire, thus eliminating an open space into which tools (e.g., a pry bar or crowbar) could be inserted. Accordingly, tampering with the vehicle locking boot may be reduced or eliminated.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spacer601may include a plastic frame having a hollow center. As an example, the hollow center of the plastic frame may be substantially filled with foam. Thus, a weight of the spacer601may be minimized, while maximizing strength and structural integrity of the spacer601. As an example, the spacer601may include or may be formed of rubber or plastic; however, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spacer601may include a plurality of pins (see, e.g., pins701and702inFIG.7or compression pins1110,1111,1112and1113inFIG.11) positioned and dimensioned to be inserted into corresponding holes (see, e.g., holes710,711,712and713inFIGS.7and10) formed in the horizontal support arm101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pins may be compression pins (see, e.g.,FIG.11) configured to removeably couple the spacer601to the horizontal support arm101.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front engagement protrusion103may include a plastic or rubber coating801.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rear engagement protrusion107may include a plastic or rubber coating802. Thus, damage to a vehicle's wheel may be reduced or eliminated.

FIG.12illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle locking boot according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.13illustrates a rear perspective view of the vehicle locking boot ofFIG.12.FIG.14illustrates a close up view of an interior of a GPS housing and a GPS unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG.15illustrates an angled front view of the vehicle locking boot ofFIG.12.

Referring toFIGS.12-15, a global positioning system (GPS) housing1201is positioned at an upper portion of the first vertical support arm102. A GPS unit1202is positioned in the GPS housing1201. The GPS unit1202includes a GPS transmitter. The GPS unit1202may additionally include a GPS receiver. The GPS unit1202is configured to allow detection of a location of the vehicle locking boot described herein by determining a location of the GPS unit1202. The GPS unit1202may also transmit a position of the vehicle locking boot. As described below in more detail, the GPS transmitter is able to transmit signals through the GPS housing1201and the GPS receiver is able to receive signals through the GPS housing1201.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPS housing1201includes a first side plate1203and a second side plate1204opposite the first side plate. The first and second side plates1203and1204may extend along the lug nut blocking plate109, such as along substantially an entire vertical dimension of the lug nut blocking plate109. The first and second side plates1203and1204may each be angled sidewalls that gradually taper in width along the vertical dimension of the lug nut blocking plate109. A rear plate1205is positioned between the first and second side plates1203and1204. The rear plate1205may be formed of reinforced plastic.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the reinforced plastic may be a Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). FRP is a composite material including a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibers may be glass (e.g., fiberglass), carbon (e.g., carbon fiber reinforced polymer), aramid, or basalt. The polymer may be an epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester thermosetting plastic.

Applicant has determined that the arrangement of the GPS housing1201, as described herein in various embodiments, allows the GPS unit1202to receive and transmit signals to identify and track a location of a vehicle locking boot. This allows for location and recovery of lost or stolen boots, which may reduce costs associated with booting vehicles. For example, even when the vehicle locking boot is formed of steel or aluminum alloy, which could interfere with GPS signal transmission, Applicant has unexpectedly discovered that the arrangement of the GPS housing1201, as described herein in various embodiments, allows the GPS unit1202to receive and transmit signals to identify and track a location of a vehicle locking boot.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rear plate1205may be removeably anchored to the lug nut blocking plate109. Thus, the rear plate1205forms an enclosed GPS housing1201concealing the GPS unit1202. For example, the rear plate1205may include a plurality of screw extensions (e.g.,1401,1402—see, e.g.,FIG.14) configured to extend toward the lug nut blocking plate109. The screw extensions may each be aligned with a corresponding hole (e.g., holes1501,1502,1503,1504—see, e.g.,FIG.15) formed in the lug nut blocking plate109. Each corresponding hole may include a screw threaded into a corresponding screw extension and the screw heads may each be concealed by lug nut blocking pad110. Each screw head may be countersunk into the lug nut blocking plate109to allow a substantially smooth surface for adhering the lug nut blocking pad110. Thus, the presence of the GPS unit1202is not readily apparent to an observer of the vehicle locking boot, which may reduce or eliminate an occurrence of tampering or damage to the GPS unit1202.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPS unit1202may be configured to be activated by movement from a predetermined location. Initial movement of the GPS unit may be determined using a cellular tower network. Thus, unexpected or unauthorized movement of the vehicle locking boot may be detected and the location of the vehicle locking boot may be tracked. This allows for determining and tracking of a location of the vehicle locking boot and recovery of the vehicle locking boot, thus reducing costs for booting vehicles. Use of a cellular tower network allows for a relatively low amount of battery power to be used for location tracking compared with satellite tracking, thus longevity of the battery described in more detail below may be increased and a size of the battery may be reduced. As described in more detail below, the battery associated with the GPS unit1202may have a battery life of 1-2 years even with relatively constant use of the vehicle locking boot described herein.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a location of the GPS unit1202may be determined by a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) network after the initial movement of the GPS unit1202is detected. The location of the GPS unit1202determined by the GNSS may be determined at a predetermined rate (e.g., one or two times per day, or continuously if desired). Determining the location of the GPS unit1202disposed in the vehicle locking boot, as described herein, allows a battery of the GPS unit to last for an extended period of time (e.g., as long as 1-2 years).

The GPS unit may be powered by a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. For example, the battery may be a lithium ion battery.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the GPS unit1202may be programmable. Programming the GPS unit allows, for example, setting the rate at which the location of the GPS unit1202is determined. The GPS unit1202may include a WiFi or cellular network receiver. Thus, the GPS unit may be connected with remotely, and programming of the GPS unit may be accomplished from a remote location (e.g., via connection over WiFi or a cellular tower network).

The disclosures of each of the references, patents and published patent applications disclosed herein are each incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

In the event of a conflict between a definition herein and a definition incorporated by reference, the definition provided herein is intended.

Having described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is further noted that it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.