Patent ID: 7233245

Claim:
A system for using a separate fixed or massive object to prevent theft of a motorcycle, the system comprising: (a) a frame element structured to be securely mounted on the motorcycle, the frame element including a hollow enclosure having a wall with an orifice therethrough; (b) a reel rotatably mounted in the enclosure; (c) a flexible electrically conductive cable having a proximal end and a distal end, the cable being encased in an electrically insulating sheath and having an electrically conductive male connector connected to, and in electrical communication with, the distal end of the cable, the distal end of the cable extending through the orifice and the proximal end of the cable being wound onto the reel; (d) a control mechanism including: (1) an alarm mechanism, (2) an electrically conductive female connector structured and configured to receive the male connector, (3) electrical circuitry structured and configured to: (A) connect the female connector in electrical communication with the proximal end of the cable, (B) detect whether continuity exists between the proximal end and distal end of the cable, and (C) responsively cause the alarm mechanism to be activated when continuity between the proximal end and distal end of the cable is broken; (e) a locking mechanism having (1) a locked configuration wherein the male connector, after being inserted into the female connector, is prevented from being withdrawn from the female connector, and (2) an unlocked configuration wherein the male connector is allowed to be withdrawn from the female connector; and (f) a power source structured to provide electrical energy to the various components of the system as needed; and (g) wherein the control mechanism is activated by (1) pulling a sufficient length of the distal end of the cable through the orifice wherein the distal end of the cable can be wrapped around or through the separate fixed or massive object, (2) inserting the male connector into the female connector, and (3) placing the locking mechanism in the locked configuration.