Abstract: A security system for preventing unauthorized removal of a vehicle accessory such as a radio from a mounted position on the vehicle comprises a dispensing container containing a pressurized protective material such as a pepper gas and having a dispensing valve displaceable from a closed position to an open position in which the protective material is dispensed from the container. A valve actuating member is responsive to displacement of the accessory from its mounted position to displace the dispensing valve from the closed to the open position whereby the protective material is dispensed from said container.

Abstract: An improved doorstop provides increased safety along with the simplified operation over previous doorstops. The doorstop is adapted to be mounted directly to the door in close proximity to an immovable surface such as the floor or a door channel. The device includes a frictional contact member which is leveraged from a first position away from the immovable surface to a second position in frictional contact with the surface. The improved doorstop is useful on sliding doors as well as hinged doors.

Abstract: A frame mounted holder for releasably securing a bicycle lock or other accessory to the frame of a bicycle has a pair of spaced apart, oppositely facing hook members for engaging the lock or other accessory, which hook members are biased away from one another to hold the lock or accessory at a pair of spaced apart points.

Abstract: An actuator for a personal protective spray canister having a container for holding a pressurized protective material capable of being propelled in a gaseous cloud to at least partially disable a person and a manipulative valving device protruding outwardly from the container, with the valving device having an outlet for directing the gaseous cloud from the container, and a valve element movable between a first biased normal position closing the outlet and a second depressed operative position opening the outlet to allow the material to be propelled from the container as a cloud.

Abstract: An improved doorstop provides increased safety along with simplified operation over previous doorstops. The doorstop is adapted to be received in a floor mounted receptacle in close proximity to the door. The device includes a door contact member which pivots from a first position in contact with a fully closed door to a second position which permits the door to be opened a limited but finite distance. There is no need to remove the device from the floor receptacle to permit limited movement of the door, thus affording increased protection against forced entry. The improved doorstop is useful both on sliding doors as well as hinged doors. Several alternative embodiments of the improved doorstop are shown and described. When used with a hinged wooden door, the doorstop optionally includes the use of a rigid plate which may be affixed to the door to protect the door from damage by the device and to distribute force exerted against the door over a larger surface area.

Abstract: A device is adapted for use primarily as a theft deterrent for bicycles, mopeds and other two and three wheeled self propelled or motorized conveyances, said device comprises a pair of opposed, telescopically engaging U-shaped members and locking means associated with said members, securing them from being forcibly pulled apart. The locking means typically includes the use of a pawl and ratchet arrangement for facilitating the engagement of the two members for securing them in locking relationship. The device also includes a compressible and extendible rubber or elastomeric boot preferably in the form of bellows. This boot provides a protective cover around ratchet teeth that are longitudinally spaced along one of the arms of the two U-shaped members. The boot progressively surrounds the ratchet teeth as the rod is disengaged or withdrawn from the sleeve.

Abstract: An anti-theft device mountable on, in or otherwise adjacent the battery of a motor vehicle includes an enclosed power switch for opening the starting circuit between the battery and starter motor when the anti-theft device is activated, whereby it is impossible to start the vehicle. A normally closed bimetal switch device is connected in parallel with the power switch in one embodiment and is connected to the vehicle battery through the ignition switch whereby, when the power switch is open, an effort to start the vehicle through the ignition switch or by shortening the latter results in a noise which simulates a weak battery. A resistance is also connected across the power switch in parallel therewith to preclude the dropout of pre-set electrical accessories in the vehicle when the power switch is open. The anti-theft device is preferably operable by a remotely controlled encoder having a code signal identified by circuitry controlling operation of the power switch.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft alarm system comprises a microwave transmitter and receiver for transmitting microwave frequency signals from one location in the vehicle against a target in the vehicle at a given distance from the transmitter-receiver and for receiving the signals reflected back from the target and producing a monitoring signal representative of a time, frequency or distance parameter for sending and receiving the signals. If, for example, an object is interposed in the path of the transmitted signals, the parameter and thus the monitoring signal changes and a control signal is produced for actuating an alarm. A holding circuit provides for the alarm to remain actuated when the article is removed from the path of the transmitted signals.

Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft device in the form of a vehicle steering wheel lock comprising extendable and retractable members having hooks that are on for engaging diametrically opposed portions of a steering wheel to mount the anti-theft device on the steering wheel. It is provided with a motor operated lock mechinism remotely controlled by a personal identification encoder. The lock mechinism also includes a key operated portion, and the lock mechinism is operable either through the use of a key or through the use of the remotely controlled encoder.

Abstract: An anti-theft device that is adapted to be connected adjacent to or on a battery of a motor vehicle and including a power switch for disconnecting the battery from its standard battery cable when current flowing through the cable exceeds a preselected substantial amount of current associated with an attempt to start the vehicle. A lockout circuit is actuated by a remote transmitter for generating an external command signal to override the operation of the power switch. This device can be attached directly to a battery without external wiring and still provide the passive or self-arming anti-theft device.

Abstract: A device is provided for locking a compartment lid such as the hood of a motor vehicle. The device comprises an element adapted to sit on a portion of the hood and a portion of an adjacent fender surface, a strap attached to the element and extending through a gap between the hood and fender into the compartment interior, a hook on the strap to attach the strap to the vehicle in the compartment, and a mechanism such as a reel to remove slack from the strap and hold the element securely against the hood and adjacent fender surface.

Abstract: An anti-theft device for attachment to a steering wheel of a vehicle and comprising telescoping components relatively displaceable between extended and retracted positions respectively corresponding to use and storage positions for the device is provided with an electric circuit which is activated in the stored position of the device and issues an audible signal to remind the operator of the vehicle to attach the device to the vehicle steering wheel when the operator leaves the vehicle. The electric circuit includes a vibration sensor for sensing vibration of the device such as when the vehicle motor is running or the vehicle is moving along a roadway. When the vehicle is parked and the motor turned off, whereby there is no vibration of the device, an audible signal is issued, such as a digitized voice message for example, to remind the operator to install the device before leaving the vehicle.

Abstract: A motor vehicle security device preventing unauthorized entry into a vehicle compartment includes a locking reel mounted in the compartment and a cable between the locking reel and compartment closure. The unwinding of the cable from the locking reel to release the compartment closure is remotely controlled. An emergency mounting release and release circuit are provided for respectively dismounting the locking reel and deactivating the security device and thus allowing access to the vehicle compartment.

Abstract: A mechanical anti-theft device of the type applied to the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle which automatically ratchets to it's applied position without necessity of key lock actuation is provided with several security enhancing features which cumulatively prevent or make the device exceedingly difficult to unlock using conventional burglary tools or lock picking techniques. The features include configuring the ratchet teeth of the telescoping rod member in a way which minimizes any attempt to deactivate the lock unless the key is used. In combination with the ratchet teeth configuration, the lock pawl mechanism is configured to include an arcuate, transversely extending apex edge line or surface which cooperates with or is sized to be coincident with the rod members circumference to prevent a wedge, shim or pick from being readily easily inserted between pawl and ratchet tooth to force a retraction of the pawl.

Abstract: An electronic alarm is disclosed for use in a moving vehicle which generates ultrasonic sound for preventing animals from moving into the path of the vehicle. The device includes a simplified driver circuit for generating electrical impulses in the form of square waves having constant peak-to-peak voltages. The driver generates the square waves with periodic, sequentially increasing wave frequencies followed by sequentially decreasing wave frequencies. A coupling transformer converts the square waves into electrical sine wave voltages having high peak-to-peak voltages to cause a piezo-electric transducer to emit intense, ultrasonic sounds of periodically increasing frequencies followed by periodically decreasing frequencies simulating the warble effect of a siren without excessive heating and premature failure of the transducer. The ultrasonic warble effect confuses the animal to prevent inadvertent movement by the animal into the oncoming vehicle's path without injury to the animal.

Abstract: A tethered holder for a vehicle steering wheel lock bar having oppositely directed hooks for engaging diametrically opposite sides of a vehicle steering wheel comprises a body portion supporting a pair of hooks facing one another for engaging the oppositely directed hooks of the lock bar when the latter is disengaged from a steering wheel for storage in the vehicle. One of the hooks of the holder is displaceable relative to the other to facilitate attachment and detachment of the holder from the lock bar, and the holder is secured to the vehicle such as by a chain having a given length to limit displacement of the lock bar from its storage area in the event of sudden stopping of the vehicle.