Patents by Inventor Richard T. Downey

Richard T. Downey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6265787
    Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft system for permitting a user to electively disable an ignition coil of a vehicle so that the vehicle cannot be started unless reactivated by the user. The vehicle anti-theft system includes a distributor, an ignition coil electrically connected to the distributor, and a battery electrically connected to the ignition coil to provide electrical energy to the ignition coil. A cutoff switch is electrically connected between the battery and the ignition coil to selectively provide electrical power to the ignition coil. A remote controller has a transmitter for transmitting a signal. The cutoff switch has a receiver for receiving the signal from the remote controller. The cutoff switch precludes the supply of energy to the ignition coil from the battery upon receipt of a first signal from the remote controller. The cutoff switch allows the supply of energy to the ignition coil from the battery upon receipt of a second signal from the remote controller subsequent to receipt of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Richard T. Downey