U.S. patent application number 17/008604 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-04 for tire disabling device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Novak IP Holdings LLC. Invention is credited to Frank Novak, Louis Novak.
Application Number | 20210062443 17/008604 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005086421 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210062443 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Novak; Louis ; et
al. |
March 4, 2021 |
TIRE DISABLING DEVICE
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a tire disabling device. A tire disabling
device may comprise a spike-bearing plate that may be contained, in
its undeployed state, in a handled enclosure. Upon deployment, the
spike bearing plate may be disposed under the tire of a stopped
vehicle, which may puncture the tire if the vehicle is moved. Such
a device may be beneficial in preventing car chases that begin with
traffic stops, by deflating tires upon an attempted evasion from
the stop, and by signaling a deterrent to attempt such evasion.
Inventors: |
Novak; Louis; (Twinsburg,
KY) ; Novak; Frank; (Twinsburg, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Novak IP Holdings LLC |
Twinsburg |
OH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005086421 |
Appl. No.: |
17/008604 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62893230 |
Aug 29, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 13/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E01F 13/12 20060101
E01F013/12 |
Claims
1. A tire disabling device comprising: an enclosure having an
opening to an interior cavity; a handle attached to the enclosure;
a spike plate comprising at least one of: at least one integrated
spike, and at least one spike configuration feature; at least one
spike, wherein the at least one spike comprises at least one of:
the at least one integrated spike, and a spike interfaced with the
at least one spike configuration feature; a coupling mechanism,
disposed near the top of the enclosure, configured to interface
with a distal end of the spike plate so as to detachably secure the
spike plate in place; and a pivot mechanism, disposed near the
bottom of the enclosure, configured to pivotably couple with a
proximal end of the spike plate so as to permit the spike plate to
pivot from a secure configuration, wherein the distal end of the
spike plate is proximate to the coupling mechanism and the at least
one spike is enclosed within the enclosure, and a deployed
configuration, wherein the distal end of the spike plate is
substantially in contact with a ground surface.
2. The tire disabling device of claim 1, wherein the handle is
retractable.
3. The tire disabling device of claim 1, further comprising a
safety mechanism configured to prevent the handle from completely
detaching from the tire disabling device in the event of an
interaction between the tire disabling device and a vehicle
tire.
4. The tire disabling device of claim 3, wherein the safety
mechanism comprises a spring-loaded retractor, a handle connector,
and a cord, wherein the cord is connected at one end to the
spring-loaded retractor and at the other end to the handle
connector, further wherein the handle connector is fixed to the
handle.
5. The tire disabling device of claim 1, wherein the spike plate
further comprises a tab.
6. The tire disabling device of claim 1, wherein the coupling
mechanism comprises a magnet.
7. The tire disabling device of claim 1, wherein the coupling
mechanism comprises at least one of: a clasp, a notch, a tab, a
spring, a hinge, and a pin.
8. The tire disabling device of claim 1, further comprising a base
plate disposed on a bottom surface of the enclosure.
9. The tire disabling device of claim 8, wherein the base plate
further comprises at least one of: a wheel, a ball, a glider, and a
friction-reducing element.
10. The tire disabling device of claim 1, further comprising an
alerting feature comprising at least one of a reflector, a light, a
sound-emitting device, and a wireless communication element.
11. The tire disabling device of claim 1, further comprising a
countermeasure comprising at least one of: netting, expanding
elements, releasable substances, and a car electronics
disruptor.
12. A storage apparatus for storing a tire disabling device, the
storage apparatus comprising: an enclosure comprising an interior
cavity and plurality of retention plates, the plurality of
retention plates disposed in an orientation substantially
perpendicular to a surface of the enclosure so as to form the
interior cavity, configured to permit the ingress of the tire
disabling device into the interior cavity; at least one strap
disposed on the enclosure, configured to releasably secure the tire
disabling device, wherein the plurality of retention plates
together with the at least one strap are configured to secure the
tire disabling device within the interior cavity and substantially
prevent the egress of the tire disabling device from the storage
apparatus.
13. The storage apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of
retention plates comprises a top plate, a bottom plate, and four
side plates, further wherein the at least one strap comprises
lengths of webbing material terminated with side-release buckles,
further wherein the at least one strap is configured to releasably
secure the tire disabling device by encircling the tire disabling
device and engaging the side-release buckles.
14. A method of utilizing a tire disabling device, the method
comprising: placing the tire disabling device in the proximity of a
stopped vehicle; deploying a spike plate, the spike plate
comprising one or more spikes, each of the one or more spikes
comprising a puncturing element, wherein deploying the spike plate
exposes the puncturing element of at least one of the one or more
spikes; and disposing the spike plate in front of and below at
least part of a tire of the stopped vehicle, such that the
puncturing element of at least one of the one or more spikes is
positioned to puncture the tire upon the traversal of the tire over
the spike plate.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising an initial stage of
removing the tire disabling device from a storage apparatus.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein placing the disabling device in
the proximity of the stopped vehicle further comprises rolling the
device along the ground on at least one of: a wheel, a ball, a
glider, and a friction-reducing element.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of placing the
disabling device in the proximity of the stopped vehicle, deploying
the spike plate, and disposing the spike plate in front of and
below at least part of the tire of the stopped vehicle further
comprises the activation of an alerting feature comprising at least
one of a light, a sound-emitting device, and a wireless
communication element.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising a final stage
wherein the tire traverses the spike plate, puncturing the tire by
the puncturing element of at least one of the one or more
spikes.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the final stage further
comprises the deployment of at least one of: netting, expanding
elements, releasable substances, and a car electronics
disruptor.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein a safety mechanism configured
to prevent a handle of the tire disabling device from completely
detaching from the tire disabling device in the event of an
interaction between the tire disabling device and a vehicle tire
prevents the handle from completely detaching from the tire
disabling device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e), the
Applicant claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 62/893,230, filed Aug. 29, 2019, which is incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a device for deflating
vehicle tires. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
a device that may be disposed under a tire of a stopped vehicle in
order to deflate the deflate the tire should the vehicle be moved,
acting as a deterrent to such movement.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A car chase can be extremely dangerous to law enforcement
officers (LEOs), other motorists, bystanders, and the chased
driver. Although some car chases result from a refusal of a vehicle
to pull over as directed, other car chases begin from a traffic
stop. A vehicle peeling out from a traffic stop, and subsequently
driving away (usually at high speeds), poses the risk of serious
injury or death in a wide surrounding area.
[0004] Traditional approaches to dealing with car chases include
active maneuvers by law enforcement vehicles such as ramming,
boxing in, or the Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT), which aims
to strike and spin the fleeing vehicle, as well as more passive
containment techniques such as laying down spike strips in the
anticipated path of the fleeing vehicle (to deflate the tires and
slow the vehicle), deploying netting or devices that disrupt car
electronics, or blocking the road with barriers or police vehicles.
In rare cases of extreme danger, LEOs may shoot out a fleeing
vehicle's tires or fire at a rapidly approaching vehicle.
[0005] The challenges of stopping a car chase after it has already
started lead to inevitable shortcomings. While these approaches are
often ultimately effective, they may only be so following
significant prior property damage and casualty. They afford the
fleeing motorist a chance to get away, especially as the driver is
inherently in an advantageous position to begin their flight over
an officer who is out of their vehicle. Many of these techniques
also necessarily put LEOs in the path of harm's way in order to
deploy them.
[0006] Further, the employment of some of these techniques, while
perhaps preferable to failing to stop the fleeing motorist, may
themselves introduce danger at high rates of speed. Permitting a
chase to begin from a stop and escalate to high speed greatly
increases the potential for a vehicle subject to a countermeasure
such as a spike strip to roll, flip, careen, or otherwise become a
deadly, uncontrollable projectile. Contrarywise, a countermeasure
that was able to deflate vehicle tires from a stop may assist in
preventing a chase from ever reaching high speeds. And a motorist
who is aware of such countermeasures, in place at a traffic stop,
may disincentivize the motorist from the temptation to speed off in
the first place.
[0007] A device that could be employed with respect to a stopped
vehicle that could effectively prevent, mitigate, or deter an
ensuing speed-off and car chase may therefore provide advantages
over the traditional approaches.
[0008] In view of at least the above shortcomings, a need exists
for a tire disabling device.
BRIEF OVERVIEW
[0009] This brief overview is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This brief overview is not intended to
identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject
matter. Nor is this brief overview intended to be used to limit the
claimed subject matter's scope.
[0010] A tire disabling device (or "device") may be provided.
[0011] One objective of the disclosed tire disabling device may be
to provide a portable device comprising a spike plate that can be
deployed and positioned under a vehicle tire in order to puncture
the tire if the vehicle is moved.
[0012] Another objective of the disclosed tire disabling device may
be to decrease the incidence of car chases from traffic stops by
deterring drivers from fleeing.
[0013] Yet another objective of the disclosed tire disabling device
may be to provide a variety of storage configurations whereby a
tire disabling device can be mounted and accessibly stored in the
interior, trunk, or exterior of a vehicle.
[0014] Still another objective of the disclosed tire disabling
device may be to provide a handle for ease of positioning and
carrying, wherein the handle may or may not be retractable.
[0015] Again, another objective of the disclosed tire disabling
device may be to provide a base plate for stabilizing the device,
wherein the base plate may or may not comprise wheels or friction
reducing elements.
[0016] Further, an objective of the disclosed tire disabling device
may be to provide alerting features such as reflectors, reflective
paint, lighting elements (e.g., LED, HID, strobing, flashing,
pulsing, rotating, color changing, etc.), auditory elements, horns,
sirens, whistles, or wireless communication elements, any of which
may serve to alert the LEO and/or the driver as to the continued
presence of the deployed device (especially with respect to a
concluded traffic stop).
[0017] Further, another objective of the disclosed tire disabling
device may be to provide a safety mechanism to secure a handle of
the device from becoming completely detached from the device in the
event of a rollover and puncture, which may prevent the handle from
becoming a dangerous projectile.
[0018] Further, yet another objective of the disclosed tire
disabling device may be to provide a cavity within which the spikes
of a spike plate are protectively enclosed.
[0019] Further, still another objective of the disclosed tire
disabling device may be to provide a retention and release
mechanism for the spike plate, which may comprise magnets, clasps,
notches, tabs, springs, hinges, pins, and other means of releasably
securing the spike plate to the device.
[0020] Further, again another objective of the disclosed tire
disabling device may be to allow a user to deploy the spike plate
by gravity, by jolt of a retractable handle being extended to its
maximum, or by pushing a tab.
[0021] Even further, an objective of the disclosed tire disabling
device may be to incorporate evasion countermeasures in addition to
a spike plate, such as netting, car electronics disruptors,
releasable substances, or expanding elements.
[0022] Both the foregoing brief overview and the following detailed
description provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly,
the foregoing brief overview and the following detailed description
should not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features or
variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein.
For example, embodiments may be directed to various feature
combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various
embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings contain
representations of various trademarks and copyrights owned by the
Applicants. In addition, the drawings may contain other marks owned
by third parties and are being used for illustrative purposes only.
All rights to various trademarks and copyrights represented herein,
except those belonging to their respective owners, are vested in
and the property of the Applicants. The Applicants retain and
reserve all rights in their trademarks and copyrights included
herein, and grant permission to reproduce the material only in
connection with reproduction of the granted patent and for no other
purpose.
[0024] Furthermore, the drawings and their brief descriptions below
may contain text or captions that may explain certain embodiments
of the present disclosure. This text is included for illustrative,
non-limiting, explanatory purposes of certain embodiments detailed
in the present disclosure. In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a tire disabling
device in accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 1B illustrates an exploded view of a tire disabling
device in accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation view of a storage
apparatus for a tire disabling device in accordance with various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 3A illustrates a front-facing side elevation view of a
storage apparatus for a tire disabling device in accordance with
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 3B illustrates a side-facing side elevation view of a
storage apparatus for a tire disabling device in accordance with
various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 3C illustrates a top plan view of a storage apparatus
for a tire disabling device in accordance with various embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a storage
apparatus for a tire disabling device in accordance with various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 4B illustrates an exploded view of a storage apparatus
for a tire disabling device in accordance with various embodiments
of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of
utilizing a tire disabling device in accordance with various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by
one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present
disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be
understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality
of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further
incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed
features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as
being "preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode
contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present
disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional
illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure.
Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,
modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly
disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the
scope of the present disclosure.
[0035] Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in
detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of
the present disclosure and are made merely for the purposes of
providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure
herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be
construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any
claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined
by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that
the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim
a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the
claim itself.
[0036] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of
stages of various processes or methods that are described herein
are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although stages of various processes or methods
may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal
order, the stages of any such processes or methods are not limited
to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an
indication otherwise. Indeed, the stages in such processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences
and orders while still falling within the scope of the present
disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent
protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the
description set forth herein.
[0037] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used
herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand
such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein.
To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein--as understood
by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such
term--differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as
understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.
[0038] Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, 6, no claim
element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory
provision unless the explicit phrase "means for" or "stage for" is
actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory
provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim
element.
[0039] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein,
"a" and "an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not
exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise.
When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at least
one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items of the
list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, "and"
denotes "all of the items of the list."
[0040] The following detailed description refers to the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to
refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of
the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and
other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions,
additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated
in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified
by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed
methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not
limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure
is defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains
headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as
references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the
subjected matter disclosed under the header.
[0041] The present disclosure includes many aspects and features.
Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are
described in, the context of, embodiments of the present disclosure
are not limited to use only in this context.
I. OVERVIEW
[0042] Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, a
tire disabling device (or simply "device") 100 is provided. Various
embodiments of device 100 are described herein. Components of
device 100 as presented in the following disclosure may be
integrated, used independently, in conjunction with, used
separately, or in connection with other embodiments they are not
shown or described as functioning with. Any aspects of one
embodiment may or may not be used interchangeably with other
elements and aspects of a device 100 as presented in the present
disclosure.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-B, there is shown an example tire
disabling device 100 consistent with various embodiments of the
present disclosure. Device 100 may comprise an enclosure 130 which
may have a handle 150, a base plate 140, and a spike plate 120
which may be equipped (or integral) with spikes 110. Device 100 may
also comprise a safety mechanism 160, which may assist in keeping
handle 150 from becoming separated from the rest of device 100 and
a dangerous projectile in certain scenarios.
[0044] In various embodiments, device 100 may be used to puncture a
tire of a vehicle when it rolls over spike plate 120, due to the
spikes' 110 impingement into the tire. With spike plate 120
deployed (e.g., by a LEO), and device 100 in place under and in
front of a vehicle tire, a motorist who would attempt to flee from
a traffic stop may puncture their tire before getting up to speed,
right at the scene of the stop they are attempting to flee. Device
100 may also, merely by its presence, deter such flight by the
threat of puncture (and thus reduced viability of flight).
II. COMPONENTS
[0045] Some or all of the following components may be present in a
tire disabling device 100. The below description is in no way
intended to limit the components that may be present in addition or
in alternative to the listed components, nor to require that any
particular component be included in a form described below or at
all.
[0046] a. Spike 110
[0047] Device 100 may comprise one or more spikes 110. Spikes 110
may provide the functionality of puncturing a tire that traverses
spike plate 120. Spikes 110 may have various form factors,
including as depicted in FIG. 1A, and/or other types of caltrops,
arrows, barbs, pins, blades, and so forth. In some embodiments,
spike 110 may be attached to a spike plate 120 comprising spike
configuration features 122 via a spike retainer 111. Spike retainer
111 may comprise various securing components such as clevis pins,
bridge pins, cotter pins, bolts, etc. Spikes 110 may, in some
embodiments, be made of a stainless steel material.
[0048] b. Spike Plate 120
[0049] Device 100 may comprise a spike plate (or "plate") 120.
Spike plate 120 may, in various embodiments, comprise a tab 121,
spike configuration features 122, spikes 110 that are integral (not
depicted in FIG. 1A) or modular (as depicted in FIG. 1A), and
various other features. In embodiments comprising spike
configuration features 122, it may be possible to install, remove,
reverse, replace, etc. spikes 110 to account for factors like wear
and tear and departmental policy regarding side of approach for
traffic stops.
[0050] In some embodiments, plate 120 may attach to, and pivot
about hinge 132. In an embodiment, device 100 may have two
configurations with respect to plate 120. "Secured" configuration
would have plate 120 is in an upright position (as depicted in FIG.
1A, tab 121 proximal to magnet 133) and a coupling mechanism (e.g.,
magnet 133) is securing plate 120 in place. "Deployed"
configuration would have plate 120 against the ground, spikes 110
up.
[0051] In some embodiments, deploying spike plate 120 may involve
"gravity deployment," e.g., jolting free plate 120 from magnet 133
via tapping device 100 on the ground or extending handle 150 to its
maximum (in embodiments comprising a retractable handle 150), or by
pushing tab 121 to free plate 120 from magnet 133. In some
embodiments, various clasp, hook, pin, latch, etc. components may
be utilized as the coupling mechanism between plate 120 and the
upper part of enclosure 130.
[0052] c. Enclosure 130
[0053] Device 100 may comprise an enclosure (or "box") 130.
Enclosure 130 may comprise an inner cavity 131 that may, in various
embodiments, enclose spikes 110 while spike plate 120 is secured to
the device 100 (the "secured" configuration). Cavity 131 may house
elements of safety mechanism 160 and magnet 133. Enclosure 130 may
be painted in reflective paint, covered in (or fabricated to have)
reflective surface material, and comprise alerting features such as
lights and sound-emitting features.
[0054] d. Base Plate 140
[0055] Device 100 may comprise a base plate (or "base") 140. Base
plate 140 may provide a bottom surface that helps stabilize device
100, including an additional, low lying, source of mass that may
help keep device 100 grounded. Base 140 may, in some embodiments,
comprise one or more wheels, balls, gliders, or friction-reducing
elements that may ease the movement and placement of device 100.
Such embodiments may further comprise mechanisms for retracting or
fixing the movement-assistive elements to prevent rolling,
shifting, or sliding when device 100 is deployed and emplaced.
[0056] e. Handle 150
[0057] Device 100 may comprise a handle 150. Handle 150 may be used
for carrying, positioning, and rolling (in embodiments featuring
wheels) device 100. Handle 150 may be retractable; in an embodiment
consistent therewith, a retractable handle 150 may have a release
button 151 and telescoping arm 152.
[0058] Handle 150--along with other parts of device 100, such as
box 130, but especially handle 150 due to its vertical
prominence--may comprise or support alerting features such as
reflectors, lights (e.g., spinning, strobing, pulsing, blinking,
high luminosity) or auditory features (e.g., loudspeakers, sirens,
horns). Among other benefits, these may help remind LEOs and
motorists alike of the continued presence of a deployed device 100,
the traversal of which after the benign conclusion of a traffic
stop would have the same deleterious effect on the driver's tires
as if the driver had been fleeing. Other alerting features such as
wireless communications, in embodiments where they are present, may
be housed in the handle 150 or elsewhere such as the enclosure
130.
[0059] f. Safety Mechanism 160
[0060] Device 100 may comprise a safety mechanism 160. Safety
mechanism 160 may function to keep handle 150 from wholly
separating from the rest of device 100 upon a puncturing event. In
some such events, spikes 110 may travel circumferentially along
with the rotation of the tire, bringing the spike plate 120 and the
enclosure 130 and handle 150 attached thereto along this rotational
path. As the device 100 rotates upside-down, it may bring an
extended handle 150 into rapid and forceful contact with the
ground. Safety mechanism 160 may prevent or mitigate the resulting
breakaway of handle 150 and its unpredictable projectile
trajectory.
[0061] In an embodiment, safety mechanism 160 may comprise a
spring-loaded retractor (or "retractor") 164 attached to one end of
a cord 163, the other end of which may be attached to a handle
connector 161 (directly or intermediated by a stopper 162 in
various embodiments). In an example of how safety mechanism 160 may
operate in the above described context, handle 150 when fully
extended would have a relatively longer extension of cord 163,
under tension that would tend to pull back toward retractor 164. If
handle 150 were to rapidly and forcefully contact the ground, so as
to break off from device 100, the still-intact connection between
retractor 164 and handle 150, via cord 163, may keep handle 150
from flying off dangerously.
[0062] g. Storage Apparatus 200
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an example storage
apparatus (or "SA") 200 consistent with various embodiments of the
present disclosure. Device 100 may comprise, be compatible with, or
be configured to be secured and transported in a storage apparatus
200. SA 200 may be configured to attach to the front or rear of a
seat in a vehicle, and to transport device 100 therein. For
example, SA 200 may be attached so as to hang over the front of the
passenger seat in a LEO vehicle, providing easy access to device
100 upon making a traffic stop.
[0064] SA 200 may comprise a receptacle 210 in which device 100 may
be stored. In some embodiments, receptacle 210 may comprise a
firm-walled space that is wrapped in a nylon or canvas material. SA
200 may comprise a plurality of straps 220, which may be attached
(e.g., sewn, glued, riveted) to receptacle 210 at attachment points
221. Straps 220 may incorporate coupling mechanisms including, in
some embodiments, slide lock 222 and clip 223 configurations.
[0065] Receptacle 210 may comprise a door 240 that is dimensioned
to permit ingress and egress of a device 100 from the interior
cavity of receptacle 210. In some embodiments, door 240 may have a
locking mechanism, such as bracket 241 and fasteners 242. Other
methods of closure may include a variety of securing means,
including magnets, hook and loop fasteners, and so forth. In some
embodiments, door 240 may be situated as depicted in FIG. 2
(colloquially, "mailbox" style), whereas in other embodiments, door
240 may be on the front of SA 200, perpendicular to the depicted
configuration (colloquially, "breadbox" style).
[0066] h. External Storage Apparatus 300
[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-C, there is shown an example
storage apparatus (or "SA") 300 consistent with various embodiments
of the present disclosure. Device 100 may comprise, be compatible
with, or be configured to be secured and transported in a storage
apparatus 300. SA 300 may be configured to attach (via, e.g.,
fasteners 330) within a vehicle's trunk or to an exterior feature,
and to transport device 100 therein. For example, SA 200 may be
attached to the push bumper so as to have device 100 at the ready
upon making a traffic stop.
[0068] SA 300 may comprise a back plate 310 against which device
100 may seat. In some embodiments, back plate 310 may comprise one
or more slots, grooves, or locking features with which
corresponding on device 100 may interface, securing device 100
against forward and sideways movement. SA 300 may further comprise
a base plate 320, upon which device 100 may sit. In some
embodiments, device 100 may be secured to base plate 320 by an
electromagnet 321 thereunder, attached via screws 322, and the
effect of which may be turned on or off by control unit 340.
[0069] Fasteners 330 may, but need not be, bolts or screws as
depicted in FIGS. 3A-C. For example, fasteners 330 may comprise
u-clamps or other clamping or securing mechanisms, as
appropriate.
[0070] i. Storage Apparatus 400
[0071] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-B, there is shown an example
storage apparatus (or "SA") 400 consistent with various embodiments
of the present disclosure. SA 400 may permit device 100 to be
mounted in or to a vehicle and transported thusly. SA 400 may
comprise an enclosure 430, which may include retention plates at
the "top" 432, "bottom" 433, and "sides" 434 (these designations
may not correspond to actual mounting orientation, but are
convenient for the sake of identification with respect to FIGS.
4A-B), which retention plates 432, 433, 434 may be disposed on and
substantially perpendicular to a surface of enclosure 430 so as to
form an interior cavity 431 that is configured to accept ingress of
tire disabling device 100.
[0072] In some embodiments, storage apparatus 400 may be mounted to
a surface of, or within, a vehicle. In various embodiments,
strap(s) 420 may encircle and secure device 100, substantially
preventing the egress of device 100 from SA 400. For example, one
or more straps 421 may terminate in male side-release buckles, and
one or more straps 422 may terminate in corresponding side-release
buckles, such that the buckles can be engaged to encircle device
100 as it seats in interior cavity 431. Strap(s) 420 may (as
depicted in FIGS. 4A-B) be cross-joined at certain points, which
may enhance the securing functionality of SA 400.
III. METHODS OF USE
[0073] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an example method
500 of utilizing a tire disabling device 100. At stage 510, a user
such as a patrolling officer, a military base MP, a marshal, or
other LEO may place device 100 in proximity of a stopped vehicle.
In an example, the vehicle may have been stopped because the LEO
pulled over the vehicle or was responding to the scene. In an
embodiment featuring a storage apparatus 200, 300, stage 510 may be
preceded by the user removing device 100 from the storage apparatus
200, 300 and carrying it over to the vehicle. In an embodiment
featuring a base plate 140 comprising wheels, the user may bring
device 100 into proximity of the vehicle by wheeling it over.
[0074] At stage 520, the user may deploy spike plate 120, which may
prior have been secured (spikes 110 facing in) in box 130.
Deploying plate 120 may have the effect of exposing and positioning
"sharp end up" spikes 110. Plate 120 may pivot about hinge 132 to
come to rest in such a position.
[0075] In some embodiments featuring a magnet 133 for securing
spike plate 120, simply tapping device 100 on the ground may
release plate 120 by gravity. Pulling up on handle 150 so that it
jolts the device 100 (i.e., at its maximum) may similarly cause
plate 120 to release. A user might also push on tab 121, if
present, to disengage the magnet and drop the plate 120. In various
embodiments featuring clasp, latch, or button mechanism, plate 120
may be released in response thereto (in some embodiments, only in
response thereto, as opposed to by gravity).
[0076] At stage 530, the user may position spike plate 120 (and
thus spikes 110) in front of and beneath at least part of a vehicle
tire. This stage may be accomplished by, for example, lifting and
setting plate 120 into place, sliding base plate 140 along the
ground, or (in embodiments so permitting) rolling device 100 under
and into position. In accomplishing this stage, spikes 110 may be
required to be in a particular location and orientation; for
example, spikes 110 as depicted in FIG. 1A may have a curvature
that can puncture tires approached from one direction, while being
potentially traversable when approached from the other. Conversely,
in some embodiments, spikes 110 may effect tire puncture from
multiple or all orientations. It should also be noted that
proximity of device 100 to the vehicle tire may be key to affecting
a puncture, as a too-distant spike plate 120 may be maneuvered
around.
[0077] During various stages herein, including 510, 520, or 530, in
an embodiment comprising alerting features, such alerting features
may be activated to indicate the ongoing presence of device 100.
This may serve many purposes, including notifying the driver that a
tire-puncturing system is emplaced below their tire (reminding them
not to drive away, even innocently), reminding the driver and LEO
that the device 100 is still present following the conclusion of a
traffic stop, reinforcing the import of the stop in the mind of the
driver, and even providing additional light into the interior of
the vehicle.
[0078] During stage 540, in an embodiment comprising additional
countermeasures, such countermeasures may be deployed upon or in
conjunction with the puncture of a tire. For example, in an
embodiment comprising a sensor able to detect vehicle rollover,
such detection may trigger an electronic disruptor--conveniently
situated within close range of the vehicle. For another example, in
an embodiment comprising a sensor or other mechanism for sensing or
triggering upon spike plate 120 being caught up by the tire
rotation and lodging in the wheel well, netting, a releasable
substance (e.g., a liquid or foam), or an expanding element may be
triggered to further impede the driving functionality of the
vehicle, beyond the deleterious effects of a blown tire. For yet
another example, tire puncture may trigger a projectile (or
similar) tracking element to be affixed to the vehicle so that law
enforcement can track the vehicle without engaging in a dangerous
high-speed pursuit.
[0079] The order of stages presented are only illustrative of the
possibilities and those steps can be executed or performed in any
suitable fashion. Moreover, the various features of the examples
described here are not mutually exclusive. Rather any feature of
any example described here can be incorporated into any other
suitable example. It is intended that the specification and
examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and
spirit of the invention being indicated by the following
claims.
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