WO2003093077A1

WO2003093077A1 - Security system for vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2003093077A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/001865
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brian Wholey; Alex Mccracken
Original assignee: Tiss Limited
Priority date: 2002-04-29
Filing date: 2003-04-29
Publication date: 2003-11-13
Also published as: AU2003233868A1

Abstract

A security system comprising tape (8) applied to a flexible covering of a vehicle, the tape (8) being capable of conducting electricity, a first end of the tape (8) being connected to a power supply and a second opposite end of the tape being connected to monitoring means, the monitoring means being arranged to monitor electricity conducted by the tape, and to trigger an alarm if the monitored electricity deviates from preset acceptable values.

Description

SECURITY SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES

The present invention relates to security system, and in particular to a security system suitable for use in connection with a flexible covering of a vehicle.

Road-going goods vehicles have been used for many years to transport goods. A road-going goods vehicle typically comprises a tractor unit and a trailer (cargo area) connected via an articulated connection, the trailer being detachable from the tractor's unit. Other smaller vehicles comprise a cab and a cargo area provided as a single unit. The term 'trailer' will be used hereafter to refer to the cargo area of an articulated vehicle or a vehicle comprising a single unit.

A common form of trailer is provided with a curtain along one or both sides, for example as shown in figure 1. Trailers of this form are known as curtain-siders. When loading the trailer the curtain is drawn to one end to allow easy access along the length of the trailer. Once the trailer has been loaded the curtain is extended to close the entire side of the trailer, and is secured in place using spaced apart buckles. An upper end of each buckle is attached to a corresponding metal strip approximately 4 inches wide which runs from the top of the trailer. Webbing extending from the bottom of the trailer is passed through the lower end of each buckle. The buckle is provided with a ratchet system which is used to draw the webbing through the buckle until the curtain has been firmly secured.

A variation of the curtain-sider trailer is known as Euro-liner. In the Euro- liner, trailer posts and planks are located behind the curtain, thereby providing the curtain with rigidity which may help to retain goods which move during transit. A further variation of the curtain-sider trailer is known as the tilt trailer. The tilt trailer is provided with panels around the edge of the trailer, the panels extending part way up the vertical height of the toiler and being arranged to tilt downwards. A curtain extends from the top of the trailer and overlaps the panels, thereby enclosing the trailer. All of the above trailers suffer from the disadvantage that it is possible to cut through a curtain of the trailer in order to gain access to the trailer. Goods may be stolen from the trailer via a cut in the curtain when the trailer is unattended, for example in a service station. A driver will not be aware that someone has gained access to the trailer until he returns to the trailer.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security system which overcomes and substantially mitigates the above problem.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a security system comprising tape applied to a flexible covering of a vehicle, the tape being capable of conducting electricity, a first end of the tape being connected to a power supply and a second opposite end of the tape being connected to monitoring means, the monitoring means being arranged to monitor electricity conducted by the tape, and to trigger an alarm if the monitored electricity deviates from preset acceptable values.

Preferably, the monitoring means is arranged to monitor a DC voltage, and to trigger the alarm if the DC voltage moves outside of a preset range of acceptable values.

Preferably, the monitoring means is arranged to monitor a DC voltage, and to trigger the alarm if the DC voltage moves below a preset acceptable value. The preset acceptable value may be adjustable.

Preferably, the tape is connected to the monitoring means via a connector.

Preferably, the connector comprises a pair of metal plates located on opposite sides of the flexible covering and connected to each other through the flexible covering.

The connector may be provided with a socket, the system further comprising a wire provided with a plug dimensioned to be received the socket, the wire being fixed to the vehicle such that if the flexible covering is opened the plug will become removed from the socket of the connector.

Alternatively, the connector may be provided with a plug, the system further comprising a wire provided with a socket dimensioned to receive the plug, the wire being fixed to the vehicle such that if the flexible covering is opened the plug will become removed from the socket of the wire.

Preferably, the power supply comprises a battery. The battery may be rechargeable. The battery may be a main battery of the vehicle.

Preferably, the vehicle comprises a trailer. The term 'trailer' is intended to encompass the cargo area of an articulated vehicle and the cargo area of a vehicle comprising a single unit.

The flexible covering may comprise a side curtain of the trailer. Alternatively or additionally, the flexible covering may comprise a roof curtain of the trailer.

The alarm may comprise sound and/or one or more lights.

The alarm may comprise electronic means for contacting a person responsible for the vehicle. The electronic means may comprise a transmitter arranged to transmit a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message.

The alarm may comprise a Global Positioning System (GPS) arranged to communicate the location of the vehicle to a person responsible for the vehicle.

Preferably, the tape is fibre based metal tape. The tape may be fibre based copper tape, or may be fibre based aluminium tape.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a security system comprising tape for applying to a flexible covering of a vehicle, the tape being capable of conducting electricity, a first end of the tape being connected to a power supply and a second opposite end of the tape being connected to monitoring means, the monitoring means being arranged to monitor electricity conducted by the tape, and to trigger an alarm if the monitored electricity deviates from preset acceptable values.

The second aspect of the invention may further comprise any of the features of the first aspect of the invention.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a known curtain-sider trailer;

Figure 2 is a side view of a curtain-sider trailer fitted with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3 is a circuit diagram showing an alarm forming part of the embodiment of the invention.

Referring to figure 1, a curtain-sider trailer 1 comprises a curtain 2 (flexible covering), steel straps 3, webbing 4 and buckles 5. A Transport International Routier (TIR) cord 6 is passed through the buckles 5 thereby securing the buckles 5 in the closed configuration.

Referring to figure 2, conductive tape 8 is applied to an interior surface of the curtain 2. The tape extends upwardly from a first connector 9, then passes transversely several times across the trailer before connection to a second connector 10.

The first and second connectors 9, 10 comprise 35mm² steel plate. Each connector comprises a pair of steel connection plates provided on either side of the curtain 2, thereby sandwiching the curtain between the connection plates. The connection plates 9, 10 are fixed to the curtain 2 close to the bottom of the curtain, as shown in Figure 2. The connection plates 9, 10 are fixed to the curtain 2 either by riveting them together or by connecting them using countersunk M3 stud fixings with locking nuts. The conducting tape 8 passes to the connection plates 9, 10 and is in electrical contact with the connection plates.

Connection boxes 11, 12 are provided on an underside of the trailer. Each connection box 1 1, 12 is provided with a wire 13, 14 which has a double headed stud type connector. Each stud type connector is received in a suitably dimensioned receiver in a connection plate 9, 10. The electrical connection boxes 11, 12 are connected via a junction box 15 to a control box 16. The junction box 15 and control box 16 are located beneath the trailer.

A key pad 17 is connected via the junction box 15 to the control box 16. The key pad 17 is used to arm the system, i.e. prime the control box 16 to monitor the signal conducted by the tape 8.

The control box 16 generates a constant voltage using a circuit of the type shown in Figure 3. The circuit of Figure 3 comprises a voltage source 20 which generates a voltage that is applied across the conductive tape 8. The voltage source may be a battery located in the tractor unit (for example the main tractor battery) with the voltage being carried by an electrical suzie (cable) to the trailer. Alternatively, the voltage source may be a rechargeable battery located in the control box 16. The rechargeable battery is advantageous because it ensures that the voltage is applied across the conductive tape 8 even when a tractor unit is not connected to the trailer. Current passes around the tape 8 to a sensing circuit based upon an integrated chip ICL 7665S sold by Intersil under the name Micropower OverNoltage Detector.

The chip is provided with a first voltage input 21 which determines the highest 'allowed' voltage, the voltage being set by resistors 22. The chip is provided with a second voltage input 23 which determines the 'allowed' lower voltage limit. This voltage is regulated by resistors 24. An output 25 passes from the chip to an alarm (not shown). The voltage, at the opposite end of the conductive tape 8 from the voltage source 20, is passed to the chip at voltage input 26. Referring to figure 2, the voltage from the voltage source is applied to the conductive tape 8 via the connection box 11 at a front region of the trailer. The voltage passed to the chip at voltage input 26 is taken from the opposite end of the conductive tape 8 via the connection box 12 at a rear region of the trailer.

The voltage at the voltage input 26 is a constant value which depends upon the voltage generated by the voltage source 20 and upon the length of the conductive tape 8 (the voltage will fall gradually along the length of the tape). The high and low voltage limits are set using Icnowledge of the length of the conductive tape 8 and of the voltage generated by the voltage source 20.

When the voltage at the voltage input 26 passes outside of the high or low voltage limits then the output changes, thereby triggering an alarm. For example, if the conductive tape 8 is cut, then the voltage will fall to an open circuit value and the alarm will be triggered.

The conductive tape 8 may be fibre based copper or aluminium conductive tape. The tape is adhesive and is applied directly to the curtain 2 of the trailer. An advantage of the use of conductive tape is that, in the event that an unauthorised person intending to access the trailer cuts the curtain 2 and the tape 8, the tape may be repaired by applying a new section of tape across the cut.

As previously described, the control box 16 will trigger the alarm if the tape 8 is cut, since this will cause the voltage at the input 26 to fall to an open circuit value. In a similar manner, if a stud type connector of either of the wires 13, 14 is removed from a connection plate 11, 12 then this will cause the voltage at the input 26 to fall to an open circuit value, thereby triggering the alarm. Any unauthorised attempt to open the curtain 2 (i.e. without first turning off the alarm via the keypad 17) will cause one of the stud connectors of the wires 13, 14 to disconnect from an associated connection box 9, 10, thereby triggering the alarm. Any other tampering with the system that breaks the circuit formed around the tape 8 will result in the alarm being triggered. Several forms of alarm may be used. For example, a 122dB sounder located in a suitable place on the trailer will provide an audible warning of attempted entry. Flashing lights may also be activated. The alarm may alert a driver, or an operation centre, which may be a transport or operation manager's office. This may be done by sending a Short Message Sendee (SMS) message to a mobile telephone, or other telephone capable of receiving SMS messages. The SMS message may include details of the manner in which the alarm was activated (for example, the time). The alarm may also be connected to a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking device such as Temple or Eagle Eye which, will provide the exact location of the trailer when the alarm is triggered, using a suitable software package such as Auto Route Express.

Although the conductive tape 8 has been shown as being fixed to a side curtain of a trailer, it will be appreciated that the conductive tape may be fixed to any flexible covering of a trailer or the like in order to detect cutting of the covering. For example, some trailers are provided with flexible retractable roofs which are particularly vulnerable to illegal entry since they cannot in normal circumstances be seen by the driver. The conductive tape 8 may be applied to a roof of this type.

The control box 16 may be connected to other forms of sensor or monitoring circuits, for example motion detectors, heat detectors, or micro-switches or contacts may be provided along the length of the trailer and wired to the alarm. These may be configured to trigger the alarm, either independently or in combination with a change of the voltage drop across the tape 8.

Although the embodiment of the invention monitors a DC voltage, it will be appreciated that other forms of electrical signal could be used.

Claims

1. A security system comprising tape applied to a flexible covering of a vehicle, the tape being capable of conducting electricity, a first end of the tape being connected to a power supply and a second opposite end of the tape being connected to monitoring means, the monitoring means being arranged to monitor electricity conducted by the tape, and to trigger an alarm if the monitored electricity deviates from preset acceptable values.

2. A security system according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is arranged to monitor a DC voltage, and to trigger the alarm if the DC voltage moves outside of a preset range of acceptable values.

3. A security system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the monitoring means is arranged to monitor a DC voltage, and to trigger the alarm if the DC voltage moves below a preset acceptable value.

4. A security system according to claim 3, wherein the preset acceptable value is adjustable.

5. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the tape is connected to the monitoring means via a connector.

6. A security system according to claim 5, wherein the connector comprises a pair of metal plates located on opposite sides of the flexible covering and connected to each other through the flexible covering.

7. A security system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the connector is provided with a socket, and the system further comprises a wire provided with a plug dimensioned to be received the socket, the wire being fixed to the vehicle such that if the flexible covering is opened the plug will become removed from the socket of the connector.

8. A security system according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the connector is provided with a plug, and the system further comprises a wire provided with a socket dimensioned to receive the plug, the wire being fixed to the vehicle such that if the flexible covering is opened the plug will become removed from the socket of the wire.

9. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the power supply comprises a battery.

10. A security system according to claim 9, wherein the battery is rechargeable.

11. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle comprises a trailer.

12. A security system according to claim 11, wherein the flexible covering comprises a side curtain of the trailer.

13. A security system according to claim 11, wherein the flexible covering comprises a roof curtain of the trailer.

14. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm comprises sound and/or one or more lights.

15. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm comprises electronic means for contacting a person responsible for the vehicle.

16. A security system according to claim 15, wherein the electronic means comprises a transmitter arranged to transmit a Short Messaging Service (SMS) message.

17. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the alarm comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) arranged to communicate the location of the vehicle to a person responsible for the vehicle.

18. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the tape is fibre based metal tape.

19. A security system according to claim 18, wherein the tape is fibre based copper tape.

20. A security system according to claim 18, wherein the tape is fibre based aluminium tape.

21. A security system according to any preceding claim, wherein the tape is self adhesive

22. A security system comprising: electrically conductive tape for applying to a flexible covering of a vehicle; a power supply for connection to a first end of the tape and for supplying electricity to the tape; monitoring means for connection to a second end of the tape opposite to said first end monitoring electricity conducted by the tape; and an alarm; where in use the monitoring means is operable to trigger said alarm if monitored electricity deviates from preset acceptable values

23. A security system as defined in claim 22, further comprising the features of any one of claims 2 to 21

24. A method of installing a security system to a flexible covering of a vehicle, the method comprising: adhering a conductive tape to the flexible covering, connecting one end of the tape to a electrical power supply comiecting another and of the tape monitoring means for monitoring electricity conducted through the tape, such that in use the power supply supplies electricity to the tape, the monitoring means monitors the electricity conducted by said tape and triggers the alarm if the monitored electricity deviates from preset acceptable values

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the security system is in accordance with claim 22 or 23.