FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a tire disabler for use by law enforcement to prevent a high speed chase after a traffic stop or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Law enforcement officers stop cars for various reasons relating to safety and bad behavior. Accordingly, protocols dictate that the law enforcement officer approaches the driver of the stopped vehicle to confront the driver and the other car occupants to get more information. Statistics show that this is one of the most dangerous situations for a law enforcement officer to be in. The driver of the vehicle may be stressed for a number of reasons. Regardless of the reason, a significant percentage of drivers that have been pulled over attempt to flee. A high speed chase may result from the car driver wishing to avoid contact with the officer and fleeing the scene of the traffic stop. These attempts to flee often occur when the law enforcement officer is out of his/her vehicle and is standing next to the stopped vehicle. The result is that a law enforcement officer or others may be injured or killed by the fleeing vehicle.
There exists a long felt need for a system that can enable a law enforcement officer to attempt to disable a vehicle to prevent a high speed chase during a traffic stop. It is known to use a device such as a boot to immobilize a car wheel or tire puncture strips in front of and behind a wheel on the vehicle to puncture tires of a moving vehicle. Both of these methods require action on the part of the officer that may place the officer in danger. The boot requires the officer to get under the car. The tire puncture strips require the officer to get in front of the vehicle usually after the chase has begun. Both scenarios put the officer in harm’s way if the driver tries to flee. Alternative tire spiking systems such as U.S. Pat. 7,186,052 B2 for Vehicle Tire Deflating apparatus to Rom are bulky and fail to provide protection to the officer during transport and deployment. Accordingly, the use of prior art wheel locks and tire puncturing apparatus actually increases the danger to an officer during a traffic stop.
There is a need for a device to prevent a driver from fleeing the scene of a traffic stop in a high speed chase. The device should be small, light, deployable with one hand and easily retrieved and stored. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a tire spiker in a small easy to use package that will damage a vehicle tire in the event a driver flees a scene of a traffic stop.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is a tire spiker comprising a U-shaped frame hinged to close to an L-shaped carry configuration wherein the tire spikes are encased and not exposed in the carry configuration. The U-shaped frame may comprise two L-shaped arms. Each of the two L-shaped arms may comprise a spacer portion and a spike portion. The spacer portion may have two ends comprising a hinge end attached to the spike end of the other of the two L-shaped arms by a spring loaded hinge and a spike end attached to the spike portion. The spike portion may comprise a spacer end and a distal end. The spike portion may be disposed generally perpendicular to the spacer portion. The spike portion further comprises a road side and a spike side. A plurality of spikes are disposed in the spike side having tips spaced from the spike portion. A plurality of spike chambers are formed in the tier engagement portion extending from an opening on the spike side and extending into the spike portion toward the road side. Each one of the plurality of spike chambers adapted to receive one of the plurality of spikes on the other of the two L-shaped arms.
The two L-shaped arms are pivotally joined together at the hinge on each hinge end whereby the two L-shaped arms are movable from a carry configuration to a deployed configuration by pivoting about the hinged connection. In the carry configuration, the tire spiker is disposed in an L-shaped configuration having each one of the plurality of tire spikes disposed in one of the plurality of spike chambers in the other of the two L-shaped arms. In the deployed configuration, the tire spiker is urged by the spring loaded hinge to a generally U-shaped configuration having the spike portions spaced from each other and generally parallel. The plurality of spikes are exposed and disposed in a generally vertical orientation extending from the spike side. The tire spiker is placed in a surrounding position to the tire with the first spike portion in front of the vehicle tire and the second spike portion behind the vehicle tire and the spacer portion adjacent to the tire sidewall.
A handle may be disposed on the frame preferably in spaced relation to the tire. One of the spacer portions may be between the handle and the tire in the deployed configuration. \
The spring loaded hinge may be used for quick deployment. The spring loaded hinge may be adapted to urge the two L-shaped arms into the deployed configuration. A latch on the tire spiker may be adapted to retain the two L-shaped arms in the carry configuration until the latch is tripped whereby the two L-shaped arms may be urged apart by the spring loaded hinge to the deployed configuration having the spike portions spaced from each other and generally parallel to each other.
The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a back elevation view of a tire spiker in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;
FIG. 3 is a side view thereof;
FIG. 4 is a top perspective thereof;
FIG. 5 is a top perspective view thereof in a partially deployed configuration;
FIG. 6 is a top perspective view thereof in a carry configuration;
FIG. 7 is a section view taken at approximately 7-7 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a top perspective view thereof in a partially deployed configuration;
FIG. 9a is a section view taken at approximately 9-9 of FIG. 7 of the invention in a deployed configuration; and
FIG. 9b is a section view taken at approximately 9-9 of FIG. 7 of the invention in a carry configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a tire spiker 10 comprising a hinged frame 12 having a first and second spacer portion 14, 16. Each of the first and second spacer portions 14, 16 comprising a tire side 28a, 28b, a hinge end 32a, 32b and a spike end 34a, 34b. A spring loaded hinge 22 may be disposed on the first hinge end 32a and the second hinge end 32b whereby spring loaded hinge 22 may be adapted to pivotally attach the first hinge end 32a to the second hinge end 32b. The spring loaded hinge 22 may comprise spring 18 having a first end 19a on the first hinge end 32a and a second end 19b on the second hinge end 32b. The spring 18 adapted to urge the the first and second spacer portions 14, 16 to move from a carry configuration 36 (FIG. 6) having the first spike end 34a adjacent to the second spike end 34b and the first spacer portion adjacent to and generally parallel to the second spacer portion to a deployed configuration 38 having the first spike end 34a in spaced relation to the second spike end 34b. Each of the spacer portions 14, 16 may further comprise a spacer road side 54a, 54b and a spacer top side 56a, 56b.
Referring to FIG. 2, the tire spiker 10 in the deployed configuration 38, may further comprise a first and second spike portion 40, 42. Each of the first and second spike portions 40, 42 may comprise a spike side 58a, 58b, a spacer end 44a, 44b and a distal end 46a, 46b. Each of the first and second spike sides 58a, 58b may further comprise a plurality of spikes 26a, 26b embedded therein and extending from the respective spike side 58a, 58b in a generally perpendicular orientation to the spike side 58a, 58b. The spikes 26a, 26b may extend 1-3 inches from the spike side 58a, 58b. The first spike portion 40 may be disposed in spaced relation and generally parallel to the second spike portion 42 in the deployed configuration.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, a plurality of spike chambers 60a, 60b may be formed on spike portions 40, 42. In the preferred embodiment, the spike chambers 60a, 60b and spikes 26a, 26b alternate having a spike chamber 60a, 60b between each pair of adjacent spikes 26a, 26b. The spike chambers 60a, 60b open on the spike side 58a, 58b. A first spike chamber 60a may be disposed between each adjacent pair of the plurality of first spikes 26a. Likewise, a second spike chamber 60b may be disposed between each adjacent pair of the plurality of second spikes 26b. In the embodiment on FIG. 2, first spike portion 40 may have a spike 26a disposed at the spacer end 44a and at the distal end 46a and second spike portion 42 may likewise have a spike chamber 60b at each of the spacer end 44b and distal end 60b thereby to align a spike chamber 60a, 60b with a respective spike 26a, 26b in the opposing spike portion 40. 42.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the frame 12 may further comprise a handle 64 having a release button 66 and an alarm 67. The release button 66 may comprise a lock 68. The lock 68 may comprise a retainer 68a and a receiver 68b. The alarm 67 may comprise a switch 72, a battery 70 and an alarm indicator 62. The switch 72 may be adapted to electrically connect the battery 70 to the alarm indicator 62 when the tire spiker 10 is not in the carry configuration 36. The alarm indicator 62 may comprise LEDs 62, a buzzer or other device to alert the officer and the driver that the tire spiker 10 is in the deployed configuration 38. The alarm indicator 62 may be electrically connected to a battery 70 by a switch 72 connected to electrical circuit 74 whereby the switch may energize the alarm indicator 62 preferably when the tire spiker 10 is in the deployed configuration 38. The lock 68 may be adapted to hold the retainer 68a attached to the receiver 68b until actuated by the release button 66 whereby the receiver 68b releases the retainer 68a allowing the first spacer portion 14 to pivot about the hinge 22 to a deployed configuration 38. The lock 68 may comprise a latch and pawl, magnet or hook type connector as is known in the art. The frame 12 is urged to the deployed configuration 38 by the spring loaded hinge 22.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the plurality of spikes 26a, 26b may comprise a puncture portion 76 having a tip 78 spaced from the spike side 58a, 58b on the respective one of the spike portions 40, 42. The puncture portion 76 maybe hollow 77 such as a metal tube or conduit to help air release from a punctured tire. The spacer portions 14, 16 may have a kick plate 80 on the outside. Kick plate 80 may be adapted to bear against a shoe or other push device to move the tire spiker 10 into place. A first one of the plurality of spikes 26a adjacent the first distal end 46a may be aligned with a first one of the plurality of spike chambers 60b adjacent the second distal end 46b. Each one of the plurality of spikes 26a, 26b may have a corresponding spike chamber 60a, 60b in the opposing spike portion 40, 42. The corresponding spike chambers 60a, 60b may be adapted to receive one of the one of the plurality of spikes 26a, 26b in the opposing spike portion 40, 42. That is, each one of the plurality of spikes 26a may be disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of spike chambers 60b in the second spike portion 42. Likewise, each one of the plurality of spikes 26b in the second spike portion 42 is adapted to extend into a corresponding one of the plurality of spike chambers 60a in the first spike portion 40.
Referring to FIGS. 5 - 7, the tire spiker 10 is illustrated between the deployed configuration 38 (FIGS. 1-4) and the carry configuration 36 in order to illustrate the alignment between each one of the plurality of spikes 26a, 26b and each one of the spike chambers 60a, 60b. In the carry configuration 36 (FIG. 6) the first spike end 34a is adjacent to the second spike end 34b and each of the plurality of spikes 26a, 26b is disposed in a respective spike chamber 60b, 60a in the opposing spike portion 40, 42. Each of the plurality of spike chambers 60a in the first spike portion 40 may be adapted to receive a respective one of the plurality of spikes 26b in the second spike portion 42 in the carry configuration 36. Likewise, each of the plurality of spike chambers 60b in the second spike portion 42 may be adapted to receive one of the plurality of spikes 26a in the first spike portion 40 in the carry configuration 36. Each of the spike chambers 60a, 60b is disposed on the respective spike portion 40, 42 in alignment with one of the plurality of spikes 26a, 26b in the carry configuration 36.
Continuing to refer to FIG. 7, each one of the plurality of spike chambers 60a, 60b may comprise an axis 90a, 90b respectively. Each of the plurality of spikes 26a, 26b may be aligned with the respective axis 90a, 90b of the corresponding spike chamber 60b, 60a in the opposing spike portion 26a, 26b respectively in the carry configuration 36. In the carry configuration 36 each one of the spike tips 78 is disposed in alignment with the respective one spike chamber axis 90a, 90b in the opposing spike portion 40, 42. Each of the first spikes 26a in the first spike portion 40 may have a corresponding second spike chamber 60b in the second spike portion 42. Each of the second spikes 26b in the second spike portion 42 may have a corresponding first spike chamber 60a in the first spike portion 40 whereby each one of the plurality of first or second spikes may be disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of first or second spike chambers 60a, 60b in the other of the first and second spike portions 40, 42 when the tire spiker 10 is configured in the carry configuration 36. Switch 72 may be disposed in a spike chamber 60b of second spike portion 42. Switch 72 may be adapted to engage tip 78 of corresponding one of the plurality of first spikes 26a in first spike portion 40.
Referring to FIG. 8, the tire spiker 10 may be disposed in the deployed configuration 38 surrounding a tire 82 having a rubber tread 84 and a hub 86. The tire spiker 10 may be pushed at the kick plate 80 to urge the spacer portions 14, 16 adjacent to or bearing on the tire 82 at the sidewall 88. The tire spiker 10 may have the first spike portion 40 disposed along a first travel path 91 for the tire 82 and the second spike portion 42 disposed along a second travel path 92 for the tire 82. The spikes 26a, 26b are held in a generally vertical orientation for penetration into the tread 84 if the tire 84 moves along the first or second travel path 91, 92. In the deployed configuration 38, the indicator 62 is energized by spike 26a moving away from plunger 95 allowing spanner 94 to close the circuit 74 energizing alarm indicator 62 to alert the driver and the officer that the tire spiker is deployed and movement of the vehicle will cause the tire 82 to be punctured by spikes 26a, 26b.
Referring to FIGS. 9a, 9b switch 72 is electrically connected to alarm indicator 62 and to battery 70 by indicator circuit 74. Switch 72 may comprise terminals 93a, 93b, spanner 94 and plunger 95. Spanner 94 is attached to terminal 93a. Spanner 94 may further comprise movable end 96 bearing against terminal 93b until moved by plunger 95 pushed by spike 26a. Battery 70 may be connected to terminal 93b. Movable end 96 may be movable from a biased contact position (FIG. , 9a) whereby terminal 93a may be connected to terminal 93b to a spaced position (FIG. , 9b) from terminal 93b whereby terminal 93a is not connected to terminal 93b. In the deployed configuration 38 (FIG. 9a) circuit 74 is closed by biased spanner 94 bearing against terminal 93b thereby connecting alarm indicator 62 to battery 70. In the carry configuration 36 Spanner 94 may further comprise movable end 96. by first spike 26a not disposed in spike chamber 60b allowing spanner 94 to return to a biased closed position. FIG. 9A illustrates spike 26a spaced from switch 72 wherein spanner 94 is urged to bear against terminal 93b thus connecting terminal 93a to terminal 93b thereby connecting indicator 62 to battery 70 energizing indicator 62. FIG. 9B illustrates spike 26a disposed in spike chamber 60b. Spike tip 78 bears against plunger 95 to move movable end 96 into spaced relation to terminal 93b opening circuit 74 thereby disconnecting alarm indicator 62 from battery 70.
Referring to FIGS. 1-8, in use the tire spiker 10 is transported in the carry configuration 36 to a location adjacent tire 82. Release button 66 is pressed releasing lock 68 holding first and second spacer portions 14, 16. Spring loaded hinge 22 is adapted to urge tire spiker 10 in the deployed configuration 38 having the first and second spacer portions 14, 16 generally aligned having hinge 22 attached between them. Tire spiker 10 is disposed on the ground adjacent to the tire 82 having the road side 54a, 54b on the road and the spikes 26a, 26b extending from the top side 56a, 56b in a generally vertical orientation. The kick plate 80 may be used to kick the tire spiker 10 into position having the tire spiker 10 surrounding the tire 82 on three sides with the tire tread 84 disposed between the first spike portion 40 and the second spike portion 42. The indicator 62 is energized by switch 72 closing circuit 74 between battery 70 and indicator 62. When the tire spiker 10 is to be removed, handle 64 is used to lift tire spiker 10 away from tire 82. The first spacer portion 14 may be rotated about hinge 22 in a clam-shell motion to the carry configuration 36 having each one of the first spikes 26a disposed in a respective second spike chamber 60b and each one of second spikes 26b disposed in a respective first spike chamber 60. Spike 26a may engage switch 72 to de-energize alarm indicator 62. Lock 68 engages to hold the tire spiker 10 in the carry configuration 36.
While specific embodiments have been shown and described to point out fundamental and novel features of the invention as applied to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes of the form and details of the invention illustrated and in the operation may be done by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Patent Application
20230089929
