Anti-theft vehicle system

Abstract

An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis includes a linear actuator disposed within the vehicle wheel for operatively engaging and disengaging an interior surface of the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis. The anti-theft vehicle system further includes a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive a signal to activate the linear actuator.

1 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis comprising: 
 a linear actuator having a movable plunger and at least one engagement member disposed within the vehicle wheel, said linear actuator moving said plunger radially along an axis extending through the rotational axis toward and away an interior surface of the vehicle wheel, said linear actuator and said plunger being located along the axis, said plunger having a free end being forced away from the rotational axis to cause said at least one engagement member to axially engage the interior surface of the vehicle wheel, thereby causing the vehicle wheel to resist rotational movement about the rotational axis; and    a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive a signal to activate said linear actuator.    
   
   
       2 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said linear actuator comprises a solenoid.  
   
   
       3 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 2  including a sloped wedge disposed on one end of said plunger.  
   
   
       4 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said at least one engagement member comprises a pair of movable wedge members spaced axially, said sloped wedge moving said wedge members axially.  
   
   
       5 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 4  including a pair of friction pads, one of said friction pads being disposed on one of said wedge members for contacting the interior surface of the vehicle wheel.  
   
   
       6 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 1  including an axle plate fixed to an axle of the vehicle wheel.  
   
   
       7 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 6  including a chassis connected to said axle plate, said linear actuator being mounted to said chassis.  
   
   
       8 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel having a rotational axis comprising: 
 a pair of movable wedge members disposed within the vehicle wheel and spaced axially;    a linear actuator disposed within the vehicle wheel, said linear actuator moving to engage and disengage said wedge members thereby causing said wedge members to engage and disengage an interior surface of the vehicle wheel to resist and allow rotational movement of the vehicle wheel about the rotational axis; and    a receiver mounted within the vehicle wheel to receive an electrical signal to activate said linear actuator.    
   
   
       9 . An anti-theft vehicle system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said linear actuator comprises a solenoid having a movable plunger.  
   
   
       10 . An anti-theft vehicle system as set forth in  claim 9  including a sloped wedge disposed on one end of said plunger for contacting said wedge members.  
   
   
       11 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 8  including an axle plate fixed to an axle of the vehicle wheel.  
   
   
       12 . An anti-theft vehicle system for a vehicle wheel as set forth in  claim 11  including a chassis connected to said axle plate, said linear actuator being mounted to said chassis.