1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an automobile anti-theft apparatus. More specifically the present invention relates to a gas projection apparatus for generating a train of gas ring vortexes which may be aimed at a moving vehicle to stall the vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The theft of automobiles, trucks and like moving vehicles is one of the most serious crimes in the United States today. The loss to the economy of such automobile thefts is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollar per year. Insurance premiums, already high, have skyrocketed as a result of such theft.
In addition, a new phenomena known as "car jacking" in which an automobile is stolen while an innocent victim, who is driving the automobile, is, for example, at a stop light or is parking the automobile. Car jackings often result in injury or even the death of the victim of the car jacking.
In the past a number of devices have been developed to assist in the prevention of thefts of automobiles, trucks and the like. These devices may be generally classified as active devices or passive devices. An active device is one which disables a system in the automobile, normally required to drive the vehicle. There are active systems which disable steering columns, fuel systems, transmissions and drive train systems, as well as steering wheels themselves.
For example, one such prior art active anti-theft device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,406 comprises a stainless shield permanently fixed to the shaft bowl of the steering column of an automobile. When assembled on a steering column, the shield moves the shaft bowl when the gear shift is moved. A lock assembly with a deadbolt is provided on the defender shield with this deadbolt mounted for radial movement with respect to the shield. The lock is positioned such that when the car is in the parked position the deadbolt enters the gate of the shaft device at a position such that the gear lever cannot be moved out of the park position.
A second active vehicle anti-theft system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,198 comprises an auxiliary switch that is interposed in the ignition controlling circuit between the main key switch and the ignition starting unit. The auxiliary switch is formed with normally open single pole, single break contacts located behind and spaced from the outer surface of a vehicle wall and access to the contacts is through a single small diameter entrance tube, which functions also to mount the switch behind the vehicle wall. The switch is provided with a separate probe which is insertable in the entrance tube so as to pass through the vehicle wall into engagement with the contacts of the switch, acting to close the contacts.
These and other prior art active anti-theft automobile systems function well to prevent theft of the automobile when the automobile is parked. However when the automobile is at a stop light and a car jacking occurs, the active anti-theft automobile systems currently available are unable to prevent a theft of the automobile and the possible harm to the driver of the automobile.
Other vehicle anti-theft systems are of a passive nature and do not disable the vehicle. These include audio alarms which alert anyone within listening range that there has been an unauthorized tampering with the lock systems or otherwise unauthorized entry into the vehicle. However, audio alarms are generally easily disabled by the thief. In addition, such alarm systems are frequently ignored as they are often inadvertently activated, such as by innocent passers-by.
What is needed is a relatively simple, yet highly effective vehicle anti-theft system which will effectively disable a moving vehicle thereby preventing vehicle theft and car jackings.