Vehicle cover and integrated security system

Abstract

A system includes a vehicle cover, a mechanical tensioning device, a memory device, storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute instructions to perform the steps of a method to secure a vehicle. The mechanical tensioning device may include attachment means to attach the device to a wheel of the vehicle and means to attach a security cable of the vehicle cover integrated into a bottom edge of the vehicle cover to the mechanical tensioning device. The mechanical tensioning device may include a rotational reel connected to either a tensioning motor or a tensioning crank and optionally including either a mechanical bi-stable device or one or more sensors configured to monitor the tension of the security cable when engaged to the mechanical tensioning device. The processor may monitor for a change in tension and execute one or more security measures in response.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A security cover system comprising:
 a cover comprising a main panel, a bottom edge, and a security cable, the main panel being configured to at least partially cover one or more surfaces of an object, the security cable located proximate to the bottom edge and having a first end and a second end;   a mechanical tensioning device configured to attach to a first part of the object and comprising:
 a first cable attachment point located proximate a first location of the first part; 
 a second cable attachment point located proximate a second location of the first part; 
 a motor functionally coupled to the first end of the security cable such that the first end of the security cable is at least partially drawn into mechanical tensioning device; 
 a load sensor configured to monitor the tension placed on the security cable when the mechanical tensioning device is secured to the first part, the first end of the security cable is attached to the first cable attachment point, and the second end of the security cable is attached to the second cable attachment point; 
   one or more processors in communication with the mechanical tensioning device; and   a memory in communication with the one or more processors and storing instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the system to:
 receive, from a first computing device, a first signal; 
 transmit a second signal to the motor to tension the security cable to a predetermined tension; 
 monitor for a change in tension by the load sensor; 
 responsive to detecting the change in tension, generate one or more security measures; and 
 execute the one or more security measures. 
   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein generating the one or more security measures further comprises generating, by the one or more processors, an alarm signal, and executing the one or more security measures further comprises transmitting the alarm signal to a speaker connected to the one or more processors and integrated into the mechanical tensioning device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein generating the one or more security measures further comprises generating, by the one or more processors, an alert message and executing the one or more security measures further comprises transmitting the alert message to a user device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the alert message is transmitted by short message service (SMS), e-mail, or combinations thereof and the alert message comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the mechanical tensioning device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the mechanical tensioning device further comprises a plurality of attachment mechanisms for attaching the mechanical tensioning device to the first part of the object. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a vibration sensing component configured to:
 monitor the mechanical tensioning device for a vibratory acceleration;   determine that the vibratory acceleration surpasses a predetermined acceleratory threshold; and   transmit the determination that the vibratory acceleration surpasses the predetermined acceleratory threshold to the one or more processors, wherein generating the one or more security measures by the one or more processors is performed responsive to the vibratory acceleration surpassing the predetermined acceleratory threshold.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first cable attachment point comprises a cable shuttle having a shuttle track disposed within the mechanical tensioning device and engaged to the first end of the security cable; and   at the predetermined tension the cable shuttle is at least partially drawn into the mechanical tensioning device along the shuttle track.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising an audiovisual recording component, wherein executing the one or more security measures further comprises capturing an image, a series of images, or a video responsive to (i) detecting the change in tension. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising an audiovisual recording component, wherein executing the one or more security measures further comprises capturing an image, a series of images, or a video responsive to (i) detecting the change in tension or (ii) the vibratory acceleration surpassing the predetermined acceleratory threshold. 
     
     
         11 . A security cover system comprising:
 a cover comprising a security cable and a main panel configured to at least partially cover an object when the cover is in an in-use configuration, at least a portion of the security cable being housed within a lower chamber of the main panel, the lower chamber being configured to at least partially enclose the object when the cover is in the in-use configuration, and the security cable having a first end and a second end;   a mechanical tensioning device configured to attach to a first part of the object, comprising:
 a cable shuttle located proximate a first location of the first part and configured to engage the first end of the security cable; 
 a cable attachment point located proximate a second location of the first part; 
 a tensioning crank mechanically linked to the cable shuttle; 
 a load sensor configured to monitor the tension placed on the security cable when the mechanical tensioning device is secured to the first part, the first end of the security cable is attached to the cable shuttle, and the second end of the security cable is attached to the cable attachment point; 
   one or more processors in communication with the mechanical tensioning device; and   a memory in communication with the one or more processors and storing instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, are configured to cause the system to:
 receive, from the load sensor, an indication that the tensioning crank has caused the cable shuttle to be drawn into the mechanical tensioning device such that the security cable is tensioned to a predetermined tension; 
 monitor for a change in tension by the load sensor; 
 responsive to detecting the change in tension, generate one or more security measures; and 
 execute the one or more security measures. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein generating the one or more security measures further comprises generating, by the one or more processors, an alarm signal and executing the one or more security measures further comprises transmitting the alarm signal to a speaker connected to the one or more processors and integrated into the mechanical tensioning device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein generating the one or more security measures further comprises generating, by the one or more processors, an alert message and executing the one or more security measures further comprises transmitting the alert message to a user device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the alert message is transmitted by short message service (SMS), e-mail, or combinations thereof and the alert message comprises global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the mechanical tensioning device. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanical tensioning device further comprises a plurality of attachment mechanisms for attaching the mechanical tensioning device to the first part of the object. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a vibration sensing component configured to:
 monitor the mechanical tensioning device for a vibratory acceleration;   determine that the vibratory acceleration surpasses a predetermined acceleratory threshold; and   transmit the determination that the vibratory acceleration surpasses the predetermined acceleratory threshold to the one or more processors, wherein generating the one or more security measures by the one or more processors is performed responsive to the vibratory acceleration surpassing the predetermined acceleratory threshold.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the cover further comprises a material reinforced with Kevlar fibers, metallic fibers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an audiovisual recording component, wherein executing the one or more security measures further comprises capturing an image, a series of images, or a video responsive to detecting the change in tension. 
     
     
         19 . A security cover system comprising:
 a cover comprising a security cable and a main panel configured to cover at least an upper portion of an object when the cover is in an in-use configuration, the main panel having a bottom edge that surrounds one or more side surfaces of the object when the cover is in the in-use configuration, the bottom edge being attachable to the security cable, and the security cable having a first end and a second end; and   a mechanical tensioning device comprising:
 a cable shuttle located proximate a front end of the first part configured to engage the first end of the security cable; 
 a cable attachment point located proximate a back end of the first part; 
 at least one sprocket wheel comprising at least a first sprocket wheel; 
 a tensioning crank connected to the first sprocket wheel and configured to apply a rotational force to the first sprocket wheel; 
 a drive chain engaged to the first sprocket wheel and configured to convert the rotational force into a linear force and apply the linear force to the cable shuttle via a linking member to tension the security cable such that the cable shuttle is at least partially drawn into the mechanical tensioning device; 
 a mechanical bi-stable device disposed on the linking member and configured to provide an indication when the security cable is at a predetermined tension when the mechanical tensioning device is secured to the first part, the first end of the security cable is attached to the cable shuttle, and the second end of the security cable is attached to the cable attachment point. 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the main panel comprises a reinforced fiber material. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to prevent the tensioning crank from rotating the first sprocket wheel when the locking mechanism is engaged to the tensioning crank.