GB2288774A

GB2288774A - Vehicle security device

Info

Publication number: GB2288774A
Application number: GB9508429A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Waddell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-04-27
Filing date: 1995-04-26
Publication date: 1995-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-26
Also published as: GB2288774B; GB9508429D0; GB9408351D0

Abstract

A vehicle security device comprises a body member 12 including an arrangement for engaging a vehicle control member and an arrangement for restricting access to audio apparatus mounted on the vehicle dashboard. The arrangement for restricting access to the audio apparatus defines portions adapted to engage or co-operate with physical features of the vehicle dashboard, such as recesses, air vents, or console walls, to prevent or limit movement of the access restricting arrangement. The body member may engage the steering wheel 22 or handbrake lever, and may also engage the gearstick. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to a vehicle security device and in particular to a device for securing audio apparatus in the dashboard of a vehicle, whilst also inhibiting use of vehicle controls.

Thefts from vehicles are a common problem and many of the sophisticated vehicle security devices currently available, such as immobilisers, do not prevent a thief gaining access to a vehicle. Even vehicle alarms may not be sufficient to deter the thief who, simply by breaking a window, can gain immediate access to the vehicle and quickly remove apparatus, such as CD players and mobile telephones. In addition to the loss of the audio apparatus, the vehicle owner may also be faced with a substantial bill in respect of damage caused to the dashboard of the vehicle and replacement of the broken window.

UK Patent Application GB 2 214 885 A discloses a vehicle anti-theft device formed of two telescopic parts, one of which engages the hand brake or gear lever of a vehicle. The other part is adapted to bear against or overlie audio apparatus secured in box in the dashboard of the vehicle. Clearly such an apparatus is limited in application to vehicles in which the audio apparatus is secured in a box.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a device which will protect the audio apparatus of vehicles against theft and inhibit use of vehicle controls.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle security device comprising a body member including means for engaging a vehicle control member and means for restricting access to audio apparatus mounted on the vehicle dashboard, said access restricting means defining portions adapted to engage or co-operate with physical features of the vehicle dashboard to prevent or limit movement of said means.

In use, the device may be utilised independently or in conjunction with a further security device attached to the steering wheel, gearstick, hand-brake lever or control pedals, which further device serves to secure the device relative to the vehicle.

The device is primarily intended to discourage and prevent attempts to remove audio apparatus such as radios, cassette players, compact disc players and portable telephones from the vehicle.

The access restricting means may engage or co-operate with one or a plurality of dashboard features including, but not limited to, storage recesses such as the cassette storage recess, usually located on the central console below the radio\cassette, the radio cassette recess itself, air vents, and the edges of the central console.

Preferably also, the vehicle control member engaging means is adapted for engaging one of the steering wheel or the handbrake lever.

Preferably also, the access restricting means is provided at one end of the body member. Most preferably said means is pivotable relative to the vehicle control member engaging means to accommodate variations between vehicles in the location of audio apparatus and the attitude of the dashboard relative to the control member.

In one embodiment steering wheel engaging means is provided at the other end of the body member. Means for securing the device relative to the vehicle may be located intermediate the ends of the body member. Said securing means may be adapted to engage a further security device extending between the body member and a control pedal, such as a conventional steering wheel and clutch pedal lock, for pulling the access restricting means into firm contact with the vehicle dashboard. Said further security device may include setting means to facilitate tensi.oning the device.

In another embodiment steering wheel engaging means is provided intermediate the ends of the body member and securing means is provided at said other end of the body member. Said securing means may be adapted to engage a further security device, such as a conventional steering wheel lock, mounted on the steering wheel and engaging a portion of the wheel opposite the location of the steering wheel engaging means. Said further security device is utilised to apply a force to said securing means, tending to pivot the body member about the steering wheel and bringing the access restricting means into firm contact with the dashboard. Said further security device may include setting means for facilitating the application of said force to said securing means.

In a still further embodiment handbrake lever engaging means is provided at the other end of the body member, and which means operates in conjunction with the access restricting means to secure the body member relative to the vehicle. The handbrake lever engaging means preferably includes a tubular portion for location over the free end of the lever to restrict access to the release button and thus prevent release of the handbrake when the device is locked in place. The tubular portion may be pivotally mounted to provide a limited degree of movement to accommodate different handbrake forms. Preferably, the access restricting means includes means for engaging the vehicle dashboard to prevent relative lateral and vertical movement therebetween. In this embodiment, the body member has a lockable, extended configuration and a retracted configuration in which the device may be fitted to or removed from the vehicle. The handbrake lever engaging means may also include a gear lever engaging means, which may take the form of a hook for extending around the gear lever or mode selector on a vehicle provided with an automatic gearbox. Alternatively, the gear lever engaging means may be provided on the access restricting means.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an arrangement for adjusting the length of two telescoping members, the male member defining a profile and the female member including a lock for engaging the profile, wherein the male member defines an external thread, and an internally threaded member is located on the male member, rotation of said internally threaded member extending or retracting the telescopic members.

The profile may be in the form of a thread or, alternatively, the outermost surfaces of the profile may carry a thread. Where the male member defines a toothed profile the internally threaded member must be of sufficient axial extent to cross the gap between adjacent teeth carrying the external thread.

This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat schematic view of a vehicle dashboard fitted with a vehicle security device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figures 4 and 5 are somewhat schematic views of a vehicle interior provided with a vehicle security device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4a illustrates a vehicle security device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention provided with a member for securing a telephone or communication receiver; Figure 4b illustrates an alternative arrangement for a member for securing a telephone; Figure 4c is a view of a vehicle steering wheel and showing part of a vehicle security device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are sectional side views, corresponding to Figure 3, of vehicle security devices in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention; Figures 11, 12 and 13 are scrap views of parts of vehicle security devices in accordance with embodiments of the present invention mounted on a steering wheel rim; Figure 14 is a scrap view of part of a vehicle security device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 is a view of a vehicle interior provided with a vehicle security device in accordance with a still further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a view of a vehicle interior provided with a vehicle security device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figures 18, 19 and 20 are views of portions of vehicle security devices in accordance with still further embodiments of the present invention; Figure 21 is a perspective view from above of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 22a shows perspective views of various alternative arrangements of the embodiment of Figure 21; Figure 23 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 24, 25 and 26 are perspective views of different configurations of members for restricting access to audio equipment; Figures 26 to 29 illustrate a vehicle security device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 30 is a sectional view of a part of a further device, in the form of a steering lock, for use in conjunction with a device in accordance with an embodiment of another aspect of the present invention; and Figure 31 is a view of part of a steering lock.

Reference is first made to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings which illustrate a vehicle interior fitted with a vehicle security device 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The device comprises an elongate body member 12 including means for engaging a vehicle steering wheel in the form of a double hook 14, means for restricting apparatus to audio apparatus mounted on the vehicle dashboard in the form of a bar 16, and means for securing the body member 12 relative to the vehicle in the form of an eye 18 for engaging a further vehicle security device 20. In this embodiment the body member 12 extends across the front of the rim of the steering wheel 22, the hook 14 passing from the rear around the front of the wheel. The device 10 is held in place by a further device 20 which, in this example, is in the form of a security device which would normally solely engage the steering wheel 22. As may be seen from Figure 3, the device 20 includes two hooks 24, 25 and a lockable extendable member 26. In normal use, the device 20 serves as a steering wheel lock with the hooks 24, 25 engaging opposite portions of the steering wheel rim and being locked in this position, the section of member 27 extending beyond the hook 24 restricting rotation of the steering wheel 22 and thus effectively immobilising the vehicle.

However, when used in conjunction with the device 10, the hook 24 engages the eye 18 and extension of the member 26 causes the body member 12 to pivot about the steering wheel to push the bar 16 into engagement with the dashboard centre console 28.

The bar 16, which is pivotal relative to the hook 14 by means of pivot connections 30, 31, is padded and is also provided with a projection 32 (Figure 2) for extending into a recess 34 in the centre console 28 below the radio recess 36. A further projection 32a may also be provided, for extending into the radio recess 36.

With the device 20 locked in place, the vehicle is effectively immobilised as it is not possible to rotate the steering wheel 22, and further the radio 37 cannot be removed from the console 28 due to the location of the bar 16. Thus, in addition to minimising the risk of theft of the vehicle, the device 10 also protects the vehicle radio 37 against theft.

Reference is now made to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings which illustrate a device 40 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The device 40 operates in a similar manner to the device 10 described above, but it is of slightly different configuration having a body member 42 which is positioned behind the steering wheel rim 22 and being provided with a hook 44 on the front of the body member 42. Further, the bar 46 engages the vehicle floor to provide additional security, and a projection 46a engages the radio recess in the console.

Reference is made now to Figure 4a of the drawings, which illustrates the device 40 further including a member 47, in the form of a cage, to extend over and around the vehicle telephone and thus prevent removal of the telephone. The cage 47 may be provided separately or may be provided integrally with the radio/cassette player retaining bar 46.

To facilitate storage the section of the body member carrying the cage 47 and bar 46 may be removable from the wheel engaging section, the ends of the sections being provided with appropriate plug and socket arrangements.

Figure 4b illustrates a telephone retaining member 47a of slightly different configuration, formed of sheet metal or cast form, and having lugs for locking into recesses in the dashboard and extending around the telephone.

Reference is now made to Figure 4c of the drawings, which illustrates a part of a device 40a having a body member 42a located behind the steering wheel rim 22 and being provided with a conformal sector 44a for engaging the rim 22. The sector 44a may either be split pivotal on the member 42a, or hooked to clip onto the rim 22. If formed of pivotal sections the sector 44a may be lockable on the rim 22.

To operate effectively, it will be apparent that a degree of pretensioning is necessary in the devices 10, 20, 40 to ensure that the devices firmly engage the steering wheel and the console. Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings illustrate various different arrangements which facilitate this pretensioning operation. Reference is first made to Figure 6 of the drawings, in which it will be noted that the device 48 is provided with an extended body member 50 having a grip 52 on the end thereof. Thus, a user may use the grip 52 to apply a lever action in the direction of arrow A to create the necessary pretension before locking the further device 54.

Figure 7 illustrates a device 56 provided in conjunction with a specially adapted further device 58 including a threaded section 60 and a shifter 62. A sliding lock member 64 is provided on the device 58 and has an internal profile sized to securely receive the shifter 62. A lock 66 is provided on the member 64 and may be utilised to retain the member 64 in place over the shifter 62.

Reference is now made to Figure 8 of the drawings which illustrates a device 70 provided in conjunction with a further locking device 72, the pretensioning in the devices being provided by an internally threaded shifter 74 mounted on a threaded end portion of the device 72. The shifter 74 is configured to be rotated by hand and may be locked in position by means of a sliding lock 78 provided on the body member of the device 70 and which includes a projection 80 for engaging a slot 82 formed on the lock 78.

Reference is now made to Figure 9 of the drawings, which illustrates a locking device 84 provided in conjunction with a further device 86 formed of a jointed member 88 having first and second portions 90, 92. The length of the member 88 may be adjusted by rotation of the first portion 90 relative to a threaded bushing 96 pivotally mounted on the portion 92, which is clipped to the steering wheel 22, the end of the first portion 90 engaging the eye 94 of the device 84. The other end of the first portion 90 is provided with a square head 98 which locates within a corresponding channel 100 provided in the second portion 92. In use, the system may be pretensioned by locking the portions 90, 92 in the aligned configuration, the configuration being maintained by a sliding locking block 102 which passes over the bushing 96 and the end of the second portion 92.

With this arrangement it is only necessary to adjust the "length" of the member 88 initially, and thereafter the devices 84, 86 may be fitted and removed simply by locking and "breaking" the member 88.

Reference is now made to Figure 10 of the drawings which illustrates another arrangement for pretensioning the further member 106 which, in this example, comprises a telescopic member formed of male and female portions 110, 111. Mounted on the male portion 111 is a lever scissor arrangement 112 including an arm 114 which is operable to separate the legs of the arrangement 115, 116 to extend the portions 110, 111. The portions 110, 111 are then secured in the extended position by a lock 118.

Reference is now made to Figures 11 to 13 of the drawings, which illustrate parts of vehicle security devices including different arrangements for mounting the body member on the steering wheel rim. In Figure 11 the body member 119a is formed of two pivotal parts including inter-engaging members or hooks 12ova, 121a which close around the steering wheel rim 22 when the member 119a is straightened to the locking configuration. The hooks 120a, 121a are held on the rim 22 by the further locking device 20, and may additionally include a lock provided on the hooks 120a, 121a.

In the device illustrated in Figure 12 the member 119b is retained on the rim 22 by a hook 120b provided on the upper part of the member and which includes a stop 121b which bears against the lower part of the member 119b. For additional security the hook 120b may be locked to the lower part of the member 119b.

In the device illustrated in Figure 13 the lower part of the member 119c includes a hook 121c while the upper part includes a retention lug 120c. This arrangement offers the advantage that pivoting of the parts of the member 119c on release of the device 20 allows for easy removal of the member 119c from the rim 22.

Reference is now made to Figure 14 of the drawings, illustrating part of a device 40c in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. In this example the eye of the body member 42a has been replaced with a direct pivotal connection to the further device 48a.

Reference is now made to Figure 15 of the drawings, which illustrates a vehicle security device 122 for use in conjunction with a further device 124 (Figure 16) which attaches to a control pedal 126 of the vehicle, rather than the steering wheel as in the above-described embodiments.

The device 122 comprises a body member 128 having a hook 130 formed at one end and a bar 132 for bearing against the dashboard console, and extending across the audio apparatus, at the other end. Intermediate the hook and bar 130, 132 are two spaced plates 134, 135 which define a channel 136, pin limited zone or cup receptacle into which a hook 138 provided on the further device 124 engages. As may be seen from Figure 16, the further device 124 has a telescoping body 140, each of the male and female portions 142, 143 including a hook 138, 139.

In use, the hook 130 is engaged with the vehicle steering wheel 22 and the pivotally mounted bar 132 positioned over the audio apparatus. The hooks 138, 139 on the device 124 are then passed over the body member 128 and the control pedal 126, respectively, and the device 124 locked. In this position the bar 132 prevents access to the audio apparatus while the devices 122, 124 co-operate to limit rotation of the steering wheel 144 and also prevent release of the clutch by the pedal 126.

Reference is now made to Figure 17 of the drawings, which illustrates a device 150 in which the steering wheel engaging hook is replaced with a rigid coil 152 which may be wound around the steering wheel. This device is designed to be easily wrapped around the steering wheel, and is fitted and removed by pivoting about the plane of the wheel when unlocked. The operation of the device 150 is similar to the device 122 described above.

The devices 122, 150 are intended to be utilised in conjunction with existing devices 124 though if desired a unitary device may be provided and sections of examples of such devices are illustrated in Figures 18, 19 and 20 of the drawings. In the example illustrated in Figure 18, the further device has been replaced with a simple hook 156 mounted to a body member 158 by means of a lock 160. To facilitate pretensioning of the device a lockable nut 162 may be provided on the hook above the lock 160, as shown in Figure 19 of the drawings. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 20, a pretensioning lever 164 may provided for engaging the upper end of the hook 156 and having a portion bearing against the body member 158.

In all of the above-described embodiments the device has been mounted on the vehicle steering wheel, however, Figure 21 illustrates a device 166 having a body member 167 which engages the handbrake lever 168 of a vehicle. The body member 167 is telescopic, the female portion 189 providing mounting for a sleeve 170 adapted for location over the handbrake lever 168. The sleeve is provided with internal mounting lugs 171 which bear on the end of the lever 168 to prevent the sleeve end closure from bearing on the lever release button 172. The sleeve and lugs are arranged to accommodate a wide range of lever types including those with round or rectangular release buttons, and round or angular lever grips.

The female portion 169 of the body member also includes a hook 173 adapted to engage the gear lever 174, and thus may be used to lock the vehicle in gear, typically reverse, to further hinder unauthorised attempts to drive the vehicle. The engagement between the hook and gear lever 173, 174 also serves to limit rotation of the device.

The free end of the male portion 175 of the body member includes a hook 176 which engages a retention bar 177 for location over the front face of the vehicle audio apparatus. Clearly the male portion 175 and bar 177 may be connected by other means, such as cup and socket, a pivot connection, or by a fixed connection (see Figure 22). The bar 177 includes a recess engaging portion 178 and mounted on this portion is a laterally extending bar 179 sized for location in a dashboard recess, and for limiting lateral movement of the bar 177; in the absence of the bar 179 it is possible that a thief could move the bar 177 far enough to one side to gain access to the audio apparatus.

In other embodiments the bars 177, 179 may be pivotally linked to facilitate storage, and for use on vehicles where the gear lever is not in close proximity to the handbrake, or the vehicle has an automatic gearbox, a gear lever restraining hook may be provided on the bar 177, rather than on the female portion of the body member, as shown in Figures 25a and 25b which illustrate access restricting members 290, 292 in the form of bent bar sections and a profiled plate, respectively, and which each include a gear lever restraining hook 294, 296. In addition the bar 177 may be provided with a bar or cage for restricting access to a mobile telephone, such as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b.

Rather than, or in addition to, the provision of a recess-engaging portion 178, the retention bar 177 may also include a tongue for engaging the slot of a cassette or compact disc player, as illustrated in Figure 23 of the drawings. This Figure also illustrates a body member that is length adjustable in a somewhat similar manner to the embodiment described above and illustrated in Figure 9. Of course the body member may be length adjustable in any suitable manner, including a telescopic arrangement in a similar manner to the further device 20 of Figure 3.

Reference is now made to Figure 24 of the drawings, which illustrates different arrangements for restricting access to audio apparatus, including: a vertical bar 250 providing mounting for a projection 252 formed of a bent rod with portions 254, 255 for extending into a recess 256 below the radio\cassette and portions 258, 259 for engaging the face of the console 260 to the side of the recess 256; a vertical bar 262 having its lower end bent to form a projection 264 for extending into a further console recess 266, and a horizontal bar 268 the ends of which have been bent to form projections 270, 271 for either extending into the recess 256 or extending around the sides of the console, depending on the relative dimensions of the bar and console; and a plate 272, somewhat similar to the plate illustrated in Figure 4b, provided with various lugs 274, 275, 276 for engaging the recesses 256, 266 or the sides of the console, and pins 278, 279 for engaging the recess 256, or the radio\cassette recess 280, or extending into the air vents 282 in the upper portion of the console.

Reference is now made to Figures 26 to 29, which illustrate a further form of vehicle security device 300.

This device 300 features a telescopic body 302, the female body member 304 including a sleeve 306 for receiving the handbrake lever and including two internal projections 308, 309 for engaging the end of the handbrake and such that the handbrake release button may pass between the projections 308, 309. The sleeve 306 is mounted on the member 304 to permit a limited degree of pivotal movement therebetween to accommodate different handbrake configurations.

The member 304 also carries a gear level restraining hook 310 which defines two gear lever receiving locations 312, 313.

The male member 314 of the body 302 includes a profiled portion 316 for engaging the lockable latch 318 carried on the female member 304. Pivotally mounted on the free end of the male member 314 is a metal plate 320 which is formed to define a projection 322 for engaging the radio\cassette recess 324 in the vehicle dashboard, as illustrated in Figure 28. The face of the plate 320 carries a resilient protective layer 326, for example of foam rubber, to prevent damage to the dashboard.

For certain vehicles, it may not be possible to locate the projection 322 in the radio\cassette recess 324 or a similarly sized recess, and if a larger recess 328 (see Figure 29) is available, a block 220 may be mounted on the plate 320 to ensure secure engagement within the recess 328.

Reference is now made to Figure 30 of the drawings, which illustrates an alternative locking arrangement for a steering lock or further device for use in conjunction, or forming part of, a vehicle security device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The device 190 includes two telescoping members 192, 194, the male member 194 including a profiled outer surface portion 196 which may be engaged with the bolt 198 of a lock 200 provided on the female member 192.

The profiled portion 196 has a threaded form, and a large diameter nut 202 is mounted on the portion 196. The members 192, 194 are locked against relative rotation such that rotation of the nut 202 on the portion 196, while bearing against the end of the member 192, will extend the members 192, 194, and thus the arrangement may be utilised to pretension a vehicle security system, as described in the above-mentioned embodiments. Once pretensioned, the lock 200 may be operated to engage the bolt 198 with the profile.

Figure 31 of the drawings illustrates an alternative form of male member 210 having a toothed profile for engagement with a locking bolt. The outermost surfaces of the profile 212 are formed to define a "standard" screw thread to engage with a suitable large diameter nut having an axial extend sufficient to engage two or more threaded sections

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vehicle security device comprising a body member including means for engaging a vehicle control member and means for restricting access to audio apparatus mounted on the vehicle dashboard, said access restricting means defining portions adapted to engage or co-operate with physical features of the vehicle dashboard to prevent or limit movement of said means.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the access restricting means is provided at one end of the body member.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the access restricting means is pivotable relative to the vehicle control member engaging means.
4. The device of claim 2 or 3 wherein handbrake lever engaging means is provided at the other end of the body member, and which means operate in conjunction with the access restricting means to secure the body member relative to the vehicle.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the handbrake lever engaging means includes a tubular portion for location over the free end of the lever to restrict access to the handbrake release button and thus prevent release of the handbrake when the device is in place.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein the tubular portion is pivotally mounted to provide a limited degree of movement to accommodate different handbrake forms.
7. The device of claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the access restricting means includes means for engaging the vehicle dashboard to prevent lateral and vertical movement therebetween.
8. The device of any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the body member has a lockable, extended configuration and a retracted configuration in which the device may be fitted to or removed from the vehicle.
9. The device of any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the handbrake lever engaging means includes gear lever engaging means.
10. The device of any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the access restricting means includes a gear lever engaging means.
11. The device of claim 2 or 3 wherein steering wheel engaging means is provided at the other end of the body.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein means for securing the device relative to the vehicle is located intermediate the ends of the body member.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein said securing means is adapted to engage a further security device extending between the body member and the control pedal.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein said further security device includes setting means to facilitate tensioning the device.
15. The device of claim 2 or 3 wherein steering wheel engaging means is provided intermediate the ends of the body member and the securing means is provided at said other end of the body member.
16. The device of claim 15 wherein the securing means is adapted to engage a further security device mounted on the steering wheel and engaging a portion of the wheel opposite the location of the steering wheel engaging means.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein said further security device includes setting means for facilitating the application of a securing force to said securing means.
18. A security device substantially as described herein and as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, or Figures 4 and 5, or Figure 4a, or Figure 4b, or Figure 4c, or Figure 6, or Figure 7, or Figure 8, or Figure 9, or Figure 10, or Figure 11, or Figure 12, or Figure 13, or Figure 14, or Figures 15 and 16, or Figures 17, or Figure 18, or Figure 19, or Figure 20, or Figure 21, or Figure 22, or Figure 23, or Figure 24, or Figure 25a, or Figure 25b, or Figures 26, 27 and 28, or Figure 29, or Figure 30, or Figure 31, of the accompanying drawings.