GB2339561A - Anti-theft device using steering dislocation - Google Patents
Anti-theft device using steering dislocation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2339561A GB2339561A GB9815145A GB9815145A GB2339561A GB 2339561 A GB2339561 A GB 2339561A GB 9815145 A GB9815145 A GB 9815145A GB 9815145 A GB9815145 A GB 9815145A GB 2339561 A GB2339561 A GB 2339561A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- elements
- theft device
- steering column
- rotational axis
- locking
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 102000004726 Connectin Human genes 0.000 claims 1
- 108010002947 Connectin Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 241000750042 Vini Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
- B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
- B60R25/02—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism
- B60R25/022—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism operating on the steering wheel, e.g. bars locked to the steering wheel rim
- B60R25/0222—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens operating on the steering mechanism operating on the steering wheel, e.g. bars locked to the steering wheel rim by disjoining steering wheel and column
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Steering Controls (AREA)
Description
ANTI-THEFT DEVICE 2339561 The present invention relates to an anti-theft
device for boats and vehicles.
In particular, the invention relates to a device for disabling the steering wheel of a vehicle or a boat. All references hereinafter to the steering wheel of a vehicle are 5 intended to include the wheel of a boat.
Anti-theft devices that operate on the steering wheel of a vehicle are well known. Some operate by locking the steering column to prevent it being turned, and others consists of an arm that may be clamped to the steering wheel to allow only a very limited degree of movement. Such devices can however be broken by a determined 10 thief, thereby allowing the vehicle or boat to be stolen.
Another problem is that many vehicles (for example construction vehicles such as diggers and dumper trucks, as well as many boats) and cannot readily be fitted with C a steering wheel lock. These are therefore particularly vulnerable to theft.
It is known to provide certain vehicles with a removable steering wheel. For 15 example, racing cars sometimes have a steering wheel that can be removed to allow the driver to climb more easily into and out of the car. Removable steering wheels are not however generally used as an anti-theft device, perhaps owing the inconvenience of having to carry the removed steering wheel around whilst away from the parked vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-theft device for boats and vehicles that mitigates at least some of the aforementioned disadvantages.
According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for a boat or vehicle, the device including a first element for attachment to a steering wheel, a second element for attachment to a steering column, and a third element for connecting said first and second elements to one another to prevent relative rotation of said first and second elements about the rotational axis of the steering column, said first and third elements having a first set of locking formations for locking said first and third elements together to prevent relative rotation of said first and third elements about the rotational axis of the steering column, and said second and third elements having a second set of locking formations for locking said second and third elements C 2 together to prevent relative rotation of said second and third elements about the rotational axis of the steering column, said third element being removable and the arrangement being such that when said third element is removed, said first and second elements can rotate relative to one another about the rotational axis of the steering column.
The device allows the steering wheel of a boat or vehicle to be disabled, so preventing the boat or vehicle from being steered. Only the third element needs to be removed to disable the steering, and that element may be relatively small and light (for example abut 80g) so that it ran be carried easily. It is not necessary to remove the steering wheel. Because a locking device is not used, the anti-theft device cannot be overcome by using force. The anti-theft device can be fitted to new boats and vehicles or retro-fitted relatively easily to existing boats and vehicles.
Advantageously, said locking formations include a set of pins, each pin being mounted on one of said pairs of elements and arranged to engage a corresponding hole in the other of said pairs of elements. The pins may be pseudo- randomly distributed about the rotational axis of the steering column and they may be of at least two different diameters. The combination of pin positions and/or diameters may be unique to each anti-theft device, so that the third element of any one anti-theft device does not fit any other anti-theft device.
Advantageously, said anti-theft device includes a fourth element for connecting said first and second elements together to prevent separation thereof in the direction of the rotational axis of the steering column, said fourth element being arranged to permit relative rotation of said first and second elements about the rotational axis of the stee ring column. The fourth element may include a first member that engages a first one of said first and third elements to permit rotation relative thereto about the rotational axis of the steering column, and a second member for releasably locking said fourth element to a second one of said first and third elements. Advantageously, said first member comprises a flange that surrounds and engages a first one of said first and third elements and said second member comprises a wall member having a screw thread that engages a complementary screw thread on a second one of said first 3 and third elements. Advantageously, said wall member substantially surrounds and contains said first, second and third elements.
Advantageously, said anti-theft device includes a nut element for attaching said second element to a steering column, said nut element having pseudo-random tool-engaging 5 formations.
Advantageously, said first, second and third elements include alignment markings.
Advantageously, said third element is ring-shaped.
Z' An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is an exploded side view, partly in section, of the anti-theft device; Figure 2 is a top view of a top male element of the anti-theft device; Figure 3 is a cross-section of the top male element on line III-III in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a top view of a female ring element of the device; Figure 5 is a bottom view of the female ring element shown in Figure 4; Figure 6 is cross-section on line VINI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top view of a bottom male element of the device:
Figure 8 is a cross-section on line VIII-VIII of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a top view of an outer collar element of the device; Figure 10 is a cross-section on line X-X of Figure 9; Figure I I is a cross-section of the assembled bottom element and collar element mounted on a steering column without coded nuts in place; Figure 12 is a cross-section of the bottom male element and the collar element secured to a steering column with coded nuts in place; 4 Figure 13 is a top view of a coded nut shown in section in Figure 12; ID Figure 14 is a sectional side view of a tool for fitting and removing the coded nuts; Figure 15 is a sectional side view of the complete assembled anti-theft device mounted on a steering column; and Figure 16 is a sectional side view of the assembled anti-theft device with the female ring element removed.
C> The anti-theft device consists of top male element 2, a female ring element 4, a bottom male element 6, an outer collar element 8 and two coded nuts 10 (see Figures 12 and 13).
The top male element 2, which is shown in detail in Figures 2 and 3, includes a round shaft 12, the upper end of which carries a screw thread for attachment to a steering wheel.
The lower end of the shaft 12 is secured to a circular disc 14, the lower circumferential part of which is provided with an external screw thread 16. A circular recess 18 is provided in the lower face of the disc 14. Three pegs 20 extend downwards from the lower face 22 of the disc 14. These pegs are of different diameters (in the example, one has a diameter of 5mm and the other two have a diameter of 8mm) and they are pseudo-randomly spaced radially and angularly around the central axis of the disc. For each anti- theft device, the combination of the anaular and radial distribution of the pegs 20 and the diameters of those pegs is unique.
An alignment groove 24 is provided in the lower face 22 of the top male element 2.
The female ring element 4, which is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, consists of a short cylindrical ring having a flat upper face 26 and a lower face 28. Alignment grooves 30,32 are provided in the upper and lower faces. Three circular holes 34 are drilled in the upper face 26 of the ring and three more holes 36 are drilled in the lower face 28 of the ring. These holes 34,36 extend slightly less than half way through the thickness of the ring. The sizes and the radial and angular positions of the holes 34 in the upper face of the ring correspond to those of the pegs 20 in the top male C> in the upper face of the ring correspond to those of the pegs 20 in the top male element 2, so that the two parts can be fitted together. The sizes and positions of the holes 36 drilled in the lower face 28 of the ring are also pseudo-random, so that for each anti-theft device, the combination of their sizes and positions is unique.
The bottom male element, which is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, is attached in use to the existing steering column 38 of a vehicle. The bottom male element 6 has a cylindrical body 40 having a cylindrical flange 42 that extends outwards from the circumference of the body 40, approximately midway between its upper 44 and lower 46 faces. A cylindrical bore 48 extends through the cylindrical body 40, to receive the upper end of a steering column 38. A cylindrical recess 50 is provided in the upper face 44.
Three locating pegs 52 are provided on the upper face 54 of the cylindrical flange 42. The positions and sizes of these pegs 52 correspond to the positions and sizes of the holes 36 provided in the bottom face of the female ring element 4, so that those two parts may be fitted together. An alignment groove 56 is also provided in the upper face 54 of the flange element 42.
The outer collar element 8, which is shown in Figs. 9 and 10, includes a cylindrical wall 58 having an inwardly extending flange 60 at its lower end. A circular aperture 62 is provided in the centre of the flange 60. An internal screw thread 64 is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 58, this screw thread being matched to the external screw thread 16 provided on the outer surface of the disc 14 of the top male element 2. The diameter of the bore 62 is slightly larger than the diameter of the cylindrical part 40 of the bottom male element 6, and the internal diameter of the cylindrical wall 58 is slightly larger than the external diameter of the flange 42, so that the outer collar element 8 can fit around the lower part of the bottom male element 6 (as shown if Fig. 11) and rotate relative thereto.
In order to attach the anti-theft device to a steering column, two coded nuts are used, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Each coded nut 10 has a threaded bore 66 for engaging r> Z:1::> the threaded upper part of the steering column 38 and a circular outer profile 68, which prevents it being removed using a normal spanner. Three pseudo- randomly 6 located holes 70 are provided in the upper face of the nut 10, which may be engaged using a specialised tool (shown in Fig. 14) having three similarly located pegs 74. The positions of the holes 70 are unique for each coded nut 10 and a unique tool 72 is therefore required for each - nut. The tool 72 has a cylindrical aperture 76 in its lower end, which allows it to fit down over the end of the steering column 38, and a transverse hole 78 in its upper end, for receiving a T- bar.
When the anti-theft device is assembled, as shown in Fig. 15, the female ring element 4 is located between the top male element and the bottom male element 6 and locks those elements together through the engagement of the pins 20,52 with the holes 34, 36, so that rotation of the top male element 2 causes similar rotation of the bottom male element 6. The outer collar element 8 engages the external screw thread 16 on the top male element 2 and thereby prevents separation of the top and bottom male elements 2A When the device is so assembled, the steering wheel will be coupled directly to the column 38, allowing the vehicle to be steered normally.
The female ring element 4 may be removed by unscrewing the outer collar 8, lifting off the top male element 2 (together with the steering wheel) and lifting out the female ring element 4. The device may then be reassembled without the female ring element 4 as shown in Fig. 16. The top male element 2 and the bottom male element 6 are not then directly coupled to one another and the steering wheel may be rotated freely without turning the steering column 38, by rotation of the outer collar element 8 around the bottom male element 6. This makes it impossible to steer the vehicle using the steering wheel. The female ring element 4, being relatively small and light, can be easily carried away, leaving the vehicle or boat in a condition in which it cannot be steered.
Because the sizes and positions of the pegs 22,52 and the corresponding holes 34,36 are unique for each anti-theft device, the ring element 4 from one anti-theft device will not fit any other anti-theft device. This prevents the vehicle being driven by anyone who does not have the correct ring element 4. The anti-theft device is preferably made mainly from anodised aluminium alloy, the 30 pins being made of stainless steel, although other materials may also be used.
7 Various modifications of the device are possible, some of which will be described below.
The locking pins 20,52 may be provided on the ring element 4, to engage correspondingly positioned holes in the top and bottom elements 2,6, or alternatively the ring element and the top and bottom elements 2,4,6 may each contain a combination of pegs and holes. Various other locking devices may also be used.
The outer collar element 8 may be mounted around the top element 2 and arranged to engage a screw thread provided on the bottom element 6. Alternatively, the outer collar 8 may have a bayonet type fittinla.
In summary, according to an embodiment of the invention, an anti-theft device for a boat or vehicle includes a first element 2 for attachment to a steering wheel, a second element 6 for attachment to a steering column, and a third element 4 for connecting said first and second elements to one another to prevent relative rotation thereof. Said first, second and third elements 2-6 have respective locking formations
20,34,36,52 for locking said elements together to prevent relative rotation thereof.
Said third element 4 is removable, whereby said first and second elements 2,6 can rotate relative to one another, thereby disabling the steering wheel.
8
Claims (12)
1. An anti-theft device for a boat or vehicle, the device including a first element for attachment to a steering wheel, a second element for attachment to a steering column, and a third element for connectin said first and second elements to one another to prevent relative rotation of said first and second elements about the rotational axis of the steering column, said first and third elements having a first set of locking formations for locking said first and third elements together to prevent relative rotation of said first and third elements about the rotational axis of the steering column, and said second and third elements having a second set of locking formations for locking said second and third elements together to prevent relative rotation of said second and third elements about the rotational axis of the steering column, said third element being removable and the arrangement being such that when said third element is removed, said first and second elements can rotate relative to one another about the rotational axis of the steering column.
2. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein said locking formations include a set of pins, each pin being mounted on one of said pairs of elements and arranged to engage a corresponding hole in the other of said pairs of elements.
3. An anti-theft device according to claim 2, wherein said pins are pseudo- C randomly distributed about the rotational axis of the steering column.
4. An anti-theft device according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said pins are of at least two different diameters.
5. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, including C, C> t> a fourth element for connecting said first and second elements together to prevent separation thereof in the direction of the rotational axis of the steering column, said fourth element being arranged to permit relative rotation of said first and second elements about the rotational axis of the steering column.
9
6. An anti-theft device according to claim 5, wherein said fourth element includes a first member that engages a first one of said first and third elements to permit rotation relative thereto about the rotational axis of the steering column, and a second member for releasably locking said fourth element to a second one of said first and 5 third elements.
7. An anti-theft device according to claim 6, wherein said first member comprises a flange that surrounds and engages a first one of said first and third elements and said second member comprises a wall member having a screw thread that engages a complementary screw thread on a second one of said first and third 10 elements.
8. An anti-theft device accordina to claim 7, wherein said wall member substantially surrounds and contains said first, second and third elements.
9. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, including C, t_ a nut element for attaching said second element to a steering column, said nut element 15 having pseudo-random tool-engaging formations.
10. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first, second and third elements include alignment markings.
11. An anti-theft device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said third element is ring-shaped.
12. An anti-theft device for a boat or vehicle, the device being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9815145A GB2339561A (en) | 1998-07-14 | 1998-07-14 | Anti-theft device using steering dislocation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9815145A GB2339561A (en) | 1998-07-14 | 1998-07-14 | Anti-theft device using steering dislocation |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9815145D0 GB9815145D0 (en) | 1998-09-09 |
| GB2339561A true GB2339561A (en) | 2000-02-02 |
Family
ID=10835408
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9815145A Withdrawn GB2339561A (en) | 1998-07-14 | 1998-07-14 | Anti-theft device using steering dislocation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2339561A (en) |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1038864A (en) * | 1962-04-03 | 1966-08-10 | William John Reynolds | Means for preventing unauthorised driving of road vehicles |
| EP0162986A1 (en) * | 1984-05-18 | 1985-12-04 | Michel Malvy | Vehicle theft protection device acting upon disengagement of the steering wheel by means of a removable part |
| US4601182A (en) * | 1984-12-10 | 1986-07-22 | Glanzmann Edward J | Steering wheel device |
| US4811580A (en) * | 1988-07-07 | 1989-03-14 | Jang Jaw J | Steering wheel release locking mechanism |
| US5345797A (en) * | 1993-06-02 | 1994-09-13 | Robert J. McGrath | Motor vehicle anti-theft device |
| WO1995013941A1 (en) * | 1993-11-15 | 1995-05-26 | Manuel Martins | Anti-theft device for motor vehicles |
| WO1996002408A1 (en) * | 1994-07-15 | 1996-02-01 | Whalley, Kevin | A vehicle security system |
| GB2293804A (en) * | 1994-10-05 | 1996-04-10 | Zia Haque | Security device for steering wheel of a motor vehicle |
-
1998
- 1998-07-14 GB GB9815145A patent/GB2339561A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1038864A (en) * | 1962-04-03 | 1966-08-10 | William John Reynolds | Means for preventing unauthorised driving of road vehicles |
| EP0162986A1 (en) * | 1984-05-18 | 1985-12-04 | Michel Malvy | Vehicle theft protection device acting upon disengagement of the steering wheel by means of a removable part |
| US4601182A (en) * | 1984-12-10 | 1986-07-22 | Glanzmann Edward J | Steering wheel device |
| US4811580A (en) * | 1988-07-07 | 1989-03-14 | Jang Jaw J | Steering wheel release locking mechanism |
| US5345797A (en) * | 1993-06-02 | 1994-09-13 | Robert J. McGrath | Motor vehicle anti-theft device |
| WO1995013941A1 (en) * | 1993-11-15 | 1995-05-26 | Manuel Martins | Anti-theft device for motor vehicles |
| WO1996002408A1 (en) * | 1994-07-15 | 1996-02-01 | Whalley, Kevin | A vehicle security system |
| GB2293804A (en) * | 1994-10-05 | 1996-04-10 | Zia Haque | Security device for steering wheel of a motor vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9815145D0 (en) | 1998-09-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |