AU660806B2

AU660806B2 - Vehicle anti theft apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU660806B2
Application number: AU41253/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Henry Mallia; Herbert Willi Schade
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-06-15
Filing date: 1993-06-15
Publication date: 1995-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2013-06-15
Also published as: AU4125393A

Description

Our Ref: 473203 60806 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant(s): sc o Herbert Willi Schade 44 Oyster Bay Road OYSTER BAY NSW 2225

AUSTRALIA

John Henry Mallia 56 Renny Street PADDINGTON NSW 2021

AUSTRALIA

DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Vehicle anti theft apparatus Address for Service: Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 -1- VEHICLE ANTI THEFT APPARATUS This invention relates to an anti-theft apparatus for vehicles, particularly for vehicles having adjustable seat backrest mechanisms in which the seat backrest can be forwardly inclined. The anti-theft apparatus fittable to existing vehicle seats.

Various anti-theft devices are known for use in cars and other vehicles which are attachable to the steering wheel, gear selector and/or pedals to hinder their use. In general, such devices are fitted to the steering wheel or other controls once the user has parked the car. A drawback of such devices is that if a thief successfully enters the car he can sit in the driver's seat and attempt to overcome the fitted anti-theft device.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an anti-theft apparatus 15 fittable to a seat of a vehicle, said seat having a backrest operably positioned by a pivotal "*.adjustment means, said apparatus comprising a locking means for lockably engaging said *:*pivotal adjustment means when said backrest is in a forwardly inclined position such that the seat, when in a locked position, inhibits access to controls of the vehicle and prevents horizontal movement of the seat away form the controls, wherein said locking means 20 comprises a blocking element, having first and second detents, moveable by a key actuated cam from an unlocked position to a locked position wherein the first detent lockably engages the pivot adjustment means and the second detent locks the seat against horizontal sliding movement.

The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a vehicle seat adjustment mechanism incorporating one embodiment of the anti-theft apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a part close-up elevational view of the p:\wpdocs\mp\473203\spccic 0720v/MS 2 embodiment of Figure 1 with the outer cover removed.

Figures 3 and 4 are close-up part elevational views of the embodiment of Figure 2 with a portion of the lever mechanism removed for ease of reference. Figure 3 showing the pawl of the lever mechanism engaging the seat back member whilst Figure 4 shows the pawl in the open position.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the controller and striker details of the locking mechanism on the opposite side of the seat adjustment mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of what is shown in Figure 3 with the locking means in the locked mode.

Figure 7 is an elevational view of the controller and striker of Figure 5 in a locked position.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the seat back member, controller, cover, and cam components (disassembled) of the embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 1 to 7.

Figure 9 is an elevational view of a cover over the S:'controller and striker of Figures 5 and 7.

Figure 10 is a part elevational view of the base plate of the seat adjustment mechanism with all the other components removed.

Figure 11 is a part perspective view of the base plate of Figure 10 shown in a perspective view from above.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the base plate and the slide rail mechanism.

Figure 13 is an elevational view of a vehicle seat S 'r 0720v/MS 3 adjustment means utilising a rotatable cam mechanism with a modification to incorporate the present invention in a second embodiment.

Figure 14 an elevational view of a vehicle seat adjustment means of Figure 13 shown in a forwardly inclined position with a mounting plate shown.

Figure 15 shows a close up part elevational view of the embodiment of Figures 13 and 14 (with the orientation of the drawing different to those of Figures 13 and 14).

Figure 16 shows dissassembled components of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 and 18 show a perspective view of a seat of a vehicle fitted with an anti-theft apparatus of the present invention in the upright position and in the forward and inclined position thus hindering access to the steering wheel, respectively.

With reference to Figures 1 to 12, one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a seat backrest adjustment mechanism 1 of a vehicle seat, with a locking means 10. Throughout the Figures the seat adjustment means is shown without the cushions and other portions which form part of the szat for ease of reference.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 the seat back member is pivotally hinged to the base plate 6 about hinge pin 7 in a typical manner. The lower portion 8 of the seat back member 5 is in the form of a segment of a circle. The periphery of the segment provided with teeth 9 forming part of a ratchet mechanism. A pawl 11 is pivotally connected to the base plate 6 and is adapted to contact the teeth 9. The portion of the pawl 11 which contacts the teeth is formed with complementarily shaped teeth 12. The pawl 11 is 0720v/MS 4 actuated by a lever mechanism 13 in which it moves from an engaged position to an unengaged position. In the unengaged position, the seat back member 5 is allowed to pivot about hinge pin 7 and when in the engaged position, the teeth 9 of the seat back member 5 engage with the teeth 12 of the pawl 11, preventing the seat back member 5 from pivoting about hinge pin 7 and, thus about base plate 6. The lever mechanism 13 incorporates a cam 14 which moves the pawl 11 from the engaged position to the open position when the lever 15 is raised. Figure 3 shows the pawl 11 in the engaged position whilst Figure 4 shows it in the open position.

The vehicle seat of this embodiment is also provided with a slide rail mechanism 16, such that the base of the seat is movably mounted on two spaced apart rails or tracks 17 attached to the floor of the vehicle. The slide rail mechanism 16 allowing the seat to be horizontally positioned towards and away from the driving controls of the vehicle.

The slide rail comprising an upper rail 17 which is positioned on the lower portion of base plate 6 and is slidable fitted to a lower rail 18 which is affixed to the floor.

Typically the seat adjustment means and slide rail mechanism are utilised by the driver of the vehicle to position the incline of the seat back member and position of the seat base, respectively, in order that a comfortable driving posture is" achievable.

The locking means 10 of the present embodiment comprises a controller (blocking element) 20 positioned on the inner side of the base plate 6 of seat backrest adjustment mechanism 1 (see Figures 5 and The inner side being the side of the base plate 6 facing towards the centre of the seat. Thus the views depicted in Figures 1 to 4 depict the seat backrest adjustment means 1 from the outer 0720v/MS side as viewed from the door entry side of the driver's seat.

The controller 20 is adapted to be slidably movable in a vertical direction along base plate 6. The controller has a curved opening 19 adapted to receive a striker (curved cam member) 21. The striker 21 is pivotally mounted to the base plate 6 and rotatable by a key lock actuator 22 which extends through the base plate 6. The key lock actuator 22 comprising a key lock 23 rotatable within a cylinder 29 (see Figures 1 to 4) affixed preferably by welding to the base plate 6.

The controller 20 is also provided with two detents 24 and 25. In an assembled configuration the detent 24 projects from the surface of the controller 20 adjacent te the base plate 6, through a slot 26 in the base plate 6 to the outer side near the cam 14. The detent 25 projects from the edge of the controller 20 downwardly through the upper rail 17.

The curved opening 19 of the controller 20 is shaped in such a manner that rotation of the key lock 23 rotates the striker 21 and moves the controller 20 vertically between a locked and unlocked position.

In use, when in the unlocked position the seat can be adjusted horizontally and the seat back member 5 to be tiltably positioned as required.

•go• The locking device of the present invention is operable S when the user of the vehicle exits the vehicle. The user, once having exited the vehicle, moves the seat simultaneously or sequentially to a substantially fully forward position by use of the slide rail mechanism 16 and inclines the backrest by use of lever mechanism 13 forwardly as far as possible preferably against the steering wheel of the vehicle. The locking means 10 is then keyed into the a 0720v/MS 6 locked hmode.

The movement of the key lock 23 from the unlocked mode to the locked mode results in the vertically downward movement of the controller 20, resulting in two locking actions. Firstly,'- the downward movement of the controller brings detent 24 against or in close relationship to the cam member 14. In this locked mode the lever mechanism 13 cannot be operated as the detent 24 obstructs the movement of cam member 14 and therefore pawl 11 cannot be disengaged from the teeth 9 on the lower portion of the seat back member Secondly, the downward movement of the controller results in detent 25 moving downwardly through an opening 27 in the upper rail 17 into a recess 28 on the lower rail 18, positioned below the detent 25 when the seat is in the substantially fully forward position. Thereftre the upper rail 17 of the base plate 6 is slidably restrained such that it cannot be moved along the lower rail 18 as detent protrudes through opening 27 into the recess 28.

9 In combination the two locking actions of the locking means 23 results in the seat locked with the seat backrest inclined forwardly, preferably against the steering wheel and the seat in a forward position. When the seat is locked in this position the vehicle cannot be driven as it is not possible to sit in the driver's seat and access to the steering wheel and controls is hindered.

The abovementioned embodiment of the anti-theft apparatus can be incorporated at the manufacturing stage of the seat but preferably installed onto a number of existing seat types as an add-on kit.

In the case of an add-on kit, slot 26 would have to be cut into the base plate 6 as well as an opening 30 (see S0720v/MS 7 Figure 10) for the key lock actuator 22 to be connected to the striker 21. The cylinder 29 would also have to bL affixed to the base plate member in a secure manner.

Further, the opening 27 and recess 28 would have to be cut into the lower rail 18. Depending on the type of seat adjustment mechanism, other smaller modifications may be necessary the backrest member 5, pawl 11, cam 14 etc.

Whilst the abovementioned embodiment as described and referred to in Figures 2-7 shows the anti-theft device and the seat adjustment mechanism in an exposed condition for ease of reference, the anti-theft device preferably incorporates additional covers and housings over parts such as the controller 20 and other crucial parts such as cam member 14 and pawl 11. Figure 9 shows a cover 32 fitted over the controller Figure 6 shows the seat back member 5, controller *s U.

S cover 32 and cam 14 as disassembled components. Whilst Figure 10 shows the base plate 6 without any of the other Scomponents attached. Slot 26 and a hole 30 through which the key lock actuator 22 passes are shown.

Figures 11 and 12 depict the base plate and slide rail S mechanism shown in Figure 10 with the slot 26, hole opening 27 and recess 28 shown by cross hatching for ease ot reference.

V

Whilst some minor modifications may be necessary to existing adjustable seats when installation of the locking means 10 and other components is undertaken, the invention can be incorporated into seat assembly during the manufacturing stage and may involve the modification of existing known types of seat back members, cams, pawls base plate etc in order to achieve the invention.

In a further embodiment the anti-theft apparatus of the 0720v/MS 8 present can be utilised on vehicle seats which utilise a rotatable knob-cam backrest adjustment means. In such a mechanism the locking mechanism can be adapted such that placing it in a locked mode moves a striker plate or some other locking component to a position where the rotatable knob cam cannot be operated. Such an embodiment is shown in Figures 13 to 16. The seat adjustment mechanism la shown in Figure 13 depicts a known three section recliner with a lever mechanism which actuates a limited backrest pivotal travel.

The present invention can be incorporated into such a seat by cutting a recess or locking slot 26a into the lower circular periphery of seat back member 5a and base plate 8 (see Figures 13 and 15). It may also be necessary to make cut outs 40 on the seat back member 5a and base plate 8, to allow greater forward inclination of the seat back member (cut outs 40 shown in Figure 15). In such an embodiment a mounting plate 31 is fastened to the base plate 8 by a suitable means, preferably by counter sunk pop-rivets (see Figure 14).

As shown in Figure 15, controller (blocking element) is slidably positioned over the mounting plate 31 and actuated by a striker (cam) 21a in a curved opening 19a of the controller 20a, in a similar fashion to that of the previous embodiment. A cover 32 (shown in Figure 15 removed from the assembly) is placed over the controller 20a and striker 21a.

The cover 32 is adapted to house a locking unit (not too shown) in the lock support cylinder 29 (shown in Figure 16 which depicts dissassembled component parts of the anti-theft apparatus). The locking unit to be fitted to the lock support cylinder 29 is preferably that marketed under the trade mark BI-LOCK, however any suitable locking unit can be used. The locking unit is fastened to the lock 0720v/MS 9 support cylinder 29 by grubscrews and a cylinder cover 33 could be fitted over the lock support cylinder 29 to cover the grubscrews. The lower edge of cylinder cover 33 can be burned into groove 34 of the lock support cylinder 29 (see Figure 16).

The locking unit actuates the striker 21a which in turn moves controller 20a. The controller 20a has a detent 24a which is adapted to engage the slot 26a in a locked mode, thus preventing movement of the backrest member 5a in a forwardly inclined position.

Such a mechanism can be utilised in conjunction with horizontal movement of the seat and the lever mechanism being utilised to place the seat back member 5a in a forward position.

The present invention therefore provides a vehicle to anti-theft apparatus which allows a seat with a pivotal backrest to be locked in a forwardly inclined position. It also being preferable to lock the seat base in a forward position.

It shall be obvious to persons skilled in the art that numerous variation and modifications could be made to the device of the present invention as described and with reference to the drawings without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

o* o

Claims

1. An anti-theft apparatus fittable to a seat of a vehicle, said seat having a backrest operably positioned by a pivotal adjustment means, said apparatus comprising a locking means for lockably engaging said pivotal adjustment means when said backrest is in a forwardly inclined position such that the seat, when in a locked position, inhibits access to controls of the vehicle and prevents horizontal movement of the seat away from the controls, wherein said locking means comprises a blocking element, having first and second detents, moveable by a key actuated cam from an unlocked position to a locked position wherein the first detent lockably engages the pivot adjustment means and the second detent locks the seat against horizontal sliding movement.

2. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means is at or near a base plate on the seat's lower portion.

An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the backrest comprises a back member and said pivotal adjustment means comprising a pawl-ratchet mechanism having a pawl with teeth operably engagable with teeth on a circular periphery of said back member, said pawl actuated by a lever mechanism.

4. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pawl is lockably engagable by the first detent on said blocking element.

5. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second S 25 detent operably secures the seat against horizontal movement by engagement with a sliding rail assembly which supports said seat.

6. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said blocking element is substantially on the opposite side of said base plate to that of said adjustment means. 4

7. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first detent passes F through a first slot in said base plate for engagement with the adjustment means. p:\wpdocs\mAp\473203\spcie 11

8. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first detent is movable along said slot.

9. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second detent is engagable with a second slot on said sliding rail assembly.

An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said backrest comprises a back member and said pivotal adjustment means comprises a rotatable knob- cam mechanism operable about a pivot point at one end of said back member.

11. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said one end of said back member is lockably engagable by the first detent on said blocking element.

12. An anti-theft apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said first detent lockably 15 engages with a recess or cut out at said one end of the back member,

13. An anti -theft apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, fArther including a housing or cover means to cover the locking means. 20

14. A anti-theft apparatus as substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 10th day of April, 1995 25 SCHADE AND MALLIA By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE p:\wpdocs\rnnp\473203\spccie 0720v/MS ABSTRACT An anti-theft apparatus fittable to a seat of a vehicle, said seat having a backrest operably positioned by a pivotal adjustment means, said apparatus comprising a locking means for lockably engaging said pivotal adjustment means when said backrest is in a forwardly inclined position. The inclined backrest thereby hindering access to the steering wheel of the vehicle. of.. S0. 0 c 0 C C C