GB2043005A

GB2043005A - Vehicle lock

Info

Publication number: GB2043005A
Application number: GB7906715A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GADSDEN J
Current assignee: GADSDEN J
Priority date: 1979-02-07
Filing date: 1979-02-07
Publication date: 1980-10-01
Also published as: GB2043005B

Abstract

A device for immobilising the shaft 30 of a vehicle control pedal comprises a generally T-shaped member 10, 11 having a transverse recess 13 and a tubular member 20 which is lockable to close the entrance to recess 13 and unlockable to allow the tubular member 20 to be moved to permit the device to be applied to or removed from shaft 30. As shown in its locked position, member 20 encloses the entire length of stem 10 with cut-outs 22 at one end aligned with recess 13. The member 20 is locked to stem 10 by a lock 16 and its range of movement is limited by a stud 23 engaging in a slot 24. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle lock This invention relates to a device for immobilising a vehicle.

The invention proposes a vehicle locking device comprising a generally T-shaped bar having a stem and a cross-piece, the stem having a transverse recess spaced from the cross-piece for receiving the shaft of a vehicle control pedal, and a shield member lockable in a position such that it closes the entrance to the recess, and unlockable to allow the shield member to be moved to permit the device to be applied to or removed from the shaft of a vehicle control pedal.

The device is positioned with the cross-piece against the floor of the vehicle and the aperture adjacent the control pedal shaft. The device is moved sideways so that the shaft lies in the recess, and the shield member is locked over it.

The pedal then cannot be depressed because the cross-piece lying against the floor prevents downward movement.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows an elevation of the device, sectioned through its length; and Figure 2 shows a side view of the device in position in a vehicle.

The vehicle locking device has a rigid main bar 10, 11 of metal which is of generally T-shaped configuration, a stem 10 being integral with or welded to a cross-piece 11. At the junction of the two, slight recesses 12 are formed. The stem 10 is of square cross-section, as is the cross-piece 11, a!though either, particularly the latter, may be of another cross-section if desired.

The stem 10 has a transverse recess 13 spaced about three inches from the junction with the cross-piece 11. The recess 1 3 is large enough to accommodate the normal size of shaft which carries the control pedal of a vehicle, for example the throttle. The overall distance between the recess 13 and the bottom 14 of the cross-piece 11 is approximately the same as the distance between the shaft and the floor of an average vehicle.

At the end of the stem opposite to the crosspiece the stem has a circular grooved recess 1 5 which receives a cylinder lock 1 6.

The stem 10 is enclosed over its whole length by a metal tube 20 of square cross-section. This tube is partially closed by a plate 31 at one end which has an aperture allowing passage of the cylinder lock 1 6. At the other end, the tube 20 has two rectangular cutouts 22, which are long enough to reveai the recess 13, at opposite sides.

The tube is held captive on the stem 10 by a stud 23 which extends through a narrow slot 24 in the tube.

When the cylinder lock 1 6 is inserted from above and locked into the recess 15, its head thereby traps the plate 21 and locks the tube 20 in the position shown. The portion 25 of the tube closes the recess 13, and the shaft 30 of a vehicle control cannot be released. When the cylinder lock is removed by means of a key, the tube 20 becomes free to move upwards to the limit of the slot 24 and to uncover the recess 13, allowing the locking device to be removed from the vehicle control pedal. In the locked position, the lower end of the tube 20 engages in the recesses 12 and makes it more difficult to apply force to the tube to release it.

The position of the device in its locking condition is shown in Figure 2. The shaft 30 of the throttle pedal 31 passes through the recess 13.

The bottom 14 of the cross-piece 11 bears on the floor 32 of the vehicle. It then becomes impossible to operate the pedal and therefore impossible to drive the vehicle. The cross-piece 11 prevents the device from pivotting about the shaft 30 and thus by-passing the blocking action on the pedal.

The long stem 10 has two advantages. First, it makes the lock 1 6 easily accessible to the driver without having to bend low. Second, the stem also prevents sideways, or backwards movement of the device to by-pass the blocking action.

New claims filed on 4-2-80.

New or amended claims:

CLAIMS 1. A vehicle locking device comprising a generally T-shaped bar having a stem and a crosspiece, the stem having a transverse recess spaced from the cross-piece for receiving the shaft of a vehicle control pedal, and a shield member lockable in a position such that it closes the entrance to the recess, and unlockable to allow the shield member to be moved to permit the device to be applied to or removed from the shaft of a vehicle control pedal.

2. A vehicle locking device according to claim 1, wherein the shield member is constituted by a tube enclosing the stem and slidable relative thereto.

3. A vehicle locking device according to claim 2, wherein the end of the tube adjacent the crosspiece has oppositely located cut-out portions which, when the tube is in its locked position, are aligned with said transverse recess in said stem.

4. A vehicle locking device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the tube is lockable by means provided at the end of the tube remote from the cross-piece.

5. A vehicle locking device according to claim 4, wherein the end of the stem remote from the cross-piece has a recess and the locking means comprises a cylinder lock received in said recess and arranged to lock the tube to the stem in said position.

6. A vehicle locking device according to any preceding claim, wherein means is provided for limiting the range of relative movement of said stem and said shield member, when the latter is not in its locked position.

7. A vehicle locking device according to claims 2 and 6, wherein the limiting means is constituted

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Vehicle lock This invention relates to a device for immobilising a vehicle. The invention proposes a vehicle locking device comprising a generally T-shaped bar having a stem and a cross-piece, the stem having a transverse recess spaced from the cross-piece for receiving the shaft of a vehicle control pedal, and a shield member lockable in a position such that it closes the entrance to the recess, and unlockable to allow the shield member to be moved to permit the device to be applied to or removed from the shaft of a vehicle control pedal. The device is positioned with the cross-piece against the floor of the vehicle and the aperture adjacent the control pedal shaft. The device is moved sideways so that the shaft lies in the recess, and the shield member is locked over it. The pedal then cannot be depressed because the cross-piece lying against the floor prevents downward movement. In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows an elevation of the device, sectioned through its length; and Figure 2 shows a side view of the device in position in a vehicle. The vehicle locking device has a rigid main bar 10, 11 of metal which is of generally T-shaped configuration, a stem 10 being integral with or welded to a cross-piece 11. At the junction of the two, slight recesses 12 are formed. The stem 10 is of square cross-section, as is the cross-piece 11, a!though either, particularly the latter, may be of another cross-section if desired. The stem 10 has a transverse recess 13 spaced about three inches from the junction with the cross-piece 11. The recess 1 3 is large enough to accommodate the normal size of shaft which carries the control pedal of a vehicle, for example the throttle. The overall distance between the recess 13 and the bottom 14 of the cross-piece 11 is approximately the same as the distance between the shaft and the floor of an average vehicle. At the end of the stem opposite to the crosspiece the stem has a circular grooved recess 1 5 which receives a cylinder lock 1 6. The stem 10 is enclosed over its whole length by a metal tube 20 of square cross-section. This tube is partially closed by a plate 31 at one end which has an aperture allowing passage of the cylinder lock 1 6. At the other end, the tube 20 has two rectangular cutouts 22, which are long enough to reveai the recess 13, at opposite sides. The tube is held captive on the stem 10 by a stud 23 which extends through a narrow slot 24 in the tube. When the cylinder lock 1 6 is inserted from above and locked into the recess 15, its head thereby traps the plate 21 and locks the tube 20 in the position shown. The portion 25 of the tube closes the recess 13, and the shaft 30 of a vehicle control cannot be released. When the cylinder lock is removed by means of a key, the tube 20 becomes free to move upwards to the limit of the slot 24 and to uncover the recess 13, allowing the locking device to be removed from the vehicle control pedal. In the locked position, the lower end of the tube 20 engages in the recesses 12 and makes it more difficult to apply force to the tube to release it. The position of the device in its locking condition is shown in Figure 2. The shaft 30 of the throttle pedal 31 passes through the recess 13. The bottom 14 of the cross-piece 11 bears on the floor 32 of the vehicle. It then becomes impossible to operate the pedal and therefore impossible to drive the vehicle. The cross-piece 11 prevents the device from pivotting about the shaft 30 and thus by-passing the blocking action on the pedal. The long stem 10 has two advantages. First, it makes the lock 1 6 easily accessible to the driver without having to bend low. Second, the stem also prevents sideways, or backwards movement of the device to by-pass the blocking action. New claims filed on 4-2-80. New or amended claims: CLAIMS

1. A vehicle locking device comprising a generally T-shaped bar having a stem and a crosspiece, the stem having a transverse recess spaced from the cross-piece for receiving the shaft of a vehicle control pedal, and a shield member lockable in a position such that it closes the entrance to the recess, and unlockable to allow the shield member to be moved to permit the device to be applied to or removed from the shaft of a vehicle control pedal.

7. A vehicle locking device according to claims 2 and 6, wherein the limiting means is constituted by a stud and slot arrangement.

8. A vehicle locking device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the cross-piece is provided with recesses which receive the end of the tube in its locked position.

9. A vehicle locking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.