GB2107661A

GB2107661A - Anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use

Info

Publication number: GB2107661A
Application number: GB8111424A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Edgar Wareham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-04-10
Filing date: 1981-04-10
Publication date: 1983-05-05

Abstract

An anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use comprises a pivotally mounted member (22) which, in use, is moveable from a horizontal inoperative position to a vertical, operative position in which it prevents operation of the clutch pedal (18) of the vehicle. The member (22) has a locking formation (30) adjacent its upper end which, in said operative position, cooperates with a complementary locking formation (36) attached to, or integral with, the clutch pedal (18). The locking formations (30, 36) are maintained in locking relationship by a key-operated padlock (38). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An improved anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use.

It is now generally accepted that vehicle door locks and removable ignition keys as at present in common use are inadequate to prevent an unauthorised person from driving away a parked vehicle. In the majority of cases, entry can be effected into a locked vehicle by merely using a length of fairly rigid wire.

Furthermore, a selection of ignition and car-lock keys are readily available to an intending thief from motor accessory shops and although alarm systems are available, these are often of a delicate nature and can be set off by a high wind or, when meeting a satisfactory safeguarding standard, are expensive to purchase and fit.

The object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft device for motor vehicles which is inexpensive, easy to fit and can be readily applied or removed.

The present invention consists in an anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use comprising a pivotally mounted member which, in use, is movable from an inoperative position to an operative position in which it prevents operation of a control pedal of the vehicle, said member having a locking formation adjacent its upper end which, in said operative position, co-operates with a complementary locking formation attached to, or integral with, said vehicle control pedal, said locking formations being maintained in locking relationship by a lock member.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view of an anti-theft device according to the present invention shown in its inoperative position, Fig. 2 is a side view, similar to Fig. 1, but showing the device in its locked position, and Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the upper end of the device according to the present invention showing the locking arrangement.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, the anti-theft device comprises an outer tubular steel casing 10 of rectangular cross-section pivotally mounted at 12 on a base member 14fixed to the floor 16 of a vehicle adjacent the vehicle clutch pedal 18 by a threaded fastener arrangement 20. The contacting surfaces of the casing 10 and base member 14are angled with respecttothe plane of the floor 16 and, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the fastener arrangement 20 is inaccessible when the device is in its operative position.

A steel block 22 of rectangular configuration is adjustably mounted in the casing 10 by means of a rotatable screw threaded adjusting member 24 which passes through a centrally disposed aperture in a plate 26 fixedly connected to the walls of the casing 10 at the lower end thereof. The head 24a of the adjusting member 24 is located by the plate 26.

Thus it will be appreciated that the effective length or height of the block 22 from the plate 26 can be varied to ensure that when in the operative position shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of the block 22 is positioned immediately beneath the clutch pedal 18.

The upper surface of the block 22 is provided with spaced upstanding members 28 each provided with a similar rectilinear locking formation 30 of 'U'-shaped configuration which are aligned and form a slot 32 opening to the side of the block 22.

The underside of the cluth pedal 18 has an inverted channel-shaped bracket 34 attached thereto with a centrally disposed L-shaped locking formation 36, which, when the device is moved into the position shown in Fig. 2, is located between the spaced upstanding locking members 28 on the block.

Thus, when it is desired to prevent unauthorised use of the vehicle, the casing 10 is swung upwardly above the pivot 12 from the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1 to the vertical position shown in Fig.

2 where the block 22 is positioned directly beneath the clutch pedal 18 with the respective locking formations 30 and 36 on the block 22 and bracket 34 in alignment.

The block 22 and bracket 34 fixed to the clutch pedal 18 are locked together by means of a key operated padlock 38 having a slidable retaining member 40 of rectilinear, 'U'-shaped configuration.

The retaining member 40 comprises spaced parallel legs 42 interconnected by a yoke member 44 having a covering flange 46. The padlock casing 48 has an apertured flange 50 positioned parallel to the flange 46 and the retaining member 40 is slidably mounted in the apertured flange 50.

In use, with the respective locking formations 30, 36, on the block 22 and bracket 34, respectively, in alignment, the retaining member 40 is pushed into the padlock casing 48 until the yoke member 44 is positioned in the slot 32 locking the formation 36 therebetween with the flanges 46 and 50 engaging the opposed surfaces of the block 22 as shown in Fig. 2. If desired, a permutation type lock may be used in place of the key-operated padlock 38.

It will be realised that although the anti-theft device has been described in relation to preventing the operation of a vehicle clutch pedal, it could be utilised in relation to a brake pedal.

Clearly, this would not be so effective as the vehicle could still be driven slowly utilising the handbrake for retardation. However, it is unlikely an unauthorised person wishing to drive the vehicle away would be willing to take such a risk, particularly as the slow vehicle speed could easily attract the attention of the police.

1. An anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use comprising a pivotally mounted member which, in use, is movable from an inoperative position to an operative position The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An improved anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use. It is now generally accepted that vehicle door locks and removable ignition keys as at present in common use are inadequate to prevent an unauthorised person from driving away a parked vehicle. In the majority of cases, entry can be effected into a locked vehicle by merely using a length of fairly rigid wire. Furthermore, a selection of ignition and car-lock keys are readily available to an intending thief from motor accessory shops and although alarm systems are available, these are often of a delicate nature and can be set off by a high wind or, when meeting a satisfactory safeguarding standard, are expensive to purchase and fit. The object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft device for motor vehicles which is inexpensive, easy to fit and can be readily applied or removed. The present invention consists in an anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use comprising a pivotally mounted member which, in use, is movable from an inoperative position to an operative position in which it prevents operation of a control pedal of the vehicle, said member having a locking formation adjacent its upper end which, in said operative position, co-operates with a complementary locking formation attached to, or integral with, said vehicle control pedal, said locking formations being maintained in locking relationship by a lock member. In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a side view of an anti-theft device according to the present invention shown in its inoperative position, Fig. 2 is a side view, similar to Fig. 1, but showing the device in its locked position, and Fig. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the upper end of the device according to the present invention showing the locking arrangement. In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient mode by way of example, the anti-theft device comprises an outer tubular steel casing 10 of rectangular cross-section pivotally mounted at 12 on a base member 14fixed to the floor 16 of a vehicle adjacent the vehicle clutch pedal 18 by a threaded fastener arrangement 20. The contacting surfaces of the casing 10 and base member 14are angled with respecttothe plane of the floor 16 and, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the fastener arrangement 20 is inaccessible when the device is in its operative position. A steel block 22 of rectangular configuration is adjustably mounted in the casing 10 by means of a rotatable screw threaded adjusting member 24 which passes through a centrally disposed aperture in a plate 26 fixedly connected to the walls of the casing 10 at the lower end thereof. The head 24a of the adjusting member 24 is located by the plate 26. Thus it will be appreciated that the effective length or height of the block 22 from the plate 26 can be varied to ensure that when in the operative position shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of the block 22 is positioned immediately beneath the clutch pedal 18. The upper surface of the block 22 is provided with spaced upstanding members 28 each provided with a similar rectilinear locking formation 30 of 'U'-shaped configuration which are aligned and form a slot 32 opening to the side of the block 22. The underside of the cluth pedal 18 has an inverted channel-shaped bracket 34 attached thereto with a centrally disposed L-shaped locking formation 36, which, when the device is moved into the position shown in Fig. 2, is located between the spaced upstanding locking members 28 on the block. Thus, when it is desired to prevent unauthorised use of the vehicle, the casing 10 is swung upwardly above the pivot 12 from the horizontal position shown in Fig. 1 to the vertical position shown in Fig. 2 where the block 22 is positioned directly beneath the clutch pedal 18 with the respective locking formations 30 and 36 on the block 22 and bracket 34 in alignment. The block 22 and bracket 34 fixed to the clutch pedal 18 are locked together by means of a key operated padlock 38 having a slidable retaining member 40 of rectilinear, 'U'-shaped configuration. The retaining member 40 comprises spaced parallel legs 42 interconnected by a yoke member 44 having a covering flange 46. The padlock casing 48 has an apertured flange 50 positioned parallel to the flange 46 and the retaining member 40 is slidably mounted in the apertured flange 50. In use, with the respective locking formations 30, 36, on the block 22 and bracket 34, respectively, in alignment, the retaining member 40 is pushed into the padlock casing 48 until the yoke member 44 is positioned in the slot 32 locking the formation 36 therebetween with the flanges 46 and 50 engaging the opposed surfaces of the block 22 as shown in Fig. 2. If desired, a permutation type lock may be used in place of the key-operated padlock 38. It will be realised that although the anti-theft device has been described in relation to preventing the operation of a vehicle clutch pedal, it could be utilised in relation to a brake pedal. Clearly, this would not be so effective as the vehicle could still be driven slowly utilising the handbrake for retardation. However, it is unlikely an unauthorised person wishing to drive the vehicle away would be willing to take such a risk, particularly as the slow vehicle speed could easily attract the attention of the police. CLAIMS

in which it prevents operation of a control pedal of the vehicle, said member having a locking formation adjacent its upper end which, in said operative position, co-operates with a compiementary locking formation attached to, or integral with, said vehicle control pedal, said locking formations being maintained in locking relationship by a lock member.

2. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when in said operative position, said pivotally mounted member is positioned directly beneath said control pedal.

3. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said pivotally mounted member is positioned in an outer tubular casing and adjustable lengthwise therein by means of a rotatable screwthreaded member.

4. An anti-theft device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking formation on the upper surface of said pivotally mounted member comprises a pair of spaced upstanding members each provided with a rectilinear locking formation of 'U'-shaped configuration.

5. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the locking formation associated with said control pedal is of 'L'-shaped configuration which, in said operative position, is positioned between said spaced upstanding members on the pivotally mounted member.

6. An anti-theft device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said lock member comprises a padlock having a slidable retaining member which, in said operative position engages the locking formations of said pivotally mounted member and operating pedal respectively to prevent effective movement of the latter.

7. An anti-theft device substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

7. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said retaining member is of rectilinear 'U'-shaped configuration.

8. An anti-theft device substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 21 Sept1981 Superseded claims 1-8 1. An anti-theft device for safeguarding a motor vehicle against unauthorised use comprising a pivotally mounted member positioned in an outertubular casing and adjustable lengthwise therein by means of a rotatable screw-threaded member and which, in use, is movable from an inoperative position to an operative position in which it prevents operation of a control pedal of the vehicle, said member having a locking formation adjacent its upper end which, in said operative position, co-operates with a complementary locking formation attached to, or integral with, said vehicle control pedal, said locking formations being maintained in locking relationship by a lock member.

3. An anti-theft device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking formation on the upper surface of said pivotally mounted member comprises a pair of spaced upstanding members each provided with a rectilinear locking formation of 'U'-shaped configuration.

4. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking formation associated with said control pedal is of'L'-shaped configuration which, in said operative position, is positioned between said spaced upstanding members on the pivotally mounted member.

5. An anti-theft device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said lock member comprises a padlock having a slidable retaining member which, in said operative position engages the locking formations of said pivotally mounted member and operating pedal respectively to prevent effective movement of the latter.

6. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said retaining member is of rectilinear 'U'-shaped configuration.