GB2238519A

GB2238519A - Vehicle security device

Info

Publication number: GB2238519A
Application number: GB9021836A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Bond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-10-07
Filing date: 1990-10-08
Publication date: 1991-06-05
Also published as: GB9021836D0

Abstract

A security device (11) for use in immobilizing vehicles includes a link member (15) having a hook means (14) at one end for engagement with a vehicle's gear selector lever (12) and having lockable shackle means (16) at the other end for lockable engagement with the steering wheel (13) of the vehicle. The link member (15) and hook means (14) are connected by a screw thread to be adjustable in length so as to make the device suitable for use in a wide variety of models of vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to a security device for road vehicles.

Well known vehicle security devices include a lockable device for coupling the vehicle steering wheel to the clutch or brake pedal of the vehicle and a lockable device for linking the hand-brake lever to the gear selector lever of the vehicle. The former of the known devices is disadvantageous in that it is bulky, and so is difficult to store when not in use, and moreover when in use is not readily visible so that a thief may break into the vehicle, so damaging the vehicle, before realizing that the vehicle is immobilized by the device linking the steering wheel with the clutch or brake pedal. The other of the known devices mentioned above is of particularly complex construction, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a security device in a simple and convenient form which is readily visible when in use.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a security device for linking a vehicle gear selector lever and the steering wheel of the vehicle, comprising a link member the length of which is adjustable to suit different vehicles, the link member having retaining means for engagement with a vehicle gear selector lever, and lockable shackle means for lockable engagement with the steering wheel of the vehicle.

It will be recognised that when correctly fitted, with the gear selector lever moved to the point in its range of movement closest to the steering wheel, then linking the gear selector lever and the steering wheel by means of the security device prevents operation of both the steering and gear selection mechanisms of the vehicle thereby effectively immobilizing the vehicle.

Preferably the retaining means of the security device is secured to the lockable shackle through the intermediary of a screw threaded shank, the screw thread permitting adjustment of the length of the device.

Preferably the device includes a body member having the retaining means in screw threaded engagement with one end thereof, the body defining part of the shackle at its opposite end, the other part of the shackle being defined by a component hinged to the body and lockable in a closed position relative to the body by a key operated locking mechanism.

Conveniently the threaded region of said retaining means external to the shackle is enclosed by an extensible cover.

Preferably the retaining device is of hooked form.

One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the security device in use, Figures 2 and 3 are plan and side elevational views respectively of the device, and, Figure 4 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings the security device 11 is intended to link the gear selection lever 12, which may of course be the lever associated with an automatic gearbox or the lever associated with a manual gearbox, and the steering wheel rim 13 of a vehicle to prevent unauthorised use of the vehicle. The security device comprises a rigid steel hook 14 the gape of which is such that the hook can embrace the shaft 12a of the lever 12 but cannot pass over the knob 12b thereof. The shank 14a of the hook 14 is externally screw threaded, and is received, in screw threaded engagement, in a longitudinally extending bore in an elongate, metallic stem 15 of the device 11. At its end remote from the hook 14 the stem 15 carries a stationary part 16a of a two part, lockable shackle 16.

The shackle 16 is formed as two separate metallic castings 16a, 16b the casting 16a, as mentioned above, being anchored to one end of the stem 15 of the device, and the other casting 16b being connected at one end to the casting 16a by a pivot pin 17. Thus the casting 16b can hinge relative to the casting 16a between an open position in which the wheel rim can be introduced into the shackle, and a closed position (as shown in the drawings) in which the two parts define a circular aperture 18. A key operated locking mechanism 19 is carried by the casting 16a and can cooperate with the end of the casting 16b remote from the pivot pin 17 to lock the castings in their closed position.If desired a spring arrangement can be incorporated into the shackle, either within the locking mechanism, or in association with the pivot pin 17, so that upon release of the locking mechanism 19 the casting 16b is urged to its open position relative to the casting 16a. The key of the mechanism 19 is of course removable so that after locking of the castings 16a, 16b in their closed position with, for example, the wheel rim 13 extending through the aperture 18 then the shackle 16 can be removed from the wheel rim 13 only by use of the appropriate key.

Desirably at least the two parts of the shackle 16 will be painted in an eye-catching colour so that the presence of the device, in place, in a vehicle will be readily appreciated. Desirably the stem 15 and the hook 14 are coated with plastics material, again of an eye-catching colour if desired, so as to improve their appearance, and to minimise the risk of scratching of the vehicle interior and the cover of the hook can include an extendible region covering the screw thread so that irrespective of the adjusted length of the device the screw thread is not exposed to view.

In use the operator will adjust the length of the device by screwing the shank 14a of the hook 14 into or out of the stem 15 so that the spacing between the aperture 18 of the shackle (when the shackle is in its closed position) and the closed end of the hook 14 is equal to the distance between the rim 13 of the steering wheel and the gear selection lever 19 when the gear selection lever 19 is in a position as close as possible to the wheel rim 13. Thereafter the operator will open the shackle 16 by means of the appropriate key, engage the hook 14 around the shaft 12a of the lever beneath the knob 12b, locate the wheel rim 13 in the recess of the casting 16a, and then close the casting 16b around the wheel rim until it is retained in its closed position by the locking mechanism 19.Thereafter the operator will withdraw the appropriate key leaving the gear selection lever 12 locked to the steering wheel rim 13 so preventing unauthorised use of the vehicle. Without the appropriate key it will not be possible to detach the shackle 16 from the rim 13, and since the length of the device is set to accommodate the lever 12 when the lever 12 is in its closest position relative to the rim 13 then it will not be possible for an unauthorised user to move the lever 12 further towards the rim 13 and thus he will not be able to detach the hook from the lever 12.

It will be recognised that the device is relatively small, particularly by comparison with known devices for linking the steering wheel rim and the clutch or brake pedal, and moreover is readily visible when in use by virtue of being attached to the steering wheel rim, and extending between the rim and the gear selection lever.

Furthermore the device is easily fitted, using one hand if necessary and needs adjustment of its length only once for each vehicle rather than each time it is used as is the case with certain known devices.

It is contemplated that other forms of retaining means other than the hook 14 could be utilized, for example the end of the shank 14 could carry a closed loop rather than a hook, the loop being just large enough to pass over the knob 12b when centralized thereon but lodging beneath the knob when the shackle engages the wheel rim. Moreover the shank 14a could be in threaded engagement with a captive nut in the casting 16a, the nut being tiltable within the casting so permitting the shank and the casting to be moved to a non-linear configuration if necessary during engagement of the device with the lever 12 and wheel 13.

Claims

1 A security device for linking a vehicle gear selector lever and the steering wheel of the vehicle, comprising a link member the length of which is adjustable to suit different vehicles, the link member having retaining means for engagement with a vehicle gear selector lever, and lockable shackle means for lockable engagement with the steering wheel of the vehicle.

2 A device as claimed in Claim 1 where said retaining means of the security device is secured to the lockable shackle through the intermediary of a screw threaded shank, the screw thread permitting adjustment of the length of the device.

3 A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 including a body member having said retaining means in screw threaded engagement with one end thereof, the body defining part of the shackle at its opposite end, the other part of the shackle being defined by a component hinged to the body and lockable in a closed position relative to the body by a key operated locking mechanism.

4 A device as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the threaded region of said retaining means external to the shackle is enclosed by an extensible cover.

5 A device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 wherein said retaining device is of hooked form.

6 A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7 The use of a security device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 to link a vehicle gear selection lever to the steering wheel of the vehicle.