GB2242405A - Vehicle anti-theft device - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle anti-theft device comprising one or more retractable bars f which in an operational position engage the road surface and are locked in position preventing unlawful driving away of the vehicle. When retracted the vehicle may be used in the usual way. <IMAGE>

Description

(PANEL A) VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE This invention relates to a type of vehicle anti-theft device.

The device comprises a strong bar that is fixed to the internal or external side or undersurface of the vehicle.

The device is intended to deter thieves by the noise produced by the bar dragging on the road surface especially in turning.

Internally fitted devices are encased in a suitable tube fixed to the side of the vehicle and can be lowered through the floor of the vehicle.

The vehicle can be fitted with a single device or one at both sides of the vehicle or a composite device that engages both sides simultaneously.

Embodiments of the invention will now be illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a general side elevation Figure 2 is cross-sectional front elevation Figure 3 is a view along 'A' Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation of a yet further embodiment Figure 6 is a scrap section along A - A EXAMPLE 1 The device comprises a strong bar made of suitable metal, for example stainless steel, ceramic or composite material fitted with a chain at the top. The bar is housed in a strong tube fitted to the side of the vehicle. The head of the tube is expanded and fitted with an axle to which the other end of the chain is attached.

The chain can first attain zero tension when the bar rests on the groud. The axle is fitted with a key so that the bar can be raised or lowered.

(PANEL B) When fully raised the bar is locked into position by a slide key.

The slide key also is used to lock the fully lowered bar.

A This un-usual anti-theft device; a steel casing and a steel bar inside the case, these can be made of other strong materials instead of steel.

The bar is moved up and down by a chain or other strong flexible materials to a winding spool on the top of the case. The lower end of the case of the device goes through the floor pan of the car and can protrude under the vehicle, this is to prevent the floor pan getting spoiled.

The bar is lowered through the floor down to the road when the device is in use.

The chain or strong cord should be slacked on that time.

(See figure 2 and 3) The aim is that when driving the car where the bar is down it scratches and scrapes the road making the driver to stop quickly.

The scraping and scratching of the road by the bar creates such a noise that attracts attention of other people and other drivers.

Secondly, it plays on the driver's nerves. It gives the feeling of the vehicle falling apart.

Thirdly, it hinders the driver turning corners fast.

The place of the device of this type is beside the back rest of the front seat on the wall, vertically (see drawing Figure 1). On the double door cars, on the inside panel between the doors.

The device need to be used in both sides of the car.

The case is made of a base which is welded on the wall, its edges turned up.

The Lid to it slots inside the base and is fastened to the base by welding to form one solid unit. It also may be fastened with-screws which enables a person to see inside.

Before the lid is placed into position it has to have build in winding spool on the top end with a locking device to take up the chain or strong cord which ever is used.

(PANEL C) The strong cord or chain is wound up and locked by the locking device that it stays up when driving by the legal Owner or Driver. The winding up spool can be also connected to the electrical system of the car that the driver needs only to press a button to lower or raise the bar.

A special precaution is a locking pin which is a hole made through the two opposite sides of the case lid and a pin inserted through them.

This is to stop the bar accidentally dropping down when driving, e.g.

uneven roads, or viberation of motorway driving.

The pin can be made round or flat like a disk. It is like a second key to the driver, the first key is the locking key to the winding spool.

(PANEL D) EXAMPLE 2 A device comprising a strong 'U' shaped bar which may be made up in three section or one whole unit. The central section spans the width of the vehicle and the other two sections are at the right angles and pass through the floor of the vehicle via two closed fitting shafts.

i7hen the central section is lowered to the floor of the vehicle the other sections rest on the ground. The bar can be locked in the raised and lowered positions.

B This is a variation of example 1 device. Two shafts are made of hard, durable materials, they are pushed through an opening on the floor of the vehicle on both sides of it. The protrude below the floor to give stability for the bars coming through. They need to be fixed to the floor by welding.

A solid bar of strong with the ends bent at right angle ( S,. The length suitable to the distance of the shafts (which are on each side of the vehicle). It is passed through the shafts to rest on the road.

The bar can be made in three section as well, a straight bar accross the car floor and two separate end section which drop through the short shafts to the ground and are connected to each other inside the car.

A hinged lock cover is pulled over and locked up with a locking device fixed on the floor (see drawing figure 4). The bar is lifted up out of the shafts and put on the floor under the front seats when not in use.

(PANEL E) EXAMPLE 3 The device can also comprise a strong bar made of suitable material with the upper end bent through an angle of 90- The bar passes through the floor of the vehicle via a closed fitting shaft. The device can be locked in either the raised or lowered positions.

C This is another variation of example 1 device. This device is principally the same as the example 2 device.

The shafts are made the same way as in example 2 and welded on to the floor of the vehicle on bother sides. The strong metallic bars are bent on the top end to right angle of (90 ) and they are short 15-20cm long only. The lower ends are long enough that when put into position they will rest on the road or on the ground.

A hinged lock cover is pulled over (see the drawing figure 5) and a locking device fixed on the floor.

On lorries, trailers and military vehicles, locking device could be made onside, underneath the vehicle. The bars are kept in position by the locking device. When the device is not in use it is taken out of the shaft and placed under the front seats.

This type there needs to be two separate bars, one in each side of the vehicle (see the drawing figures 5 and 6).

D These devices are true deterrents to vehicle theft. A would-be thief would be unable to driver the vehicle away at speed, he would be clearly heard because of the noise the device makes. A person intent on theft will search to see if this type of device has been fitted and leave alone the vehicle that are so equipped, as they are not removable.

Claims (10)

1. (PANEL F)

   CLAIMS 1. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising a member that passes through the floor of the vehicle to rest on the ground.
2. 2. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising a strong bar encased in a strong tube fixed to the inside of the vehicle and lowered and raised by a chain or wire attached to a rotable axle.
3. 3. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising a strong bar that passes across the vehicle and is fitted with two sections that pass through the floor of either side of the vehicle.
4. 4. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising a strong bar with an upper section substantially perpendicular to a substantically vertical component that can be razzed or lowered through a shaft fixed in the floor of the vehicle.
5. 5. The devices in claims 2,3, and 4 that can be locked in either the raised lowered or both positions.
6. 6. The devices in claims 3 and 4 that are inserted through shafts only while the vehicle is stationary.
7. 7. Devices in claim 6 that are locked in position.
8. 8. Devices comprising bars resting on the ground fixed to the undersurface or sides of the vehicle.
9. 9. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising a rigid member movable between a first position and a second position, the arrangement being such that in the first position the member does not impede movement of the vehicle and in the second position the member if ground engaging thereby resisting movement of the vehicle.
10. 10. A vehicle anti-theft device substantially as described herein.