GB2269041A

GB2269041A - Vehicle anti-theft device.

Info

Publication number: GB2269041A
Application number: GB9215500A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark James Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-07-21
Filing date: 1992-07-21
Publication date: 1994-01-26
Also published as: GB9215500D0

Abstract

The vehicle ant-theft device comprises the holder (11) mountable on the inner surface of the car windscreen. A first display means (12) comprises a fixed card which is fixably positioned behind a first aperture (13). The holder further comprises a second display means (14) comprising a card which is removably positioned behind the second aperture (15), both the first and second display means (12, 14) comprise cards on which the vehicle registration number is clearly display. Removal of the second card (14) reveals a warning message, for example, "alert police". <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE This invention relates to a vehicle anti-theft device.

It is well known that crime relating to theft of vehicles, particular cars is rampant. Many cars are stolen and are never recovered to their rightful owner.

A number of existing anti-theft devices exist, for example, electronic alarm systems or mechanical devices which block the steering wheel.

A problem with the known devices is that they are extensive, and particularly the electronic alarm systems are liable to give false alarms.

According to the invention there is provided a vehicle antitheft device comprising: a holder attachable to a surface of vehicle, the holder comprising: a first aperture; a first display means visible through said aperture; and second display means removably positionable in said holder and visible through an aperture when positioned in the holder.

The invention may be attached to any convenient surface in a vehicle, but preferably it is attached to the inner surface of the windscreen. It is thus clearly visible from the outside.

The first display means preferably displays the number plate of the car, whilst the second display means also displays the number plate of the car. When the second display means is removed, an inner surface of the holder is visible which may carry a message, for example, "alert police".

The authorised driver or owner of a vehicle will be in possession of the-second display means. When the driver is driving he will place the second display means in the holder, such that it is visible through the aperture. It thus matches the first display means, each of which display means displays the number plate of the vehicle. Police or other people seeing the car driven in this manner will assume that the authorised driver is driving the car, as the first and second display means match. When the driver parks the car he removes with him the second display means, which may reveal a surface of the holder through the aperture which may carry some warning message.If an unauthorised driver attempts to drive the car away police or other people will observe that the first display means no longer matches the second display means, and will assume that the car is being driven by an unauthorised driver.

Appropriate action may then be made.

Preferably the holder comprises two apertures, a first aperture through which the first display means is visible and a second aperture through which the second display means or warning message is visible.

Advantageously, the holder is made of cardboard, and is attachable to the inner surface of the windscreen of the vehicle by means of adhesive deposited around the edge of the holder.

Preferably the holder comprises retaining means formed on the opposite surface of the holder to that which comes in contact with the car windscreen. The retaining means are used to retain second display means in position. The invention will now be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a present invention, with the first and second display means in position; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the device of Figure 1, with the second display means removed from the holder; and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the reverse side of the device of Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figure 1 a device according to the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The device comprises a holder 11 formed of any suitable material, for example, a vacuum formed plastics material. The holder 11 has applied around its edges a strong adhesive (not shown), in order that the holder 11 may be mounted to the inner surface of a car windscreen, or alternatively to the inner surface of the rear window of a car. A first display means 12 comprises a fixed card, which is fixedly positioned behind a first aperture 13. The card 12 is preferably fixed behind the aperture 13 by means of an adhesive. The holder further comprises a second display means 14, comprising a card which is removably positionable behind a second aperture 15, and held in position by means of retaining means (Figure 3). Both the first and second display means 12, 14 comprise on which the number plates of the vehicle to which the holder is clearly displayed.Each card 12, 14 has a distinctive colour pattern printed on it, over which the number plate is printed. A wide range of randomly issued colours and patterns will be available to deter forgery. The second card 14 will be heat sealed or laminated into a folding wallet, so as to fit into a standard credit card holder when removed.

Before the holder 11 is fixed to the windscreen of a car, the adhesive will be protected by wax paper.

Referring to Figure 2, the second card 14 is shown removed from the holder 11. The removal of the second card 14 reveals a warning message, for example, "alert police" which is printed on an inner surface 21 of the holder 11.

Referring to Figure 3 the reverse surface of the holder 11 is shown. The second card 14 is held in position by a pocket 31 formed on the rear surface 32 of the holder 11. The inner surface of the pocket 31 (not shown), contains the warning message shown at 21 in Figure 2.

In use, an authorised driver of a vehicle will have in his possession a second card 14. When the authorised driver wishes to drive the vehicle, he places the second card 14 in the pocket 31 such that the two cards 12, 14 are visible to observers such as police. An observer will note that both of the display cards 12, 14 display the number plate of the car and have the same distinctive pattern on the background. This will indicate that the person driving the vehicle is authorised to do so.

When the driver leads the vehicle unattended he takes with him the second card 14, which is foldable such that he can carry it in his credit card holder. In the event that an unauthorised driver enters the car and drives the vehicle away, the warning message 21 will be displayed, rather than the number plate shown on the second card 14. An observer watching the car go by will see the warning message "alert police" or similar, and will be able to take appropriate action.

Claims

1. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising: a holder attachable to a surface of a vehicle, the holder comprising: a first aperture; first display means visible through said aperture; and second display means removably positionable in said holder and visible through an aperture when positioned in the holder.

2. A vehicle anti-theft device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the vehicle has a vehicle registration number, the first display means comprises the vehicle registration number, and the second display means also displays the vehicle registration number.

3. A vehicle anti-theft device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the second display means when positioned in the holder hides an inner surface of the display means.

4. A vehicle anti-theft device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner surface comprises a message.

5. A vehicle anti-theft device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the holder comprises two apertures, a first aperture through which the first display means is visible, and a second aperture through which the second display means or inner surface is visible.

6. A vehicle anti-theft device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the holder is made of cardboard.

7. A vehicle anti-theft device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the device is attachable to an inner surface of a windscreen of the vehicle by means of adhesive deposited around the edge of the holder.

8. A vehicle anti-theft device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the holder comprises retaining means formed on the opposite surface of the holder to that which comes in contact with the car windscreen.

9. A vehicle anti-theft device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.