GB2312884A

GB2312884A - Security device

Info

Publication number: GB2312884A
Application number: GB9709247A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alastair John Thompson
Original assignee: GERDA TYTAN PLC
Current assignee: GERDA TYTAN PLC
Priority date: 1996-05-08
Filing date: 1997-05-08
Publication date: 1997-11-12
Also published as: GB9709247D0

Abstract

A security device for immobilising a motor vehicle with a gearbox and a selector stick 20 for selecting gears has a pin member 10 which can be locked in place to prevent movement of the gear selector stick 20. The pin, in its locked position, extends across the path of movement of the stick to prevent selection of gears and thus to render the vehicle undriveable. The pin is held in a mounting means 1,2 which is itself mounted on a fixed part of the vehicle, such as the floor pan or transmission tunnel of a land vehicle and is locked into the mounting means with a lock (13) which can be disengaged by the authorised driver.

Description

Locking Device The present invention relates to a locking device, notably to a locking device for the gear selector stick, or gear lever, of a vehicle.

In order to reduce the ease with which motor cars and other vehicles can be stolen, it has been proposed to fit a wide range of security devices which either immobilise the engine or render the vehicle un-drivable until the security device has been removed. Typical of devices which render the vehicle un-drivable are the steering column locks incorporated by the vehicle manufacturer into the ignition switch mechanism and which lock the steering column against movement when the ignition key is removed from the ignition switch. However, such locks are comparatively weak and can be broken by applying a sharp jerk to the steering wheel. It has therefore become commonplace to fit some form of secondary security device which can be locked in position either upon the steering wheel and/or upon the gear selector stick. These prevent movement of either or both of the steering wheel or gear selector stick to sufficient extent to allow the car to be driven once the engine has been started. Such secondary devices include a radial arm which is clamped to the steering wheel and limits the rotation of the steering wheel to only a few degrees. In another form of secondary device, one end of an adjustable bar is secured to the shaft of the gear selector stick and the other end of the bar is in the form of a socket or ring which fits upon the handbrake to form a rigid linkage between the gear selector stick and the handbrake, thus preventing the gear selector stick from moving enough to enable gear changes to be carried out once the engine is started. However, such secondary devices are often cumbersome and can usually be readily attacked with a saw or other implement to break the device and release the gear selector stick or steering wheel. Furthermore, the gear selector stick lock bar may allow a thief to cut through the shaft of the gear selector stick below the point of attachment of the bar, thus releasing the remaining stump of the gear selector stick for movement to select gears.

Having released the stump of the gear selector stick from the bar, the thief can then fit a box spanner or the like over the exposed end of the stump to recreate a full length gear selector stick and thus permit normal use of the gear box of the car.

we have now devised a form of locking device for a gear selector stick which reduces the above problems.

Furthermore, since the locking device of the invention requires the gear selector stick to be in an extreme of its travel for engagement of the locking device, the car can also be physically immobilised by locking the driven wheels in gear, thus preventing the car from being rolled away as may occur with other forms of secondary security devices when the car is left in neutral gear.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a locking device for a motor vehicle having a gear selector stick member, which device comprises a member adapted to retain the gear selector stick at a selected point, preferably an extreme, of its travel whereby selection of gears in the gearbox of the vehicle is prevent and the vehicle thus rendered un-driveable, which device comprises: a. a pin member removably located adjacent to the shaft of the gear selector stick or a member operatively associated with the gear selector stick and adapted to prevent movement of the shaft away from said selected position in its travel, for example to engage an alternative gear to that engaged at said selected point in its travel; b. mounting means secured to a fixed portion of the structure of the vehicle and having means for receiving the pin member and for retaining the pin member adjacent to the shaft of the gear selector stick or the member operatively associated with the gear selector stick; and c. locking means securing the pin member in said mounting means in an operative position at which it is located adjacent to the shaft of the gear selector stick or the member operatively associated with the gear selector stick so as to obstruct movement of the gear selector stick away from said selected point in its travel and adapted to release said pin member for movement with respect to said mounting means to an inoperative position at which it does not obstruct movement of the gear selector stick.

The use of a pin member enables a simple and compact secondary device to be achieved which locks the gear selector stick in an extreme of its travel and prevents un-authorised use of the vehicle since gear selection and gear changes cannot be achieved even if the engine of the vehicle can be started.

The invention can be applied to a wide range of types of vehicle including power boats where the gear selector stick will be either or both of the levers used to select the forward or reverse gear used or the throttle setting controlling the speed of the engine(s). The term "gear selector stick" is therefore used herein in a general sense to denote any lever which is moved by the operator of a land, water-borne or other vehicle to select and control the movement of the vehicle under power from an engine.

For convenience, th-e invention will be described hereinafter in terms of the lever used for selecting the gear from a gearbox of a motor vehicle by manoeuvring the lever through the path described by the gate of the gearbox. The path may be substantially linear, as with an automatic gearbox; or can follow a convoluted path, as with the H or double H of a manual gearbox. The term gear is used herein to denote any forward or reverse gear or neutral or parking gear located on the path of the travel of the gear selector stick through the gate of the gearbox. Thus, in some automatic gearboxes, Park gear is located at the top of the forward travel of the gear selector stick, whereas in manual gearboxes, reverse, first, third and fifth gears are located at the forward extremes of their arms of the gate of the gearbox.

Alternatively, the pin member could lock the gear selector stick in one of the rearward extremes of its travel, for example D1 or D in an automatic gearbox, or second or fourth gear in a manual gearbox. Preferably, the pin member locks the gear selector stick in a forward and lateral extreme of its travel and for convenience the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of locking the gear selector stick in the Park position in an automatic gearbox. This has the added advantage that the vehicle is also immobilised by the manufacturers lock pin within the gearbox of the Park gear selection.

However, it will be appreciated that the pin member, notably in the U form thereof described below, can be used to lock the gear selector stick at some position intermediate extremes of it travel, for example in the Neutral position in an automatic gearbox.

The pin member can act directly upon the gear selector stick to prevent movement of that stick away from the selected position. However, it may be necessary or desirable with some designs of gearbox to provide the shaft of the gear selector stick with a lateral extension arm against which the pin member bears, notably when the pin member is orientated vertically. Such an extension arm can take the form of a straight or curved arm member clamped, welded or otherwise affixed to the shank of the gear selector stich so that it projects radially therefrom, for example for from 5 to 10 cms. The pin member then lies against or adjacent to that arm and obstructs movement of the arm and thus of the gear selector stick. If desired, the arm can have an aperture therethrough into which the pin locates in its operative position further to ensure that the arm cannot move significantly with respect to the pin member.

For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of the pin member acting directly upon the shaft of the gear selector stick.

The pin member is preferably a hardened steel generally cylindrical member which is located in the mounting member so that in its operative position it prevents the gear selector stick from being moved away from its selected position. The pin member is preferably orientated so that it is transverse to the axis of the shaft of the gear selector stick. However, as indicated above, the pin member can be orientated vertically so that it is substantially co-axial with the shaft. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a pin which is orientated transversely of the axis of the shaft.

The pin member can take the form of a simple cylindrical pin or can have one side flattened which serves to provide a thrust face against which the side of the gear selector stick bears when the pin is in position. This flattened face may also be used to co-operate with a similar flatted surface in a bore in the mounting member in which the pin is located so as to ensure a specific orientation of the pin within that bore so that the locking means described below is correctly positioned with respect to the bore or the pin. Where the gear selector stick is to be locked in a position intermediate extremes of its travel, it will be appreciated that the stick may be able to move in two directions away from that position. In this case it may be desirable to employ two pin members, one to prevent movement of the stick in each of the possible directions of movement. Alternatively, the pin member can be in the form of a forked or U shape so that the gear selector stick locates in the jaw between the two arms of the fork or U. In a further alternative, the gear selector stick can be provided with a lug or the like extending radially from the shaft of the gear selector stick. The lug has an aperture therethrough to provide a loop or hook carried by the gear selector stick, into which the pin member locates to prevent significant movement of the gear selector stick away from the pin member, even when it is capable of movement in two opposite directions. However, for convenience, the invention will be described in terms of the use of a single generally linear cylindrical pin member located at the extreme of travel of the gear selector stick and which bears against the shaft of the gear selector stick to obstruct movement of the stick away from the selected position.

The pin is located and retained in its operative position by being mounted in a mounting means which is secured to a fixed portion of the structure of the vehicle. The mounting means can take a wide variety of forms which releasably mount the pin, for example a sleeve member into which the pin is journalled, which sleeve is supported by one or more arms attached to the body pan or a chassis member of the vehicle. The mounting means supports and locates the pin so that in its operative position it lies against or adjacent the shaft of the gear elector stick.

The pin is located so that it is transverse to the axis of the shaft in the intended direction of movement of the shaft to engage and alternative gear. However, depending upon the selected position of the gear selector stick, the pin can be orientated fore and aft, left to right or at any intermediate orientation with respect to the vehicle body provided that it presents a barrier to the movement of the gear selector stick away from the selected position in its travel. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a pin which is orientated substantially horizontal and directed substantially normal to the line of travel of the gear selector stick away from the selected position and lies adjacent or against the rear face of the shaft to prevent movement of the gear selector stick away from the selected position at a forward extreme of its travel.

The pin can be secured to the mounting means by any suitable releasable means. This can take the form of a sleeve, socket or bore in a portion of the mounting means into which the pin is journalled, so that the pin is removed linearly from the sleeve, socket or bore to release the gear selector stick for movement.

Alternatively, the pin can be pivotally mounted on the mounting means so that it pivots clear of the gear selector stick to release the stick for movement. For convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a mounting arms or arms carrying a sleeve into which the pin is removably secured. The pin can lie close up against the shaft of the gear selector stick in its operative position, or can be slightly spaced therefrom to accommodate variations in the dimensions of the pin and mounting means and the location of the mounting means on the vehicle. However, such clearance should usually be less than about 1.5 cms to reduce the risk that a thief could force the gear selector stick past the pin. The optimum clearance can readily be determined by simple trial and error.

If desired, two or more mounting plates can be provided to support the pin member at both its proximal and distal ends and intermediate the ends if desired. However, for convenience, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of the use of a single plate carrying a sleeve member to support the proximal end of the pin member.

The mounting means can be secured to any appropriate part of the vehicle structure which provides a firm anchorage.

For example, the mounting means can take the form of a generally upright plate carrying a pin engaging sleeve at its upper end and secured at its lower end to the floor pan, gear box housing or a chassis member. The plate can be secured in place by welding or other permanent means.

However, it is preferred to secure the plate in position by means of two or more security bolts so that in the event that the security device of the invention must be removed from the vehicle by an authorised person, the security bolts can be undone to release the device to allow use of the vehicle, for example if the owner loses the keys to unlock the locking means described below.

Such security bolts can be of any suitable form, for example nuts which have a rotating outer rim which is secured to a central screw threaded core by a frangible portion which breaks when the nut is tightened to a predetermined torsion. Where adequate seals are provided, the pin member may engage the shaft of the gear selector stick within the gearbox itself, in which case the mounting means is provided by the wall of the gearbox housing. For convenance, the invention will be described hereinafter in terms of a plate which is bolted externally to the wall of the gearbox housing by two or more security bolts of the above type.

The plate can be made from steel or other metal, notably a hardened tool steel to prevent ready cutting or breaking of the plate and carries the sleeve or other means for securing the pin to the plate at the desired position and orientation. Whilst the pin may be located at any suitable height relative to the pivot point of the shaft of the gear selector stick, we prefer to locate the pin below the console or outer housing to the gearbox within the cabin of the vehicle, for example so that the pin lies under the carpet and console fabric but adjacent the cut out profile of the gate of the gearbox normally present in motor vehicles. In this way, the pin is protected against tampering and is not readily visible, thus preserving the aesthetic appeal of the interior of the vehicle cabin. The pin can be located closely underlying the console or can be located lower within the space between the console and the housing of the gearbox.

However, the closer the pin is located to the gearbox housing, the greater the degree of movement of the gear selector stick which can be achieved when the pin is in its operative position. It will usually be preferred to mount the pin so that it is readily accessible to a user through a side wall of the console structure for insertion and removal of the pin from the mounting means.

As indicated above, the mounting means can be provided by a single plate member. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide two support plate members, one for the proximal end of the pin member, the other for the distal end of the pin. Alternatively, the mounting can be provided by a U shaped member supporting the pin member at each end thereof.

The device of the invention is provided with locking means for securing the pin in its operative position and thus preventing unauthorised removal of the pin from the mounting member. Such a locking means can take the form of a barrel lock mounted axially in the proximal end of the pin and which has one or more locking elements which engage with recesses or the like in the sleeve carried by the mounting means within which the proximal end of the pin engages. Alternatively, the pin can carry a spring loaded tooth or other projection which is splayed radially to engage a recess or shoulder in the bore of the sleeve and which is retraced radially by a cam lock mechanism to release the pin for axial removal from the sleeve. By suitable shaping of the radial projection, it can be made so that it is radially depressed as it contacts the rim of the bore in the sleeve to allow the pin member to be inserted into the sleeve single handedly, and which automatically extends radially when the projection comes into register with the recess or shoulder. The rim can be belled to assist radial depression of the lock mechanism as the pin member is inserted into the bore of the sleeve.

It will usually be preferred to form a flat on the pin member and a corresponding flat in the bore of the sleeve so that the pin is orientated correctly within the bore to achieve correct alignment of the pin in the bore and registration of the cam lock and its co-operating recess in the bore wall. It will also usually be preferred to locate a compression spring within the bore into which the pin member is inserted so that the pin is pushed home against the bias of the spring to engage the radial projection into its recess. The compressed spring provides a force to initiate ejection of the proximal end of the pin member from the bore in the mounting means so that the end of the pin member can be grasped by a user to complete removal of the pin member from the mounting means. This enables the proximal end of the pin member to be formed so that its seats wholly within the bore of the mounting means when in its operative position and does not leave a stub exposed to a thief.

In use, the gear selector stick is positioned at the desired point in its travel and the pin member inserted into the sleeve or bore in the mounting plate. The pin is then pushed home, preferably against the opposing bias of a spring, until the locking mechanism engages or the full inward travel of the pin is achieved. Typically, the proximal end of the pin has a knurled shoulder to assist gripping of the pin, but this locates within the bore of the mounting plate or sleeve when the pin member is fully home; and the distal end is tapered to assist insertion of the pin into the bore of the sleeve and passage of the tip of the pin past the shaft of the gear selector stick where the shaft is not in exactly the correct position.

The lock mechanism is then engaged, for example by a suitable key or the like. However, it is preferred that the lock be self-engaging so that the pin is automatically secured in its operative position by simple insertion of the pin into the mounting means and pushing it fully home.

As indicated above, the pin is preferably located below the top surface of the console housing the gearbox and is inserted through a hole cut in the side wall of the console - When in its operative position, the pin prevents movement of the gear selector stick away from the selected position to engage an alternative gear and thus immobilises the vehicle. When the user desires to use the vehicle, he releases the lock mechanism and removes the pin, which is preferably partially ejected by the action of the compression spring in the bore in the mounting plate or sleeve. This allows the gear selector stick to be used in the normal manner. However, since the pin member is located below the top surface of the console, it cannot readily be accessed by a thief either to cut the pin or to cut the shaft of the gear selector stick to disable the device and enable the stub of the shaft to be manoeuvred with a pair of pliers or the like.

The invention will be illustrated by way of example with respect to preferred forms thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan drawing of the device of the invention in position on a gearbox of a motor car; Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a an exploded device of the components of the device of Figure 1; and Figures 4 and 5 are part sectional views of alternative forms and mountings to the device shown in Figure 1.

The device of the invention comprises a steel plate mounting member 1 carrying a sleeve 2 at its upper end having a bore 3 into which a pin member 10 is a close sliding fit. The foot of plate 1 is secured to the bell housing 4 of the gearbox of the car by security bolts so that the sleeve 2 is located in line with the shaft of the gear selector stick 20. The sleeve 2 is located in the space between the top of the bell housing 4 and the internal console structure 5 which surrounds the gearbox within the cabin of the car. Console 5 is cut with a hole 6 in register with the sleeve 2 to permit insertion and withdrawal of the pin 10.

As shown in Figure 1, the pin 10 is located so that it lies abutting the rear face of shaft 20 when the gear selector stick is in one of the forward extremes of its travel through the gate of the gearbox. The pin 10 has a tapered distal tip 11 and a wider diameter shoulder 12 at its proximal end. The proximal end contains an axial locking mechanism 13 which engages a radially moveable shoulder or lug 14 extending from the pin 10. The shoulder 1 has its distal face sloped to assist radial depression of the shoulder 14 as the pin 10 is inserted into the bore of sleeve 2 and engages in a correspondingly shaped radial recess 15 in the wall of bore 3 (see Figure 4). If desired, the mouth of the bore can be belled or otherwise shaped to assist depression of the shoulder.

The lock mechanism 13 preferably engages the radially inward end of the shoulder or lug 14 so that it can retract the shoulder or lug when it is desired to withdraw pin 10 from sleeve 2. The pin 10 has one face flattened to correspond with a flatted face in bore 3 so as to orientate the pin correctly for lug 14 to engage in recess 15. As can be seen in Figure 4, a compression spring 16 is located at the distal end of bore 3 and bears against the distal end of the wider portion 12 of pin 10 as the pin is pushed home in bore 3.

When pin 10 is inserted fully into sleeve 2, its distal end lies against shaft 20 and prevents movement of the shaft away from the extreme of its travel to engage an alternative gear. Removal of pin 10 is prevented by the locking mechanism 13 and plate 1 cannot be removed due to the security bolts by which it is secured to the bell housing 4. Since the pin is located below the console structure 5, a thief cannot gain access to the pin to cut it off and disable the device.

In order to remove the pin 10 to allow use of the vehicle, the locking mechanism 13 is released, for example using a key, to retract shoulder 14 radially. This permits spring 16 to expand initially ejecting the knurled shoulder 17 (see Figure 4) at the proximal end of the pin from bore 3 to allow a user to grasp the knurled end and to withdraw the pin axially from sleeve 2 to release shaft 20 for movement in the normal manner. Pin 10 can be fully withdrawn or can be retained in a partially withdrawn position at which it does not obstruct movement of shaft 20, for example by means of a radially acting sprung loaded ball which engages a circumferential groove in the wall of pin 10 intermediate its proximal and distal ends.

As shown in Figures 4A - 4D, the sleeve 2 can be mounted partially or wholly projecting from plate 1 and to either side of the plane of the plate; and Figures 5A - 5G show alternative forms of mounting for the pin member. Figure 5A shows an assembly substantially the same as Figure 1 in which the gear stick 20 passes through the ball mounting 30 at the top of the gearbox housing 31 about which the stick pivots during normal use. The console housing 5 lies outwardly of the gearbox housing and the pin member 10 is located in the space between the housing 31 and the console 5. The upper face of the console carries a plate 33 having the gate pattern of the gearbox cut out therein to guide the movement of the stick 20.

A rubber, leather or other gaiter 32 prevents dust accessing the ball 30.

In the alternative shown form in Figure 5B, the pin 10 is supported by two mounting plates 1 and la, each supporting one end of the pin member.

Figure 5C shows a gear stick 20 carrying a side arm 40 clamped or otherwise secured to it. The pin 10 engages with this arm 40 rather than with the gear stick 20 itself. This provides the designer with greater flexibility in the orientation and location of the pin member 20. If desired arm 40 can have an aperture therethrough into which the pin 20 engages.

In the assembly shown in Figure 5D, the pin member is mounted on a side wall of the gearbox housing and engages the gear stick within the gearbox housing.

As an alternative to the mounting shown in Figure 5B shown in Figure 5E, the mounting member can take the form of an annular upstanding skirt, which may form part of the gearbox structure. The pin member passes through an aperture in the upstanding wall of the skirt. If desired, the pin member 10 can extend diametrically across the skirt so that its distal end is also supported by the wall of the skirt.

In some forms of gearbox, the gear selector level is mounted on a shaft extending from the gearbox and gear selection is achieved by causing the shaft to rotate. In this can, a secondary arm 50 can be clamped to the shaft so that it mirrors movement of the selector level 20. A horizontally orientated pin member 10 extends from a support mounting plate 1 and engages in a bore in arm 50 as shown in Figure 5F to secure arm 50 is a predetermined position, which may not necessarily correspond to the engagement of any specific gear in the gearbox.

In the variation shown in Figure 5G, the support member 60 can take the form of an inverted U or cup.

Claims

1. A locking device for a motor vehicle having a gear selector stick member, which device comprises a member adapted to retain the gear selector stick at a selected position of its travel whereby selection of gears in the gearbox of the vehicle is prevented and the vehicle thus rendered un-driveable, which device comprises: a. a pin member removably located adjacent to the shaft of the gear selector stick or a member operatively associated with the gear selector stick and adapted to prevent movement of the shaft away from said selected position of its travel; b. mounting means secured to a fixed portion of the structure of the vehicle and having means for reciving the pin member and for retaining the pin member adjacent to the shaft of the gear selector stick or the member operatively associated with the gear selector stick; and c. locking means securing the pin member in said mounting means in an operative position at which it is located adjacent to the shaft of the gear selector stick or the member operatively associated with the gear selector stick so as to obstruct movement of the gear selector stick away from said selected point in its travel, and adapted to release said pin member for movement with respect to said mounting means to an inoperative position at which it does not obstruct movement of the gear selector stick.

2. A locking device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the selected position of the gear selector stick travel is at one end of the selector stick travel.

3. A locking device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the pin member acts directly upon the gear selector stick to prevent movement of that stick away from the selected position.

4. A locking device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the shaft of the gear selector stick is provided with a lateral extension arm against which the pin member bears.

5. A locking device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the extension arm is an arm fixed to the shank of the gear selector stick so that it projects radially therefrom.

6. A locking device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the arm projects between 50 and 100 mm from the selector stick.

7. A locking device as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the arm has an aperture therethrough into which the pin locates in its operative position to ensure that the arm cannot move significantly with respect to the pin member.

8. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin member is a hardened steel generally cylindrical member which is located in the mounting member so that in its operative position it prevents the gear selector stick from being moved away from its selected position.

9. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin member is orientated so that it is transverse to the axis of the shaft of the gear selector stick.

10. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin member has one side flattened which serves to provide a thrust face against which the side of the gear selector stick bears when the pin is in position.

11. A locking device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the flattened face co-operates with a similar flatted surface in a bore in the mounting member in which the pin is located so as to ensure a specific orientation of the pin within that bore.

12. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are two pin members, to prevent movement of the stick in two opposite directions.

13. A locking device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the pin member has a forked or U shape so that the gear selector stick locates in the jaw between the two arms of the fork or U.

14. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gear selector stick is provided with a lug or the like extending radially from the shaft of the gear selector stick.

15. A locking device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the lug has an aperture therethrough to provide a loop or hook carried by the gear selector stick, into which the pin member locates to prevent significant movement of the gear selector stick away from the pin member, even when it is capable of movement in two opposite directions.

16. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means is a sleeve member into which the pin is journalled, which sleeve is supported by one or more arms attached to the body pan or a chassis member of the vehicle.

17. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin is secured to the mounting means by a sleeve, socket or bore in a portion of the mounting means into which the pin is journalled, and the pin is removable linearly from the sleeve, socket or bore to release the gear selector stick for movement.

18. A locking device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein the pin is pivotally mounted on the mounting means so that it pivots clear of the gear selector stick to release the stick for movement.

19. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein two or more mounting plates are provided to support the pin member at spaced apart points along its length.

20. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means is a generally upright plate carrying a pin engaging sleeve at its upper end and secured at its lower end to the floor pan, gear box housing or a chassis member.

21. A locking device as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the plate is secured in place by means of two or more security bolts.

22. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin member engages the shaft of the gear selector stick within the gearbox itself and the mounting means is provided by the wall of the gearbox housing.

23. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin is located below the console or outer housing to the gearbox within the cabin of the vehicle.

24. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pin is mounted so that it is readily accessible to a user through a side wall of the console structure for insertion and removal of the pin from the mounting means.

25. A locking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking means is a barrel lock mounted axially in an end of the pin with one or more locking elements which engage with recesses or the like in the sleeve within which the end of the pin engages.

26. A locking device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 24, wherein the pin is locked by a spring loaded tooth or other projection which is splayed radially to engage a recess or shoulder in the bore of the sleeve and which can be retracted radially by a cam lock mechanism to release the pin for axial removal from the sleeve.

27. A locking device as claimed in Claim 25 or Claim 26, wherein the pin is formed with a flat, and a corresponding flat is formed in the bore so that the pin is orientated correctly within the bore.

28. A locking device for a motor vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.