GB2318333A

GB2318333A - Anti-theft vehicle safe box

Info

Publication number: GB2318333A
Application number: GB9620852A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan James Shone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-10-07
Filing date: 1996-10-07
Publication date: 1998-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-07
Also published as: GB9620852D0; GB2318333B

Abstract

An Anti-Theft vehicle safe box 10 which is large enough to house a number of boxed power tools, briefcases, test equipment cases 12 etc. which is securely fastened to the vehicle; loading area 11. Access is gained into the device by entering the correct numerical code via the onboard tamperproof digital keypad 13 which will release the door mechanism 15 and disarm the devices own security system 14. After loading or unloading valuables 12 the door 16 is automatically closed by the door closing mechanism 18 and will remain locked because the locking latch 19 is now held in position by the closed electric latch 15 and the devices own security system 14 is now armed.

Description

ANTI-THEFT VEHICLE SAFE BOX This invention relates to the prevention of theft of valuables from vehicles.

There are many devices that already exist to prevent the vehicle from being stolen e.g. alarms, immobilisers, wheel clamps, steering locks etc., but very few deal primarily with preventing valuables e.g. power tools, socket sets, spanner sets, brief cases containing expensive samples, testing equipment, and even medical personnel who carry medicines and drugs, from being stolen.

To overcome this problem, a strong and durable, but lightweight safe box, comprising a box shaped body with a door that opens when a numerical code is entered via the keypad attached to the strong box, which is itself attached securely to the frame of the inside of the vehicle's loading space; This relates to any vehicle that is used for commercial or domestic use.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG l. shows a front view of the device when it is installed for example in the loading area of a van.

FIG 2. shows another front view of the device with the door of the device open.

FIG 3. shows a cross section of the device.

Referring to the drawings, the device 10 is securely fastened to the frame of a vehicle's loading area 11 as shown in FIG 1, where valuables 12 are kept inside the device 10 as shown in FIG 2.

To gain access inside the device 10 a numerical code must be entered via the onboard electronic digital keypad 13. Once the correct code has been entered this will immobilise the device's own siren 14 and will cause the electric latch release 15 to open. The door 16 ofthe device can now be opened by pulling on the lock handle 17.

Valuables can now either be loaded or unloaded. Once finished the door 16 is automatically dosed by the door's closing mechanism 18. The door 16 will remain locked because the locking latch 19 is now held in position by the closed electric latch 15 and the device's siren 14 is no longer immobilised.

If unauthorised entry is gained to the device 10 by forcing the door 16 the device's micro switch 20 will activate the siren 14 which is mounted inside the device.

Smaller items 21 e.g. drill bits may be stored securely inside the accessory compartment 22.

The device 10 is permanently powered via the vehicles own 1 2v power supply, where all wiring must be out of sight and protected as far as possible.

If the vehicle's battery has failed, then because the locking latch 19 is of standard construction, the locking latch key 23 can be inserted into the locking latch 19 to open the door 16.

The digital keypad 13 has a robust housing which will activate the siren 14 if it is tampered with. The door 16 is hinged via hinges 24 so that it may be opened.

The invention has the following effects: Valuables are stored safely and securely and kept out of sight.

By using a digital keypad to open the door it removes the need for keys which are easily mislaid.

When the device for example is installed in a commercial vehicle it means that any of the contractor's employees can gain access to the device without having to fmd the driver to locate the keys. Even if the door/doors to the vehicle are left unlocked, as the device has an automatic closing mechanism, the door to the device remains locked and alanned.

Most vehicles today appear to be fined with immobilisers as standard, not alarms, and so the theft of a vehicle is less likely but, the theft of valuables from a vehicle is more likely.

It acts as a deterrent because the opportunist thief needs more time to gain access to both the vehicle and the device without the knowledge of any valuables being present.

Claims

1. Aii Anti-W'iieft vehicle safe box comprising a strong and durable but, lightweight boxed shaped body, securely fastend to the vehicle's loading area but, large enough to house a number of boxed power tools, briefcases or test equipment cases etc. or other valuables

2. An Anti-Theft vehicle safe box as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the hinged access door will only open when the correct numerical code is entered via the onboard digital keypad which is attached to the vehicle sate box and will subsequently operate fli door release mechanism.

3. An Anti-Theft vehicle s3fe box as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the safe box's own alarm system is disabled only when the correct numerical code is entered -ia the onboard digital keypad.

4. An Anti-Theft vehicle safe box as claimed in any preceding claims which is permanently powered by the vehicles' own power supply and therefore could be linked to that vehicles' own alarm system.

5. An Anti-Theft vehicle safe box as claimed in Claim 4 wherein after access is gained and valuables are loaded or unloaded the devices' door closing mediaiiisni will operate closing and locking the access door and arming the devices' security system

6. An Anti- 'heft vehicle sate box as claimed in Claim 5 wherein an accessory compartment is installed to house smaller valuable items.

7 An Anti-Theft vehicle safe box as claimed in any preceding claim which is tamper proof and will operate the devices' own siren and if desired the vehicles' sounding device if tampered with.

8. An Anti-fhefi vehicle safe box as claimed in Claim 7 which incorporates standard locking mechanism which would enable a key to be used to open the device on faillure of the vehicles' power supply.

9. An Anti-iefi vehicle safe box substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.