GB2568714A

GB2568714A - A vehicle lock assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2568714A
Application number: GB1719508.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Connolly Ronald
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-11-24
Filing date: 2017-11-24
Publication date: 2019-05-29
Also published as: GB201719508D0

Abstract

An assembly for preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle pedal has an elongate member 12 with a first end 16 mountable (via base plate 22) on a vehicle floor, the elongate member moveable between a position in which it is not in contact with the pedal and a second position in which a second end 14 of the elongate member receives the pedal in a cradle 18, and a push lock 20 preventing movement of the elongate member from the second position. When unlocked the elongate member 12 is rotated to be parallel or adjacent to the plane of the floor. The assembly can be stainless steel, and base plate 22 welded to the floor.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lock assembly to prevent unauthorised use of a vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to a vehicle lock assembly preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle pedal.

Background

Vehicle owners are at risk from vehicle theft. There are a number of anti-theft devices on the market which help to prevent unauthorised operation of the vehicle such as for example steering wheel and hand brake locks. These devices are however rather cumbersome and must be stored away when not in use.

There is therefore a need for a more compact device which can be used to prevent unauthorised use of a vehicle without requiring dismounting and storage when not in use.

Prior Art

GB 2496699 (MELVILLE) discloses a locking device for preventing actuation of a foot pedal of a motor vehicle including: a connecting means adapted to connect the locking device to the stem of a foot pedal; a locking means adapted to lock the connecting means to the stem of the foot pedal; and a radially extending arm adapted in use to abut against the structure forming the foot well of the motor vehicle when the connecting means is connected to the stem of the foot pedal, to prevent actuation of the foot pedal;

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle lock assembly for preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle pedal, the assembly comprising:

an elongate member having a first end mountable on a floor of a vehicle and a second opposed end providing a cradle configured to receive a portion of a vehicle pedal, in which the elongate member is moveable between a first released position in which the second opposed end of the elongate member is not in contact with a vehicle pedal, and a second locked position in which the cradle of the second opposed end receives a portion of the vehicle pedal and prevents operation of the pedal; and a locking member operable to prevent unauthorised movement of the elongate member between the second locked position and the first released position.

The first end is preferably rotatably mountable on the floor of the vehicle.

The assembly is able to be stored substantially parallel to and adjacent the floor of the vehicle and out of the way of the feet of the user during use. The assembly is mounted as an integral unit to the vehicle and therefore does not require separation from the vehicle and separate storage when not in use. The assembly is therefore quicker to place in position when locked and to remove when unlocked than conventional devices

The first end may comprise a base plate for attachment to a floor of the vehicle and further comprise an attachment portion configured to provide at least a first degree of rotation of the first end relative to the floor of the vehicle.

The first end is preferably rotatably mounted so as to be rotatable within a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of operation of the pedal.

The first end is preferably rotatably mounted so as to be rotatable within a plane extending substantially parallel to the floor of the vehicle.

The locking member is preferably a push lock member.

The vehicle lock assembly may further comprise a key configured for operation of the locking member.

The elongate member may be composed of any rigid material capable of withstanding a force being applied to the vehicle pedal. Preferably, the elongate member is composed of stainless steel.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for mounting an assembly as herein described to a floor of a vehicle, comprising:

attaching the first end of the elongate member to a floor of a vehicle adjacent to a vehicle pedal.

The first end of the elongate member is preferably attached to the floor by welding.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view of one embodiment of the vehicle locking assembly ofthe present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the vehicle locking assembly of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 shows a further schematic illustration of an exploded view of the vehicle locking assembly of Figure 1

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the vehicle lock assembly 10 comprises an elongate member 12 having a first end 14 mountable on a floor of a vehicle and a second opposed end 16 providing a cradle 18 configured to receive a portion of a vehicle pedal.

The elongate member 12 is moveable between a first released position in which the second opposed end 16 of the elongate member 12 is not in contact with a vehicle pedal, and a second locked position in which the cradle 18 of the second opposed end 16 receives a portion of the vehicle pedal and prevents operation of the pedal.

The cradle may have any suitable shape and/or dimensions. In the illustrated embodiment, the cradle is substantially U-shaped. It is however to be understood that the cradle may have any suitable shape for receiving and/or engaging and/or retaining a portion of the adjacent pedal. The cradle may be shaped and dimensioned to receive and/or engage and/or retain an arm of a foot pedal of a vehicle. It is however to be understood that the cradle may be shaped and dimensioned to receive any suitable portion of the foot pedal.

The assembly 10 further comprises a locking member 20 operable to prevent unauthorised movement of the elongate member 12 between the second locked position and the first released position.

The locking member 20 may be any suitable locking member such as for example a push lock member.

In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a base plate 22 configured to be mounted on a floor of a vehicle adjacent a foot pedal. The first end 14 of the elongate member 12 is rotatably mounted on the base plate 22.

The first end 14 of the elongate member 12 is rotatable within a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of operation of the pedal. The first end is rotatably mounted so as to be rotatable within a plane extending substantially parallel to the floor of the vehicle.

In use, the base plate 22 is spot welded to the floor of a vehicle. When unlocked, the elongate member is rotated so as to extend substantially parallel to a plane defined by an adjacent portion of the floor of the vehicle. In this way, the assembly is positioned so as to not interfere with the feet of a user when operating the vehicle.

In use the second end of the elongate member is rotated such that the elongate member extends at an angle to the base plate and/or adjacent portion of the floor of the vehicle. The cradle is aligned with and receives a portion of the foot pedal. The locking member 20 is operated to ensure that the elongate member 12 is retained in this position and cannot be moved or rotated until the locking member 20 is disengaged or released. As such, the assembly 10 is retained in position and prevents any depression of the foot pedal until the assembly is released to the first position. The assembly therefore prevents any unauthorised operation of the foot pedal.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other 5 embodiments.

Claims

1. A vehicle lock assembly for preventing unauthorised use of a vehicle pedal, the assembly comprising:

2. A vehicle lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the first end is rotatably mountable on the floor of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle lock assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which the first end is rotatably mounted so as to be rotatable within a plane extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of operation of the pedal.

4. A vehicle lock assembly as claimed in either of claims 2 or 3, in which the first end is rotatably mounted so as to be rotatable within a plane extending substantially parallel to the floor of the vehicle.

5. A vehicle lock assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking member is a push lock member.

6. A vehicle lock assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a key configured for operation of the locking member.

7. A vehicle lock assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate member is composed of stainless steel.

8. A method for mounting an assembly as claimed in any preceding claim to a floor of a vehicle, comprising:

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, in which the first end of the elongate member is attached to the floor by welding.