WO1996002407A1

WO1996002407A1 - Security devices

Info

Publication number: WO1996002407A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne Bradley Barker
Original assignee: Wayne Bradley Barker
Priority date: 1994-07-19
Filing date: 1995-07-19
Publication date: 1996-02-01
Also published as: GB9701127D0; TW314002U; GB2304664A; CA2195441A1; GB2304664B

Abstract

A security device (10) for securing one member to another member such as a vehicle steering wheel (40) to a gear lever (25), the device (10) having first and second jaw assemblies (11 and 28) interconnected through a universal joint (34), each jaw assembly (11 and 28) including jaws (14 and 20), and (30 and 31) which may be locked about each member to be secured.

Description

SECURITY DEVICES Technical Field

This invention relates to security devices which are particularly suitable for minimising the risk of theft of vehicles but which may also be used in other security applications, for example for minimising the risk of theft of boats, motorcycles of bicycles. Background Art

Many different devices are currently available for minimising or reducing the incidence of vehicle theft. A common device which is used comprises an extendable bar or rod-like member which may be mounted to the vehicle steering wheel and locked in position so as to prevent or limit rotation of the steering wheel. Whilst such devices provide a visible deterrent to thieves, in general they are not particularly effective in preventing theft as the bar can either be bent to allow rotation of the steering wheel or to allow detachment of the bar from a steering wheel.

Many other vehicle anti-theft devices are known, ranging from physical restraints to electronic systems and whilst some have proved effective, they do not address all options for preventing vehicle theft or theft of other goods such as boats, motorcycles of bicycles. Summary of the Invention The present invention aims to provide a security device which in one aspect is applicable to vehicles to lock one component relative to another component to prevent or limit movement of those components and thus operation of the vehicle. Thus the device of the invention may lock a vehicle gear lever which may comprise one component to a second component of the vehicle which for example may comprise the vehicle hand brake and which in another example may comprise the vehicle steering wheel. The device of the invention however, may also be used between a vehicle pedal such as a brake pedal, and vehicle steering wheel or gear lever. The device of the invention may also be used in other applications, for example to lock a wheel of a motor cycle or bicycle to its forks or lock a boat steering wheel to the throttle or gear change of a boat. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. Summary of the Invention The present invention thus provides a security device comprising a first arm, a first capturing assembly supported on said first arm for movement therealong, locking means for selectively locking said first capturing assembly to a first member to be secured, a second arm, joint means interconnecting said first and second arms and permitting movement between said arms in a plurality of directions, a second capturing assembly supported on said second arm for movement therealong and locking means for selectively locking said second capturing assembly to a second member whereby said first member may be secured to said second member.

Preferably both locking means when actuated lock the capturing assemblies to their respective supporting arms at a desired position along their arms. The capturing assemblies are preferably in the form of jaw assemblies. Preferably each jaw assembly comprises first and second pivotally interconnected jaws adapted to be opened for location about the first or second member and closed so as to be lockable to the first or second member. One of the jaws preferably carries locking means which may be actuated to lock the jaws in a closed position about the first or second member. The other of the jaws of each jaw assembly is also preferably telescopically mounted to its associated arm and includes an aperture for receiving a locking pin of the locking means. Preferably the other jaw includes a hollow portion to telescopically receive the arm and the arm includes a series of apertures which may be aligned with an aperture in the other jaw, such that when the locking means is actuated, the locking pin extends through the aperture in the other jaw and an aperture in the arm to lock the jaw assembly in a desired position along the arm. Alternatively, the arms are hollow or include a hollow portion to telescopically secure the other jaw of each jaw assembly

The locking means suitably is in the form of a key released push button lock which is mounted to the one jaw of each jaw assembly.

Preferably a collar is provided for location about, and connection to one or both members. The jaws suitably are recessed so that they may locate about the collar and be secured by the collar to the member or members.

The joint means suitably comprises a universal joint which preferably includes at least a pair of pivot axes which extend at right angles to each other. Such joint means permit pivotal movement of the arms and thus the jaw assemblies in at least two directions. The joint means however may also comprises a three-axis universal joint wherein the axes are disposed mutually at right angles to each other.

The respective members to be locked may comprise a vehicle steering wheel and a vehicle gear shaft lever. Alternatively one of the members may comprise a vehicle pedal.

In an application to motor cycles or bicycles one of the members may comprise a portion of a wheel fork and another member may comprise a wheel. For boat application, one of the members may comprise the boat steering wheel and the other member may comprise a throttle or gear shaft lever.

Brief Description of the Drawings In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein :- Fig. 1 illustrates a first form of security device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a securing collar on a gear lever shaft for engagement by the jaws of the device; Fig. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view along one of the jaw assemblies in the locked attitude;

Fig. 3 illustrates the manner in which the device of Fig. 1 may be used; Fig. 4 illustrates the application of the device of the invention to a vehicle having a column gear lever;

Fig. 5 illustrates the device of Fig. 4 in a folded inoperative attitude; and Fig. 6 illustrates a further configuration of the jaw assemblies and associated arms. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a security device 10 according to the present invention, including a first extendible jaw assembly 11 having an inner arm 12 telescopically received in an outer arm 13 which forms a jaw 14 at one end. The inner arm 12 is provided with a series of spaced apart apertures 15 and the outer arm 13 is provided with a single aperture 16 which may be aligned with one of the apertures 15 in use. In the embodiment illustrated the arms 12 and

13 are of rectangular cross-section and so as to be prevented from rotation relative to each other. The arms, however, may be of circular cross-section and include a means to prevent relative rotation about their axis, such as a pin on one member received in a longitudinally extending groove or slot in the other member.

The jaw 14 is defined by spaced apart flanges 17, each of which is provided with a half circular opening 18, the flanges 17 defining therebetween a part circular recess 19. A further jaw 20 is pivotally mounted at 21 to the jaw

14 and is of similar construction to the jaw 14. The jaw 20 includes an arm 22 of U-shaped cross-section having mounted at its free end a push button lock 23. When the arm 22 is closed over the arm 13, it covers through its U- shaped construction the upper and lower sides of the arm 13 to enhance security. The lock 23 is key actuated and includes a locking pin (not shown) which when the push button 24 of the lock 23 is pressed inwardly, is advanced. The arm 22 may be moved to a closed position shown in dotted outline in which the lock 23 and its associated locking pin is aligned with the opening 16 and may be actuated to cause the locking pin to extend through the opening 16 and into one of the openings 15 so that the jaws 14 and 20 are locked together and additionally locked in a desired position along the arm 12.

The jaws 14 and 20 are particularly suitable for location about a gear lever shaft 25 which in the case of manual vehicles may be provided with an annular collar 26 which may be secured to the shaft 25 by a set screw 27 as shown in Fig. 2. The jaws 14 and 20 may thus be pivoted open and placed about the gear lever shaft 25 with the flanges 17 located above and below the collar 26. When the jaws 14 and 20 are closed to the dotted outline position of Fig. 1, they capture the collar 26 and are thus secured to the gear lever 25.

The device 10 includes a further jaw assembly 28 of similar form to the jaw assembly 11 and including an arm 29 provided with apertures as in the arm 12, a jaw 30 telescopically receiving the arm 29 and a further jaw 31 pivotally connected to the jaw 30. The jaw 31 carries a push button lock 32 of the same form as the lock 23 and having a locking pin 33 which may be extended in the manner shown in Fig. 1 in dotted outline by actuation of the lock 32. The pin 33 when extended may pass into an aperture in the jaw 30 and one of the apertures in the arm 29 to lock the jaws 30 and 31 closed and at a set position along the arm 29. The jaws 30 and 31 are of the same form as the jaws 11 and 20.

The arms 12 and 29 are connected via a universal joint 34 comprising in this instance a pair of opposite rigidly interconnected links 35 pivotally connected at each end to intermediate members 36 via parallel pivot pins 37, the members 36 being pivotally connected via pivot pins 38 extending at right angles to the pivot pins 37 to the respective arms 11 and 29. In use, and where a vehicle is required to be secured against theft, the jaws 14 and 20, and 30 and 31 are opened and slid along the arms 12 and 29 as allowed by the telescopic relationship between the arms 12 and 29 and jaws 14 and 30. One pair of jaws 14 and 20 may be located about the gear lever 25 and closed about the collar 26. The lock 23 may then be actuated to extend its locking pin through the aperture 16 and an aligned aperture 15 in the arm 12 so as to lock the jaws 14 and 20 together and also lock the jaws 14 and 20 to the arm 12 (see Fig. 2A) .

The other pair of jaws 30 and 31 are also pivoted open and located about the rim 39 of a steering wheel 40 and closed together and locked by means of the lock 32. This will also lock the closed jaws 30 and 31 to the arm 29. In this position, neither the steering wheel 40 can be used nor the gear lever 25 properly operated.

The universal joint 34 permits pivotal movement of the jaw assembly 11 relative to the jaw assembly 28 in at least two planes so that the device 10 can be used in many situations and adjusted to suit various configurations of steering wheels and gear levers including column gear levers as shown in Fig. 4. In this arrangement, one of the jaw assemblies 28 is locked about the steering wheel 40 whilst the other jaw assembly 11 is locked to the column gear lever 41. Alternatively the jaw assembly 11 may be connected to a dash mounted brake lever.

For the purposes of releasing the device 10, the respective locks 23 and 32 are unlocked to withdraw the locking pins and the jaws 14 and 20 and 30 and 31 opened. The joint 34 then permits the arm assemblies 11 and 28 to be moved to a substantially juxtaposed parallel position as shown in Fig. 5, so that the device 10 can be easily stored, for example in a glove box. The jaw assemblies 11 and 28 may be reversed if desired by virtue of the joint 34 so that the locks face each other and are located on the inside.

In a further form, one jaw assembly 11 or 28 may be connected to the steering wheel 40 and the other jaw assembly 11 or 28 to a brake pedal or other pedal of the vehicle.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified form of jam assembly 28 in which in this instance the jaw 30 is received within the arm 29 which is hollow. As before the jaw 30 has a single aperture 41 adapted for alignment with one of the apertures 42 in the arm 29 to receive the locking pin 33 of the lock 32 therethrough to lock the jaw assembly 28 closed at a set position along the arm 29. This arrangement may also be used for the jaw assembly 11.

To protect the vehicle steering wheel when one of the jaws is secured thereto or to adapt the device 10 to different sized steering wheels, the jaws may be provided with a resilient bush, such as a rubber bush provided in halves, one half supported by each jaw to locate about the steering wheel.

It will be appreciated that the joint provided between the extendible jaw assemblies may be of many different configurations to provide the required degree of movement. For example, the joints may comprise one or more ball joints, or other form of a universal or flexible joint or joints. Preferably also, with joint of the type illustrated a flexible boot may be provided to enclose the joints to improve the appearance of the devices and to also minimise the risk of the joints catching or providing a dangerous protuberance.

The components of the devices are suitable formed of a steel and preferably a hardened steel to resist tampering, although other materials, such as hard plastics may be employed. The devices described employ one or more jaws which open and close in a scissor-like action, however, the jaws may be of other forms. For example, the jaws may comprise two members which locate about the gear lever, steering wheel, or brake pedal and which are secured together by means of a suitable lock. Alternatively, a single jaw may be provided with an extendible piece which may be moved or extended from the jaw to locate about the steering wheel, gear lever or pedal and be locked in that position. Flexible securing means may also be provided for the above purpose, for example in the form of cables or chains which may be locked about the member to be secured. The locks for the security devices of the invention suitably comprise push button key lockable locks although other forms of locks may be employed.

As stated above, the device 10 is particularly suitable for use in vehicle security applications but may be used in other applications for locking one member to another to prevent or movement or substantial movement therebetween.

Claims

1. A security device comprising a first arm, a first capturing assembly supported on said first arm for movement therealong, locking means for selectively locking said first capturing assembly to a first member to be secured, a second arm, joint means interconnecting said first and second arms and permitting movement between said arms in a plurality of directions, a second capturing assembly supported on said second arm for movement therealong and locking means for selectively locking said second capturing assembly to a second member whereby said first member may be secured to said second member.

2. A security device according to claim 1 wherein said locking means when actuated lock said capturing assemblies to their respective supporting arms at a desired position along said arms.

3. A security device according to claim 2 wherein said capturing assemblies comprise jaw assemblies.

4. A security device according to claim 3 wherein each said jaw assembly comprises first and second pivotally interconnected jaws adapted to be opened for location about said first or second member and closed so as to be lockable to said first or second member.

5. A security device according to claim 1 wherein one of said jaws of each said jaw assembly carries locking means which may be actuated to lock the jaw members in a closed position.

6. A security device according to claim 5 wherein the other of said jaws of each said jaw assembly is telescopically associated with its supporting arm.

7. A security device according to claim 6 wherein said other jaw includes an aperture for receiving a locking pin of said locking means for locking said jaws in a closed position.

8. A security device according to claim 7 wherein each said arm includes a series of apertures which may be aligned with said aperture in said other jaw whereby when said locking means is actuated, said locking pin extends through said aperture in said other jaw member and said aperture said arm member to lock the jaw assembly in a desired position along said arm.

9. A security device according to claim 8 wherein said locking means in the form of a key released push button lock.

10. A security device according to claim 1 wherein said joint means includes at least one pair of pivot axes which extend at right angles to each other.

11. A security device according to claim 10 wherein said joint comprises an intermediate connecting member, first at second links connected about spaced apart first pivot axes to said intermediate member, said first and second links being pivotally interconnected to said first and second arms about pivot axes extending at right angles to said first pivot axes.