AU628755B2 - A motor vehicle alarm - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 t, tr Name of Applicant CHAO-YEAN CHANG Actual Inventor(s) JOHN CLEMENT ELMER Address for Service GRANT ADAMS COMPANY, Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 9, National Mutual Centre, 144 Edward Street, BRISBANE. QLD. 4000

AUSTRALIA.

Invention Title "A MOTOR VEHICLE ALARM" Details of Associated Provisional Applications Numbers The following statement is a full description of the invention including the best method of performing it known to me.

i 1 4.* I I ^I I Title: "A MOTOR VEHICLE ALARM" Field of the Invention THE INVENTION is in the field of a motor vehicle alarm, and more particularly, an alarm mounted on a steering wheel to detect the presence of a person.

State of the Art Antitheft devices for motor vehicles are well known in the art, the most common devices being electronic alarms and steering wheel locks. The 10 electrical alarm is installed in a vehicle and will siren when a person attempts to break into the car.

But, such installations may be easily sabotaged by a person skilled in the art who cut off appropriate wire l leads.

15 Steering wheel locks of prior art mostly have two hook ends, each of which engage with a portion of a steering wheel, and also have a portion extending outward beyond the periphery of the steering wheel so as.

to prevent complete rotation of the wheel. However, the 20 steering wheel lock can be overcome by physical force or manipulation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an improved antitheft device is provided, which is designed to possess the merits of, and to eliminate the defects of, the abovementioned devices.

It is an object of the present invention to h I 3 provide a motor vehicle alarm which device is of the type which is secured on a steering wheel and which can have an extending portion, the alarm providing the vehicle with both alarm and lock protection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a motor vehicle alarm to be mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle comprising: a hollow body which, in use, extends across the steering wheel and. receives opposite sides. of the steering wheel in recesses therein.; a locking mechanism whereby the steering wheel. is, in use, releasably locked in said recesses under control of a control means; a control means for activating the locking mechanism to releasably lock the steering wheel in said recesses; a o o 0 0 a detecting means activated by the control means to detect persons within the. vehicle when the motor vehicle alarm is locked to the steering wheel; and an audible alarm activated by the detecting means when persons are detected within the vehicle.

The present invention can provide a motor vehicle alarm which, when secured on a steering wheel, automatically activates, an infra-red ray detector to detect the presence of a person entering into the vehicle and td trigger a high pitched tone to form 4 double pressures to theft.

The present invention can additionally provide a motor vehicle alarm which incluces a control circuit having a delay circuit which has a lead time for the operator to leave the vehicle after locking the steering wheel before activating the detecting means or for the driver to key in a necessary signal when entering into the vehicle before activating the audible alarm.

The present invention can further provide an alarm device for antitheft purpose which includes a control circuit having a coded signal generator and a comparator that will release the locked condition when a correct signal is input and compared.

15 The present invention may also provide an alarm for antitheft purpose which has an enclosed housing to accommodate a power source, a control means, and a locking mechanism within the enclosed housing to 1 :protect the alarm from being disabled from outside.

The present invention may also provide a motor vehicle alarm which includes an adaptation so as to adjust the lock to fit steering wheels of different sizes to be a so called one size fits all. device.

The present invention will. become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 1.,

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present V invention; FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of FIG. 1 with the top and front sides skins peered off.

FIG. 3A is a bottom view of FIG. 1 showing the alarm in a locked condition; FIG. 3B id a bottom view of FIG. 1 showing the alarm in an open condition; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a cortrol circuit, according to the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention secured on a steering wheel.

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ft* DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a motor vehicle alarm having an arcuate contoured hollow body 11 to fit on a steering wheel having a bulge portion at center of the steering wheel. The alarm includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the body on to a steering wheel on which it is fitted, the body incorporating a detecting means for detecting a presence of a person within the vehicle, control means for activating and deactivating the detecting means and for actuating the locking mechanism, and an audible i 15 alarm that can be triggered in response to the presence of a person being detected by the detecting means when 0 0 0 "0 activated.

4* The body member 11 includes two openings 113 and 114 at appropriate bottom portions, two recesses 111 20 and 112 extending upward a portion from each of the Ct openings 113 and 114, a knob 12, at least one infrared rays detector 13 preferrably two detectors, and a key pad 10. The two openings 113 and 114 are dimentioned slightly larger than the diameter of the rim of the steering wheel to enable the rim to be insert therein and fit in the two recesses 111 and 112. The recess

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I_-IYIIYI~_CII ~_Xr-LC_ ~Y~~L,-CT^(~C)*WIIII IM 1J 112 has the same size as of the opening 114. The recess 111 has axially formed a larger space which, upon a portion of the steering wheel is inserted therein, may be moved to and fro to adjust the locking position according to the size of the steering wheel so that the other portion of the steering wheel may be inserted into the recess 112 regardless of the size of the wheel, which means that if a steering wheel has a smaller size, the portion of the steering wheel fitted within the recess 111 may be positioned closer to the center portion of the body 11ii. Otherwise, the locked portion of the steering wheel within the recess 111 may be positioned closer to the outer end of th body 11.

This design enables the present invention to be mounted on any steering wheel of different sizes. A U-shaped plate 15 having a recess 151 of the same size of the opening 111 is slidably mounted on the opening 111 in the body 11 being adapted to cover the exposed area of the recess 111 upon a steering wheel is inserted therein 20 through the opening 111 and fitted into the recesses 111 and 151 so as to protect the inside of the alarm from being broken. The body 11 has an outwardly extending portion beyond the periphery of the steering wheel so as to prevent complete rotation of the steering wheel.

Referring to FIG. 2. The knob 12 has a shaft 121

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S. S extending downward within the body 11 and horizontally connected to a guide plate 122 at its end. Each end of the plate 122 respectively are connected to one end of a lever 123 and of a lever 124. The other end of each of the levers 123 and 124 is connected to respective two locking plates 125 and 126. Each of the locking plates 125 and 126 is slidably inserted within the bottom portion of the body 11. Two sides of the plate 126 respectively are inserted into grooves Ila, and Illb which are formed at each side of one end of the opening 113 closing to the center portion of the body 11. Two sides of the plate 125 respectively are inserted into grooves 112a, and 112b which are formed at each side of one end the opening 114 closing the center portion of the body 11. The grooves Ila, lllb, 112a, and 112b are I: hereinafter referred to as slide ways. Each sides of the other end of the openings 113 and 114, opposing the slide ways Ilia, lllb, 112a, and 112b, are formed with stop grooves lllc, llld, 112c, and 112d respectively.

20 Said locking plates 125 and 126 are slidable along the slide ways Ilia, lllb, 112a, and 112b and will be stopped when two plates 125 and 126 reaching the stop grooves 0 lllc, llld, 112c, and 112d. The two locking plates 125 a a* and 126, at this moment, seal the openings 113 and 114.

A solenoid 14 is fixedly mounted to the underside of the top portion of the body 11 facing downward with a core 141 extending downward into an aperature 125a of the locking plate 125. The core 141 is in alignment with the aperature 125a when the plate 125 is stopped by the stop grooves 112c, and 112d. The solenoid 14 is functioned as a latch of a lock mechanism of the present invention to restrain a. free movement of the locking plate 125 when the core 141 is inserted into the aperature 125a and blocks the rotation of the knob 12, thus the alarm is securely locked on the steering wheel.

Referring to the FIG. 3A of the preferred embodiment. The knob 12 is turned clockwise to guide the two locking plates 125 and 126 to slide outward along the slide ways lila, lllb, and 112a, 112b. Upon reaching the end of the stop grooves lllc, llld, and 112c, 112d, the two plates 125 and 126 are stopped and the core 141 of the solenoid 14 snaps into the aperature 125a of the plate 125 thus, the alarm is securely locked on the steering wheel. A micro switch 17, being installed in one end of the stop groove such as lllc, is activated when the plate 125 reaches the end of the stop grooves lllc, and llld. Accordingly, the alarm of the present invention is activated.

To release the locked condition, as shown in FIG.

3B, simply input a correct signal to energize the solenoid 14 to retract the core 141 from the aperature 125a of the plate 125 and to rotate the knob 12 counterclockwise to guide the two locking plates 125 and 126 to slide inward toward the center position and to depart from the openings 113, and 114 and the locked condition is released.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control means of the present invention which includes a power source 16, a micro switch 17, a control circuit 18, a speaker 19, and two detectors 13. The power source 16 is preferably a rechargable battery charging through a vehicle battery typically by being connected to the power source via cigarette lighter of the vehicle. The control circuit 18 is oprable in response to a predetermined signal being received from the key pad for deactivating the detecting means may also provide 15 for energizing of the locking mechanism to permit its So displacement into a released position in which the body .t 11 can be removed from the steering wheel of a vehicle and is composed of a delay circuit 181, a signal amplifier 182, a signal generator 183, and a comparator S 20 184. The delay circuit 181 is a time delay circuit which

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permits the driver and the passengers within the vehicle to leave after locking the body 11 on the steering wheel of the vehicle before activating the -:detecting means. Upon the lead time elapsed, the detecting means is activated and the two detectors 13 begin to screen a predetermined range within the

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vehicle. Should the detectors 13 detect a presence of a person within the vehicle, a signal will be transmitted to the delay circuit 181. The delay circuit 181, upon receiving the signal, will permit the person a predetermined time to key in the necessary coded signal via the key pad 10 before the alarm is triggered. When a coded signal is keyed in via the key pad 10, the signal will be send to the comparator 184 to compare with a prestored signal. Should the two signals compared the same, a new signal will be generated by the comparator 184 to energize the core 141 of the solenoid switch 14 to retract from the aperature 125a and to deactivate the detectors 13 which in turn, deactivate the detecting means. On the contrary, should the keyed in signal is different from the prestored signal after comparison, the alarm will be triggered to siren in a high pitched frequency.

.Operation of the 'alarm means of the present invention is as follows: Upon the lock is placed on a 20 steering wheel (as shown in FIG. 5) and the two locking plates 125 and 126 respectively slide into and stopped by the stop grooves lllc, lld, 112c, and 112d, the micro switch 17 is activated. The delay circuit 181 will delay a certain period of time to permit the driver and the passengers to leave the vehicle before it triggers the detectors 13. When the lead time

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elapsed, the detecting means is triggered and the detectors 13 begin to screen within different regions of the vehicle. Should the detectors 13 detect a presence of a person, a signal will be transmitted through the detectors 13 to the delay circuit 181. The delay circuit 181, upon receiving such signal, wil delay a certain period of time for a necessary coded signal input before it triggers the alarm. Upon receiving a coded signal from the key pad 10, the comparator 184 will compare the received signal with a prestored signal. Should the two signals are compared the same, the comparator 184 will generate a signal to retract the core 141 of the solenoid 14 to from the aperature 125a. The generated signal also deactivates the detectors 13 which, in turn, deactivate the detecting means. The locking condition is, hence, released. Should the received signal is compared different from the prestored signal after comparison, the comparator 184 will bypass the received signal to ground. If the lead time elapsed and the comparator 184 did not receive a correct coded signal, the delay circuit 181 will send a signal through the signal amplifier 183 to trigger the speaker 19 to output a high pitched tone.

The comparator 184 may include a receiver to receive a signal from a remote controller to activate and deactivate the detecting means.

Claims (12)

1. A motor vehicle alarm to be mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle comprising: a hollow body which, in use, extends across the steering wheel and receives opposite sides. of the steering wheel in recesses therein; a locking mechanism whereby the steering wheel is, in use, releasably locked in said recesses under control of a control means; a control means for activating the locking mechanism to releasably lock the steering wheel in said recesses; a detecting means activated by the control means to detect persons within the vehicle when the motor vehicle alarm is locked to the steering wheel; and an audible alarm activated by the detecting means when persons are detected within, the vehicle.

2. A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: 20 the hollow body is elongate and arcuate with it arched, in use, over the hub of a steering wheel.

3. A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in either one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein: the hollow body is elongate and has a portion extended at one end past the steering wheel rim..

4. A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein: the locking mechanism includes, within the hollow body, a pair of reciprocal locking plates each 30 actionable to extend across its respective recess and hold the steering wheel rim captive therein, each able to be retracted to release the steering wheel.

A motor vehicle, alarm as claimed in Claim 4 wherein: the locking plates are connected by links to 14 a rotating plate which is rotated by actioning a knob mounted externally of the hollow body on a shaft projected off the rotating plate and passed through the hollow body to the knob.

6. A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in either one of Claims 4 and 5 wherein: the locking mechanism includes a solenoid. operative by the control means to engage one of the locking plates to lock it in its position whereat a steering wheel rim is held captive.

7. A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein: one recess of the hollow body is able to moved within the hollow body to accommodate steering 15 wheels of different diameters.

8. A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in Claim 7 wherein: Sr said recess is in a recess in a U-shaped plate means slidably mounted within the hollow body to move across the width of a larger recess within the Shollow body.

9. A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: the control means includes a time delay 25 circuit whereby the detecting means is not activated for a predetermined period after actioning the control means or the activation of the alarm is delayed on detection of a person within the vehicle.

A motor vehicle alarm as claimed in any preceding claim wherein: the control means includes an input keypad and a comparator whereby a deactivation sequence at the keypad can be compared with a stored release sequence, the control means deactivating the locking mechanism. when the two sequences are the same. i 7

11. A motor vehicles alarm as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10 wherein: the detecting means comprises infra-red sensors, each set to detect a person in a different part of the car.

12. A motor vehicle alarm substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this sixteenth day of June 1992. CHAO-YEAN CHANG, by his Patent Attorneys, GRANT ADAMS COMPANY. CL Ar I A i I ICCI II It A I i I Aic "~i I ;i ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A motor vehicle alarm may be locked on the steering wheel of a vehicle includes an arcuate shaped body, a locking mechanism, a control means, a detecting means, and an audible alarm. The detecting means has at least one detector to detects a presence of a person within the vehicle. The control means has a delay circuit to delay activation of the detecting means and of the audible alarm, a signal amplifier, a signal generator producing necessary coded signal, a comparator for recognition of a correct signal, for activation and deactivation of the detecting means, and for energizing the locking mechanism. The alarm may be secured on a steering wheel of a vehicle. The body has further an extending portion from one end beyond the periphery of the steering wheel to prevent a complete rotation of the steering wheel.