EP1119474A1

EP1119474A1 - Security device

Info

Publication number: EP1119474A1
Application number: EP99947724A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Victor George Dix
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Dix Victor George
Priority date: 1998-10-08
Filing date: 1999-10-01
Publication date: 2001-08-01
Also published as: HK1040222A1; AU6109899A; GB9923319D0; GB2342331A; GB9821985D0; GB2342331B; WO2000021806A1

Abstract

A vehicle security device is described which when located in a vehicle prevents at least one pedal being operated. In one arrangement, the device comprises a securing device which is an elongate member which has a first end located in the foot pedal area of the vehicle and a second end which is passed through an aperture in the steering wheel.

Description

SECURITY DEVICE

The present invention relates to a security device. More particularly the invention relates to a security device which prevents the theft of vehicles. The security device of the present invention is particularly suitable for use with large vehicles such as commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, heavy plant, military vehicles and utility vehicles.

Unfortunately, the theft of vehicles is not uncommon. Vehicle theft is not limited to motor cars, it is becoming increasingly common for commercial and other large vehicles to be stolen. In such cases, the thief may want the vehicle itself, or may want to take the vehicle away in order to remove parts from the vehicle or the cargo stored within the vehicle.

In an attempt to prevent such thefts, detection systems have been provided which detect the attempt being made to steal the vehicle. These systems, when activated, usually emit an audible alarm to alert passer-by to the attempted theft and/or immobilise the vehicle to prevent its removal.

Although such devices go some way to addressing the problem of reducing thefts they do have certain disadvantages and drawbacks. One such drawback is that the general public have become so accustomed to such audible alarms that it is increasingly unusual for a passer-by to take any action. A second drawback is that the systems usually only operate once the thief has actually gained access to the interior of the vehicle and therefore damage to the vehicle has usually already occurred. Thus, whilst the detectors may prevent the actual theft, they do not prevent an attempt being made to steal the vehicle. Finally, such systems are often expensive and time consuming to install.

Physical immobilisation means have also been suggested in an attempt to reduce the number of thefts. Such physical immobilisation means are usually visible from outside the vehicle and thus act as a deterrent to the thief. Known physical immobilisation means include those which are attached to the steering wheel to restrict the ability of the driver to turn the wheel. This is because they extend tangentially from the wheel and as the wheel is turned generally contact a part of the vehicle such as the windscreen, thereby preventing the wheel being turned further.

Such devices are, however, less suitable for use with large vehicles where there is usually more space in the driver's compartment and therefore contact with, for example the windscreen is unlikely to occur.

Other immobilisation means are known which attempt to connect the hand brake to the gear stick. Whilst suitable devices have been suggested for use in small vehicles such as cars, the arrangement of the gear stick and handbrake does not lend itself to the use of devices of this type.

Other arrangements involve connecting the steering wheel to one pedal which again serves to restrict the rotation of the steering wheel and in addition may prevent the pedal from being depressed. However, devices of this type have the disadvantage in that thieves were able to remove them by distorting the rim of the steering wheel which usually has at least some flexibility and/or manipulating the shaft of the pedal.

With all of the known immobilisation devices, one particular problem is that when being used lawfully by the owner of the vehicle they are disengaged when the driver is seated in the vehicle and thus, a thief having gained entrance to the vehicle can sit within the vehicle while trying to free the immobilisation device and is therefore not conspicuous to passers-by.

There is now provided a security device which overcomes the aforementioned problems and provides a device which is simple to operate but which cannot readily be removed by a thief and which in a particularly preferred embodiment requires that the thief cannot sit in the driver's seat while trying to free the immobilisation device and is therefore more conspicuous to passers-by.

Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a vehicle security device which in use prevents at least one pedal being operated comprising: a securing device and a locking member which is releasibly connected to the securing device and which prevents the or each pedal being operated. In a particularly preferred arrangement the securing device comprises an elongate member which in use has a first end which is located in the foot pedal area of the vehicle and a second end which is passed through an aperture in the steering wheel.

The elongate member preferably has at least one pair of diametrically situated apertures located proximal to the first end; and a locking member a part of which passes through said at least one pair of apertures to lock the elongate member to at least one foot pedal of the vehicle.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, the elongate member has two pairs of diametrically situated apertures and the locking member includes a containing element having two conjoined limbs, each of which is received in a respective one of said pair of apertures. The containing element is preferably arranged such that in use one limb is positioned above and one limb below at least one foot pedal.

In an even more preferred arrangement, one limb of the locking member extends in use above and the other one limb extends in use below two foot pedals between which the elongate member is located. The foot pedals are usually the brake and clutch pedal. However, particularly in an automatic vehicle, the two foot pedals locked may be the brake and the accelerator.

In the preferred arrangement in which two pedals are locked, the security device according to the present invention operates to simultaneously immobilise two of the foot pedals of the vehicle as they are restrained by the limbs of the locking member. By this means, the pedals cannot be moved upwardly or downwardly.

Further, since the elongate member extends through the steering wheel, the security device of the present invention not only immobilises the pedals, it also immobilises the steering wheel by preventing rotation of the steering wheel as, if the wheel is turned, a spoke of the steering wheel at the sides of the aperture will abut the elongate member and since movement of the elongate member is prevented due to the first end being secured to the pedals, movement of the steering wheel is restricted.

In a further preferred arrangement, the elongate member is sized such that it extends into the area normally occupied by a driver when seated within the vehicle in the conventional driving position. By this means the potential thief is prevented from casually sitting within the vehicle whilst attempting to remove the security device. When the device of the present invention in its preferred embodiment is used, the thief must stand outside the vehicle and lean into the footwell to remove the security device during which operation he will be very conspicuous to passers-by.

In the preferred arrangement in which the containing member of the locking member includes two limbs, in order to remove the security device, the thief must cut through both the upper and lower limbs of the containing member to release the foot pedals.

Even if the elongate member is cut so that the second end can be removed such that the device no longer extends through the aperture in the steering wheel, the locking member will still contain the foot pedal or pedals, and as this is connected to the remaining portion of the elongate member i.e. the pedal end depression of the foot pedals is still restricted or in an embodiment in which the elongate member rests on the floor of the vehicle, depression of the foot pedals will be prevented.

A further advantage of the security device of this preferred embodiment of the present invention is that it is highly visible from outside the vehicle, and thereby acts as a deterrent to the opportunist thief.

In an alternative arrangement of the present invention the securing device comprises at least two wall members extending from the pedal box of the vehicle. Each wall member preferably have at least one apertures located towards the edge of the walls distal to the pedal box through which part of a locking member may pass to lock the walls to at least one foot pedal of the vehicle.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, each wall has a pair of apertures and the locking member includes a containing element having two conjoined limbs, each of which is received in a respective one of said pair of apertures. The containing element is preferably arranged such that in use one limb is positioned above and one limb below at least one foot pedal. The pairs of apertures in each wall are preferably located in corresponding positions so that they line up. In an even more preferred arrangement, one limb of the locking member extends in use above and the other one limb extends in use below two foot pedals around which the two walls are located. The foot pedals are usually the brake and clutch pedal. However, particularly in an automatic vehicle, the two foot pedals locked may be the brake and the accelerator.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a selection of cross sections of the elongate member;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a selection of profiles of the foot pedal end of the elongate member;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the security device of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a view from the foot pedal end of the device of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a selection of containing elements of the locking member;

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a selection of configurations for the free end or ends of the containing elements for being received into a lock;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a preferred arrangement of the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Fi Όgure 10 is a schematic diagram of a second further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of a third further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a fourth further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a fifth further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a sixth further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Fi Όgure 15 is a schematic diagram is a seventh further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment 7;

Figure 16 is a schematic diagram is an eighth further alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7; Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of a ninth alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of a tenth alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Fi^gure 19 is a schematic diagram of an eleventh alternative configuration for the preferred embodiment of Figure 7;

Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of alternate arrangements for the containing element;

Figure 21 is a side view of an alternative arrangement of the present invention;

Figure 22 is a view from above of the arrangement of Figure 21 ;

Figure 23 is a front view of the arrangement of Figure 21 ;

Figure 24 is a view from above of an alternate arrangement of Figure 21 ;

Figure 25 is a perspective view of a still further arrangement;

Figure 26 is a diagram of the view from above of the arrangement of Figure 25;

Figure 27 is a perspective, partly schematic view of a still further embodiment;

Figure 28 is a view from above of the arrangement in

Figure 27; Figure 29 is a perspective view of a still further arrangement;

Fi ^logure 30 is a view from above of the arrangement of

Figure 29;

Figure 31 is a side view of part of the elongate member of

Figure 29;

Figure 32 is a perspective view of a pedal cover for use with the elongate member of Figure 29;

Figure 33 is a schematic view from above of the elongate member of Figure 29 and the pedal cover of

Figure 32 in use;

Figure 34 is a schematic view of a still further arrangement;

Figure 35 is a perspective view of a pedal cover;

Figure 36 is a view from above of the pedal cover in

Figure 35;

Figure 37 is a view from above of an alternative pedal cover;

Figure 38 is a view from above of a further alternative pedal cover;

Figure 39 is a perspective, partially schematic, view of a still further alternative pedal cover;

Figure 40 is a view from above of the pedal cover of

Figure 39;

Figure 41 is a perspective, partially schematic, view of a still further alternative pedal cover; Figure 42 is a view from above of the pedal cover of

Figure 41 ;

Figure 43 is a perspective, partially schematic, view of a still further alternative pedal cover;

Figure 44 is a perspective view of the pedal cover of

Figure 41 in use;

Figure 45 is a perspective view of Figure 44;

Figure 46 is a perspective view of the arrangement of the present invention using a pedal cover;

Figure 47 is a perspective view of the arrangement of the present invention using an alternative pedal cover;

Figure 48 is a schematic diagram of a particularly preferred arrangement of the present innovation;

Figure 49 is a schematic diagram of the use of pedal box walls;

Figure 50 is a diagram of the use of a pedal box lock; and

Fi Όgure 51 is a schematic diagram from above of the lock of

Fi *ogure 50 in use.

Although the elongate member of the present invention may be solid, it is preferably tubular. The elongate member may be of any cross-section and a selection of suitable cross-sections are shown in Fi ^•toeu*- re 1.

For ease of manufacture, the elongate member is preferably of circular cross-section.

A tubular elongate member has considerable strength whilst being substantially lighter than the corresponding solid elongate member. The preferred tubular member is also difficult to cut since as the cut is started, the tubular nature of the member will tend to clamp any blade used to cut the member thereby impeding further cutting.

The elongate member may be made of any suitable material. Metals are particularly preferred. Particularly suitable metals include hardened steel which is inexpensive and strong and aluminium which is particularly light. Other metals and metallic alloys which may be suitable include vanadium, chrome, tungsten, titanium, stainless steel, high carbon steels, molybdenum, duraluminium, gun-metal, magnesium, tool steels, nickel, zinc, brass, lead and bronze.

The elongate member may however be made of other materials such as plastics. Suitable plastics include nylon and PTFE. These plastics materials may be reinforced to increase their strength and increase the difficulty with which these are cut. Suitable reinforcement materials include carbon fibres, glass fibres and synthetic fibers.

The elongate member may be formed from a single material or a combination of materials to give added strength or enhanced appearance. Thus the elongate member may be formed from steel and then coated with, for example, a plastics coating or it may be formed from a laminate material. Suitable laminates include steel/carbon laminates.

The overall length of the elongate member is preferably at least lm, more preferably between 120 and 140cm and most preferably 130cm.

The elongate member may be collapsible for easy storage. The collapse may be achieved by simply forming the elongate member from discrete pieces, each piece having a male end which is of a narrower diameter than the normal diameter of the elongate member and female end, such that in use the male end of one piece can interlock with the female end of another piece. In an alternative arrangement, the male end may be of the same diameter as the elongate member and the female end is larger to accept the male end. The male end of one piece of the member and the female end of another piece of the member may be joined by means of a spring which is under tension when the pieces are separated but is sufficiently flexible to allow them to be placed side by side for storage. In an alternative arrangement, the collapse may be achieved by the elongate member being foldable and may include a hinge, a flexible flange or other means to flexibly join parts of the elongate member together.

In a further alternative arrangement, the elongate member may be formed from a number of co-axial sections such that they can telescope together and then be extended when required.

The extendible elongate member may include means for locking the elongate member in its extended, i.e. non-collapsed configuration. Any suitable means may be included.

Howsoever formed, where the elongate member is extendable, it is preferred that, when contracted, the member has a length of between about 30 and 45cm for ease of storage.

The elongate member may be of the same cross-section throughout its length. However, the cross-section may vary along the length of the member. As discussed in detail below, the foot pedal end of the elongate member may be shaped to receive particular shaped locking members.

Advantageously, the elongate member has a bright colour to increase the visibility of the security device from outside the vehicle. This will act as a further deterrent to an opportunist thief.

Preferably the apertures in the elongate member through which the containing member, or the limbs thereof pass are provided at least about 10cm from the foot pedal end of the elongate member. This ensures that when the security device is in position in the vehicle, the foot pedals cannot be depressed sufficiently to allow the vehicle to be driven.

The apertures in the elongate member must be sized to allow the containing member to pass through them. In a preferred arrangement, they are sized to allow for easy positioning of the limbs of the containing member. That is to say they have a size which is greater than that of the external dimensions of the limbs. The apertures may be of any convenient shape but are conventionally the same configuration as the cross-sectional shape of the limbs of the containing member. For ease of manufacture the limbs may have a circular cross-section and the apertures may similarly be circular

The locking member of the present invention may be a single unit or it may be formed by more than one part. For example, it may be formed from a containing element and a separate lock. The containing element may be a U-shaped member.

In one arrangement the free ends of the limbs of the U-shaped member each include a hole through which the lock may be received. The locking member may be in the form of a shank which extends between the holes in the limbs of the U-shaped member and which is lockable in position so that it cannot be removed from the holes. In this way, there is a closed loop surrounding two foot pedals of the vehicle. In this case, the shank may be the hasp of a padlock. Alternatively, a separate shank may be passed through the holes and then locked in position by any suitable means.

In use, it is preferred that the locking member is positioned adjacent to the central housing of the vehicle making unauthorised access to this locking member inconvenient.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, in its simplest arrangement, the security device of the present invention 1 comprises a an elongate, preferably steel, tube 2 having a length of around 1.2m. Two pairs of diametrically located apertures 3 provided towards the foot pedal end 6 of the elongate member. The apertures 3 are arranged to receive the limbs 4 and 5 of a U-shaped steel member 7. The free ends of the limbs 4,5 each include a hole 8 arranged to receive one limb of the hasp of a padlock 9. Thus in this arrangement the locking member is formed of two elements, the U- shaped member and the padlock.

In use, the elongate member 2 is passed through an opening in the steering wheel of a vehicle, with one end extending into the space normally occupied by the driver seated in the driving position in the vehicle, the other end extending to the floor between two foot pedals, for example the brake and clutch pedals. In this position, the U-shaped member 7 is slid over one of the foot pedals, with one of the limbs 5 lying below the foot pedal, and the other limb 4 lying above the foot pedal. The U-shaped member 7 is slid through the holes 3 in the elongate member 2 so that the limbs extend above and below the adjacent foot pedal. The hasp 10 of the padlock 9 is then passed through the holes 8 in the ends of the limbs 4 and 5, and the padlock locked.

In this position, it is not possible for the steering wheel to be rotated as the spokes connecting the centre of the steering wheel to the rim of the steering wheel will be impeded by the elongate member 2 extending through the opening of the steering wheel. It is also not possible to depress either of the foot pedals as these are restrained by the limbs 4 and 5 of the U-shaped member 7 which are themselves restrained by the elongate member 2, the lower end of which abuts the floor.

For an authorised user to remove the security device, it is merely necessary to unlock the padlock 9, and slide the hasp 10 of the padlock 9 through the holes 8 in the limbs 4 and 5 of the U-shaped member 7, allowing the U-shaped member 7 to be removed from the holes 3 of the elongate member 2, such that the elongate member 2 may be removed from the opening of the steering wheel.

In contrast for a thief to remove the security device in order steal the vehicle, it would be necessary to make at least two cuts. Unless both of the limbs 4 and 5 of the U- shaped member 7 are cut, it is not possible to remove the member 7 to allow the foot pedals to be depressed. Further, even with two cuts made to the U-shaped member, it may still not be possible to remove the elongate member 2 from the opening in the steering wheel, and therefore the steering wheel may still be immobilised. Even if the elongate member 2 is cut to release this from the opening of the steering wheel to release the steering wheel, depression of the foot pedals will still be restrained by the U-shaped member surrounding the foot pedals.

Whilst reference has been made to a U-shaped member, it will be understood that any arrangement may be used in which there are two-limbs to pass through the apertures in the elongate member and to surround the or each pedal. A selection of arrangements are illustrated in Figure 5. However, it will be understood that the illustrated arrangements are not exhaustive. Indeed, the member having the limbs need not even be substantially U-shaped but for ease of reference, all suitable configurations will be referred to as being U-shaped. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the U-shaped member does not include holes at the ends of the limbs and a shackle is not used to lock the limbs in position. In this preferred arrangement, the limbs of the rod are received directly into the lock as illustrated in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7 the lock is formed as a block 1 1 having a key hole 12 to enable the lock to be released. Any suitable locking mechanism may be used within the lock.

In this arrangement, the free end of each limb of the rod can be considered as equivalent to the free end of a padlock which on locking is received into the body of the lock. In order for the limbs of the U-shaped member to interact with the lock and be properly held in place, they may be shaped. A selection of suitable shapes are illustrated in Figure 6. Again, the selection of configurations detailed in Figure 6 should not be considered to be exhaustive.

In order to reduce the number of discrete parts of the security device, the lock may be an integral part of the elongate member as illustrated in Figure 8. In the arrangement of Figure 8, the lock is located in the elongate member with the key hole positioned in a plane parallel to the plane of the U-shaped member. It will be understood that in this arrangement, the U-shaped member will generally enclose only one pedal, however, the member may be sized so that two pedals can be locked between the elongate member and the bend of the U-shaped member.

In the arrangement of Figure 9, the lock, rather than being located within the elongate member may be attached to one surface thereof. The lock may be fully embedded in one side of the elongate member 2 as illustrated in Figure 10 or may be partially embed as illustrated in Figure 1 1.

As illustrated in Figure 12, where the lock is embedded in the elongate member, two U-shaped members, 7a and 7b, may be used such that the security device of the present invention can secure two pedals located on opposing sides of the elongate member.

As has been discussed above, the containing member may be of any shape and in the arrangement if Figure 13 it is E-shaped in which the central limb passes through the aperture into the lock and the other two limbs pass though apertures into the elongate member 5 to prevent movement of the U-shaped member.

A further arrangement is illustrated in Figure 14. Here one limb of the U-shaped member in use passes though an aperture into the lock and the longer limb passes though an aperture alongside the body of the lock and is locked at a second point on the side of the lock within the body of the elongate element making it even more difficult to remove.

Although the U-shaped member is illustrated as being a separate element, in a further arrangement, the U-shaped member may be secured in the side channel but moveable therein such that the U-shaped member behaves as the shank of a conventional padlock. That is to say in use, the elongate member is placed in position and the U- shaped member is then turned to surround the shaft of the pedal before being snapped into the lock 1 1.

In an alternative arrangement of the present invention, the two limbs 4 and 5 of the containing element may be integral with the elongate member 2 and the lock 1 1 may be separate so that in use, the elongate member is placed in position and the lock is then pushed onto the limbs. Where the containing element as integral with the elongate member has only one limb 5' as in Figure 17, the lock member 1 1 may have an external configuration which is shaped to form the second arm 4' of the loop which encloses the pedal.

Alternatively, the pedal may be enclosed by an arm 13 extending from the wall of the elongate member 2 and a single shaft 14 extending through the elongate member 2 into the lock 1 1. This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 16

As illustrated in Figure 2 the elongate member may be of a range of configurations. As shown in Figure 2c, the foot pedal end of the elongate member may be forked. One use of the arrangement of this elongate member is illustrated in Figure 18. In this arrangement, the forked legs 15 and 16 of the elongate member 2a are placed around the stem of one foot pedal and then locked in place using the containing element, preferably the U-shaped member 7, and the lock 11. In a preferred arrangement, the U-shaped member will surround the shaft of a second foot pedal before passing though the elongate member.

As with the other arrangements various modifications of the arrangement of Figure 18 may be used. For example, as illustrated in Figure 19, the elongate member may have as an integral element thereof the arm 5 whilst the lock 1 1 carries the arm 4 so that in combination the arm 4 and the lock 1 1 with arm 5 form the containing element.

Figure 20 illustrates a selection of the arrangement in which containing elements may be located within the elongate member such that the limbs of the containing element extend through apertures on one side of the elongate member to interact with the locking member. It will be noted that in one arrangement the containing element comprises two discrete limbs which are connected only by the wall of the elongate member.

In an alternate embodiment, one or more pedals may be enclosed as a means of locking the elongate member 2 to the pedal. A particular advantage of this arrangement is that access to the pedal is minimised as is access to the limbs of the containing element thereby making it more difficult for the limbs to be cut.

As shown in Figures 21 to 23 the foot pedal end of the elongate member may be arcuate and have flanges 17 extending from each side of the arc. In use the elongate member is placed in position whereby one of the pedals is located within the cave 18 formed by the flanges and the arcuate member. The containing element, particularly a U-shaped member, may then be passed though the apertures 3 in the walls of the flanges to lock the pedal in position.

In an alternative arrangement, a pedal cover may be used to enclose the pedal. In the arrangement of Figures 25 and 26, a pedal cover 19 is connected to the side of the elongate member 2. Two pedal covers may be located each on opposing sides of the elongate member such that in use two pedals are enclosed. Alternatively, the arrangement of Figure 21 may be combined with that in Figure 25 such that one pedal is enclosed in the cave 18 and the other by the pedal cover 19. The pedal cover 19 may be attached to the elongate member by any suitable means. Suitable means, include nuts and bolts, rivets and welds.

A further alternative arrangement for enclosing a pedal is illustrated in Figures 27 and 28. Here a shroud 20 is attached to the foot pedal end of the elongate member by any suitable means, preferably welds. The shroud which serves to increase the cross- sectional area of the elongate member in the area of the foot pedal has an integral pedal cover 21 which in use surrounds the pedal and is then locked in place by any conventional means, including the U-shaped member and lock discussed in detail above.

In a still further embodiment, the foot pedal end of the elongate member may be pinched as illustrated in detail in Figures 29, 30 and 31. The pinched end may be formed by flattening the tube or may be a separate element connected to the main elongate member. The elongate member 2 of this configuration may be used in any of the arrangements discussed above but is particularly useful for use with an L- shaped pedal cover 21 which in use clamps around the pedal and in combination with a containing element, preferably a U-shaped member, and lock or any of the alternative arrangements detailed above is connected to the elongate member 2 via the apertures in the pedal cover 22 and the apertures 3 in the elongate member.

Where the elongate member is open at the foot end to accept a pedal, as in the arrangement of Figure 21, the elongate member may include an internal lock 24 which includes locking blades 25 and a cam lock peg 26. When the elongate member is placed around the pedal, the lock is activated so that elongate member cannot be removed from the pedal until the lock is deactivated. Any suitable locking mechanism may be used.

As discussed, a pedal cover may be used to secure the pedal to the elongate member. In one arrangement, the pedal cover may be substantially box like and a selection of suitable arrangements are illustrated in Figures 39 to 43 and Figures 44 and 45. Each arrangement includes apertures 27 to allow a locking means to be used to secure the pedal cover to the pedal and/or to the elongate member. The pedal cover may be sized to cover one or two pedals. In an alternative arrangement the pedal cover may be cylindrical as illustrated in Figures 35 to 38. Again any suitable configuration may be used. The cylindrical pedal cover may include limbs 28 and 29 for ease of operation and these limbs may include apertures 27 to allow a locking means to be used to secure the pedal cover to the pedal and/or to the elongate member. In an alternative arrangement illustrated in Figures 37 and 38 only one limb may be used. This may be formed as an integral element of the pedal cover as in Figure 37 or as a separate part and then secured to the pedal cover as in Figure 28.

The use of pedal covers in combination with the elongate member is illustrated in Figures 46 and 47. As illustrated, the containing element, preferably a U-shaped member 7 is passed through apertures in the pedal cover plate and the elongate member before being connected into the lock. 1 1.

The security device of the present invention may be fitted with a steering wheel clamp, lock or clamp and lock for additional security. Any suitable clamp and/or lock may be used. As illustrated in Figure 48 the steering wheel lock 28 may be of the same configuration as any of the locking means used at the pedal end of the elongate member as discussed above. Thus, the locking means may include a U-shaped member and a lock.

To further secure the elongate member and prevent movement of the security device, the elongate member may have a floor pin 29 extending from the base of the foot pedal end of the elongate member. The floor pin 29 may prevent movement by means of friction between the tip of the pin and the floor covering or there may be a hole, or socket located in the floor of the vehicle to accept the pin.

Where the pin is used, any cave 18 for accepting a pedal will generally have a floor in that the bottom of the elongate member 2 will be generally be solid to provide support for the pin. Alternatively, the pin may be attached to a wall of a tubular elongate member.

The security device may additionally or alternatively include a pedal lock comprising walls for the locking means which may be permanently attached to the pedal box of the vehicle and which extend either side of one or more pedals and a locking member which extends between the walls at least underneath the pedals such that when the locking member is in place, the pedals cannot be depressed.

This embodiment of the present invention is particularly illustrated in Figures 49 to 51. Pedal box adapters 31 are permanently attached to the pedal box 30 of the vehicle. These adapters may be of any suitable configuration but are generally walllike. When the security device is to be operated, a locking means is passed through apertures 32 in the adapters 31. The locking means may comprise a simple linear rod which is locked in position beneath the pedals or may be a containing element such as the U-shaped member described above. In this arrangement one arm of the U-shaped member will extend above the or each pedal and the other arm will extend below the or each pedal. The locking means may be any of the arrangements discussed above in connection with the elongate member.

The pedal lock may be used alone or in combination with the elongate member lock of the above first preferred embodiment.

The containing element, U-shaped member and the shackles, pins locks, pedal covers, floor pins and shrouds and other elements, may be formed from any suitable material in particular those detailed above in connection with the manufacture of the elongate member may be used. However, they are preferably formed of high strength material, such as steel, and may be strengthened to help prevent unauthorised removal.

Each part of the security device may be painted or coated as required. Fluorescent coatings are particularly advantageous from a deterrent point of view. The items may be coated with abrasive materials to make it more difficult to get purchase on the surface for sawing.

The shackles, rods may be of any cross-sectional configuration. The cross-sectional configuration may vary along the length of the item. The rods, shackles etc may be solid or hollow. Hollow rods can be reinforced with cables, such as steel cables. In one arrangement a flexible locking means such as a steel rope or cable may be used.

The cover plates described above may be adjustable, such that once they are located around one or more pedal they can be adjusted to fit the pedal(s) closely. The locks used in the present invention may be of any suitable configuration. Whilst many of the figures illustrate the lock 1 1 as being rectangular, it will be understood that any shape may be used. The lock will generally be sized such that it is a deterrent but may be readily operated by the driver of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle security device which in use prevents at least one pedal being operated comprising: a securing device and a locking member which is releasibly connected to the securing device and which prevents the or each pedal being operated.

2. The security device of Claim 1 in which the securing device comprises an elongate member which in use has a first end which is located in the foot pedal area of the vehicle and a second end which is passed through an aperture in the steering wheel.

3. The security device of Claim 2 wherein the elongate member has at least one pair of diametrically situated apertures located proximal to the first end and the locking member is configured such that a part of it passes through said at least one pair of apertures to lock the elongate member to at least one foot pedal of the vehicle.

4. The security device of Claim 3 wherein the elongate member has two pairs of diametrically situated apertures and the locking member includes a containing element having two conjoined limbs, each of which is received in a respective one of said pair of apertures.

5. The security device according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the elongate member is sized such that it extends into the area normally occupied by a driver when seated within the vehicle in the conventional driving position.

6. The security device according to any one of Claims 2 to 5 wherein the elongate member is configured to surround a portion of the pedal.

7. The security device according to any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein the elongate member is connected to a pedal cover which surrounds a portion of the pedal.

8. The security device of Claim 1 in which the securing device comprises at least two wall members extending from the pedal box of the vehicle.

9. The security device according to Claim 7 wherein the wall members have apertures located towards the edge of the walls distal to the pedal box through which part of a locking member may pass to lock the walls to at least one foot pedal of the vehicle.

10. The security device of Claim 9 wherein the walls have two pairs of apertures and the locking member includes a containing element having two conjoined limbs, each of which is received in a respective one of said pair of apertures.

1 1. The security device according to Claim 4 or 10 wherein the containing element is arranged such that in use one limb is positioned above and one limb below at least one foot pedal.

12. The security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 1 1 wherein the locking member is a single unit

13. The security device according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 wherein the locking member is formed by more than one part.

14. The security device according to Claim 13 wherein the locking member is formed from a containing element and a separate lock.

15. The security device according to Claim 14 wherein the containing element is a U-shaped member.

16. The security device according to Claim 15 wherein the free ends of limbs of the U-shaped member each include a hole through which the lock may be received.

18. The security device according to Claim 15 wherein the free ends of limbs of the U-shaped member are each shaped to interact with the lock.

17. The security device according to any one of Claims 14 to 16 wherein one of the containing element and the lock is integral with the securing device.