FR2594999A2 - Sheathed anti-theft electric cable usable on a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Sheathed anti-theft conductor cable comprising a spirally wound conductive core able to slide inside the sheath according to the main patent. According to the addition, the core 1 is integral with an insulating elastic centre 21. Application: prevention of theft of vehicles.

Description

SLEEVE THEFT ELECTRICAL CABLE FOR USE ON VEHICLE
AUTOMOTIVE.

There has been described in main patent No. 85 18170 a sheathed electric anti-theft cable usable on a motor vehicle.

This cable comprises a conductive inner core constituted by a tensioned spiral and an insulating outer sheath.

This cable is mounted while the core is under tension and ensures the transmission of current as long as this tension is maintained. The rupture of the core causes the retraction of the latter inside the sheath and the interruption of current flow. Thus, it is no longer possible to make a connection bypassing the normal supply circuit in order to carry out a fraudulent start-up of the vehicle by connecting to one end of the core.

In the main patent, tension is ensured by using the mechanical characteristics of the wire constituting the core. However, during a high tension, it may happen that the thread relaxes after a certain time and loses the elastic properties which were its originally.

Under these conditions, contact can remain assured but the anti-theft action can decrease until disappearing, the spiral not retracting in a sufficient manner.

In the case where the tension of the core is itself used to ensure an electrical contact, the weakening of the ends of the core can present a danger insofar as the driver can be deprived of power from the motor in a moment difficult and, for example in a bend.

The purpose of this addition is an improvement to the main patent.

According to the present addition, the conductive cable according to resendicrtion 1 dlq patent principle 'sheathed with metallic core wound in a spiral inside the sheath, the soul can be freely sliding inside the sheath, is characterized in that the core is integral with an insulating elastic core.

The core can either be wound on the outside of the elastic core, or molded inside of it.

Thus, the functions of electricity conduction and voltage are dissociated. It is therefore possible to use conventional conductive wires such as copper conductors which do not have particular elastic properties. However, cutting the core wire always results in a loss of mechanical tension.

According to another characteristic of the addition, the ends of the cable are each joined to a housing provided with a lock.

Under these conditions, the retraction can be limited since the disappearance of the mechanical tension eliminates the elastic connection on the side of the uncut cable by a movement inside the connection box located on the side opposite the cut.

Thus, even if by cutting the sheath, the thief can have access to the cable, it is no longer connected to the source of elastic tension so that access to the conductive core is of no interest. The withdrawal of the conductive core can, under these conditions, be limited to a few millimeters.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present addition will appear during the description which follows of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the drawings which represent - La figure.l, un first embodiment of the cable, - Fig 2, a second embodiment, - Figure 3, a schematic view of a housing. of
connection during normal operation - Figure 4, a view of the same device after sectioning
of the cable, at the opposite end.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the conducting wire 1 is wound in a spiral on a core 21 having a permanent longitudinal elasticity such as neoprene for example. At the two ends of the core 21, the wire 1 penetrates inside the core so as to emerge radially therefrom and to be welded, or more generally electrically connected, to a pin 4. As in the main patent, the assembly is laid taut.

Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 2, the turns of the core 1 can be embedded inside the elastic core, for example made of neoprene.

Preferably, the core 21 is made of neoprene with a shore hardness of between 100 and 140, at a tension of approximately 700 g, the extension is 5 to 6%. In this second embodiment, the stripping of the wire is practically impossible.

On the other hand, the relative hardness of the neoprene results in a lesser retraction of the core in the event of the conductor being cut. Also, preferably, the cable is connected between two specialized boxes in which contact can be exerted only in the event of tension on the conductor, whatever the contour which the latter is led to follow in the vehicle.

Figures 3 to 4 show one of the housings, respectively in the working or contact position and in the released position. There are elements already described in the main patent, namely a terminal 4 having a cap, an insulating part 9 pierced with a central orifice having a conductive peripheral zone 10. A return spring is interposed between the part 9 and the part conductive 4. Of course, the ezefficlei. O pressibility of the spring is less than that of the spring formed by the core 1 - core 21 assembly.

In FIG. 3, the upper parts 12 of the U are applied against the conductive areas 10 of the part 9 under the influence of the traction exerted by the core 1. A retractable stop 13 is arranged below the part 4, the stop 13 being armed by a spring 15 included in a housing 14 secured to the wall 17 of the box. When mounting the cable, the stopper retracts inside the housing 14 and compresses the spring 15. The reference 16 indicates a fixed wall of the vehicle.

When an attempt at fraud is made on the cable, there occurs, as indicated above, a withdrawal of the part 12 from the side of the uncut wire. This withdrawal of the part 12 leads to the interruption of the electrical supply of the cable 1. But during this withdrawal movement, the contact between the lower part of the part 4 and the stop 13 is interrupted.

It follows that it protrudes from the housing 14 and prohibits any further movement to the right of the figure, that is to say that the stop 13 opposes the restoration of contact. This is then permanently interrupted and a pull on the cable intended to break the stop 13 results in a rupture of the core 1. Thus, even a small displacement of the core 1 results in the permanent loss of possibility of re-establishing the supply circuit.

Of course, any other known non-return device can be implemented. The vehicle is thus immobilized and its return to serviceability must be carried out by a technician who re-establishes the necessary connections. Such a cable can be mounted not only between the battery and the ignition key, but also in any other sensitive place of the vehicle.

It goes without saying that many variants can be introduced in particular by substitution of technical means, equivalent without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. Sheathed anti-theft conductor cable with metallic core wound in  spiral inside the insulating sheath according to the  claim 1 of the main patent, the core being  slide freely inside the sheath, characterized  in that the core (1) is integral with an elastic core  insulator (21). 2. Cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the core  (1) is wound outside the elastic core (21). 3. Cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the core  (1) is wound in a spiral inside a core  elastic (21). 4. Cable according to any one of claims  previous, characterized in that it is connected to its two  ends with two boltiers having a stop (13)  retractable lock.