GB2024128A

GB2024128A - Vehicle anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2024128A
Application number: GB7828547A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-07-01
Filing date: 1978-07-01
Publication date: 1980-01-09
Also published as: GB2024128B

Abstract

Used in vehicles in which the hand-brake lever lies in alignment with and rearwardly of the gear lever the device comprises a rigid link (2,14) providing a first socket (4) to receive the brake lever top end with the latter in the "on" position and a second socket (14) to receive gear lever top end when the latter is positioned so that it cannot be substantially moved forwardly, the second socket comprising relatively displaceable parts (28,30) to provide radial access to the socket for the gear lever top end; the parts providing means (34,36) by which they can be locked together to bar the radial access, and the sockets being dimensioned so that when the two sockets are fitted on the respective lever ends, the socket receiving the gear lever top end cannot be lifted thereoff. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle anti-theft device The present invention relates to a vehicle anti-theft device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple mechanical device to assist in securing a vehicle against theft.

The device of the invention is intended for use with vehicles in which the gear stick and the hand-brake lever lie in alignment or substantially so in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with the hand-brake lever being located rearwardly of the gear lever and it comprises a rigid link to extend between the gear lever and the hand-brake lever; the link comprising a first socket to receive axially therein the top end of the hand-brake lever with the hand-brake in the "on" position, and a second socket axially to receive the top end of the gear lever with the gear lever positioned in a position in which it cannot be substantially moved in the forward direction of the vehicle; at least one of the sockets comprising relatively displaceable parts to provide access to the socket in the radial direction thereof, the relatively displaceable parts providing means by which they can be locked together to bar the radial access and the sockets being dimensioned so that when the two sockets are fitted on the respective levers, the socket in which the top end of the gear lever is received cannot be lifted thereoff.

In use of the device, the relatively displaceable parts of a socket are displaced to open the radial access, the other socket is fitted on to the top end of the handbrake lever with the hand-brake lever in the "on" position and then the top end of the gear lever is radially entered into the one socket. The relative displaceable parts (together with any of the other socket) are then locked together. Since when the device is in position, the gear lever cannot be moved substantially forward, the socket received on the top end of the hand-brake lever cannot be removed therefrom, and because the rigid nature of the device and the dimensioning and relative inclination of the sockets, the respective socket cannot be lifted off the gear lever. Thus, the device of the present invention when fitted renders the vehicle virtually uncontrollable and thus would deter a would-be thief.

The relatively displaceable parts may be locked together for instance by means of a padlock or by means of a built-in key operated lock.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device of an embodiment of the present invention partly exploded with part cut away and with two further parts separated to provide radial access to a socket of the device; and Figure 2 is a fragmentary view showing the parts separated in Figure 1 drawn together.

Referring to the drawings, the device of the embodiment comprises a first tubular member 2 constituting a socket 4 to receive therein the top end portion of a hand-brake lever; the depth of the socket being delimited by a member 6 disposed transversely across the interior of the tube. In this instance, the member 6 is conveniently formed by a tubular cap 8 the external diameter of which is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the tubular member 2, entered and fastened in the tubular member. The end wall 10 of the cap is perforated to provide a central hole 12 to receive the button or release of the hand-brake lever. The position of the member 6 in the tubular member 2 depends on the make of car the device is intended to be used with.

The device of the embodiment further comprises a second tubular member 14 constituting a socket to receive the top end portion of the gear lever; the depth of the socket being delimited by a part annular member 18. The second tubular member is formed of two relatively displaceable parts in the form of caps 24 and 26 having parts cylindrical skirts 28, 30 respectively. The cap 26 has an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of cap 24 and sits thereon; the two caps being pivoted together by a central rivet 32 so that the two caps can be rotated relatively to one another. The skirts of the two caps each bear a perforated lug 34, 36 forming an "eye".By relative rotation of the two caps in one direction the openings in the skirts of the two caps can be brought into alignment to provide radial access to the socket for the top end portion of the gear lever, and then by relative rotation in the opposite direction the skirt of each cap can be brought to a position in which it covers the opening in the skirt of the other cap to form a whole cylinder and close the radial access. In this position the two eyes of the skirt are positioned adjacent one another so that the bar of a padlock can be passed therethrough. Ail the parts of the device are constructed of a rigid material, in this instance, steel.

In use of the device, the socket formed by the first tubular member is entered over the top end portion of the hand-brake lever with the second tubular member positioned adjacent the top end portion of the gear lever and with the two caps thereof displaced to provide the radial access to the socket formed by the second tubular member. The top end portion of the gear lever is then entered radially into the socket formed by the second tubular member, the cap 26 rotated to close the radial access and the padlock fastened in the "eye" provided by the two perforated lugs. The device is fitted with the handbrake lever in the "on" position, for instance, to the extent of 2 to 5 notches of the ratchet of the hand-brake lever, and with the gear lever in a position in which it cannot be moved substantially in the forward direction of the vehicle.This position depending on the car could be the reverse gear, the first gear or third gear position of the gear lever.

When the device is so fitted it provides a rigid linkage between the hand-brake lever and the gear lever. As a result, because the gear lever cannot be moved substantially forward, the socket provided by the first tubular member cannot be removed from the hand-brake lever, and because of the dimensioning of the sockets and their relative inclination, the socket formed by the second tubular member cannot be removed i.e. lifted from, the gear lever.

It will be understood that the described embodi ment is applicable to cars in which the gear lever and the hand-brake lever are in alignment or nearly so in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with the hand-brake lever being located rearwardly of the gear lever.

Although the described embodiment is for use in vehicles having a manual change gear lever, the socket formed by the second tubular member can readily be adapted to be used with the gear lever of an automatic gear box. Further, the device may incorporate a lock rather than use a padlock.

Claims

1. A vehicle anti-theft device for use with vehicles in which the gear stick and the hand-brake lever lie in alignment or substantially so in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, with the hand-brake lever being located rearwardly of the gear lever, the device comprising a rigid link to extend between the gear lever and the hand-brake lever; the link comprising a first socket to receive axially therein the top end of the hand-brake lever with the hand-brake in the "on" position, and a second socket axially to receive the top end of the gear lever with the gear lever positioned in a position in which it cannot be substantially moved in the forward direction of the vehicle; at least one of the sockets comprising relatively displaceable parts to provide access to the socket in the radial direction thereof, the relatively displaceable parts providing means by which they can be locked togetherto bar the radial access and the sockets being dimensioned so that when the two sockets are fitted on the respective levers, the socket in which the top end of the gear lever is received cannot be lifted thereoff.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means by which the relatively displaceable parts can be locked comprise an apertured lug or an "eye" formed one on each of the parts to receive the bar of a padlock.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said means by which the relatively displaceable parts can be locked comprise a built-in lock.

4. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rigid link comprises a tube; the tube having an axial stop therein towards one end of the tube whereby the portion of the tube between the stop and said end constitutes said first socket.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second socket is formed of two concentric part-cylindrical members secured together so that one can be rotated on the other in one direction to provide a radial access to the socket and then in the opposite direction to close off the radial access to the socket.

6. A device according to claims 4 and 5, wherein the inner one of the two concentric part-cylindrical members is attached directly to said tube at the other end thereof.

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the two part-cylindrical members are pinned together.

8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid link is formed of steel.

9. A vehicle anti-theft device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.