GB2091658A

GB2091658A - Vehicle anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2091658A
Application number: GB8201586A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: CARTER EDWARD JAMES
Current assignee: CARTER EDWARD JAMES
Priority date: 1981-01-28
Filing date: 1982-01-20
Publication date: 1982-08-04
Also published as: GB2091658B

Abstract

An anti-theft device has an opaque panel (1) secured between two side frame members (2) and adapted to be positioned so as to obscure vision through the driver's part of the windscreen. The device has expansible sections (3) which, in use, are expanded to adapt the device to the appropriate size of windscreen and then locked in position by a lock (4). The device may be wedged between the steering wheel and the top of the windscreen. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-theft device This invention relates to an anti-theft device for a vehicle and to a vehicle including an anti-theft device.

Every year a large number of vehicles are stolen and car stealing is on the increase. For example in 1972 Home Office figures showed that about 184,000 cars were stolen and by 1 976 that figure had increased to 264,500 cars: by now that figure will have increased even more. In an attempt to combat car theft various anti-theft devices have been proposed and are in use. For example many motorists try to beat the car thief by fitting their cars with a steering column lock or an audible burglar alarm. However, whilst such devices may deter theft once the car is broken into, they do not deter the intitial entry and thus accessories and valuables left inside may be stolen. Other devices such as a KROOKLOCK (Registered Trade Mark) are visible but are still partially hidden by the dashboard.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved anti-theft device for a vehicle which can be clearly seen from the outside deterring a potential thief from even considering breaking into the vehicle.

According to the present invention an anti-theft device for a vehicle comprises obscuring means arranged to be locked in position so as to obscure vision through that part of the windscreen of the vehicle in front of the driver position. The obscuring means may be a non-transparent, or opaque panel and preferably has a lockable expansibie section. The device may be disposed against the windscreen or may be wedged between the windscreen and another part of the vehicle e.g. the steering wheel.

The device of the present invention is primarily designed as an accessory to a vehicle but, if desired, the vehicle may be provided with a built in anti-theft device in accordance with the invention, eg. the obscuring panel may be flexible so that it can be rolled up for storage either above a driver's head or in the side column. Alternatively the windscreen itself may include a panel the optical characteristics of which can be altered from a visual to an obscuring mode for example by electrical excitation.

Therefore the invention also includes a vehicle including an anti-theft device comprising obscuring means whereby a vehicle driver selectively may obscure vision through that part of the windscreen of the vehicle in front of the driver position.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the inside of a vehicle including a first embodiment of an antitheft device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective of a vehicle showing an alternative embodiment of anti-theft device positioned against the windscreen of the vehicle; Figure 3 is a view of the inside of the vehicle including the anti-theft device of figure 2; and Figure 4 is a further alternative embodiment of anti-theft device in accordance with the invention.

In figures 1 to 3 of the drawings an anti-theft device comprises an opaque panel 1 secured between two side frame members 2 so as to obscure vision through the driver's part of the windscreen. The anti-theft device is fitted to the top of the windscreen and has expansible sections 3 top and/or bottom which, in use, are expanded to adopt the device to the appropriate size of windscreen and then locked in position by lock 4.

Once locked the device can only be removed by unlocking and retracting the expansible section(s) 3.

In figure 4 an alternative arrangement of antitheft device is shown comprising an opaque panel 5 secured between two side frame members 6. At the lower extremity the device includes an arcuate locator 7 which is adapted to engage with a steering wheel of a vehicle -- the other end of the device includes expansible/retractable feet 8 lockable in position by means of respective locks 9 (only one shown). With this arrangement, by manipulation of the feet 8, the anti-theft device can be wedged between the steering wheel and the top of the windscreen.

The anti-theft device in accordance with the invention can be clearly seen from the outside of the vehicle thereby deterring theft and preventing damage to the vehicle. Any thief attempting to drive a vehicle with such a device would be severely hampered and would alert other drivers or the police that the vehicle was stolen or the driver under the influence of alcohol. The expansible design of the device adapts the device virtually to any size of windscreen. The device is made of suitable strong material such as metal or hard plastics material.

Although the specific embodiment refers to an opaque panel it will be understood that any panel which obscures vision will be suitable.

1. An anti-theft device for a vehicle comprising obscuring means arranged to be locked in position so as to obscure vision through that part of the windscreen of the vehicle in front of the driver position.

2. An anti-theft device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the obscuring means is an opaque panel.

3. An anti-theft device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the obscuring means is an opaque panel having a lockable expansible section.

4. An anti-theft device according to any of the proceeding claims wherein the obscuring means is adapted to be positioned against the windscreen of the vehicle.

5. An anti-theft device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the obscuring means is adapted to be wedged between the steering wheel and the top of the windscreen of the vehicle.

6. A vehicle including an anti-theft device comprising obscuring means whereby a vehicle

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Anti-theft device This invention relates to an anti-theft device for a vehicle and to a vehicle including an anti-theft device. Every year a large number of vehicles are stolen and car stealing is on the increase. For example in 1972 Home Office figures showed that about 184,000 cars were stolen and by 1 976 that figure had increased to 264,500 cars: by now that figure will have increased even more. In an attempt to combat car theft various anti-theft devices have been proposed and are in use. For example many motorists try to beat the car thief by fitting their cars with a steering column lock or an audible burglar alarm. However, whilst such devices may deter theft once the car is broken into, they do not deter the intitial entry and thus accessories and valuables left inside may be stolen. Other devices such as a KROOKLOCK (Registered Trade Mark) are visible but are still partially hidden by the dashboard. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved anti-theft device for a vehicle which can be clearly seen from the outside deterring a potential thief from even considering breaking into the vehicle. According to the present invention an anti-theft device for a vehicle comprises obscuring means arranged to be locked in position so as to obscure vision through that part of the windscreen of the vehicle in front of the driver position. The obscuring means may be a non-transparent, or opaque panel and preferably has a lockable expansibie section. The device may be disposed against the windscreen or may be wedged between the windscreen and another part of the vehicle e.g. the steering wheel. The device of the present invention is primarily designed as an accessory to a vehicle but, if desired, the vehicle may be provided with a built in anti-theft device in accordance with the invention, eg. the obscuring panel may be flexible so that it can be rolled up for storage either above a driver's head or in the side column. Alternatively the windscreen itself may include a panel the optical characteristics of which can be altered from a visual to an obscuring mode for example by electrical excitation. Therefore the invention also includes a vehicle including an anti-theft device comprising obscuring means whereby a vehicle driver selectively may obscure vision through that part of the windscreen of the vehicle in front of the driver position. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the inside of a vehicle including a first embodiment of an antitheft device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective of a vehicle showing an alternative embodiment of anti-theft device positioned against the windscreen of the vehicle; Figure 3 is a view of the inside of the vehicle including the anti-theft device of figure 2; and Figure 4 is a further alternative embodiment of anti-theft device in accordance with the invention. In figures 1 to 3 of the drawings an anti-theft device comprises an opaque panel 1 secured between two side frame members 2 so as to obscure vision through the driver's part of the windscreen. The anti-theft device is fitted to the top of the windscreen and has expansible sections 3 top and/or bottom which, in use, are expanded to adopt the device to the appropriate size of windscreen and then locked in position by lock 4. Once locked the device can only be removed by unlocking and retracting the expansible section(s) 3. In figure 4 an alternative arrangement of antitheft device is shown comprising an opaque panel 5 secured between two side frame members 6. At the lower extremity the device includes an arcuate locator 7 which is adapted to engage with a steering wheel of a vehicle -- the other end of the device includes expansible/retractable feet 8 lockable in position by means of respective locks 9 (only one shown). With this arrangement, by manipulation of the feet 8, the anti-theft device can be wedged between the steering wheel and the top of the windscreen. The anti-theft device in accordance with the invention can be clearly seen from the outside of the vehicle thereby deterring theft and preventing damage to the vehicle. Any thief attempting to drive a vehicle with such a device would be severely hampered and would alert other drivers or the police that the vehicle was stolen or the driver under the influence of alcohol. The expansible design of the device adapts the device virtually to any size of windscreen. The device is made of suitable strong material such as metal or hard plastics material. Although the specific embodiment refers to an opaque panel it will be understood that any panel which obscures vision will be suitable. CLAIMS

6. A vehicle including an anti-theft device comprising obscuring means whereby a vehicle driver selectively may obscure vision through that part of the windscreen of the vehicle in front of the driver position.

7. An anti-theft device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.