GB2171445A

GB2171445A - Removable vehicle door lock

Info

Publication number: GB2171445A
Application number: GB08504644A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Knox Forsyth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-02-22
Filing date: 1985-02-22
Publication date: 1986-08-28
Also published as: GB8504644D0

Abstract

The basis of this invention is to give additional lockable protection to vehicle opening doors. This removable locking device uses the rain gutter 30 above the doors to form and anchorage point to which the device is clamped. To operate the lock, a key is used in a central position, which, when operated, releases a slidable clamping type section 14. The device is then positioned against the rain gutter above the door, the clamp section pressed down into the gutter and locked in position. To prevent a sideways movement a tongue 18 is incorporated in the body of the device, which is hooked onto a pre-positioned anchor point 28. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle locking device This invention relates to apparatus for locking an openable part of a unit in a closed position, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with providing an additional locking facility for doors of motor vehicles.

Although doors of motor vehicles are provided with their individual locks, such locks require to be able to be released from internally of the vehicles without the use of separate locking means such as keys. To obtain unauthorised entry to a motor vehicle therefore it is possible to force or break open a door window to then obtain access to the door lock and consequently open the door.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a locking apparatus serving as an additional door locking facility, particularly for motor vehicles, so that the door cannot be unlocked in such a way.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for locking an openable part of a unit in a closed position, the apparatus comprising means for releasably clamping the apparatus to a part of the unit adjacent to the openable part, when the openable part is in a closed position, and means for preventing opening of the openable part when the apparatus is so clamped to the adjacent part.

Preferably the clamping means comprises means engageable with an inner face of a member defining a frame surround for the openable part and means engageable with an outer face of the frame member, the outer face engaging means being movable relative to the inner face engaging means whereby to be locatable over a projection on the frame member when in an extended position, and to clamp around the projection when in a retracted position, means being provided for locking the inner and outer face engaging members together when the latter is in the retracted position.

Preferably also the outer face engaging means comprises a hook shaped part adapted to engage in a gutter of a roof of a motor vehicle, and the inner face engaging means may be formed as a fork-shaped part for engagement with an anchor point on the inner face of the frame member.

The means for preventing opening of the door may comprise an abutment face on the apparatus which, when the apparatus is clamped in position, obstructs the path of opening of the openable part. The abutment face may be defined by the rear face of the locking means and the latter may comprise a lock operable by means of a key.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in use.

Referring to the drawings, a locking apparatus comprises a key operated lock 10 in a barrel casing 11 which is formed with an integral upwardly projecting sleeve 12. An elongate member, operatively connected with the locking mechanism, is slidably located in the sleeve 12, the elongate member being slidable when the lock is inoperative but clamped against sliding movement when the lock is operative. The elongate member is provided on its outer end with a head 14 which extends axially parallel with the casing 11 to provide a hook 16 at the rear side of the sleeve 12, facing downwardly and inwardly relative to the head 14.

On the upper face of the casing 11, at the rear side of the sleeve 12, there is provided a tongue 18 extending rearwardly of the lock 10 and presenting a bifurcated outer end, having fingers 20 spaced by a slot 22.

The apparatus is suitable for use for locking of a door 24 of a motor vehicle as shown in Fig.

2. With the lock 10 inoperative, the elongate member is moved to an extended position in the sleeve 12 and the tongue 18 is then inserted between a top edge of the closed door 24 and a roof 26 of the vehicle. An anchoring point 28 is provided on the inner face of the roof 26 and may, for example, be defined by a rivet with a sleeve. The tongue 18 is angled slightly upwardly relative to the upper face of the casing 11 for a purpose hereinafter described, and when the tongue 18 is inserted, the fingers 20 pass on either side of the anchoring point 28 which is received within the slot 22. The elongate member is then slid back to its retracted position in the sleeve 12, whereby the hook 16 engages in a water gutter 30 on the edge of the vehicle roof 26. When the lock 10 is then made operative, the hook 16 is in clamping engagement with the gutter 30 to prevent removal of the apparatus.The angled tongue 18, by co-operating with the anchoring point 28, obviates or mitigates releasing of the apparatus by using leverage to displace the tongue 18.

When the apparatus is so clamped in position, a rear face 32 of the casing 11 abuts the top edge of the door 24 and therefore obstructs opening of the door 24. In this way therefore, even if the conventional door lock is inoperative, the locking apparatus will serve to assist in prevent ing opening of the door 24.

There is therefore provided a simple-to-use apparatus which is straightforward and inexpensive to manufacture, yet which can be effective in preventing car theft. The size of the apparatus enables it to be carried easily within the vehicles for use as necessary, and, as the locking key can be significantly different from the car door key, it will be appreciated that it would be doubly difficult for an unauthorised person to gain access to the vehicle by unauthorised opening of the locks.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the invention. For example, the configuration of the apparatus may differ from that described and shown provided the apparatus functions as required. The apparatus is preferably made of metal or other suitable damageresistant material, but of course any other desired materials may be used. As an alternative to a key operative lock, a combination lock of any suitable type may be utilised.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A vehicle locking device comprising a barrel lock housing shaped to fit against and under the rain gutter, with a lockable clamping hook fitting into the rain gutter in the locked position and operated by a key in a central position

2. A vehicle locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein an inner face engaging means of a fork shaped part for engagement means with a anchor point on the inner face of the door surround

3. A vehicle locking device as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 wherein the lock housing situated in a position above the openable vehicle door prevents the door being opened.

4. A vehicle locking device as claimed in Claim 1 Claim 2 and Claim 3 when in the unlocked position is a seperate piece of equipment