GB2175861A

GB2175861A - Vehicle security device

Info

Publication number: GB2175861A
Application number: GB08513766A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Gilfoyle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-05-31
Filing date: 1985-05-31
Publication date: 1986-12-10
Also published as: GB2175861B; GB8513766D0

Abstract

The invention provides a security device located around the lower region of the gear lever (13) of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a hollow housing (11) having an aperture (17) in its normally upper surface which permits the gear lever (13) to operate normally, and said housing (11) including means (12, 12') which, in its operative position prevents movement of the gear lever and in its inoperative position permits the gear lever to be used normally. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle security device The present invention relates to a security device for motor vehicles.

Several security devices are available on the market in an attempt to prevent motor vehicles being stolen. Such known devices range from highly sophisticated, but costly, electronic devices to various mechanical devices. However, such mechanical devices suffer from the disadvantage that, usually, they have to be fixed in place when a vehicle owner intends to leave the vehicle and then have to be removed before the owner can use the vehicle again.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security device for motor vehicles which is simple to construct, economical in nature and which can be moved from an operative to an inoperative position without having to remove the whole device.

It has been discovered that an effective security device can be provided by utilising means which prevent movement of the gear lever or stock of a motor vehicle, when the vehicle is not being used by the owner or legal user.

According to the present invention there is provided a security device for motor vehicles, such device, in use, being located around the lower region of the gear lever or stick of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a hollow housing having an aperture in its normally upper surface which permits the gear lever or stock to operate normally, and said housing including means which, in its operative position, prevents movement of the gear lever and in its inoperative position permits the gear lever to be used normally.

By immobilising the gear lever, a thief cannot cause the vehicle to move normally since it is not possible, when the device of the present invention is operative, to operate the gear lever to engage the gears in a normal manner.

In an embodiment of the invention, the means for preventing movement of the gear lever comprise two flat, plate members which, in the operative position of the device, move towards one another and are located around the gear lever and prevent movement thereof.

Such members may be caused to move away from each other to achieve their inoperative position and ,allow the gear lever to move nor mally. In a preferred embodiment, each mem ber is in the form of a half disc and move ment thereof towards one another may be effected by any suitable means such as rollers, tracks or guides. Furthermore, movement of such members towards one another can be effected by a locking device having appropriate levers, cranks, etc., whereby when the lock is closed, the two members are caused to move towards one another.

It will thus be seen that, utilising the device in accordance with the present invention, the aperture provided in the upper surface of the housing, which enables the gear lever or stick to be operated in a normal manner, may be closed by operating two members to move towards one another.

Preferably, the members which cause the aperture to be closed are located just beneath the upper surface of the housing.

In use, the device of the invention may be slipped over the top of the gear lever, or around the gear lever, and located in position, about the lower region of the gear lever. Such location can utilise any form of securing means which will firmly secure the device to the floor or tunnel of the vehicle. If desired, the housing can be secured in position by means of a plate being located underneath the floor of the vehicle, said plate being bolted to the housing of the security device of the present invention. On the other hand, the housing of the security device can be secured to the tunnel of the vehicle by appropriate welding or other securing techniques. Moreover, it is envisaged that the security device of the present invention could be incorporated in a new vehicle and same would then form a unitary structure with, say, the tunnel of the vehicle.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a section through a device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device in accordance with the invention in its operative condition; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a security device in accordance with the present invention, wherein the means for preventing movement of the gear lever or stick are shown in a separated condition.

As illustrated, a security device 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises a hollow housing 11 and means, in the form of two half discs, 12 and 12' which, in their operative position, prevent movement of the gear lever 13 of a motor vehicle.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the housing 11 may be secured to the floor or tunnel of a vehicle 14 by means of a plate 15 and associated bolts 16, 16'.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the two members 12 and 12' have been moved into their operative position around the gear lever 13. In such situation, the aperture 17 normally provided in the upper surface 18 of the housing 11 is occupied by the two members 13 which have been moved towards one another. In such position, it is not possible to move the gear lever 13 out of neutral.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the members 12 and 12' are shown moving apart from one another and the aperture 17 is again unhindered. In Fig. 3, the gear lever 13 has been omitted for clarity.

It can thus be seen that the device in accordance with the present invention enables an operator to prevent movement of the gear lever. By utilising such device, any thief would be prevented from operating the vehicle in a normal manner.

The housing 11 and the members 12 and 12' as well as the plate 15 would normally be made of metal or other suitable material of equivalent strength, e.g. strong plastics material. The housing may be of any desired shape, e.g. rectangular or circular, and thickness. Furthermore, the members 12, 12' can be of any desired shape, viz. of semi-circular or square form, and should be of such a size as to be locatable within the housing 11. In view of the fact that the device of the present invention should occupy as small a space as possible, it is preferred that, in the inoperative position of the members 12 and 12', same do not extend substantially beyond the ends of the housing 11.

It is also envisaged that the device of the present invention could be used in vehicles having an automatic transmission system.

It can thus be seen that the device of the present invention provides an economic and effective means for immobilising a vehicle.

Claims

1. A security device for motor vehicles, such device, in use, being located around the lower region of the gear lever or stick of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a hollow housing having an aperture in its normally upper surface which permits the gear lever or stick to operate normally and said housing including means which in its operative position prevents movement of the gear, and in its inoperative position permits the gear lever to be used normally.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for preventing movement of the gear lever comprises two flat plate members which, in the operative position of the device, move towards one another and are located around the gear lever and prevent movement thereof, such members being caused to be moved away from each other to achieve their inoperative position and allow the gear lever to move normally.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each member is in the form of a half disc.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which the members are caused to move either towards or away from each other by means of rollers, tracks or guides.

5. A security device as claimed in claims 2, 3 or 4, in which the members which cause the aperture to be closed are located just beneath the upper surface of the housing.

6. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which securing means are provided to firmly secure the device to the floor or tunnel of a vehicle.

7. A security device as claimed in claim 6, in which the housing is secured in position by means of a plate being located underneath the floor of the vehicle, said plate being bolted to the housing.

8. A security device for motor vehicles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.