GB2210344A

GB2210344A - Anti-theft lock acting on vehicle brakes

Info

Publication number: GB2210344A
Application number: GB8723066A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eric Jeffrey Edmunds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-10-01
Filing date: 1987-10-01
Publication date: 1989-06-07
Also published as: GB8723066D0; GB2210344B

Abstract

The device (10) comprises a sliding element (11) having one end formed with a bracket (12) for engaging a brake pedal lever, and its other end (13) is slidingly received in a sleeve (14) formed on the underside of a chassis plate (15) which carries a mounting hinge (16) and a locking solenoid (17). To operate the device the brake pedal is depressed and the solenoid actuated to place the locking pin (18) into its locking position so that the sliding element (11) is held in its extended position and hence the brake pedal is held in its operational position. <IMAGE>

Description

Anti-Theft Lock This invention relates to an anti-theft lock for use with vehicles having actuable braking systems and in particular, but not exclusively, to vehicles having brake pedals.

As a result of the epidemic proportions of car theft in this and other countries there have been a large number of proposals for locking systems which will prevent a thief using a car even if he gains entry. A number of these relate to the braking system but these arrangements simply prevent the use of the brakes and do not actually prevent the vehicle being moved.

This invention consists in an anti-theft device for a vehicle having an actuator for actuating its braking system comprising locking means operable by the user to hold the brake actuator in its operational position after it has been moved there by the user.

In a preferred embodiment the locking means comprises an element movable with the brake actuator and operable detent means for holding the element, and hence the brake actuator, in the operational position.

The detent means may be a solenoid operated pin which can be moved into or out of an aperture in the element.

Preferably the element is slidingly received in a sleeve which is itself attachable to the vehicle, for example, by a hinge or the like.

Alternatively the element may form one half of a piston/cylinder assembly. In this case the anti-theft device may further include a valve assembly to prevent subsequent extension or compression of the piston/cylinder assembly so that the position of the brake actuator connected to itis locked. In addition the device may include a hydraulic system for positively operating the pistoncylinder assembly so that, in response to a user activated signal, the brake actuator can be moved into its operational position.

It will be appreciated that other mechanically or electrical equivalent arrangements could be utilised, but in all cases it is generally preferred that the locking means includes an electrmechanical device which is operated by a switch on or adjacent the dashboard and both the switch and the electro-mechanical device are connected into a permanently 'on' circuit such as a car interior light circuit, when it will only operate if a door is open.

Conveniently the electro-mechanical device is one which can be activated in opposite senses from respective circuits,such as a double-throw solenoid.

In this instance a separate unlocking circuit may be provided, preferably powered by the vehicle ignition circuit, and it may incorporate a key pad switch, which will only unlock the locking means when the appropriate number is keyed in.

It will be appreciated that many other security type locks and switches can be utilised to unlock the locking means.

Although the invention has been defined above it is to be understood that it includes any inventive combination of the device set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in a number of ways and a specific embodiment of which will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side of an anti-theft device connected to a car brake pedal; Figure 2 is a view from the other side of the device of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a circuit diagram for the electrical control of the device.

An anti-theft device, generally indicated at 10, is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a sliding element 11 having one end formedwith a bracket 12, for engaging of a brake pedal lever, and its other end 13 slidingly received in a sleeve 14 formed on the underside of a chassis plate 15 which carries a mounting hinge 16 and a locking solenoid 17. The solenoid is arranged to move a pin into and out of the sleeve 14 so as to lock the sliding element 11 in its telescopically extended position. The pin 18 may either pass behind the end of the sliding element acting as a rear stop or may locate in aperture or apertures 19.

In use the sliding element is connected to the brake pedal, for example by using the location provided for the brake pedal returning spring and the chassis plate 15 is connected to the vehicle adjacent the other end of the returning spring by means of mounting hinge 16. As the vehicle is being driven the brake pedal operates quite normally with the sliding element moving telescopically into and out of the sleeve 14. When the driver operates the vehicle he depresses the brake pedal to put on the brakes and then activates the solenoid, as described below, forcing the locking pin 18 into its locking position so that the sliding element 11 is held in its extended position and hence the brake pedal is held in its operational position leaving the brakes on all four wheels on.

As can be seen from Figure 3 the solenoid 17 is connected in circuit with a dashboard pushbutton switch 20 via a control unit 21. It is further connected, through that control unit, into the ignition system via a pushbutton pad 22. Operation of the switch 20 activates the solenoid to move the pin into a locking position,whilst correct keying-in of the driver's personal identification number into the pushbutton pad 22 causes the solenoid to withdraw the pin, releasing the brakes. Thus, when a driver returns to the vehicle he keys in his number, places the ignition key in the lock, depresses the brake pedal, turns the ignition key and the device is unlocked.

It will be appreciated that the large number of combinations available on the key pad render the vehicle safe against casual theft unless the thief actually destroys the device. As it will be made in suitably strong materials this will take too long for most car thieves. The deceptively simple construction of the device means that it can be easily retro-fitted by a D.I.Y. mechanic or can be cheaply included as original equipment in a manufacturer's model.

It will be noted in Figure 3 that the switch 20 is in series with the driver's door light switch 23. Thus the solenoid cannot be engaged when the driver's door is closed. The object of this arrangement is to minimise the possibility of the driver accidentally engaging the locking device when driving. Similarly the apertures 19 are so positioned that the solenoid cannot be locked with the brake pedal in its non-operational position and so the vehicle cannot suddenly be found not to have any brakes.

The pushbutton pad 22 is provided with an anti-tamper circuit 24 so that if the pad is tampered with an alarm circuit is energised sounding the horn and flashing the lights of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device for a vehicle, having an actuator for actuating its braking system, comprising locking means operable by the user to hold the brake actuator in its operational position if it has been moved there by the user.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the locking means comprises an element movable with the brake actuator and operable detent means for holding the element, and hence the brake actuator,in the operational position.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the detent means is a solenoid operated pin which can be moved into or out of an aperture in the element.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the element is slidingly received in a sleeve which is in itself attachable to the vehicle.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the sleeve is attachable to the vehicle by a hinge or the like.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the element forms one half of a piston/cylinder assembly.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, further including a valve assembly to prevent subsequent extension or compression of the piston/cylinder assembly so that the position of the brake actuator connected to it is locked.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 including a hydraulic system for positively operating the piston/cylinder assembly so that, in response to a user activated signal, the brake actuator can be moved into its operational position.

9. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means includes a electro-mechanical device which is operated by a switch on or adjacent the dashboard and wherein both the switch and the electro-mechanical device are connected into a permanently connected only circuit of the vehicle which will only operate if the car door is open.

10. A device as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the electro-mechanical device is one which can be activated in opposite senses from respective circuits.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the unlocking circuit is switchable by the vehicle ignition key or a keypad switch.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10 further including a separate unlocking circuit.