GB2261642A

GB2261642A - Anti-theft device for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2261642A
Application number: GB9124778A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Barry Eaton; John Francis Milne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-21
Filing date: 1991-11-21
Publication date: 1993-05-26
Also published as: GB9124778D0

Abstract

An anti-theft device of the handbrake locking type has a body which is slideably fixed around a handbrake lever 3 as shown or permanently built into the handbrake lever. The body 5 is fixed to the handbrake and the locking means 6 can be used in normal use to depress the handbrake release mechanism. When it is required to prevent unauthorised movement of the vehicle the lock is operated to allow a plunger 7 to engage thus preventing depression of the locking mechanism and release of the brakes. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN ANTI-THEFT DEVICES FOR VEHICLES This invention relates to improvements in anti-theft devices for vehicles of the kind adapted to prevent the release of a hand brake-applying lever.

According to our invention in a hand brake-applying lever mechanism comprising an angularly movable lever connected to a brake and which is adapted to be held in a brake-applying position by the engagement of a ratchet and pawl mechanism releasable by depression of a spring-loaded release button normally projecting from the free end of the lever, whereafter the lever can be moved angularly into an "off" position in which the brake is released, the lever is adapted to be retained against relative movement between the two positions by the provision of a lock adapted to co-operate with the release button to affect release of the ratchet and pawl mechanism, and said lock has a locking plunger to restrain the lock against movement relative to the lever to prevent operative cooperation of the lock with the button.

The lock cooperates with the bore at point in its length which is enclosed by the bore at all times.

The lock may be housed in a position substantially co-axial to the button, and may be operated by a key or it may be of the combination type.

The lock may be located in a casing of a configuration similar to that of an existing lever and which is adapted to encase an existing lever to which it is coupled against relative movement. In such a construction the lock works in a bore at the outer end of the housing, substantially co-axial with the button.

In another construction an existing hand brake-applying mechanism is replaced by a similar mechanism but in which the outer end of the lever is extended by the provision of an extension arranged to define a bore in which the lock works and which is substantially co-axial with the release lever.

The lock may be the barrel type in which a locking member is movable radially into register with a complementary recess in the barrel to hold the lock in an advanced position.

This prevents the brake-applying mechanism from being released unless the lock is first unlocked by the use of a key or by the use of the correct combination.

Some embodiments of our invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an anti-theft device adapted to encase an existing hand brake applying lever; Figure 2 is an end view of the device.

Figures 1-2 of the accompanying drawings illustrate an anti-theft device 1 shown in its assembled position of use with a conventional hand brake-applying mechanism 2.

The hand brake applying mechanism 2 is of conventional construction comprising a lever 3 of pressed steel construction comprising a bifurcated mounting portion which is coupled by a connection to a brake-applying transmission member, not shown. The limbs of the mounting portion straddle a ratchet plate which is fixed relative to the lever 3 and forms a mounting for the mechanism, and to which the limbs are pivoting connected by means of a pivot pin. The mounting portion leads into a formally extending tube 3A.

A push-release button 4 is guided to slide in the outer end portion of the tube 3A from which it normally projects, and into which advanced position it is biased by a compression spring. The button 4 co-operates with a transmission member which extends rearwardly through the lever 3 and is coupled to an angular movable pawl in turn adapted to co-operate with ratchet teeth on the plate, not shown.

The anti-theft device comprises a casing 5 of a configuration similar to that of the lever 3. A lock 6 of the barrel type is housed in the bore 5A in which it is slideably mounted to to allow it to move slideably into registry with the button 4. A plunger 7 is moved radially into cooperation with a matching register 7A in the casing 5 to prevent the lock 6 moving axially towards the button 4, with the lock in the unlocked position the plunger 7 can be retracted radially to a position 7B which will allow the lock 6 to move axially along the bore 5A of the casing 5 into register with the button 4 operating the transmission member, the lock plunger 7 in position 7B travels along the slot 7C which prevents rotational movement of the lock 6. A spring 8 can be used to return the lock to its advanced position.

The casing 5 is permanently secured to the lever 3 by means of securing screw 9.

When installed in position described above the anti-theft device encases the lever 3 so that it is substantially impossible to obtain access to the brake applying mechanism 2.

When the brake is fully applied, the lock can then be operated to lock the plunger 7 against relative axial movement with respect to the casing 5, it is therefore impossible to depress the button 4, either directly or indirectly, to affect release of the brake;.

When the lock is unlocked the brake can be operated normally by normal depression of the lock which in turn acts upon the button 4.

The casing 5 may be provided with an outer protective layer of fabric to suit the decor of the vehicle.

The fixing screw 9 may be of the socket type into which a ball or shaped item may be pressed to prevent unauthorised removal. A protective sleeve 6A may be fitted to the lock.

The handbrake mechanism can incorporate the casing 5 and lever 3 and the button 4 be replaced by the lock 6 when the operation would be the same as above as shown in fig. 3.

Claims

1 An anti theft device adapted to prevent release of a hand brake applying lever

2 An anti theft device in accordance with claim 1 in which locking means is substantially coaxial with the handbrake applying lever.

3 An anti theft devise in accordance with claim 2 in which a locking plunger retains the lock agqinst movement relative to the hand brake applying lever.

4 An anti theft device in accordance with claim 3 in which guide means are provided in the body tb control the sliding movement of the locking means

5 An anti theft device in accordance with claim 4 in which the locking means is adapted to cooperate with the guide means in order to arrest the sliding movement of the locking means.

6 An anti theft device in accordance with claims 1 to 5 in which spring means is used to return locking means to the unlocked position

7 An anti theft device substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 B 2 of the accompanying drawing.

8 An anti theft device substantially as described herein with reference to figure 3 of the accompanying drawing.