GB2263261A

GB2263261A - Vehicle security device

Info

Publication number: GB2263261A
Application number: GB9300412A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Parrott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-10
Filing date: 1993-01-11
Publication date: 1993-07-21
Also published as: GB9300412D0

Abstract

A vehicle anti-theft security device (2) comprises of plate (3) hingedly secured to the floor panel of the vehicle and moveable from a storage position in which the plate lies against the floor of the vehicle to a used position in which the plate is secured to a bar provided immediately under the dashboard of the vehicle to prevent access to the vehicle pedals. The system may incorporate an ignition cutout and/or a means for applying the brakes when the plate is in the use configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to a vehicle security device, and more particularly to a vehicle security device which prevents a vehicle being driven away by denying a potential thief access to the control pedals of the vehicle.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle security device comprising: a plate hingedly secured to a vehicle and moveable between a first, use, position in which the plate prevents normal access to at least one of the control pedals of the vehicle, and a second, storage position in which normal access to the vehicle pedals is available; and means for releasably locking the plate in the first position.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the plate is hingedly connected to the floor of the vehicle and in the second position lies against the floor of the vehicle in the matwell.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the plate, in the first position thereof, lies against and is secured to a bar which is itself secured to the vehicle body by a bracket. By appropriately shaping the bracket and bar the bar can be positioned immediately below the dashboard of the vehicle so that the plate, in its first position, spans the space from the floor of the vehicle to the dashboard thereof and completely prevents access to the vehicle pedals.

In the preferred embodiment the means for locking the plate in the first position comprises a lock secured to the plate and engageable with the bar to lock the plate to the bar. Preferably, the plate additionally comprises lugs which engage the bar to resist twisting of the plate relative to the bar.

The security device may, if desired, incorporate additional security features. For example, an ignition cut-out switch can be provided on the bar such that when the plate is locked in its first position the cut-out switch is activated to cut the vehicle ignition circuit.

Additionally or alternatively, auxiliary braking means may be associated with the security device such that when the plate is locked in the first position the brakes of the vehicle are applied.

The above and further features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic side view, partly broken away, of a vehicle fitted with an embodiment of security device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view, from the rear of the vehicle, of the security device of the present invention with a plate in its second position; Figure 3 is a schematic view of a bracket and bar assembly forming part of a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a plate assembly forming part of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a scrap view showing a detail of the plate.

Referring to the drawings the vehicle (1) is provided with a security device (2) comprising a plate (3) hingedly connected to the floor (4) of the vehicle. As shown most clearly in Figure 4, the plate (3) is part of a plate assembly (5) comprising the plate itself and a fixing member (6) to which the plate (3) is hingedly connected.

In use, the fixing member (6) is secured to the floor panel of the vehicle by any suitable means, for example screw threaded fasteners, rivets, or welding.

The plate (3), when the security device is in use, is located in a first position in which the upper edge of the plate rests on a bar (7) which is fixed to the vehicle body by way of a bracket (8). The bar (7) is located immediately under the dashboard of the vehicle and, as illustrated in Figure 5, the upper edge of the plate (3) is provided with a pair of lugs (9) which rest on top of or engaged slots in the bar (7). A suitable key operated or combination lock (10) is provided on the plate to lock the plate to the bar (7) in the use position. In this position, normal access to the pedals of the vehicle is prevented and hence it is not possible to drive the vehicle.

The plate (3) may be released from its first, use position by releasing the lock (10) and then folding the plate rearwardly about the hinge connection with the fixing member (6) until the plate lies against the floor of the vehicle in the matwell thereof. This configuration is illustrated in Figure 2. In this configuation normal access to the pedals may be had and the vehicle may be driven. Preferably, the surface of the plate which is uppermost when the plate is in its second position is covered with a carpet or suitable non-slip material.

If desired, means may be provided on the plate for depressing the brake pedal of the vehicle when the plate is locked in its first position thereby adding a further security feature.

Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention the plate is hingedly connected to the floor it will be appreciated that, if consistent with overall vehicle design, the plate may be secured at the upper edge thereof and hinged or slid upwardly into a storage configuration when not in use. In this case, the locking means will engage an appropriate member secured to the floor of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle security device comprising: a plate hingedly secured to a vehicle and moveable between a first, use, position in which the plate prevents normal access to at least one of the control pedals of the vehicle, and a second, storage position in which normal access to the vehicle pedals is available; and means for releasably locking the plate in the first position.

2. A vehicle security device according to Claim 1 wherein the plate is hingedly connected to the floor of the vehicle and in the second position lies against the floor of the vehicle in the mat well.

3. A vehicle security device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the plate, in the first position thereof, lies against and is secured to a bar which is itself secured to the vehicle body by a bracket.

4. A vehicle security device according to Claim 3 wherein the bar is positioned immediately below the dashboard of the vehicle so that the plate, in its first position, spans the space from the floor of the vehicle to the dashboard thereof.

5. A vehicle security device according to any preceding claim wherein the means for locking the plate in the first position comprises a lock secured to the plate and engageable with the bar to lock the plate to the bar.

6. A vehicle security device according to any preceding claim wherein the plate additionally comprises lugs which engage the bar to resist twisting of the plate relative to the bar.

7. A vehicle security device according to any preceding claim wherein an ignition cut-out switch is provided on the bar such that when the plate is locked in its first position the cut-out switch is activated to cut the vehicle ignition circuit.

8. A vehicle security device according to any preceding claim wherein auxiliary braking means are associated with the security device such that when the plate is locked in the first position the brakes of the vehicle are applied.

9. A vehicle security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.