GB2274630A

GB2274630A - Vehicle immobilizer

Info

Publication number: GB2274630A
Application number: GB9301856A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fleming Shepherd Peter Stan Le
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-01-30
Filing date: 1993-01-30
Publication date: 1994-08-03
Also published as: GB9301856D0

Abstract

A vehicle immobilizer is fitted to the gear selector (1) of a vehicle, the vehicle immobilizer comprising a housing (3, 4) adapted to fit over the gear selector lever (1) so as to prevent the release of latching means (2) retaining the gear lever in one of its predetermined selection positions, to prevent theft of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER The present invention relates to immobilizing devices for vehicles, and is particularly concerned with immobilizing devices for the prevention of the theft of vehicles having automatic transmission.

Vehicles with automatic transmissions generally include a selector lever pivotable about a transverse axis of the vehicle into one of a number of alternative positions. Typically these include a 'park' position, a reverse position, a drive position, and positions corresponding to preselected gear ratios.

In order to prevent inadvertent movement of the transmission selector lever during travel, a latching device is generally provided to retain the selector lever in any one of the preselected positions, the latching device being released by means of a release means mounted on the handle of the selector.

The present invention seeks to provide an anti-theft device for vehicles which allows the transmission selector lever to be immobilized in the 'park' position, thereby preventing the vehicle from being driven.

According to the present invention, a vehicle immobilizer comprises a housing adapted to fit over the upper end of a gear selector lever, and lockable so as to be retained thereon, the housing including elements to prevent the release of latching means retaining the gear selector lever in any of its predetermined positions.

The release of latching means retaining the gear selector lever in its predetermined position may be prevented either by denying access to the release lever and thus preventing its operation, or by obstructing the movement of the release lever in order to prevent its operation.

The body is preferably of hinged construction, openable to allow its application to the gear selector lever, and closeable and lockable in the closed position so that it cannot be removed from the gear selector lever until it is unlocked.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle immobilizer; and Figure 2 is a side view of the vehicle immobilizer of Figure 1 applied to a gear selector lever.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 2 shows the immobilizer in position on a gear selector 1. The gear selector 1 includes a release lever 2 which is gripped with the fingers and lifted in order to release the gear lever for movement between its preselectable positions.

The immobilizer device comprises a generally 'U' shaped shackle 3 having two substantially parallel arms 3a and 3b and an end bar 3c. Pivotally attached to the end bar 3c is a shroud 4, which in use extends over the upper surface of the gear lever knob 1. The shroud 4 includes, at its end remote from the bar 3c, a toe piece 5 extending radially with respect to the bar 3c. Fixed to the end of the side bar 3b is a pivoting locking arm 6 having at its free end an opening 7 which is alignable with an opening 8 in a cooperating locking plate 9 attached to the free end of side bar 3a.

In the arrangement shown, the immobilizer is applied to the gear lever knob 1 by placing the bar 3c between the release lever 2 and the underside of the gear lever knob 1, pivoting the shroud 4 so as to overlie the gear lever knob 1 with toe piece 5 positioned below the free ends of side bars 3a and 3b. Locking bar 6 is then pivoted towards the toe piece 5, until openings 7 and 8 are aligned. A conventional padlock may then be applied to openings 7 and 8.

In the secured position, the immobilizer is locked in position on the gear lever knob 1, and operation of the release lever 2 is prevented by the presence of the bar 3c between the release lever 2 and the gear lever knob 1. By placing the gear selector in the 'park' position before applying the immobilizer, the vehicle is prevented from being driven as the gear lever cannot be removed from the 'park' position until the immobilizer is removed by releasing the padlock.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular configuration shown in the drawings. Clearly, different configurations of gear lever knobs 1, and different arrangements for the release lever 2, will necessitate immobilizing devices of differing construction.

For example, a widely-used type of gear selector lever for automatic transmission vehicles is a substantially 'T' shaped lever, with a button mounted in one end of the crossbar of the 'T' and operable to release the lever for movement between its gear selection positions. In order to immobilize a vehicle fitted with such a lever, it is envisaged to provide a substantially tubular housing to enclose the crossbar of the 'T' and deny access to the release button so that the lever may not be moved from the 'park' position. It should therefore be readily be appreciated that, while the immobilizer is intended to prevent the gear selector lever being moved from the 'park' position, this objective can be achieved either by denying access to the release lever or release button, or it may be achieved by preventing movement of the release lever by interposing a part of the immobilizer device in the path of the release lever.

Although the preferred embodiment is described as being secured in position by a conventional padlock, it is envisaged that other kinds of lock may be used, or may be built into the immobilizer device.

Claims

1. A vehicle immobilizer for use with a vehicle having a gear lever movable between a number of predetermined positions, and retained in one of those predetermined positions by a latching means, the immobilizer comprising a housing adapted to fit over the upper end of the gear selector lever and lockable so as to be retained thereon, the housing including elements to prevent the release of the latching means.

2. A vehicle immobilizer according to Claim 1, wherein the latching means is released by moving an actuator portion of the latching means, and wherein the release of the latching means is prevented by denying access to the actuator portion of the latching means.

3. A vehicle immobilizer according to Claim 1, wherein the gear lever latching means is released by moving an actuating portion of the latching means, and wherein the release of the latching means is prevented by an element of the vehicle immobilizer obstructing the movement of the actuating portion of the latching means.

4. A vehicle immobilizer substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.