GB2275033A - Vehicle security device - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle steering disabling device or a vehicle anti-theft immobilising device comprises two hinged plates (10, 11) which are mounted on a vehicle steering wheel (14). One plate (10) extends axially to the steering wheel and impinges on the top of the dashboard. The other plate (11) is used to lock the device in position so as to prevent rotation of the steering wheel. The first plate (10) supports a screening member (17) which is located in the forward line of sight of the driver to obscure his vision. <IMAGE>

Description

Vehicle Securitv Device The present invention relates to disabling devices for vehicles and vehicle immobilising devices.

Theft of vehicles such as cars is a well known problem. Various solutions have been tried with a view to disabling the car when not in use. Integral steering locks connected to and unlocked by the ignition key are known. However, they are expensive to retro-fit and difficult to make sufficiently strong to be a useful deterrent. Also, there is the risk that any mechanical fault with the lock could interfere with steering during driving.

A survey of known non integral steering wheel locks is presented in WHICH? magazine (November 1992 issue, pages 22-27. Two basic types are shown. In the first type, an extendable hook is provided, to hook the rim of the steering wheel to the gear stick or one of the pedals. However, it is difficult to lock an extendable device with a simple construction which is sufficiently strong, yet convenient to use. Also, since the device extends downwards from the steering wheel, it is not particularly conspicuous, so a thief can work on removing it without attracting too much attention.

The second known type uses a single substantially straight bar locked to the upper part of the rim of the steering wheel and extending radially down, between two spokes of the steering wheel. It extends far enough, in the plane of the steering wheel, to foul the floor or the side door of the car if the wheel is turned. This provides a simpler construction than the hook type, but is less convenient to store away during driving since such a long bar is required.

According to the first ' aspect of the present invention there is provided a disabling device for a vehicle with a steering wheel and a dashboard, the device being lockable in a disabling disposition in which it interacts with the dashboard and the steering wheel so as to prevent rotation of the steering wheel.

Reference to the dashboard covers any panel or fascia behind the steering wheel relative to the driver.

Preferably the device comprises a projecting member, a lockable clamping operable to removably retain the device on the steering wheel, and means for constraining the projecting member to extend out of the plane of the steering wheel, wherein rotation of the steering wheel is prevented by abutment of the projecting member with the dashboard.

Preferably the device further comprises a plate extending over the centre of the steering wheel to hinder removal of the steering wheel.

Advantageously there is also provided screening member for obscuring the forward line of sight of a driver of the vehicle.

Preferably the projecting member projects at least 15cm from the plane of the steering wheel.

Preferably the projecting member and/or the clamping means are of sheet material.

Advantageously the clamp is formed to be lockably closable over a portion of the steering wheel rim.

Preferably the device further comprises a member extending away from the clamp in the plane of the steering wheel and impinging on another part of the steering wheel so as to constrain rotation of the device about the clamped portion of the steering wheel rim.

Advantageously the device comprises two parts hinged together.

Preferably the clamp comprises a lock and a cover plate to prevent access to the catch of the lock.

Advantageously the device is at least in part coated with a synthetic polymeric material.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle immobilising device comprising: a screening member, a clamp for removably retaining the screening member on a steering wheel of the vehicle and retaining the screening member in an operative position wherein it obscures the forward line of sight of the driver, and a lock for securing the device in place.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1, in a closed state; Fig. 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 in an open state; and Fig. 4 shows a front view of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the vehicle disabling device is shown locked to a steering wheel. The device comprises a projecting member 10 and a clamp (11, 12) for retaining the projecting member on the steering wheel. The top member (11) of the clamp is hinged to the lower plate (12) by means of hinges (13). The upper plate (11) is shown locked over the upper portion of a steering wheel (14) by means of a lock (15) engaging the lower plate (12) through an aperture (16).

The projecting means (10) in the form of an elongate plate extends out of the plane of the steering wheel, reaching approximately 20 centimetres, and extending over the top of the dashboard (not shown). Clearly the length of this part may be restricted by the windscreen of the vehicle. One of the features of the second aspect of the invention is a screening member. This is shown in Figure 1 by way of example as extending upwards from the projecting member (10) and being formed as a large circular plate (17).

This plate (17) is supported by an elongate member (18) so that the circular plate (17) is located directly in the forward line of sight of the driver, so as to obscure the driver's vision.

The upper plate of the clamping means is shown extending downwards to cover the centre of the steering wheel (14). This prevents the projecting member from being rotated upwards to avoid the dashboard, and also prevents removal of the steering wheel.

Figures 2 and 3 show how the upper plate (11) of the clamping means is hinged and can be lifted upwards to allow the device to be placed over the upper part of the rim of the steering wheel. Fig. 3 shows the device in a closed state. The lock (15) is provided with a rotatable catch (19) which in one position can be inserted through the aperture (16) provided in the lower plate. When rotated through 900 the catch (19) engages with the lower plate (12).

To prevent tampering with the lock, for extra security, a first cover plate (20) is provided on the lower plate (12), and a second cover plate (21) is provided on the upper plate (11) to shield the catch (19) of the lock (15).

Fig. 4 shows a front view as might be seen by a driver. It shows that the hinge (13) includes a cylindrical pin (22) preferably made from a material such as a tungsten steel. The pin (22) is attached to the end of the upper plate (11), and extends on either side into housings (23) which are attached preferably by welding to the lower plate (12).

The material for the upper plate (11) and the lower plate (12) is preferably sheet stainless steel such as T316, cut and bent into the desired shapes.

Corners can be rounded to avoid catching clothes and the like on sharp corners. Preferably all or part of the device is coated with a thin coating of a synthetic polymer such as nylon to give a durable and brightly coloured and attractive surface finish.

Many other variants for the lock can be envisaged such as a padlock, a snapshut lock or a radial pin tumbler lock. Other materials could be used, and other types of hinge or removable connection between the two plates can be envisaged. The screening member could be made in different shapes, or attached to different parts of the clamp. The lock could secure the device in an engagement position without necessarily locking the device around the rim of the steering wheel.

The invention also encompasses a device engaging the steering wheel and the dashboard without clamping or locking the device to the steering wheel.

Alternatively, such a device could be locked or clamped to a fitting provided on the dashboard.

Numerous advantages accrue from the features described. Having the projecting member protruding out of the plane of the steering wheel means that a more compact device can be produced which is little longer or wider than the steering wheel radius. This makes it more convenient to store. Forming the device from two plates of sheet material makes the device straight forward to construct, and very strong without increasing the cost. If the device is brightly coloured, it will be more conspicuous and act as a greater deterrent. As it can be used on the top of the steering wheel, extending out towards the windscreen, it is a highly visual device which would be especially difficult to defeat discreetly without attracting attention.

Finally, because of the configuration of the device, it need not be clamped tightly to the steering wheel to achieve good security. Thus, it is not essential to have special padding in order to protect the soft plastic or leather coating of the steering wheel. A loose fit means the same shape of device can be used for cars with differing sizes of steering wheel and differing heights of dashboards.

Claims (13)

Claims:

1. A disabling device for a vehicle with steering wheel and a dashboard, the device being lockable in a disabling disposition in which it interacts with the dashboard and the steering wheel so as to prevent rotation of the steering wheel.

2. The device of claim 1 comprising: a projecting member, a lockable clamp operable to removably retain the device on the steering wheel, and means for constraining the projecting member to extend out of the plane of the steering wheel, wherein rotation of the steering wheel is prevented by abutment of the projecting member with the dashboard.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plate extending over the centre of the steering wheel to hinder removal of the steering wheel.

4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a screening member for obscuring the forward line of sight of a driver of the vehicle.

5. The device of any preceding claim wherein the projecting member is constrained to project more than 15cm out of the plane of the steering wheel.

6. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the engaging member and/or the clamp are of sheet material.

7. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device comprises two sheet formed parts hinged together.

8. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the clamp is formed to be lockably closable over a portion of the steering wheel rim.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a member extending away from the clamp in the plane of the steering wheel and impinging on another part of the steering wheel so as to constrain rotation of the device about the clamped portion of the steering wheel rim.

10. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the clamp comprises a lock and a cover plate to prevent access to the catch of the lock.

11. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is at least in part coated with a synthetic polymer material.

12. A vehicle immobilising device comprising: a screening member, a clamp for removably retaining the screening member on a steering wheel of the vehicle and retaining the screening member in an operative position wherein it obscures the forward line of sight of the driver, and a lock for securing the device in place.

13. A vehicle steering disabling device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.