GB2279633A

GB2279633A - Vehicle security device

Info

Publication number: GB2279633A
Application number: GB9405503A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell Kim Roberts; Richard William Battle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-06-21
Filing date: 1994-03-21
Publication date: 1995-01-11
Also published as: GB9312754D0; GB9405503D0

Abstract

An anti-theft security device comprises a pivoting mechanism 3, 4, applied by foot pressure at the free end 8, to lock the brake pedal 2 firmly in the "on" position, and employing the immobilised clutch pedal shaft 1 as the fulcrum at the fixed end of the mechanism which engages the floor with the clutch support means 12. The consequence of fixing and operating the device is to lock the clutch pedal in the "up" position and the brake pedal in the "on" position, both pedals now being immobile relative to each other. <IMAGE>

Description

Security Device This invention relates to a security device for road vehicles.

Vehicle anti-theft devices exist that employ means of locking the foot pedals together, or for locking the brake pedal in the "on" position. Many of these devices are bulky or require some form of permanent fixture to be added to the vehicle.

The present invention provides a security device in a simple and compact form. The device requires no permanent fixtures to be added to the vehicle and thus is highly portable and requires no expert knowledge to fit. The problem facing designers of devices tat lock the brake pedal on is one of obtaining the necassary leverage on the pedal. This leverage is normally obtained by means of an extension from some fixed part of the vel cle; normally the steering wheel in the case of devices that do not employ permanent fixtures. The remaining category of devices lock the vehicle pedals together, some allowing the tied pedals to be dressed, and some not allowing the pedals to be depressed. The disadvantage of either of these arrangements is that the foot brake, not being locked in the "on" position, renders the vehicle more susceptible to theft by towing or by pushing away than would otherwise be the case.

The desired effect of an anti-theft device would be if the vehicle could be rendered incapable of being driven, pushed or towed.

The present invention contributes a solution to this problem, by locking the foot brake in the "on" position, using the strong leverage conveniently applied by foot pressure, without the need for permanent fixtures to be added to the vehicle; nor are cumbersome extensions required to secure the device to the steering wheel. In fact the present invention is sufficiently compact to be carried in a coat pocket.

Once applied, however, by locking the foot brake in the "on" position, the device renders the vehicle immune to the more obvious means of theft.

The present invention provides a security device embodying a pivoting mechanism, applied by foot pressure at the free end, to lock the brake pedal firmly in the "on" position, and employing the immobilised clutch pedal shaft as the fulcrum at the fixed end of the mechanism. The consequence of fixing and operating the device is to lock the clutch pedal in the 'up"position and the brake pedal in the "on" position, both pedals now being immobile relative to each other.

One means of achieving this operation is by means of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of the device in position against clutch and brake pedal shafts prior to depression and locking of the brake pedal in the "on" position.

Figure 2 is a side view of the device in position against clutch and brake pedal shafts after depression and locking of the brake pedal in the "on" position.

Figure 3 is a plan vie of the device in position against clutch and brake pedal shafts prior to depression of the brake pedal.

The embodiment nf the invention as illustrated consists of the following metallic parts (although any suitable material may be used):3/ Clutch shaft attachment means.

4/ Connecting arm.

5/ Lock barrel.

6/. Pivot pin.

7/ Engaging means.

8/ Foot pad.

9/ Anti-slip cover.

10/ Engaging means spur.

11/ Locking means.

12/ Clutch support means.

13/ Clutch support means locking means.

In use the device is fitted and operated in the following manner (numbers refer to the aforementioned drawings and itemised list): The clutch shaft attachment means (3) is first fitted over the clutch shaft (1), with the pivoting connecting arm (4) in the raised position, ready to be lowered onto the brake pedal shaft (2), with engaging means fully retracted.

The extensible portion of the clutch support means (12) is then advanced until it firmly impinges upon the vehicle floor, any slack in the clutch pedal is then taken up by further slightly advancing this member, resulting in complete immobility of the clutch pedal against its normal built-in stop. Retraction of the clutch support means (12) is not permitted by virtue of the ratchet mechanism incorporated into ill).

Having secured immobility of the clutch shaft, the connecting arm (4) is swung down and extended until engaging means spur (10) engages the brake pedal shaft (2). The net effect of engagement cf engaging means spur (10) with the brake pedal shaft (2) is to secure and prevent withdrawal of the clutch shaft attachment means (3) from the clutch shaft (1), thus securing the device to the pedal shafts prior to the foot brake locking procedure. Force is then applied using the foot to depress the foot pad (9) which in turn causes the foot brake to be depressed. The depression of the foot brake causes continued extension of the engaging means (7), which only comes to a stop when the foot brake ceases to be depressed. The brake pedal cannot now rise up due to the ratchet mechanism incorporated into the extensible engaging means (7). The net result of these actions is to have locked the clutch pedal in the up position and the brake pedal in the down position, and thus render the vehicle safe from easy theft.

Removal of the device is effected by utilising a key to unlock the ratchet mechansims associated with the extensible and lockable engaging means (7) and the extensible and lockable clutch support meanstl2 The extensibility of the various members of the device and the tapering nature of the jaws that engage the clutch shaft (See Figs 1 & 2) all contribute to ensure the near-universal application of the device to a wide range of vehicle types. The nature of the device is such that it can accomodate a wide range of pedal heights, spacings and pedal shaft profiles. The result of all this is that there is no need to manufacture a wide range of devices to suit different vehicles, and thus there is a useful economic saving to be had in the manufacturing process.

Preferably, the device includes the following elements:a) Tapered jaws for engaging clutch shaft.

b) The tapered jaws bear on their outer surface drilled projections through which is passed a pivot pin.

c) Pivoting about this pin is a hollow connecting arm which carries within it an extensible and lockable part.

d) The extensible and lockable engaging means extends via a non-return ratchet mechanism. Retraction of the engaging means is achieved by release of the ratchet mechanism by a key.

e) The engaging means bears on its lower surface an engaging means spur, and on its upper surface, at the free end, a foot pad.

f) The tapered jaws also bear on t:qeir lower surface a fixed, hollow shaft, within which is an extendable portion, carried or a second, non-returnable ratchet, with accompanying lock mechanism. The lock permits release of the ratchet mechanism and subsequent retraction of the extendable portion.

Claims

CLAIEE

1. A security device for linking, locking and controlling the relative travel of vehicle foot pedals in a plurality of positions, full application of the device resulting in the locking of the brake pedal in the "on" position.

2. A security device as claimed in Claim 1, which locks the foot brake pedal in relative immobility in relation to the clutch pedal, and comprising of an extensible linking member, defined at its free end by an engagement means with the foot brake pedal, and defined at its fulcrum end by a pivoting clutch pedal engagement means.

3. A security device as claimed in Clams 1 and 2 wherein the extensible linking member comprises a pivoting connecting arm which contains within it a sliding, extensible brake pedal engagement means.

4. A security device as claimed in Clains 1 - 3 wherein the extensible brake engaging means is secured in any position of extension against the outer pivoting connecting arm by a locking means.

5 A security device as claimed in Claims 1 - 4 wherein the extensible linking member, being defined at its pivoting end by a component engaging the clutch pedal shaft, is secured in position by extension and locking of the free end in engagement with the brake pedal shaft.

6. A security device as claimed in Claims 1 - 5 wherein the free end of the brake pedal engaging means is defined by a foot pad.

A A security device as claimed In Claims 1 - 6 wherein the brake pedal engaging means is secured to the brake pedal shaft within the angle formed between the engaging means spur and the brake engaging means.

3. A security device as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 5 wherein the clutch pedal attachment means is fixed relative to the plane of clutch pedal movement by an extensible and lockable clutch support means.

9. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, Figs 1 - 4.

10. The use of a security device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 - 9 wherein depression of the pivoting brake pedal engagement means causes its further extension until the desired application of the footbrake is achieved, whereupon the engagement means, and thus the footbrake, are both locked in position.