GB2292973A - Anti-theft device for audio apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-theft device for audio apparatus, particularly car tape players, comprises a plate (1) with locking means (2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10) for locking the plate (1) to the tape player via the cassette-receiving space. A cable (11) is connected at one end to the plate (1). The plate (1) has means (5, 6) for locking the end (12) of the cable (11) in place. In use, the plate is locked to a car tape player and the cable secured around the steering wheel of the vehicle. The device is visible from outside the vehicle and serves as a deterrent to thieves. <IMAGE>

Description

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR AUDIO APPARATUS The present invention relates to anti-theft devices for apparatus of the kind having an opening for the insertion of a data carrier. In particular, the present invention relates to anti-theft devices for audio cassette tape players present in motor vehicles. The invention is also of relevance to video apparatus and computer apparatus.

Audio apparatus such as cassette tape players are commonly found in motor vehicles. Such apparatus, for example, a car stereo is usually simply mounted to the interior of the vehicle with fixings such as screws and so it is relatively easy for a thief to extract the apparatus. In some cases the apparatus is slidable in and out of a cage mounted in the dashboard. Such apparatus is intended to be removed easily, the idea being that the apparatus is removed from the vehicle when it is left unattended. Usually the apparatus is visible from outside the vehicle and so presents a temptation to thieves.

In order to attempt to steal audio apparatus from a vehicle, the thief must first break-in. Entry is usually forced, resulting in damage to the bodywork, doors, locks or windows of the vehicle. In many instances a window in the vehicle is broken in order to gain access. A locked vehicle with audio apparatus visible from the outside is therefore vulnerable to damage and there is a possibility that the audio apparatus will be taken from the vehicle once it is broken into.

The present invention seeks to prevent the attempted theft of audio equipment from vehicles. In the case of locked, unattended vehicles, attempted or actual theft inevitably results in damage to the vehicle. In some cases, the cost of the damage may exceed the value of the audio apparatus which is sought to be removed from the vehicle. The present invention therefore seeks to reduce the chances of a locked, unattended vehicle with a visible audio apparatus from being damaged.

A known anti-theft device for a car stereo is disclosed in EP0491568 (McCleod). The device comprises an inextensible elongate connecting means, one end of which is connected to the back of the car stereo, the other end which is secured to a forwardly situated part of a vehicle such as the engine bulkhead. In use, the connecting means is not visible from the outside of the vehicle and so it is not possible for a would be thief to tell how securely the stereo is mounted.

US3625031 (Alley) discloses a device for preventing the theft of a car stereo. The apparatus comprises a cable which has an adjustable loop at one end for encircling the steering column of a vehicle, and a fixed loop at the other end for engagement with the stereo via a shackle lock and bracket.

US4974433 (Wang) discloses a vehicle anti-theft device for locking to the steering wheel of a car. The device comprises an elongate rod which extends across the diameter of the steering wheel in use. One end of the rod extends further into the interior of the vehicle and carries a plate for location in front of the stereo in order to conceal it.

GB2214885 (Silvestros) discloses a cover for placing in front of a car stereo. The cover is locked in place by a telescopic member which is wedged between the gear lever or the hand-brake of the car and the cover.

There are a number of prior art documents which disclose lockable protective covers for stereos: GB2249579 (McMahon) discloses a cover which locks to a cage which is used to mount the stereo in the dashboard of a vehicle.

GB2104953 (Clarion) discloses a lockable cover for a stereo, the cover locking to the front panel of the stereo.

GB2242087 (Trident) discloses a similar invention to GB2214885.

WO 89/09993 (Blair) discloses a dummy cassette for insertion into a stereo in a "play" position and then a cover which locks to the dummy cassette in the stereo. The cover prevents access to the eject button of the stereo and so the combined cover and dummy cassette are locked in place.

Go2168522 (Red Bronze) teaches a cover with integral cassette-shaped member. The cassette member has locking levers operated by a key and these levers engage with the interior of the stereo.

US4616490 (Robbins), US4640106 (Derman) and GB1570616 (Telcefo) each disclose devices for locking a cassette in the cassette-receiving space of a cassette player to prevent it from being used.

The present invention provides an anti-theft device for an apparatus of the kind having an opening for the insertion of a data carrier, said device comprising a first member, at least a portion of which is adapted for insertion into the said data carrier-receiving opening of the apparatus, and means for locking said portion in said apparatus, an elongate flexible member connected by one end portion thereof to the first member, and means for making a locked connection between said first member and a fixed location so that in use the apparatus and the fixed location are coupled together by the first member and the flexible member.

The device has the advantage that it makes it obvious to a potential thief that the apparatus is secured to a fixed location. Accordingly, some time and effort would need to be expended in removing the apparatus. This may deter the thief from even attempting to steal the apparatus. Furthermore, even if the elongate member can be breached allowing removal of the apparatus, still further time and effort would be involved in removing the anti-theft device from the apparatus to allow it to be used. This may be too much trouble and again deter the thief from attempting to steal the apparatus in the first place.

The end of the flexible member connected to the first member may be releasably connected thereto by way of locking means.

Preferably, the means for locking said first member or said portion of the first member in said apparatus and the locking means for locking the flexible member to the first member are parts of the same locking means.

Preferably, the locking means is/are operated by way of a key or keys. An advantage of having a single locking means, is that the user of the device only needs to use one key.

Furthermore, the use of the device is simplified when only a single locking operation is required.

The means for making the locked connection between the flexible member and said fixed location may comprise said locking means.

Preferably, said flexible member has a free end remote from the end of connection to said first member, which free end has a locking engagement formation thereon.

Preferably, the engagement formation of the free end of the flexible member forms part of the locking means for locking the flexible member to the fixed location.

Preferably, the first member has guide means to assist its location with the apparatus.

The apparatus may have a front panel and the first member may comprise a further portion which shields at least a part of the front panel of the apparatus in use. An advantage of this is that a would-be thief cannot see the make and model of the apparatus. If the thief is unsure as to the potential value of the apparatus then he may be deterred from attempting to steal it.

The flexible member is preferably coloured or fluorescent in order to make it conspicuous.

The flexible member is preferably a cable.

The cable preferably comprises a core of plastics or rubber around which the strands of the cable form a sheath.

Preferably, the cable comprises an outer sheath of metal wires wound around the core. Such a cable has the advantage of being very resistant to cutting.

The invention also includes apparatus of the kind having an opening for the insertion of a data carrier in combination with a device as hereinbefore defined.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device in perspective view.

The device comprises a plate (1) for placing over the front panel of an audio device, e.g. a car stereo. A lock barrel (2) is mounted in the front of the plate and rotatable about its axis by means of a key (not shown). The barrel carries a lever having arms (3, 4). Arm (3) has a notch (5) which in a device locking position is in alignment with a hole (6) in the cover (1). Lever arm (4) is connected to a crank portion (7) of a rod (8). The end (9) of the rod (8) nearest the crank portion (7) is journalled with the cover (1). The other end of the rod (8) is bent downwards to form a leg (10).

A cable (11) is connected by one end to the cover (1).

The free end of the cable (11) has a ferrule (12). The cover (1) is also provided with guides (13, 13').

The operation of the device is as follows. The key (not shown) is inserted into the lock barrel (2) and turned anticlockwise so that lever arm (3) moves upwards and lever arm (4) moves downwards. The notch (5) in lever arm (3) is brought out of alignment with hole (6). Rod (8) is rotated about its axis so that leg (10) is moved from a vertical position to an horizontal position. The cover (1) is then placed over the front of a car stereo (not shown). The rod (8) is inserted into the cassette-receiving space of the stereo. Guides (13, 13') are inserted between the stereo and the dashboard thereby assisting in the location of the plate (1). Once in position, the free end of the cable (11) is taken and passed around or through an immovable object e.g.

the rim of the steering wheel of the car. The ferrule (12) of cable (11) is then passed through hole (6) in the plate (1). The key is then turned clockwise in the barrel restoring lever arms (3) and (4) to their starting positions. In doing so, the notch (5) is brought into alignment with hole (6) and at the same time seats behind ferrule (12) thereby locking it in position with plate (1). At the same time, the rod (8) rotates about its axis bringing leg (10) into a vertical position. Leg (10) engages with a part of the interior of the stereo thereby preventing removal of rod (8) from the cassette-receiving space and thereby locking cover (1) to the stereo. Removal of the anti-theft device requires the reverse sequence of operations.

In a second embodiment there are separate locking means, one for locking the first member in the data carrier-receiving opening of the apparatus, the other for locking the free end of the elongate flexible member to the first member. In using this embodiment, the first member is locked to the apparatus and the free end of the elongate member is then locked to the first member after being passed around or through a fixed location. Alternatively, the elongate member is coupled to the fixed location and locked to the first member before the first member is locked to the apparatus.

In a third embodiment, the device is as in the second embodiment except that the flexible member is releasibly connected to the first member. There are therefore three sets of locking connections and these can be operated in any order when putting the device into operation.

In a fourth embodiment, the elongate member is provided with an aperture, or eye, through which the elongate member can pass so as to form an adjustable loop which surrounds a fixed location in use, the other end of the elongate member is connected to the first member. In using this embodiment, the loop is passed around a fixed location and then drawn tight. The first member is then locked to the apparatus.

In a fifth embodiment, the device is as in the fourth embodiment except that the flexible member is releasibly connected to the first member by locking means. This embodiment can be used in the same way as the fourth embodiment except that as an alternative, the first member can be locked to the apparatus followed by the locking of the elongate member (already looped around the fixed location) to the first member.

In a sixth embodiment, one end of the flexible member is connected to the first member whilst the other end has locking means for locking the free end to a part of the flexible member between the connected end and the free end, thereby creating a loop portion. In using this embodiment, the first member may be connected to the apparatus followed by the looping of the flexible member about a fixed location and the locking of the loop in place. Alternatively, the flexible member may be looped about a fixed location and locked in place, followed by the locking of the first member to the apparatus.

In a seventh embodiment, the device is the same as the sixth embodiment except that the flexible member is releasably connectable to the first member. The resulting three locking connections can be used in any order when putting the device into operation.

The cover is preferably made from pressed steel. The rod is preferably of metal. The cable is preferably one with a plastics or rubber core overlain with a sheath of wire.

The present invention is not intended solely for use with care stereos but can be used to secure any audio or video equipment having a carrier receiving space against theft or unauthorised use or removal. The device could also be adapted for use with microcomputer disc drives.

Claims (13)

1. An anti-theft device for an apparatus of the kind having an opening for the insertion of a data carrier, said device comprising a first member, at least a portion of which is adapted for insertion into the said data carrier-receiving opening of the apparatus, and means for locking said portion in said apparatus, an elongate flexible member connected by one end portion thereof to the first member, and means for making a locked connection between said first member and a fixed location so that in use the apparatus and the fixed location are coupled together by the first member and the flexible member.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the end of the flexible member connected to the first member is releasably connected thereto by way of locking means.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the flexible member has a free end remote from the end of connection to said first member, which free end has a locking engagement formation thereon.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the means for locking the first member or a portion of the first member in said apparatus and the locking means for locking the flexible member to the first member are parts of the same locking means.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the means for making the locked connection between the flexible member and said fixed location comprises said locking means.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the free end of the flexible member forms part of the locking means for locking the flexible member to the fixed location.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first member has guide means to assist its location with the apparatus.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus has a front panel and the first member comprises a further portion which shields at least a part of the front panel of the apparatus in use.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible means is coloured or fluorescent in order to make it conspicuous.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible member is a cable.

11. A device as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the cable comprises a core of plastics of rubber around which the strands of the cable form a sheath.

12. A device substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in Figure 1.

13. Apparatus of the kind having an opening for the insertion of a data carrier in combination with a device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12.