GB2293804A

GB2293804A - Security device for steering wheel of a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2293804A
Application number: GB9420022A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zia Haque
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-10-05
Filing date: 1994-10-05
Publication date: 1996-04-10
Also published as: GB9420022D0

Abstract

The security device comprises a steering wheel in 2 parts. When mounted the wheel rotates freely without engaging the rotatable member. The movement is controlled by a key in the centre of the device, a turn of this key engages the rotatable member. Once the wheel is disengaged any freewheeling movement of the wheel triggers an alarm switch activating also a flashing light to illuminate any intruder's face. The invention also allows a car horn to be operated via touch controls and also incorporates special lock nuts to prevent unauthorised removal of the security device. The outer part of the steering wheel is secured to the centre via two central shafts, connected to two way springs placed in the shaft. When sudden and heavy force is applied to the wheel, the impact is absorbed by the springs. <IMAGE>

Description

A SECURITY/SAFETY DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR AN ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR THE STEERING WigEi 4F A MOTOR VeH+G6E This invention relates to a security/safety device for a rotatable member and has particular but not exclusive application as a car security device.

It is wide practice to use steering locks to secure vehicles by restricting rotation of the steering wheel. All these devices, however visible and therefore open to force and damage. They also require time and effort to apply.

The present invention seeks to provide an alternative security device.

According to the present invention there is provided a security device for an apparatus operated and/or controlled at least in part by a rotatable member. Wherein the security device comprises a steering wheel comprising of 2 parts. When mounted the steering wheel rotates freely without engaging the rotatable member. The movement is controlled by a key in the centre of the steering wheel. A turn of this key engages the rotatable member. Also once the wheel is disengaged, the freewheeling movement of the wheel further triggers a switch which activates the car horn and a flashing light. The flashing light is angled to illuminate the intruder's face. A safety feature of the invention is its ability to absorh sudden heavy impact. The invention also allows the horn to be operated via touch control.Special lock nuts are also incorporated to to prevent removal of the steering wheel.

FIGURE 1/6 shows the location of the main features of the invention.

FIGURE 2/6 shows the 2 main parts of the device, comprising the upper half which is circular and has steering wheel attatched. The centre of this part is seperated from the outer part by a wheel bearing, this allows the outer part to rotate freely, it also houses the light element.

The lower part incorporates the locking shafts, these shafts are controlled by a key in the centre, which pushes the locking shafts outward into the locking holes of the upper part, this effectively engages the top part and the steering wheel.

FIGURE 4/6 shows the components of the device in details and the sequence in which the parts are assembled. The bottom half of the device is secured to the steering shaft via a lock nut. The electrical wires of the car horn are attatched to the alarm switch, the top half of the device is than bolted located around the centre near the lock housing, the lock is than inserted in the centre via a guide grooved in the centre, this is than turned and locked into position covering the bolts thus making them inaccessable without the key, the horn cover is than secured into position by specially adopted allen keys and a lock retainer.

FIGURE 3/6 shows the safety feature of the device, the outer part of the steering wheel is secured to the centre via two central shafts, these are connected to two way springs placed within the shaft and secured against general movement by a spring nipple. When sudden and heavy force is applied either at the top or bottom of the wheel, the impact is absorbed by the SPringS-which enable the steering wheel to move in either direction adn after the impact, return to normal position.

rIGURE 5/6 shows special safety component of the invention, this comprises a circular cover for the security light and also allows the car horn to be operated via touch control. It is constructed from clear plastic with either steel or any conducting (electrical) metal strips.

The metal strips allow the horn to be operated via touch control and the clear plastic allows the light to penetrate.

FIGURE 6/6 : shows the locknut used to secure the device to a rotatable member, this comprises of two parts, these can be constructed seperately.

Once pressed together, the inner part moves freely of the outer part. There are special coded grooves that extend the length of both parts. Any ordinary socket spanner would only move the outer part of the nut, however specially constructed corresponding coded grooved socket would be aligned with the grooved part of the nut allowing it to be moved in either direction. A s smaller versioin of the same could be used to secure the two main halfs of the invention.

Claims

1) A security/safety device for an apparatus operated and/or controlled at lest in part by a rotatable member, wherein the security device comprises a steering wheel in two parts received over the rotatable member so a s to restrict access to the rotatable member such that rotation of the cover in the same plane of rotation as the rotation member will not cause rotation af the rotatable member. Also incorporating an alarm switch located within the device activated by rotation of the said device which also triggers a safety light to operate in sequence with the alarm. Also included a shock/impact absorber within the safety device to withstand sudden heavy impact.

2) A security device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rotatable member comprises a wheel.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the steering wheel comprises at least two parts which are operable to be received around th erotatable member and engage each other.

4) A security device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the device comprises at lest one lock for locking together said at least two parts of the cover.

5) A security device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a plurality of bodies mounted for rotation.

6) A security device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rotatably mounted bodies are operative to engage the rotatable member.

7) A security device as claimed in claim 5 & 6 wherein the rotatably mounted bodies are located on the inside of the security device.

8) A security device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a switch is incoporated within the mounted bodies to activate an alarm.

9) A security device as in claim 1 wherein a light is incorporated within the security device as a warning light.

10) A safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein 2 way springs are incorporated within the device to withstand and absorb sudden impact.

11) A security/safety device as described herein with reference to figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.

12ç) A security device as claimed in claim one wherein a special locknut is inroporated within the mounted bodies, that is only operable via a corresponding specially adopted tool.