GB2297301A

GB2297301A - Vehicle steering wheel incorporating an anti-theft security bar

Info

Publication number: GB2297301A
Application number: GB9501545A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Ball
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-01-26
Filing date: 1995-01-26
Publication date: 1996-07-31
Also published as: GB9501545D0

Description

VEHICLE SECURITY ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to a security arrangement for a vehicle.

Vehicle theft is becoming increasingly more common and has caused many problems in recent years. Various arrangements for deterring such theft have been proposed, including a security bar which clamps onto the front of the steering wheel, so that it projects beyond the rim of the wheel to provide an obstruction which limits movement of the steering wheel in either direction. Thus the vehicle cannot be properly steered and this provides a deterrent against theft of the vehicle.

However, such a security bar is fairly easily removable by cutting through the rim of the steering wheel using a saw or a set of bolt croppers: since most steering wheels comprise a steel frame of relatively thin diameter within a foam moulding, the clamped-on security bar may be removed by parting the wheel once it has been cut and slipping the security bar off. Relatively little damage is done to the vehicle and it may thus be simply driven away.

The clamp-on security bars have the added disadvantage of requiring storage when they are not in use.

I have now devised an arrangement which seeks to overcome the problems outlined above. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a steering wheel having a security bar incorporated therein and arranged such that said security bar may be fixed in an extended position in which it projects radially beyond the rim of the steering wheel, or in a retracted position substantially wholly within the circumference of the steering wheel.

The security bar may be straight or curved and is preferably mounted in the steering wheel substantially parallel with a horizontal centre axis of the wheel. Preferably the bar is fixed in either the extended or retracted positions by means of a lock. Preferably the front of the lock is accessible on the front of the steering wheel.

Preferably the bar has an elongate track formed lengthwise thereof, and into which a fixed guide element engages, enabling the bar to slide relative to the fixed guide element.

By incorporating a security bar within the steering.

wheel, it is much more difficult to remove without causing substantial damage to the vehicle. The problem of storage when the bar is not in use is also overcome, and the bar is easy to move between its extended and retracted positions. The steering wheel may include an electrical switch which is actuated, when the security bar is extended, to immobilise the engine or disable one or more systems of the vehicle, or to set a vehicle alarm.

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a front view of a steering wheel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, having its outer cover removed; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the steering wheel of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a front view of a steering wheel in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the steering wheel of Figure 3; FIGURE 5 is a front view of the steering wheel of Figure 1, with the security bar extended; FIGURE 6 is a front view of a steering wheel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, having its outer cover removed; and FIGURE 7 is a front view of the steering wheel of Figure 6, with the security bar extended.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a steering wheel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a circular metal frame 10 of generally circular cross-section, and a hub 12 which is provided a short distance behind the frame 10. The frame is mounted to the hub 12 by means of metal struts 14, 16, 18, each of the struts having one end affixed to the rear of the frame 10, and its other end inserted into sockets 20, 22, 24 respectively, which are formed around the outer edge of the hub 12, and held in place by cross-pin rivets (not shown). It should be appreciated, however, that any means for mounting the frame 10 to the hub 12 may be employed.

A rigid security bar 26 is provided across the rear of the metal frame 10 such that it runs parallel to, but upwardly offset from, the horizontal centre axis 28 of the frame. The security bar 26 comprises a generally rectangular-section metal member having a generally central elongated track 30 formed therein which runs along approximately two thirds of its length. A small section of the track 30 is widened to form a generally circular aperture 31. One end of the security bar 26 extends beyond the edge of the frame 10 by a short distance and is provided with a stop 32 and a handle 34.A fourth strut 36 having a diameter substantially equal to the width of the track 30 is provided, one end of which is inserted in the track 30 and held by means of a bolt 38, while the other end is coupled to the hub 12 by means of a fourth socket 40, which is formed in the outer edge thereof, and held in place by a crosspin rivet (not shown). The arrangement is such that the security bar 26 is slidable, relative to the strut 36 and the bolt 38, along its track 30.

A lock 42 is provided within the frame 10 and is fixed to one of the struts 18. The lock normally co-operates with an aperture 48 (Figure 5) which is formed in the security bar 26 such that movement of the bar is normally prevented.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, in the finished steering wheel, the frame 10 is covered and padded, for example with fabric or plastics material, both for comfort and for aesthetic purposes. A generally T-shaped section 44 is formed in the centre of the frame 10, an aperture 46 being formed in an appropriate part of the T-shaped section 44, such that the outer surface of the lock 42 is accessible.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, when the vehicle, to which the steering wheel in accordance with the present invention is fitted, is not in use, the security bar 26 may be unlocked and pulled outward such that it extends beyond the metal frame 10 by approximately two thirds of its length: when the bar 26 is pulled, it slides along the track 30 and is prevented from being extended too far by the strut 36 and the bolt 38 against which the opposite end of the track 30 rests when the bar 26 is fully extended. In this position, the generally circular aperture 31 formed in the track 30 is positioned directly behind the lock 42, for co-operation therewith, such that the security bar may be locked in the extended position.This severely limits the movement of the steering wheel: it is not possible to turn the wheel very far in either direction as the bar 26 would be obstructed by, for example, the windscreen or a driver's legs. Thus the vehicle is almost impossible to steer when the security bar 26 is locked in the extended position and an effective deterrent against theft of the vehicle is provided.

When the keyholder returns to the vehicle, the security bar may be unlocked and slid back to its original position, as shown in Figure 1. It may again be locked in order to prevent the bar 26 from becoming extended whilst the vehicle is being driven.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, a steering wheel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that described above. However, in this case, the security bar 26 is inwardly curved, and the track 30 formed therein is curved accordingly.

Referring to Figure 7 of the drawings, the frame 10 may again be padded and/or covered with, for example, fabric or plastics material. A generally T-shaped section 44 is provided at the centre of the frame 10 and is arranged such that the lock 42 is accessible.

In use, the security bar 26 is unlocked and extended along its track 30 from within the steering wheel until any further extension is prevented by the strut 36, Figure 6 and the bolt 38 Figure 6. The bar is then locked in that position, thus deterring theft of the vehicle, as before. When the keyholder returns to the vehicle, the bar 26 may again be unlocked, returned to its original position within the steering wheel (see Figure 6) and locked in that position.

Each of the above-described security arrangements may include an electrical switch which is actuated, when the security bar is extended, to disable the electrical circuit to the engine and so immobilise the latter, or to effect a fuel cut-off, for example.

It will be appreciated that the security arrangements described above may be incorporated into a steering wheel whether or not the latter has a safety restraint system (airbag).

Claims

1) A steering wheel having a security bar incorporated therein and arranged such that said security bar may be fixed in an extended position in which it projects radially beyond the rim of the steering wheel, or in a retracted position substantially wholly within the circumference of the steering wheel.

2) A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1, in which the security bar is mounted generally parallel with a horizontal centre axis on the wheel.

3) A steering wheel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the security bar is provided with a longitudinal track into which a fixed guide element is engaged, arranged so that the security bar is able to slide relative to said fixed guide element.

4) A steering wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a lock for fixing the security bar in each of its extended and retracted positions.

5) A steering wheel as claimed in claim 4, in which said lock is accessible on the front of the steering wheel.

6) A steering wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the security bar is straight.

7) A steering wheel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the security bar is curved.

8) A steering wheel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an electrical switch which is activated when the security bar is extended.

9) A steering wheel as claimed in claim 8, in which said electrical switch is arranged to immobilise the vehicle engine, disable one or more electrical systems of the vehicle, or set a vehicle alarm.

10) A steering wheel substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 or Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.