GB2316052A - Motor vehicle security device - Google Patents

Abstract

A steering wheel security device has a plate (4) which is inserted onto a motor vehicle steering wheel. Upon insertion onto steering wheel, correspondingly arm 10 is moved relatively upwardly and placed onto instrumentation portion of abutting dashboard. Upon insertion of frame 6 onto steering wheel and positioning of arm 10, frame 8 incorporating locking mechanism is moved pivotally downwardly, whereas plug (14) is inserted into socket (18) providing a clamp which wholly secures to a steering wheel. To release said device from steering wheel, is simply implemented by the insertion of the corresponding locking key into the locking barrel, forcing plug (14) to release from the clutches of socket (18). Frame 8 is correspondingly pivotally moved upwardly providing the opening from the device to be removed from the steering wheel and dashboard.

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to security devices, and more particularly to security devices used within motor vehicles, which will act as a deterrent, obstacle etc for the prevention of theft etc.

The use of antitheft devices are commonly used today for the prevention of motor cars, commercial vehicles etc being stolen for numerous reasons, especially financial gain and joy riding. In an attempt to reduce the numbers of vehicles being stolen, motor vehicle manufacturers have resorted to adding additional security devices to their products for extra security. Although there efforts have slightly reduced the amount of vehicles being stolen, many of their methods of prevention, including door deadlocks, steering column locks and immobilizers, are simple to overcome by the professional vehicle thief.

Through the increase in motor vehicle crime, many independent security manufacturers have developed and are producing many supplementary security devices which can be simply installed into the majority of the vast range of motor vehicles today. These security devices encompasses differing systems, from electronic immobilizers, alarms to mechanical locks etc, with the majority of electronic immobilizers and alarms, requiring professional technicians for installation.

The use of electronic immobilizers, have and are proving highly effective presently, with many insurance companies requiring installation onto a vehicle before they will issue insurance. These electronic immobilizers are connected to vital elements of a car engine etc and prevent a vehicle from begin started without the corresponding correct key or electronic device.

Other further electronic devices, are siren alarms, which are activated once an unlawful person tampers with the vehicle or breeches the exterior. Although these devices do not prevent a vehicle being stolen, they do inform people within the locality of a possible crime scene.

However over the last few years, siren alarms have proved ineffective, partly due to alarms having a tendency to be accidently set-off by every day situations eg. a passing lorry etc. causing the general public to have a lassitude towards vehicle alarms.

Other security devices incorporate mechanical means, and generally comprise of a locking mechanism, which is connected to the steering wheel or gear lever of a motor vehicle, and prevents the steering wheel being moved sufficiently to drive the vehicle or engage into gear. One problem with these present systems, is the simplicity in which a car thief or criminal can overcome the system by simply breaking the lock and disengaging the mechanism.

Therefore it is commonly understood that many of the present methods for vehicle security, act only as a deterrent, rather than a method in which a vehicle may not be stolen and the present invention seeks to provide a motor inexpensive vehicle security device, which is simple to install by the motorist, to a standard vehicle steering wheel and which prevents the vehicle security device lock from being breached through its positioning, therefore preventing the vehicle from being stolen.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle security device, comprising of numerous connecting embodiments, arranged individually to provide a lockable clamp via a locking system, adapted to be mounted upon top side thereof and secured to a vehicle steering wheel and part thereof to be correspondingly pivotally movable for the purpose to be laid upon top side of instrumentation portion of a vehicle dashboard.

In order that the invention be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described of the device, by way of example only, references being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a frontal elevation of the device attached to a motor vehicle steering wheel.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device, showing the device attached to the steering wheel and connected to the dashboard.

Figure 3 is a view similar to figure 2, in an inoperative state.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the device in a closed inoperative position.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the device in an open position and showing the internal components.

Figure 6 is an underside elevation of the device in an open position and showing all the embodiments.

Figure 7 is a side view elevation of the device in an open position, showing all the embodiments.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the face plate, showing its configuration and bending positions.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the back plate, showing its configuration and bending positions.

Referring to the drawings and figures 1 to 9, the device, indicated generally by reference numeral 2, comprises a first member frame 4 comprising of three interconnecting main embodiments. First embodiment front plate 6 is constructed from sheet material fabricated at 90 degrees to provide a frame in which the vehicle steering wheel is guided into and housed. Said plate 6 is fabricated at positions 6a to provide vertically extended arms 6b, which are furtherly fabricated at positions 6c to provide horizontal portions 6d.

Said plate 6 is furtherly fabricated at 90 degrees along positions 6e which provides the frame with two angled walls 6f so as to provide a hold on the steering wheel. Upwardly extending said walls 6f revert downwards at position 6g to form two downwardly extending arms 6h, which both said arms 6h incorporate a single bore 6i so as to provide a pivotal point in which a further member my rotate. To provide the device with further security said plate 6 is fabricated at position 6j to provide a lip in which prevent a sharp object being forced into the locking mechanism.

A second member back plate 8 is provided to security lock said device 2 to the steering wheel. Back plate 8 is also constructed from sheet material fabricated at 90 degrees to provide a further frame, which is pivotally connected to said 6 as will be seen in figures 3 and 5 and provide a means in which the device can be locked onto said steering wheel, within wall of said 6.

Plate 8 is fabricated at positions 8a to provide two vertically extending portions 8b, which correspondingly incorporate a single bore 8c, with dimensions similar to that of bores 6i of 6. Furtherly, plate 8 is fabricated at positions 8d and 8e to provide a horizontal upper lip 8f and lower lip 89.

For the purpose to pivotally connect said 6 to plate 8 via bores 6i and 8c and to provide a barrier to prevent a steering wheel being rotational movable, there is provided an arm frame 10, constructed from metal bar and is fabricated at positions 10a to provide a shape in accordance with figure 6. Said fabrication provides arm 10 with two outwardly extending arms 10b, which are inserted into firstly bores 8c and then into bores 6i and are pivotally movable within said bores to provide the arm with a hinge movement from a first operative position as seen in figure 2 to a second closed position as seen in figure 4.

Positioning of said arm 10 in an operative position is provided through the configuration of said plate 8, whereas arm 10 slots within recess portions of plate 8.

To provide the device with the locking mechanism, there is provided a two embodiment push locking system. First part push locking system comprises of a locking barrel 12 and plug 14, which is attached to and secured within side wall 8h of plate 8 by a means not shown, whereas key entrance to said 12 is positioned as will be seen in figure 1 and 5, to prevent a car theft from easily tampering with the lock.

In order for simple installation of the key, there is provide a key guide member 16, which comprises of pressed material and is attached to face 8h by standard engineering techniques. As will be seen one side thereof locking system comprises of a plug 14, which is adapted to plug into and connect with corresponding locking receptacle 18 on plate 6.

Locking receptacle 18, comprises of a socket arrangement and is connected to one side thereof plate 6 as will be seen on figure 5.

In use and to provide a steering wheel locking device for the purposes aforementioned, there is provided a device 2 which is to attached to a motor vehicle steering wheel, through the pivotal upward movement of the plate 8 including 12 and 14 as will be seen in figure, which provides a clear channel in which frame 6 is inserted onto said steering wheel.

Upon insertion onto steering wheel, correspondingly arm 10 is moved relatively upwardly via the use of arms 1 0b moving rotational within bores of said 6i and 6 and placed onto instrumentation portion of abutting dashboard, whereas underside of arm 10 lays upon upside dashboard in accordance with figure 2. Upon insertion of frame 6 onto steering wheel and positioning of arm 10, frame 8 incorporating locking is moved pivotally downwardly, whereas plug 14 is inserted into socket 18 providing a clamp which wholly connects to a steering wheel.

To release said device 2 from steering wheel, is simply implemented by the insertion of the corresponding locking key into the locking barrel, forcing plug 14 to release from the clutches of socket 18. Frame 8 is correspondingly pivotally moved upwardly providing the opening from the device to be removed from the steering wheel and dashboard.

As with the embodiments of figures 1 to 9, there is provided an effective method in which vehicle can be secured to prevent theft. It is understood that due to the nature of the invention application, all embodiments of the device may be composed of a various durable metals, so as to provide the degree of durability and strength necessary to undertake its obligation.

It is clear that the invention in accordance with aforementioned is well adapted to carry out the objectives mentioned herein. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be interpreted in its broarded sense and the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and while accomplished within the spirit of the invention.

Claims (7)

1. A motor vehicle security device comprising of numerous connecting embodiments, arranged individually to provide a lockable clamp via a locking system, adapted to be mounted upon top side thereof and secured to a vehicle steering wheel and part thereof to be correspondingly pivotally movable for the purpose to be laid upon top side of instrumentation portion of a vehicle dashboard.

2. A motor vehicle security device as claimed in Claim 1, whereas the device slides onto the steering wheel, through the use of a fabricated frame, which is adapted to locate steering wheel in correct position.

3. A motor vehicle security device as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 whereas the securement means is provided through the use of a back plate which incorporates a locking mechanism. Which one part thereof connects with frame.

4. A motor vehicle security device as claimed in Claim 2 and Claim 3 whereas rotational securement means is provided by arm which is adapted to be placed upon instrumentation portion of abutting dashboard.

CLAIMS cont

5. A motor vehicle security device as claimed in Claim 4, whereas all embodiments are pivotally connected through the use of outwardly extending portion of movable arm.

6. A motor vehicle security device as claimed in any proceeding claim, whereas the key hole to locking mechanism is rear facing.

7. A motor vehicle security device substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 - 9 of the accompanying drawings.