GB2340098A

GB2340098A - Anti-theft device for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2340098A
Application number: GB9917930A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wynne Harries
Original assignee: GLANTAWE CONTRACT ENGINEERING
Current assignee: GLANTAWE CONTRACT ENGINEERING
Priority date: 1998-08-01
Filing date: 1998-08-01
Publication date: 2000-02-16
Also published as: GB9917930D0; GB9816813D0

Description

f I 2340098 Vehicle Anti-theft Apparatus The present invention is

concerned with vehicle anti-theft apparatus, and particularly automobile anti-theft apparatus. Vehicle anti-theft devices are known which lock to the 10 steering wheel and comprise an extension arm designed to make operation of the steering wheel difficult whilst the device is secured in position. In this way such devices act as a deterrent to potential thieves. It is possible for a determined thief to force the lock and remove the 15 device because known devices frequently suffer from lack of durability, robustness and strength. Improved anti- theft apparatus has now been devised.

According to the invention, there is provided vehicle anti-theft apparatus to be secured to a steering wheel, the apparatus comprising:

an elongate metallic arm having a distal end and a receiving portion spaced from the distal end, the receiving portion including spaced side-walls and a connecting portion, a respective aperture being provided in each side-wall of the receiving portion; and, an elongate locking element insertable to extend through the apertures, the locking element including a stop portion arranged to be substantially prevented from passing through a respective side-wall aperture.

The apparatus preferably further comprises locking means arranged to secure the locking element to the metallic arm. The locking element is preferably provided with an aperture for receiving a locking portion of the locking means therethrough, such as a padlock or the like. when 10 the apparatus is secured to a steering wheel, the locking element extends transversely through the apertures of the receiving portion relative to the longitudinally extending metallic arm. 15 Preferably, the apparatus is highly visible when such apparatus is secured to a steering wheel and may, for example, be of a striking colour (such as a luminescent colour) to help to deter a potential thief. Preferably, the metallic arm has a unitary construction and may be 20 shaped and dimensioned to be easily secured to a steering wheel. Ideally the locking element may be of a metallic material, such as, stainless steel which advantageously enhances the strength of'the apparatus when secured to a steering wheel. 25 Preferably, when the apparatus is securably attached to a steering wheel, the distal end of the metallic arm is spaced from the steering wheel rim. The distal end may substantially project outwardly from the steering wheel 30 rim which advantageously inhibits manoeuvrability of the steering wheel.

The receiving portion may be at the proximal end of the metallic arm and is preferably looped. Ideally, the receiving portion is substantially N%U" shaped.

Preferably, the connecting portion or base of the receiving portion has a substantially circular or oval configuration so that a portion of the steering wheel rim may snugly fit in the receiving portion.

It is preferred that each side-wall of the receiving portion has a corresponding aperture of equal size and dimension. The apertures may substantially be in parallel co-alignment so that the locking element may easily extend through the apertures. Preferably, the apertures are substantially equispaced from the connecting portion and are spaced sufficiently from the connecting portion, such that when the locking element is in place, the steering wheel rim fits snugly between the locking element and the connecting portion. Advantageously, this close fitting arrangement may substantially hinder the access of implements (such as crow bars or the like) which may be used to force and remove the apparatus from the steering wheel.

It is preferred that the locking element has a first end portion which includes a stop portion. Beneficially, the stop -portion is shaped and dimensioned so as to be incapable of passing through at least one of the apertures provided in the side walls of the receiving portion. The stop portion may preferably be of the same metallic material as the locking element. Preferably, the stop portion projects outwardly (preferably substantially perpendicularly) from the locking element. The stop portion may be integral to the locking element or, alternatively, may be bonded to the locking element by welding or the like.

The apparatus may further comprise a further receiving portion spaced from the first mentioned receiving portion preferably in a direction toward the distal end of the arm. The second receiving portion is arranged to receive a portion of the steering wheel rim spaced from the portion of the rim received in the first mentioned receiving portion.

The further receiving portion may be permanently fixed to the arm or, alternatively, demountable therefrom. The further receiving portion preferably comprises spaced side-walls (one of which may comprise the arm), a respective aperture being provided in each side-wall of the further receiving portion. 20 A respective elongate locking element is preferably insertable to extend through the apertures, the locking element including a stop portion arranged to be substantially prevented from passing through a respective 25 side-wall aperture. Locking means is preferably provided for locking the locking element to the arm. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the elongate metallic arm may include an aperture 30 substantially spaced from the distal end and the receiving portion, such that when the apparatus is secured to a steering wheel, the aperture is provided inside the steering wheel rim and preferably substantially adjacent a respective portion of the steering wheel rim. A bridging element which comprises a first plane and a second plane which are transverse (preferably substantially perpendicular) to one another may be provided, wherein each respective plane includes an aperture. The first plane may be insertable at the distal end of the metallic arm and may be traversed along the metallic arm until the first plane abuts the steering wheel rim. The aperture of the second plane may be substantially arranged to be parallelly co-aligned with the respective aperture of the metallic arm.

A locking element (which may be identical to the one described hereinabove) may be inserted to extend through the respective apertures, such that the steering wheel rim is between the first plane of the bridging element and the locking element. The locking element may be secured by padlocking means. Such an arrangement enhances the strength and efficiency of the apparatus in securing a steering wheel, as two regions of the steering wheel rim are secured (that is, at the receiving portion and at the bridging element portion).

In an6ther preferred embodiment of the present invention the metallic arm may include an aperture substantially spaced from the distal end and the receiving portion, such that when the apparatus is secured to a steering wheel, the aperture is provided outside the steering wheel rim and preferably substantially adjacent a respective portion of the steering wheel rim. A substantially "U" shaped element which includes a corresponding aperture in each respective side-wall may be arranged to loop around a region of the steering wheel rim. The respective apertures of the "U" shaped (or looped) element and of the metallic arm may then be aligned so as to insert a locking element through the apertures. In this arrangement, two regions of the steering wheel rim are also secured.

The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of anti-theft apparatus according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of anti-theft apparatus; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of vehicle anti-theft apparatus. Referring to the drawirgs, and initially to Figure 1, there is shown vehicle anti-theft apparatus generally 25 designated 1 comprising an elongate metallic arm 2 having a distal end 3 (provided with an aperture 4) and a proximal end 5 formed as a 'U' shaped section having opposed side wall portions 6, 7. Each side wall portion 6,7 is provided with a respective aperture 8, 9 arranged 30 facing one another.

A metallic locking piece 10 is insertable through aperture 8 to extend additionally through aperture 9 such that a central portion 11 of locking piece 10 spans the space between side walls 6, 7 and defines a region 12 dimensioned to receive a rim portion of a vehicle steering wheel (not shown). Locking piece 10 includes a stop 13 projecting transversely to the longitudinal direction of locking piece 10. Stop 13 is shaped at a dimension such that it will not pass through aperture 8. The distal end of locking piece 10 is provided with an aperture 14 which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the locking element of a suitable lock (not shown) such as for example the curved locking bar of a secure padlock.

In use, the metallic arm is positioned such that side wall 6 hooks over the rim of a steering wheel, the rim being received in region 12. Locking piece 10 is then inserted through apertures 8,9 and secured in position with the securing arm of a suitable padlock passing through aperture 14. The apparatus provides an extremely robust locking connection to the steering wheel. The longitudinal extent of arm 2 makes the vehicle difficult to drive whilst the arm 2 is secured in position and therefore acts as a strong deterrent to potential thieves.

Referring to Figure 2, the locking arrangement at the proximal wheel receiving end 105 is generally similar to - that described for the apparatus in Figure 1. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a second wheel receiving arrangement 115 is provided, in the form of an angled metallic bridge 116 provided with an elongate transversely extending aperture 117 such that the bracket 116 can slide along the length of arm 102 from the distal end. Bridge 116 com prises a wall portion 118 spaced from arm 102, wall portion 118 being provided with an aperture 119 corresponding to an associated aperture 120 provided in the arm 102 at a position intermediate the proximal and distal end.

A second locking piece 121 is provided to extend through apertures 119 and 120 to define a region 123 arranged to receive a second portion of the rim of the vehicle steering wheel. Locking piece 121 corresponds generally to locking piece 110 and 10 and comprises a corresponding stop portion 124 and aperture 122 for receiving the securing portion of the lock (such as the padlock). The embodiment shown in Figure 2 provides a further degree of security by having the second lock connection to the vehicle steering wheel rim and therefore provides additional deterrence to a potential thief.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a further alternative embodiment in which the arm 202 once again includes a first steering wheel rim receiving portion at its proximal end 205 which corresponds to those described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. Similarly to the embodiment of Figure 2, a further steering wheel rim receiving arrangement 215 is provided, comprising a 'U' shaped metallic channel section piece 216 having a first side wall 227 which is welded to arm 202. An aperture 219 is provided in the side wall 218 spaced from side wall 227. A corresponding aperture extends through side wall 227 and arm 202 is provided to receive the locking piece 221. When secured in position, locking piece 221 and 'U' section 216 together define a steering wheel rim receiving region 223 for receiving a rim of the steering wheel spaced from the rim portion secured in region 212.

In each embodiment an aperture 4, 104, 204 is provided in the distal end of the respective arm 2, 102, 202, the aperture providing a means for storage of the apparatus, when not in use, for example by hanging on a receiving hook or the like.

Claims

_10Claims

1. An anti-theft apparatus to be secured to a steering wheel, the apparatus comprising an elongate metallic arm having a distal end and a first receiving portion spaced from the distal end, the receiving portion including spaced side-walls and a connecting portion, a respective aperture being provided in each side wall of the receiving portion; and an elongate locking element insertable to extend through the apertures, the locking element including a stop portion arranged to be substantially prevented from passing through a respective side-wall aperture.

is

2. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 1 in which the locking element is provided with a separable locking means.

3. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 2 in which the separable locking means is a padlock, and the locking element is provided with an aperture toward the end of the locking element distal from the stop portion through which the locking portion of the padlock may pass.

4. An anti-theft apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the receiving portion is at the proximal end and is looped.

S. An anti-theft apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the receiving portion is substantially "U" shaped.

6. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 5 in which the first receiving portion is dimensioned and configured to snugly fit around a portion of the rim of the steering wheel.

7. An anti-theft apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the apertures in the side walls of the first receiving portion are so located and dimensioned that when the locking element extends through the apertures the rim of the steering wheel fits snugly between the locking element and the connecting portion.

8. An anti-theft apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the elongate metal arm includes a second receiving portion.

9. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 8 in which the second receiving portion is located between the first receiving portion and the distal end of the arm.

10. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 in which the second receiving portion is arranged to receive a portion of the rim of a steering wheel spaced from the portion of the rim received in the first receiving portion.

11. An anti-theft apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10 in which the second receiving portion is comprised of spaced side walls, a connecting portion, and a respective aperture in each side wall for receiving an elongate locking element insertable to extend through the apertures.

12. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 11 in which one of the side walls of the second receiving portion is comprised of the arm.

13. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 12 in which one side wall and the connecting portion of the second receiving portion are joined, both substantially planar and substantially perpendicular is to each other, the connecting portion being provided with an aperture dimensioned and configured to allow the elongate arm to slidingly pass through the aperture.

14. An anti-theft apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 13 in which the second receiving portion is dimensioned and configured to snugly fit around a portion of the rim of the steering wheel.

15. An anti-theft apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 14 in which the apertures in the side walls of the second receiving portion are so located and dimensioned that when the locking element extends through the apertures the rim of the steering wheel fits snugly between the locking element and the connecting portion.

16. An anti-theft apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the elongate metal arm includes an aperture through the arm, the aperture being in the region of the rim of a steering wheel when the first receiving portion is engaged with a separate portion of the rim of that steering wheel, and there is provided a substantially "U" shaped element in which the "U" shaped element is provided with an aperture through each arm of the "U", the apertures in the arm and in the "U" element all being located, dimensioned and configured so that a locking element can be passed through all three apertures whilst the rim of that steering wheel is between the base and arms of the "U" shamed element and the locking element.

17. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 16 in which a steering wheel rim fits snugly between the base and arms of the "U" shamed element and the locking element.

18. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 in which the aperture in the arm is outside the steering wheel rim.

19. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 16 or 17 in which the aperture in the arm is inside the steering wheel rim.

20. An anti-theft apparatus as herein before described and as illustrated in Figure 1.

21. An anti-theft apparatus as herein before described and as illustrated in Figure 2.

22. An anti-theft apparatus as herein before described and as illustrated in Figure 3.