GB2382766A - Using seat as an anti-theft device by locking in position so as to block the steering wheel - Google Patents
Using seat as an anti-theft device by locking in position so as to block the steering wheel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2382766A GB2382766A GB0129069A GB0129069A GB2382766A GB 2382766 A GB2382766 A GB 2382766A GB 0129069 A GB0129069 A GB 0129069A GB 0129069 A GB0129069 A GB 0129069A GB 2382766 A GB2382766 A GB 2382766A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- squab
- detent
- vehicle
- seat back
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R25/00—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles
- B60R25/01—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
- B60R25/014—Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens comprising means for locking the seat or parts thereof in a driving prevention position
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
Theft of vehicle is inhibited by moving a driving seat into an anti-theft position obstructing at least one essential driving control and by locking the driving seat in this position using a locking mechanism (29) located solely within the seat squab (10). The locking mechanism (29) comprises a first detent means (16, 17, 18) to lock the seat back (12, 13) to the seat squab (10) and a second detent means (35, 36) to lock the seat squab (10) to a vehicle floor structure (11). The first detent means (16, 17, 18) and the second detent means (35, 36) are linked together by the locking mechanism (29) for joint movement whereby locking of both seat back and (12, 13) and seat squab (10) is effected by opening a single lock carried by the seat squab (10) in a position facing the driver's door.
Description
<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
PREVENTION OF VEHICLE THEFT
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the prevention of vehicle theft and provides a vehicle anti-theft device which can either be incorporated in a vehicle as original equipment, or may be a kit for installation in an existing vehicle.
Background to the Invention
The problem of vehicle theft is so extensive that a wide range of vehicle anti- theft devices have been proposed. Initially door locks were all that was needed to inhibit theft, but these are now generally ineffective as thieves have developed techniques for picking most lock designs and, in the event that a lock proves effective, will enter the vehicle by breaking one of the windows.
As a consequence, much ingenuity has been exerted in providing vehicle antitheft devices which inhibit vehicles from being driven off in the event that a thief has gained access into the vehicle. Such anti-theft devices include original equipment such as steering column locks and engine inhibition systems, and accessories such as devices that can lock the gear lever, or a driving pedal, to the steering wheel. Whilst such accessories can be quite effective, a vehicle operator has to fit the vehicle anti-theft device to the vehicle each time that it is left unattended, to detach the vehicle anti-theft device whenever the vehicle is to be driven, and then has the inconvenience of having to store the loose anti-theft device inside the vehicle for future use.
In our UK Patent Application 0003168 we have taught that a vehicle anti-theft device should comprise a vehicle seat which is movable between an operative position permitting a driver to operate driving controls of the vehicle and an inoperative position in which the seat obstructs access to at least one of the driving controls, and a locking device operable to lock the seat in its inoperative position.
We also taught that the locking device should preferably be secured to the seat and have a detent movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking device being arranged so that the detent can only be moved to the locked position when the seat is in the inoperative position. Also that a keyhole for the locking de-
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vice should preferably be positioned in an outwardly facing side of the seat squab so that access to the keyhole is denied whilst the driver's door remained locked, and that the locking device preferably includes a locking mechanism mounted inside the seat squab. Also that the locking device may be secured to a frame of the seat squab in a manner that cannot be dissembled whilst the seat is in the inoperative position.
In the case where the seat squab is mounted by runners from rails carried by a floor structure of the vehicle whereby the seat can be slid from the operative position to the inoperative position in which the seat is too close to the vehicle steering column to permit the driver to sit on the seat squab, we taught that the locking device should preferably be operable to lock the seat squab, when in the inoperative position, to at least one of the rails or to the floor structure.
In the case where the seat squab is mounted by runners from rails carried by a floor structure of the vehicle so that the seat can be slid towards the vehicle steering wheel, the seat back is hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis so that the seat back can be pivoted towards the steering wheel, and the seat back is movable to the inoperative position by appropriately sliding the seat squab and rotating the seat back, we taught that the locking device should preferably be operable to lock the seat squab simultaneously to both the seat back and to at least one of the rails or to the vehicle floor.
In the case where the seat squab is mounted from a floor structure of the vehicle for movement towards the vehicle steering wheel and the seat back is hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis for pivotal movement towards the steering wheel so that the seat is movable to the inoperative position by combined sliding of the seat squab and rotation of the seat back, we taught that the locking device may include a bolt operative to lock the seat in the inoperative position, and that this bolt actuator should preferably be mounted to the floor structure and be arranged to operate the bolt as the seat is moved towards the inoperative position, the bolt actuator being arranged to move an upper end of the bolt into locking engagement with the seat back to prevent movement of the seat back away from the inoperative position, the bolt actuator also being arranged to retain the lower end of the bolt to prevent movement of
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
the seat squab away from the inoperative position, and a lock being mounted from the floor structure and being arranged to release the lower end of the bolt from the bolt actuator to permit the seat to be moved to the operative position. We also taught that the bolt actuator may be a ramp mounted from the floor structure under the seat squab, the ramp being positioned to operate the bolt and defining a detent positioned to retain the lower end of the bolt under control of the lock, and that the bolt may be mounted from the frame of the seat squab in a manner that cannot be dissembled whilst the seat is in the inoperative position.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention provides a novel construction of vehicle anti-theft device which is carried within the seat squab.
According to the invention a vehicle anti-theft device comprises a vehicle seat formed from a seat squab mounted from a floor structure of the vehicle for movement towards at least one vehicle driving control and a seat back hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis for pivotal movement towards the vehicle driving control whereby the seat is movable, by combined sliding of the seat squab and rotation of the seat back, to an anti-theft position in which driver access to the vehicle driving control is obstructed, a locking mechanism arranged to secure the seat in the anti-theft position, the locking mechanism being mounted solely from the seat squab and comprising a first detent means movable to a locking position to lock the seat back to the seat squab and a second detent means movable to a locking position to lock the seat squab to the floor structure, and a lock mounted from the set squab and operable to hold the first and second detents in their locking positions when the seat is in the antitheft position.
The locking mechanism preferably includes at least one bolt that is positioned normal to the horizontal hinge axis of the seat back. and the first detent means comprises a seat back detent formed in a frame of the seat back and a first end portion of the bolt, the seat back detent and the first end portion of the bolt being engageable whenever the seat back is rotated to the anti-theft position.
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
The locking mechanism preferably includes at least one swinging arm that has an upper end hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis, and the second detent means comprises a squab detent carried by a lower end of the swinging arm for engaging a stop defined by the floor structure, the squab detent and the stop being en- gageable whenever the seat squab is slid to the anti-theft position.
The locking mechanism preferably links together the bolt and the swinging arm such that the seat back detent will be engaged by the first portion of the bolt whenever the squab detent engages the stop.
The bolt is preferably spring-loaded to urge its first end portion towards the seat back detent but is restrained from movement by the swinging arm until the seat squab has been slid to the anti-theft position where the swinging arm can move the squab detent into engagement with the stop.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The drawings diagrammatically illustrate, by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the invention:
Figure 1 is a diagram showing a locking mechanism in relation to a seat back and a vehicle floor structure when the vehicle seat is in a position allowing access to the ve- hicle driving controls ;
Figure 2 is a diagram showing the articulation of the locking mechanism of Figure 1 when the vehicle seat is in a position in which driver access to the vehicle driving controls is obstructed, and
Figure 3 is a more elaborate diagram showing a side perspective of the vehicle seat and vehicle floor profile with the locking mechanism in the position shown in Figure 2.
Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment
With reference to the drawings, a vehicle seat comprises a seat squab 10 mounted from a floor structure 11 of the vehicle, and a seat back of which only a pair of parallelly spaced frame members 12 and 13 are shown.
The frame members 12, 1 3 are hinged to a frame 14 of the seat squab 10 about a transverse horizontal axis 1 5 so that the seat back can pivot towards unshown
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vehicle driving controls, for instance a steering wheel and control pedals, which would be positioned in front of the seat (that is to the right of each of the figures). Each frame member 12, 13 defines a respective seat back detent 16, 17 extending radially from the axis 15 for engagement by an end portion 18 of respective bolt 19,20 which are positioned normal to the axis 15. The bolts are slidably mounted from cross member
21 and 22 of the frame 14 and are urged towards the axis 15 by respective compres- sion coil springs 23, 24 which are located around their respective bolts 19,20 and react between the cross member 22 and respective collars 25,26 each secured to one of the bolts 19, 20. In this manner, as the seat back is pivoted to the position shown in Fig- ures 2 and 3, each bolt 19, 20 will be pushed by its spring 22,23 into the respective seat back detent 16, 17 to hold the seat back in position until the bolts 19,20 are re- leased.
The frame 14 of the seat squab incorporates runners 27 which engage rails 28 forming part of the floor structure 11 so that the entire seat can be slid towards and away from the vehicle driving controls to permit adjustment to suit different drivers.
As described to this point the vehicle seat is conventional and would also be provided with a further detent to hold the seat squab in its adjusted position.
This conventional seat is modified, in accordance with the present invention, in the following manner :-
A locking mechanism, indicated generally by arrow 29, is provided to lock the seat in an anti-theft position in which driver access to at least one of the vehicle driving controls is obstructed by the seat back and/or the seat squab.
A pair of swinging arms 30,31 are secured to shaft 32 which is supported between the runners 27 for rotation about the transverse horizontal axis of the shaft 32. Each of the swinging arms 30,31 defines an upper end 33 linked to a forward extension of the respective bolt 19, 20, and a lower end 34 which defines a squab detent 35 for engaging a stop 36 defined by the floor structure 11.
As the upper ends 33 of the swinging arms 30,31 essentially move along an arc struck about the axis of the shaft 32, and the bolts 19,20 are constrained to linear movement by the squab cross members 21,22, the linkages between them must ac-
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commodate this relative movement. There are several well-known linkages that will serve, for instance a clearance hole 37 formed through each upper end 33 to accom- modate the swinging of the arms 30,31 relative to the bolts 19,20, a drive connection between each of the bolts 19,20 and its respective swinging arm 30,31 being effected by an unshown transverse horizontal pin carried by each bolt and engaging a vertical slot formed in both sides of the clearance hole 37 in the respective swinging arm 30,
31.
The locking mechanism 29 is operated entirely by the coil springs 23,24 which swing the squab detents 35 downwards behind the stop 36 as soon as the seat is completely moved to the anti-theft position illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
An unshown lock is located in the side of the seat squab 10 facing the driver's door and is operable to prevent rotation of the shaft 32, thereby simultaneously holding the seatback and the squab in the anti-theft position. In order to release this vehicle anti-theft device, it is first necessary to unlock the driver's door, and then to release the lock securing the shaft 32 against rotation.
It will be noted that the entire anti-theft device is located within the seat squab 10 which is protected from interference by the position of the seat back. Also that the positioning of the shaft 32 towards the front lower edge of the seat squab 10 protects the locking mechanism 29 from interference through the gap under the back of the seat between the runners. Also that the geometry of the locking mechanism 29 lowers the squab detent 35 into a position in which any attempt to force the seat backwards will put the squab detent 35 into compression thereby protecting it from distortion.
It will also be noted that the seat back detents 1 6, 17 and the end portions 18 of the bolts 19,20 define a first detent means which is movable to a locking position to lock the seat back to the seat squab 10, and that the squab detent 35 and the floor stop 36 define a second detent means to lock the seat squab to the floor structure. If desired, other forms of first detent means and/or second detent means may be used.
Claims (6)
- CLAIMS 1. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising, a vehicle seat formed from a seat squab mounted from a floor structure of the vehicle for movement towards at least one vehicle driving control and a seat back hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis for pivotal movement to- wards the vehicle driving control whereby the seat is movable, by combined sliding of the seat squab and rotation of the seat back, to an anti-theft position in which driver access to the vehicle driving control is obstructed, a locking mechanism arranged to secure the seat in the anti-theft position, the locking mechanism being mounted solely from the seat squab and comprising a first detent means movable to a locking position to lock the seat back to the seat squab and a second detent means movable to a locking position to lock the seat squab to the floor structure, and a lock mounted from the set squab and operable to hold the first and second detents in their locking positions when the seat is in the anti-theft position.
- 2. A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claim 1, in which the locking mechanism includes at least one bolt that is positioned normal to the horizontal hinge axis of the seat back, and the first detent means comprises a seat back detent formed in a frame of the seat back and a first end portion of the bolt, the seat back detent and the first end portion of the bolt being engageable whenever the seat back is rotated to the anti-theft position.
- 3. A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the locking mechanism includes at least one swinging arm that has an upper end hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis, and the second detent means comprises a squab detent carried by a lower end of the swinging arm for engaging a stop defined by the floor structure, the squab detent and the stop being engageable whenever the seat squab is slid to the anti-theft position.
- 4. A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claims 2 and 3, in which the locking mechanism links together the bolt and the swinging arm such that the seat back<Desc/Clms Page number 8>detent will be engaged by the first portion of the bolt whenever the squab detent engages the stop.
- 5. A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claim 4, in which the bolt is spring-loaded to urge its first end portion towards the seat back detent but is restrained from movement by the swinging arm until the seat squab has been slid to the anti-theft position where the swinging arm can move the squab detent into engagement with the stop.
- 6. A vehicle anti-theft device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.6. A vehicle anti-theft device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.<Desc/Clms Page number 9>1. A vehicle anti-theft device comprising, a vehicle seat formed from a seat squab mounted from a floor structure of the vehicle for movement towards at least one vehicle driving control and a seat back hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis for pivotal movement to- wards the vehicle driving control whereby the seat is movable, by combined sliding of the seat squab and rotation of the seat back, to an anti-theft position in which driver access to the vehicle driving control is obstructed, a locking mechanism arranged to secure the seat in the anti-theft position, the locking mechanism being mounted solely from the seat squab and comprising a first de- tent means movable to a locking position to lock the seat back to the seat squab and a second detent means movable to a locking position to lock the seat squab to the floor structure, the first detent means being biased towards the locking position and the first and second detent means engaging automatically in their locking positions when the seat is in the anti-theft position, and a lock mounted from the set squab and operable to hold the first and second detents in their locking positions when the seat is in the anti-theft position.2. A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claim 1, in which the locking mechanism includes at least one bolt that is positioned normal to the horizontal hinge axis of the seat back, and the first detent means comprises a seat back detent formed in a frame of the seat back and a first end portion of the bolt, the seat back detent and the first end portion of the bolt being engageable whenever the seat back is rotated to the anti-theft position.3. - A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the locking mechanism includes at least one swinging arm that has an upper end hinged to the seat squab about a transverse horizontal axis, and the second detent means comprises a squab detent carried by a lower end of the swinging arm for engaging a stop defined by the floor structure, the squab detent and the stop being engageable whenever the seat squab is slid to the anti-theft position.4. A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claims 2 and 3, in which the locking mechanism links together the bolt and the swinging arm such that the seat back<Desc/Clms Page number 10>detent will be engaged by the first portion of the bolt whenever the squab detent engages the stop.5. A vehicle anti-theft device, according to Claim 4, in which the bolt is spring-loaded to urge its first end portion towards the seat back detent but is restrained from movement by the swinging arm until the seat squab has been slid to the anti-theft position where the swinging arm can move the squab detent into engagement with the stop.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0129069A GB2382766A (en) | 2001-12-05 | 2001-12-05 | Using seat as an anti-theft device by locking in position so as to block the steering wheel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0129069A GB2382766A (en) | 2001-12-05 | 2001-12-05 | Using seat as an anti-theft device by locking in position so as to block the steering wheel |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0129069D0 GB0129069D0 (en) | 2002-01-23 |
| GB2382766A true GB2382766A (en) | 2003-06-11 |
Family
ID=9927012
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0129069A Withdrawn GB2382766A (en) | 2001-12-05 | 2001-12-05 | Using seat as an anti-theft device by locking in position so as to block the steering wheel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2382766A (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0108581A2 (en) * | 1982-11-02 | 1984-05-16 | Jochanan Meir | Device for the prevention of vehicle theft |
| GB2359016A (en) * | 2000-02-12 | 2001-08-15 | Neil Emerson Elliott | Tiltable front seat to prevent vehicle theft. |
-
2001
- 2001-12-05 GB GB0129069A patent/GB2382766A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0108581A2 (en) * | 1982-11-02 | 1984-05-16 | Jochanan Meir | Device for the prevention of vehicle theft |
| GB2359016A (en) * | 2000-02-12 | 2001-08-15 | Neil Emerson Elliott | Tiltable front seat to prevent vehicle theft. |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0129069D0 (en) | 2002-01-23 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |