GB2389944A

GB2389944A - Motorcycle support plate with anti theft alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2389944A
Application number: GB0213415A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Denis Topham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-12
Filing date: 2002-06-12
Publication date: 2003-12-24
Also published as: GB0213415D0

Abstract

An anti-theft device for a motorcycle comprises a support plate 1 for location under the foot 4 of a motorcycle stand 5 to spread the load. The support plate 1 includes a pressure sensor 6 and an electronic circuit to provide an alarm signal in response to a reduction in the pressure on the sensor. The alarm may be a local audible or visible alarm or may be a remote alarm signalled by radio including by cellular telephone.

Description

( ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an anti-theft device, for example for motorcycles.

Background to the Invention

5 Various devices have been proposed for prevention or deterrence of theft of mo torcycles, for example lockable chains may be used to prevent the motorcycle from being ridden, but unless a secure anchorage point is available it is still possible for the motorcy cle to be removed, for example by lifting it on to a trailer or other vehicle, for removal of the chains at another location. Alarm systems may be provided on the motorcycle to 10 provide an audible warning to the owner when an attempt is made to move it. While these can be effective, they are costly to install and involve modification of the motorcycle.

Devices are known which can be placed under an object and can be arranged to sound an alarm when the object is lifted off the device. Such a device is disclosed in GB2248956 and GB2163885.

15 Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an anti-theft device for motorcycles, comprising a support plate for location under the foot of a motorcycle stand to spread the load thereof, the support plate including pressuresensing means and an electronic sensing cir cuit connected thereto and adapted to provide an alarm signal in response to a predeter 20 mined reduction in the pressure sensed by the sensing means.

The pressure-sensing means may be a load cell, a simple spring-biased pressure switch, or any other switch or sensor responsive to a load placed thereon.

The alarm signal output by the sensing circuit may be provided o audible and/or visible warning means, for example a siren or a flashing light, but it may alternatively or 25 additionally be provided to a radio signalling device arranged to transmit a signal to a re mote warning device, for example carried by the motorcycle's owner. Thus, for example, the owner may place the anti-theft device under the foot of the motorcycle's stand before leaving the motorcycle in the open, carrying the remote warning device with him into a building. Any attempt by unauthorized people to move the motorcycle will be signalled 30 by the anti-theft device to the owner, enabling him to take immediate action to prevent

-2 the theft of or interference with the motorcycle. The radio signalling device could, for example, be a cellular radio telephone device arranged to connect to a predetermined telephone number on activation, thereby permitting the owner to specify a number to which the warning is transmitted, for example in the form of a prerecorded voice mes 5 sage. The radio warning may be in addition to or in substitution for an audible and/or visible warning at the motorcycle. When the radio warning is provided instead of an au-

dible or other warning at the motorcycle itself, the potential thief may thus be unaware that an alarm has been activated, permitting the possibility of apprehension of the thief in the course of the attempted crime.

10 The device may have the appearance of a conventional pad of the type which can be placed under the stand foot to prevent the foot sinking into soft ground, and may serve this purpose in addition to that prevention or deterrence of theft of the motorcycle.

The anti-theft device of the invention is relatively cheap to construct and is simple to operate, yet provides effective warning of any attempt to move a motorcycle protected 15 by it. Modification of the motorcycle is unnecessary. The antitheft device of the invention may be used with other portable devices which employ some form of ground-engaging support member or foot.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate an anti-theft device according to an exemplary 20 embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device with the foot of a motorcycle stand engaged therein; Figure 2 is a view corresponding to Figure 1, but without the foot in place; and Figure 3 is a block circuit diagram of the operative components of the device illus 25 bated in Figures 1 and 2.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device comprises a body 1 formed, for example, of a reinforced plastics material or of metal, and having in the upper surface 2 thereof a recess 3 for receiving the foot 4 of a motorcycle stand 5. The recess 3 is provided with a 30 pressure pad 6 on to which the foot 4 is located. The pressure pad 6 can be a hinged

- 3 plate connected to an electrical push-switch and spring-biased upwardly, or a simple eiec tronic switch device adapted to close when a predetermined pressure is exerted thereon and to open when the pressure is removed. A key-operated switch 7 (Figure 2) is pro vided to permit the device to be armed prior to placing the motorcycle foot 4 thereon, 5 the switch being positioned so as to be hidden beneath the foot, in use, so that the device appears to be a simple foot support and does not draw attention to the presence of the alarm. Referring now to Figure 3, the pressure pad 6 is connected to a sensing circuit 8 which is arranged to check at regular intervals (rather than continuously, so as to save 10 electrical power) whether the switch represented by the pressure pad is closed or open.

If it finds the switch open at any instant, the sensing circuit causes an alarm signal to be sent to a radio transmitter 9, activating the transmitter to transmit a signal to a remote receiver 10. On receipt of the signal, the receiver 10 provides an audible and/or visible warning to the user that the anti-theft device has been triggered.

15 The anti-theft device includes a control and power module 11, including the key operated switch 7, to provide power from a battery to operate the device when switched on by the key switch. The receiver can be configured as a key fob if desired, and may be arranged to operate the device remotely, permitting it to be switched on and off without the need to insert a key into a keyperated switch such as that shown at 7 in Figure 2.

20 It will be understood that the radio transmitter 9 could be configured as a cellular telephone transmitter, thus permitting the warning signal to be conveyed to a location remote from the motorcycle, for example to a private security service or to the police, or simply to the user's mobile telephone, avoiding the need for a separate receiver/warning device. The radio transmitter 9 could then be provided with a digital audio recording, for 25 example repeating the words "Motorcycle theft in progress" or the like during the cellular radio telephone transmission, perhaps including, for the benefit of a security service the registration mark of the motorcycle and preferably its location. The latter information would need to be recordable by the user each time the anti-theft device is armed.

Claims

( - 4 CLAIMS

1. An anti-theft device for motorcycles, comprising a support plate for loca-

tion under the foot of a motorcycle stand to spread the load thereof, the support plate including pressure-sensing means and an electronic sensing circuit connected thereto and 5 adapted to provide an alarm signal in response to a predetermined reduction in the pres-

sure sensed by the sensing means.

2. An anti-theft device according to Claim 1, wherein the pressuresensing

means is a load cell.

3. An anti-theft device according to Claim 1, wherein the pressuresensing 10 means is a spring-biased pressure switch.

4. An anti-theft devices according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising audible and/or visible warning means connected to the alarm signal output.

5. An anti-theft device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, comprising a radio sig-

nalling device connected to the alarm signal output, arranged to transmit a signal to a re 15 mote warning device.

6. An anti-theft device according to Claim 5, wherein the radio signalling de-

vice he is a cellular radio telephone device.

7. An anti-theft device for a motorcycle, substantially as described with refer-

ence to, or as shown in, the drawings.