GB2419211A

GB2419211A - Additional anti-theft protection utilising a vehicle's alarm sstem

Info

Publication number: GB2419211A
Application number: GB0423113A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Staley Cyril
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-16
Filing date: 2004-10-16
Publication date: 2006-04-19
Also published as: GB0423113D0

Abstract

A sensor switch 1 which may be held in position by any suitably shaped bracket 5 for attaching to either a vehicle's body shell 2 or a moving suspension component 3 such that relative displacement between the two (whilst a locked vehicle is parked with its anti-theft alarm system set on alert) will energise such system into which the sensor switch wires are electrically connected in order that it may act as an additional alarm activator whenever an unlawful attempt is made to raise the roadwheel 8 from the ground 9.

Description

Additional anti-theft protection utilising a vehicle's alarm system.

This invention relates to a means of activating a parked vehicle's existing anti-theft alarm system (being on alert mode) should thieves attempt to remove a roadwheel from a locked, parked, vehicle.

Presently, vehicle alarm systems do not extend to guarding against the theft of roadwheels without the entire vehicle being stolen.

To rectify this lack of protection, the present invention proposes a means of sensing an increase in the physical displacement between a vehicle's body shell and any selected suspension component that occurs when removing a roadwheel. Due to gravity, as the body shell is raised, suspension components descend as they approach the limit oftheir downward travel and finally hang in precise positions once their associated roadwheel clears the ground.

Any of these components, when drooping towards their lower position, may be detected by the attachment of a sensor switch, preferably of the noncontact magnetic proximity type. When wired into the vehicle's existing alarm system as an additional activator, the switch will conduct electrical energy through the vehicle's horns and/or lights whenever an unlawful attempt is made to steal a protected roadwheel from a parked, locked, vehicle whose anti-theft system has been set in its alert mode.

A sensor switch may be rigidly attached to either the body shell or a suitable suspension component without hindering the normal operation of the vehicle. The switch will remain electrically inactive during driving, as it will only attain standby status once the vehicle is parked with its alarm system set on alert. Should a thiePs purpose be to steal a roadwheel without taking the vehicle, the warning system will be activated, thus creating a deterrent against continuing with the theft. Any number of roadwheels may be protected in this way.

Sensor switches may be factory installed at the point of vehicle manufacture or be supplied as part of a retro-fitting kit whose fixing attachments are physically designed to suit attachment to specific vehicle makes and models for fixing to pre-manufactured, unprotected, vehicles.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure I shows a proximity sensor switch rigidly bracketed to the body shell such that it may detect the lower extremity of a suspension link whilst the roadwheel is hanging clear of the ground, Figure 2 shows a proximity sensor switch attached to the body shell such that it may detect the lower extremity of a coil spring wrapped around a hydraulic damper unit whilst the damper is not under compression.

Figure 3 shows four (this may be any required number) sensor switches schematically represented as an extension to the existing monitor switch loop of a vehicle's typical simplified wiring diagram relating to an antitheft alarm system, thus providing four, or any number of additional automatic monitoring points, in order to provide protection to a vehicle's roadwheels.

In figure 1, (typical rear suspension), a sensor switch 1 is shown attached to a vehicle's body shell 2 held by a bracket 5 adjacent to, but not connected to, a suspension link 3 in its lowest unloaded position once the roadwheel 8 has been raised clear of the ground 9.

The suspension link 3 is shown by dashed lines when in its normal operating position.

In figure 2, (typical front suspension), a sensor switch I is shown attached to a vehicle's body shell 2 clamped in place by locknuts 6 allowing adjustment of the sensing distance 7 from the bottom end of a damper's coil spring 4 in its lowest unloaded position once the roadwheel 8 has been raised clear of the ground 9.

In figure 3, four (this may be any required number) sensor switches I are shown schematically represented as an extension to the existing monitor switch loop of a vehicle's typical simplified wiring diagram relating to an anti-theft alarm system, thus providing four, or any number of additional automatic monitoring points, in order to provide protection to a vehicle's roadwheels.

Claims

Claims I A sensor switch positioned such that it may detect the extreme

downward movement of any of a vehicle's suspension components and is electrically connected to a vehicle's anti-theft alarm system in order that this will be activated whenever the body shell is raised such that a roadwheel being removed leaves or is about to leave contact with the ground while the vehicle is parked and locked with its alarm system set on anti-theD alert mode.
2 Multiple sensor switches operating as claimed in claim I fitted to protect more than one roadwheel of a vehicle.