MXPA01006144A - Lock assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking device (10) including a lock (11), and a lock support element (18) on which the lock (11) is mounted, the lock support element (18) including a face (24) defining a plane, and characterized by a lock mounting assembly (26) for mounting the lock (11) onto the lock support element (18) in a selectable angular orientation with respect to the plane of the face (24) of the lock support element (18).

Description

INSURANCE ASSEMBLY FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to insurance assemblies, and in particular to an insurance assembly for the prevention of vehicle theft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Since the development of the automobile, the theft of motor vehicles has been a serious phenomenon that is increasing more and more. Several types of systems for the prevention of theft have been proposed and marketed, including audio alarms, interlocks of the vehicle's electrical system and mechanical safeguards, which prevent the unauthorized operation of vehicle controls, such as the steering wheel, change of speeds and brakes. An insurance for the change of speeds, manufactured and sold throughout the world under the US Patent No. 4,693,099 and under the registered trademark of MUL-T-LOCK by the applicant / assignee of the present invention, has enjoyed commercial success significant. U.S. Patent No. 5,598,140 of REF. : 130126 applicant / assignee describes further improvements to this insurance for the change of speeds, which include, inter alia, the operation of an auxiliary system against theft, such as an alarm, closing the safe for the change of speeds. The description of these two patents is incorporated herein by reference. Sometimes a problem arises in the installation of the gears for change of speeds, of the prior art. The gear change lock has a blocking element that prevents the movement of the vehicle's speed lever. The blocking element must be properly aligned with the gear selection mechanism of the vehicle, in order to prevent proper movement of the same. Inappropriate alignment can lead to a large, unacceptable clearance between the locking element and the gear selection mechanism, which can allow the movement of the gearshift lever within the gears and allow a thief to circumvent the device to lock the vehicle and take the vehicle driving it.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a safe for the change of speeds, which solves the problem mentioned above by providing a group of insurance assembly, to mount a safe for the change of speeds, on an element of support of the insurance, in an angular orientation selectable, with respect to the plane of the insurance support element. The selectable angular orientation ensures the proper alignment of a lock element for the gear change, with the gear selection mechanism of the vehicle and prevents the movement thereof. It should be emphasized that although the present invention is described herein for use with a gearshift lever of a vehicle, the scope of the present invention, however, is not limited to this application, but rather encompasses any type of insurance. of push and a selectable angular orientation thereof. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an insurance assembly including a latch, an insurance support element, on which the latch is mounted, the latch support element includes a face defining a plane , and insurance assembly group, for mounting the latch on the latch support element, in a selectable angular orientation, with respect to the plane of the face of the latch support element.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the latch includes a locking element that engages a portion of a gearshift mechanism of a vehicle. Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secure assembly group includes at least one first and second mounting elements, each mounting element having a hole defining a hole axis, and each mounting element includes at least one end face that is inclined at an angle not perpendicular to the hole axis. Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a second end face of each mounting element is, generally, perpendicular to the bore axis. Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least first and second mounting elements include a spacer having a non-uniform thickness. Also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a vehicle theft device, which includes a latch for engaging a portion of a vehicle gearshift mechanism, an insurance support element, for securing the vehicle insurance, and an insurance assembly group, to mount the insurance on the insurance support element, the insurance assembly group includes a flange against wedging. Also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a vehicle anti-theft device, which includes a latch for engaging a portion of a vehicle gearshift mechanism, an insurance support element, for securing the insurance to the vehicle, and an insurance assembly group, for mounting the insurance on the element of the insurance support, the insurance includes a thrust insurance comprising a keyhole, a cylindrical housing surrounding a tumbler and a cylinder cover reinforced that rotates freely, which has formed in it a slot access to the keyhole, in general of the same dimensions as that of the keyhole. Also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle anti-theft device, which includes a latch for engaging a portion of a vehicle's gearshift mechanism, an insurance support element, to ensure the vehicle insurance, and an insurance assembly group, for mounting the insurance on the insurance support member, in a threaded manner and including a lock nut to achieve fixed engagement to the insurance support member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully, from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a pictorial, simplified illustration of a device for blocking against theft of vehicles, constructed and operating in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a blocking element in lock coupling with a gear selection mechanism of the vehicle; Figure 2 is a simplified illustration, with separation of parts, of the vehicle theft blocking device, of Figure 1; and Figures 3 and 4 are simplified, sectional illustrations of the vehicle theft blocking device, of Figures 1 and 2, fully assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED MODALITY Reference is now made to Figures 1-3 illustrating a vehicle theft blocking device 10 constructed and operating in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle theft blocking device 10 preferably includes a latch 11 that includes a locking element 12 that can be selectively moved in and out of the lock coupling with a gear shift mechanism 14 of vehicle 16 (Figure 1) . A support member 18 of the latch is preferably provided to secure the latch 11 to a certain portion of a vehicle 16. Preferably the latch support member 18 is secured by mechanical fasteners 19 (Figure 1) or by welding to the vehicle structure 16. which is located below a gear selection console 20 (Figure 1) of the vehicle 16, such that a keyhole 22 of the safety 11 is the only part of the blocking device 10 that is exposed to a person inside the vehicle. vehicle 16. In this way a so-called thief would have great difficulty to have access to all other parts of the locking device 10. The locking element 12 is preferably arranged to be in lock engagement with the gear selection mechanism 14. close to the lower part of the mechanism 14, preventing again, substantially, that a supposed thief would mock the blocking device 10. The The support leg 18 of the lock has a face 24 defining a plane. A particular feature of the present invention is that a fastening assembly 26 is provided which is mounted to the latch 11 on the latch support element 18, in a selectable angular orientation with respect to the plane of the face 24 of the support element 18 of the insurance, as will be described now. Preferably, the mounting assembly 26 of the lock includes one or more inclined mounting elements, designated by the reference numerals 29 and 30 in the figures. Each mounting element 28 and 30 preferably has a hole 32 defining a hole axis 34. Each mounting element 28 and 30 has at least one end face (36 and 38, respectively) that is inclined at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to to the hole axis 34. A second end face (40 and 42, respectively) is preferably generally perpendicular with respect to the hole axis 34, as shown in the Figures, but alternatively may also be inclined with respect to the axis of hole 34. Taking into account the inclined faces 36 and 38, the mounting elements 28 and 30 are then angular separators having a non-uniform thickness. The manner in which the latch 11 is mounted to the latch support element 18, is now described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The latch 11 and the locking element 12 are preferably configured to fit through a formed hole 44 through a mounting element in the form of a generally cylindrical collar 46. The mounting member 46 preferably has a threaded shaft 48 at a distal end thereof and a collar 50 at a proximal end thereof. The shaft 48 passes through the mounting elements 28 and 30 placed on the opposite sides of the support element 18 of the latch, and through the hole 52 formed in the support element 18 of the latch. As seen in Figure 3, by appropriate rotation of the mounting elements 28 and 30, the mounting assembly 26 of the latch, mounts the latch 11 on the latch support member 18, in a selectable angular orientation (designated by the angle ß in Figure 3) with respect to the plane of the face 24 of the support element 18 of the latch. It is appreciated that any number and combination of these similar elements 28 and 30 can be used to the mounting elements, to mount the latch 11 in order to lock the support element 18, and that of course ß can be 90 ° if it is you want For example, angular mounting elements, having different thicknesses, can be used. The angular mounting elements provide not only an angular adjustment of the latch 11 with respect to the latch support element 18, but can also be used to move the latch 11 to a desired position, along the length of the shaft 34. In other words, the proper positioning of the angular mounting elements, and the use of elements with different thicknesses, accordingly adjust the position of, inside and outside, the latch 11, relative to the console 20. The threaded shaft 48 is preferably it is secured with a lock washer 67, a collar washer 69 and a locknut 72. The locknut 72 has a shear portion 74 with flat portions 76 for nuts, formed thereon. After rotating the locknut 72 at the end of the shaft 48, an additional torque is applied and the shearing portion 74 is secured by shearing. The rest of the security nut 72 can not be coupled by a tool, because the collar washer 69 prevents access to it. In this way, the axle 48 can not be easily dismantled from the support element 18 of the safety, by a supposed thief. A preferred structure of the latch 11 and mounting element 46 is now described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The latch 11 preferably includes a push latch that includes a cylindrical housing 54 surrounding a cylinder 55 in which a latch is located. rotating tumbler 53. A dust cap 17 (Figure 1) is preferably provided to protect the safety 11 from dust, liquids or other aggressive environments. Rotation of the tumbler 56 by an appropriate key (not shown) drives a locking protrusion 58 which may protrude outwardly from the cylindrical housing 54 of the latch 11. The locking protrusion 58 protrudes radially outwardly from the cylindrical housing 54 and is received in a manner that secured in a cavity 60 (FIG. 3) formed in the collar 50 of the mounting element 46. The locking projection 58 is preferably chamfered, such that the latch 11 conveniently engages in locking engagement with a mounting member 46, simply by pushing the latch 11 distally towards the mounting element 46. The latch 11 is unlocked by inserting the key and rotating the tumbler 56 appropriately to cause the locking projection 58 to move radially inwardly and be at least flush with the housing cylindrical 54. A conical spring 63 preferably pushes the latch 11 outwardly from the mounting element 46, in the direction of an arrow at 65, and the latch 11 with the blocking element 12 can be subsequently removed from the mounting element 46. The latch 11 and the mounting element 46 preferably exhibit a structure against theft. For example, the safety element 11 can be provided with a cylindrical cover 64, reinforced, with free rotation, having formed therein a slot 66 for access to the keyhole, generally of the same dimensions as the keyhole 22. The cylindrical cover 64, which is preferably made of hardened steel, substantially prevents unauthorized drilling of the tumbler 56, due to its free rotation and its hardness. In that embodiment, the cylindrical housing 54 has a sufficient diameter, such that the tumbler 56 is located in the center of the cylindrical housing 54. A more preferred arrangement is shown in Figure 4. In the embodiment of Figure 4, a Cylindrical cap, free-turning, 84, is provided again provided with a slot 86 access to the keyhole, generally of the same dimensions as keyhole 22. A stationary cylindrical cover 88 can be provided in this mode. Unlike the arrangement shown in Figure 3, the tumbler 56 and the cylindrical cover 84 are offset from the central axis of the cylindrical housing 54, obviating the need to manufacture a cylindrical housing 54 with a relatively larger diameter. As an additional measure against theft, the mounting element 46 is preferably formed of a flange against wedging, against which it connects a flange 70 correspondingly formed in the cylindrical housing 54.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to what has been shown and described, particularly, hereinabove. On the contrary, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and secondary combinations of the characteristics described hereinabove, as well as the modifications and variations thereof, which could occur to a person of skill in the art, when reading the previous description and that are not found in the prior art.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A blocking device, comprising: a lock; and an insurance support element, on which the lock is mounted, the insurance support element comprises a face defining a plane; and characterized by a safety mounting group, for mounting the latch on the latch support element, in a selectable angular orientation, with respect to the plane of the face of the latch support element. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the latch comprises a blocking element which is coupled to a portion of a speed-changing mechanism of a vehicle. The device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the insurance assembly group comprises at least one first and second mounting elements, each mounting element having a hole defining a hole axis, and each mounting element comprises at least one end face that is inclined at an angle not perpendicular to the hole axis. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that a second end face of each mounting element is generally perpendicular with respect to the hole axis. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least first and second mounting elements comprise a spacer having a non-uniform thickness. 6. The device according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the assembly assembly of the latch comprises a flange against wedging. The device according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that at least one between the first and second mounting elements, has a different thickness than the other between the first and second mounting elements. 8. A locking device, characterized in that it comprises: a latch for coupling to a portion of a vehicle gearshift mechanism; an insurance support element, to ensure insurance to the vehicle; and an insurance mounting group, for mounting the latch on the securing support element, the latch comprises a thrust latch including a keyhole, a cylindrical housing surrounding a tumbler, and is characterized by a reinforced cylindrical cover, free rotation, which has formed in it a slot access to the keyhole, in general of the same dimensions as the keyhole. 9. The device according to any of claims 1-7 and in that the latch comprises a thrust safety device that includes a keyhole, a cylindrical housing surrounding a tumbler, and a cylindrical reinforced cap, with free rotation, which is formed in it is a slot for access to the keyhole, in general of the same dimensions as the keyhole. 10. A locking device comprising: a latch for engaging a portion of a vehicle's gearshift mechanism; an insurance support element, to ensure insurance to the vehicle; and characterized by an insurance assembly group, for mounting the latch on the latch support element, in a threaded manner and in that it comprises a lock nut for fixed engagement with the latch support element. 11. The device according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the safety assembly group comprises a safety nut for the fixed coupling to the securing support element.