WO1989003329A1

WO1989003329A1 - Security apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1989003329A1
Application number: PCT/AU1988/000396
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Arthur Burton; Roeland John Ansems
Original assignee: Haybond Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1987-10-16
Filing date: 1988-10-12
Publication date: 1989-04-20

Abstract

Apparatus for inhibiting unauthorized use of a device, the apparatus comprising a control member (42) which is capable of adopting an off position in which position the device is rendered inoperable and an on position in which position the device can be operated. The apparatus further includes actuating means (20) operatively connected to the control member (42) so that the control member (42) is responsive thereto. The actuating means (20) is capable of adopting an activating position in which position under normal operating conditions the control member (42) is caused to adopt its on position and the actuating means (20) further being capable of adopting a deactivated position in which position the control member (42) is caused to adopt its off position, thus preventing the flow of fuel through the passage (41) from the fuel pump (86) side of the fuel line to an outlet (87) for delivering fuel to the carburetor. The apparatus further includes lock means (30) associated with the actuating means (20) which in a lock position inhibits removal of the actuating means (20) from the deactivated position and when in a release position permits the actuating means (20) to adopt the activated position.

Description

"SECURITY APPARATUS"

This invention relates generally to security apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for inhibiting unauth^'orizied use of a device.

The apparatus is particularly suitable for use with fuel driven engines and one particular application for which the invention finds use is in connection with automobiles. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to that particular application, however, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be considered limited in any way by reference to this particular application.

Reliable security devices have in recent years become more prevalent particularly in attempting to try and avoid the problems of vehicle theft.

Generally such apparatus has suffered from the disadvantage of complication and expense.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved security apparatus which is relatively simple in construction and effective. According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for inhibiting unauthorized use of a device the apparatus being characterised by a control member capable of adopting an off position in which position the device is rendered inoperable and an on position in which position the device can be operated; actuating means operatively connected to said control member so that said control member is responsive thereto, said actuating means being capable of adopting an activating position in which position under normal operating conditions said control member is caused to adopt said on position said actuating means further being capable of adopting a deactivated position in which position the control member is caused to adopt said off position; and lock means associated with said actuating means which in a lock position inhibits removal of the actuating means from the deactivated position and when in a release position permits the actuating means to adopt the activated position.

The apparatus of the present invention may comprise two main housings which may be in the form of two separate housings one housing for the control member and the other for the actuating means. Preferably these two main housings are operatively interconnected by flexible coupling means the arrangement being such that movement of the actuating means between its activated and deactivated positions causes movement of the control member. Preferably the coupling means comprises a flexible element operatively interconnecting the control member and the actuating means.

In one preferred form, the control member is normally urged into its off position. The arrangement is such that if the operative connection between the control member and the actuating means is severed or disengaged the control member will be urged to adopt its off position. For example, in the preferred from discussed earlier where two housings are provided which are interconnected by a flexible element if the flexible element is cut or becomes disengaged from the control member, the control member will adopt its off position. Preferably the control member is operatively connected to the flexible element so that if the control member is caused to move beyond a critical preselected point the flexible member will disengage from the control member. In one preferred form, first and second biasing means are provided the first biasing means being adapted to urge the control member towards the off position for example as described above and the second biasing means being adapted to urge the actuating means into the activated position. Preferably, the second biasing means. as a greater operating force than the first biasing means so that when the second biasing means is applied to the actuating means it can over-ride the force of the first biasing means.

Preferably the control member is in the form of a valve which in the off position is adapted to close a passage through which fluid is adapted to pass when the valve is in the second position. As mentioned earlier, one particular application of the present invention relates to fuel driven engines and motors and in this particular application the passage forms part of the fuel line which delivers fuel from the storage area to the engine. In one preferred form, the actuating means comprises an actuating button which is accessible to an operator from the main housing of the actuating section the button being operatively connected to the flexible coupling which in turn is operatively connected to the coupling member. The lock means in its lock position adapted to inhibit movement of the actuator button between the activated and deactivated positions, the lock means being operable to hold the actuator button in the deactivated position.

Preferably the lock means comprises a pivotal lever which can be pivoted under the rotation of a key lock mechanism between lock and release positions. In the lock position the lever is adapted to engage a detent on the actuating button or the flexible member so as to inhibit movement between the deactivated position and the activated position. Preferably the lever is urged towards the lock position by suitable biasing means. In another preferred embodiment, the lock means comprises -a plurality of locking elements disposed in respective recesses which extend between a fixed part of the actuating means and the actuator button, the recesses being disposed circumferention with respert to the axis of the actuator button and the elements being radially movable between a first position which defines the release position in the elements are disposed entirely within that portion of the recess in the fixed part and a second position defining said lock position in which said elements bridge across the junction of the recess between the fixed part and the actuating button thereby inhibiting axial movement of the actuator button relative to the fixed part. Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of apparatus according to the invention fitted to a motor vehicle; Figure 2 is a sectional view of part of the apparatus of the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of another part of the apparatus of the invention; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a more detailed view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a further side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 6; Figure 12 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of control member according to the invention;

Figure 13 is a sectional view of a second form of actuating means according to the invention;

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken along the line F-F in Figure 13; and

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along the line G-G in Figure 13.

The apparatus as described with reference to the drawings is a security apparatus for inhibiting unauthorized use of a vehicle by controlling the flow of fuel to the engine.

As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus of the present invention comprises two main parts 3 and 4 which are operatively interconnected by a flexible coupling 6. One part 3 comprises a housing for a control section of the apparatus and is operatively connected to or associated with the fuel pump 81 of an engine 80. The other part 4 comprises a housing for an actuating section of the apparatus and is conveniently mounted to the dashboard 85 of the vehicle.

Figure 2 illustrates the main components of a first embodiment of the actuating means of the apparatus. The actuating means 20 comprises a main housing 14 having an elongated cavity 15 therein through which one end of the flexible coupling 6 passes. As shown, the flexible coupling comprises a cable member 7 which is encased in a reinforced hose 8. The actuating means generally indicated at 20 comprises an actuating button 21 which is accessible from the front side of the main housing 14. The button is operatively connected to push rod 22 which in turn is operatively connected to the end of the cable member 7. Spring 24 is provided in the cavity 15 and urges the actuating means 20 outwardly towards the aforementioned activated position (as shown in phantom in Figure 2). The button 21 and push rod 22 are limited in their actual movement as a result of the stop 26 and co-operating shoulder 27 on the push rod 22.

There is further provided lock means generally indicated at 30 disposed within the main housing 14 and which is capable of acting upon the actuating means 20. The lock means 30 comprises a pivotally mounted lever 32 having a locking recess 33 at one of its free ends and the locking recess is locatable within a reduced section 28 of the push rod 22 so that when it is in this position (the lock position) axial movement of the push rod 22 and therefore the actuating button and flexible cable are inhibited. The lever 32 is pivotally mounted on shaft 34 and is movable by cam 36 which in turn is mounted for rotation on a rotatable element 37. Spring 31 tends to urge the locking lever 32 into the locked position. A key operable rotatable mechanism which may be in the form of a tumbler barrel 38 causes rotation of element 37 as a result of insertion of a key into the barrel 38. The lever 32 may also be arranged to cause operation of a switch actuated light 39 when in the release position.

Figures 13 to 15 illustrate a second embodiment of the actuating means 20 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the actuator button 21 and lock means 30 are incorporated into a single assembly. As shown, in this embodiment the actuating means 20 comprises a main housing 14 with an elongated cavity 15 therein through which one end of the flexible coupling cable member 7 passes. The flexible cable member 7 is operatively connected to the actuator button 21 which is movable in an axial direction along the cavity 15 between two limit positions. Spring 24 is disposed within cavity 15 and urges the actuator button 21 outwardly with respect to main housing 14. In this particular embodiment, the lock means

30 comprises a rotatable shaft 70 which is rotatable by a key operable mechanism in the head 21A of the actuating button 21. A cam plate 71 having a series of cam surfaces 72 thereon is secured to the shaft 70 for rotation therewith. Each cam surface 72 has associated therewith a follower in the form of a follower pin 73 which tracks along an associated cam surface 72. Locking elements in the form of balls 75 are engageable by respective follower pins 73. The balls 75 are disposed within co-operating recesses 76 and 77 in the actuating button 21 and main housing 14 respectively. A spring 79 is disposed in each main housing recess 77 urging each ball 75 radially inwardly. The operation of the above mechanism will hereinafter be described. When the actuator button 21 is in the deactivated position (i.e. pushed in) the associated recesses 77 in the main housing 14 and the recesses 76 in the actuator button 21 are aligned and springs 79 causes the balls to adopt the position shown in Figure 13 where they are disposed partly within both associated recesses 76 and 77. It will be appreciated that in this position axial movement of the actuating button 21 relative to the main housing 14 is inhibited. Thus, in this position, the lock means 30 is in the lock position.

To move the lock means 30 into the release position, a key is inserted into the key operable mechanism in the head 21A of the actuator button 21. This enables the shaft 70 to be rotated and as a result of this the cam plate 71 is also rotated. Rotation of the cam plate 71 causes each follower bin 73 to track along cam surface 72 thereby forcing the balls 75 out of the recesses 76 into recesses 77. When the balls 75 are clear of recesses 76 the spring 24 urges the actuating button 21 into the activating position.

When the key is removed from the key operable mechanism the cam plate 71 returns to its first described position the balls 75 being retained in recesses 77 by the outer surface of the actuating button 21. To return the actuating button to the deactivated position, it is simply pushed inwardly until the associated recesses 76 and 77 are realigned whereupon- springs 79 urge the balls back into the position shown in Figure 13.

As shown there is further provided an ignition interlock switch 90 which is arranged so that the ignition of a vehicle cannot be activated without the actuating mechanism first being moved to the activating position.

Figure 6 illustrates the main component parts of a first embodiment control section of the apparatus. The control section 3 comprises a main housing 40 having a passage 41 with a control member 42 therein which is adapted to prevent the flow of fuel through the passage 41 from the fuel pump 86 side of the fuel line to an outlet 87 for delivering fuel to the carburettor. The control member 42 comprises a valve 43 therein in the form which is adapted to open and close the fuel passage 41. The valve member 43 is located within a cavity 45 within the main housing 40 and is capable of axial movement therein between the closed position in which it engages seat 44 (referred to in the broad context as the off position) and an open position (the on position). The valve member 43 is operatively connected to the other end of the flexible cable member 7 by a releasable connector 46. The releasable connector 46 comprises a carriage 48 to which the cable member 7 is attached and the carriage 48 includes a roller 49 mounted on a shaft 50 which is receivable in a pair of slots 52 in a connector piece 51 which is secured to valve member 43. The carriage 48 and its associated roller are under normal operating conditions disposed within a portion of the cavity 45 of reduced dimension. Thus in this position, the shaft 50 cannot be dislodged from slots 52 in the connector piece 51. If, however, the carriage is withdrawn from that portion of the cavity 45 of reduced dimension and enters the larger dimensioned part 45A, the shaft will pull out of the valve member 43. The reasons for this arrangement will hereinafter become apparent. A spring 47 is provided in recess 45 and is arranged to urge the valve member 43 into its closed position. The force of spring 47 is adapted to be overridden by the force of spring 24 as will herinafter be explained. If, for example, the cable^' is cut, the spring 47 will urge the valve member into its closed position. If the cable is drawn outwardly beyond the position where the carriage enters the cavity section of larger dimension, the cable will disconnect from the valve member and again spring 47 will cause the valve member to move into its closed position. The main housing .40 is surrounded by a cover member 60 which is secured to the housing by bolts 62. Means is provided to inhibit removal of bolt 62 when valve member 43 is in the off position (i.e. closed). This means comprises a pair of metal balls 64 which are mounted in recesses in the housing 40 between the bolts 62 and the valve member 43 so that they can engage a surface of each. The bolts 62 are formed with recessed or thinned sections 63 as does the valve member have a similarly waisted or thinned section 65. When the valve member is in the first position, the balls 54 are not in the waisted section 65 and are forced into the recessed portions 63 on the bolts 62 thereby inhibiting their withdrawal. When the valve member 43 is in the second position (i.e. open) the balls 64 are disposed in the waisted section 65 thereby enabling the bolts to be withdrawn.

Referring to Figure 12 there is shown a second embodiment of control section 3 according to the invention. Where possible like numerals as used in the description of the first embodiment have been used to describe like parts in this second embodiment. In the drawing, the left hand side shows the control member in the on position and the right hand side in the off position.

The control section 3 comprises a main housing 40 having a cavity 45 therein with a control member 42 slidably receivable within the passage. The control member 42 in this embodiment when in the off position is adapted to prevent the flow of fuel from an inlet 91 to an outlet 92. The control member 42 comprises a valve 43 located within the cavity

45 within the main housing 40 and being capable of axial movement therein between the off position in which it closes inlet 91 and the on position in which the flow of fluid can pass from inlet 91 to outlet 92. The valve member 43 is operatively connected to the other end of the flexible cable member 7 by a releasable connector 46.

In this embodiment, the releasable connector

46 comprises a plurality of balls 94 which are locatable in recesses in the valve member 43 the recesses

95 being inhibited from radial outward movement by the dimension of that part of cavity 45 shown as 45A. The knob 7A on the end of the flexible cable is held captive above the ball 94 under normal operating conditions. If however the cable 7 was withdrawn until it was pulled into section 45B of cavity 45 the balls 94 would fall out of the recesses because of the larger dimension of this section of the cavity 45B_f thereby releasing the flexible cable 8 from the valve member 43.

A spring 47 is provided in recess 45 and is arranged to urge the valve member 43 into its off position. The force of the spring 47 is adapted to be overridden by the force of the spring 24 as has been explained earlier. If for example, the cable has cut the spring 47 will urge the valve member into its off position. If the cable is drawn outwardly beyond the position where the carriage enters the cavity section of a larger dimension, the cable will disconnect from the valve member and again spring 47 will cause the valve member to move into its closed position. As indicated in Figure 1, the apparatus is suitable for closing the fuel line in an engine. Thus, with the actuating member 20 in the deactivated position, the control member 42 is in the closed position and therefore fuel cannot pass to the carburettor. By inserting a key into the key mechanism and rotating the mechanism, the locking means is release the spring 24 causes the actuating button 21 to move into the activated position. Movement of the button 21 into the activating position causes the control member 47 to open and therefore fuel can pass to the carburettor.

To return the actuating means to its deactivated positon, one simply pushes the actuating knob or button which enables the locking means to adopt the lock position and as such, the control spring 47 causes the control member 42 to be moved into its closed position.

It will be appreciated that the security apparatus of the present invention provides a unique device with many advantages over prior apparatus. In the preferred form, the push button actuator is simple and positive and a key is not required to lock the actuator into the deactivated position, the key only being required to release it so that it can move into the activated position. The housings may be formed from hardened steel with suitable end caps closing all apertures and cavities. Conveniently the key operable mechanism may be defined by the ignition lock of the vehicle. Preferably the flexible cable is surrounded by a reinforced hacksaw resistant hose, however, if it should be cut, the biasing spring in the control housing causes the valve member to automatically adopt its first or closed position. Furthermore, the housing is encapsulated in a cover member which prevents access to the moving parts of the device. The housing is secured in such a way that the bolts securing it can only be removed when the valve member is in the second or open position. Various alterations, modifications and or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions^' and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. Apparatus for inhibiting unauthorized use of a device the apparatus being characterised by a control member (42) capable of adopting an off position in which position the device is rendered inoperable and an on position in which position the device can be operated; actuating means (20) operatively connected to said control member (42) so that said control member (42) is responsive thereto, said actuating means (20) being capable of adopting an activating position in which position under normal operating conditions said control member (42) is caused to adopt said on position said actuating means (20) further being capable of adopting a deactivated position in which position the control member (42) is caused to adopt said off position; and lock means (30) associated with said actuating means (20) which in a lock position inhibits removal of the actuating means (20) from the deactivated position and when in a release position permits the actuating means (20) to adopt the activated position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterised in that said control member (42) is urged towards said off position so that if the operative interconnection between said control member (42) and said actuating means (20) is interrupted or disengaged said control member (20) is urged to adopt said off position.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that said lock means (30) comprises a key operable mechanism (38) which permits said lock means (30) to adopt either its lock and/or release positions.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1,2 or 3 characterised in that said control member (42) and said actuating means (20) are operatively interconnected by flexible coupling means (6) the arrangement being such that movement of said actuating means (20) between said activated and deactivated positions causes movement of the control member (42) via said flexible coupling means (6) .

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including first and second biasing means (47), (24) said first biasing means (47) being adapted to urge said control member (42) towards the off position and the second biasing means (24) being adapted to urge the actuating means (20) into the activated position, the second biasing means (24) having a greater biasing force than the first biasing means (47) so that when said lock means (30) is in said release position said second biasing means

(24) urges said actuating means (20) into said activating position and said control member (42) is caused to adopt said on position.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim characterised in that said control member (42) comprises a valve (43) which is movable between said on and off positions and in said off position is adapted to close a passage (41) through which fluid is adapted to pass when the valve (43) is in the on position.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim characterised in that said actuating means (20) comprises an actuating button (21) which is accessible to an operator said actuating button (21) being operatively connected to said flexible coupling

(6) which in turn is operatively connected to the control member (42).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterised in that said lock means (30) when in said lock position is adapted to inhibit movement of the actuator button (21) between the activated and deactivated positions, said lock means (30) being operable to hold the actuator button (21) in the deactivated position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 characterised in that said lock means (30) comprises a pivotal lever (32) which can be pivoted under the rotation of a key lock mechanism (38) between said lock and release positions.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 characterised in that said lock means (30) comprises a plurality of locking elements (75) disposed in respective recesses (76), (77) which extend between a fixed part (4) of said actuating means and said actuator button (21), said recesses (76), (77) being disposed circumferention with respect to the axis of the actuator button and said elements being radially movable between a first position which defines said release position in said elements are disposed entirely within that portion of the recess in said fixed part and a second position defining said lock position in which said elements bridge across the junction of the recess between the fixed part and the actuating button thereby inhibiting axial movement of the actuator button relative to the fixed part.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim characterised by connecting means (46) operatively connecting said control member to said flexible coupling member said connecting means being such that movement of said control member beyond a selected point causes said connecting means to disconnect said control member from said coupling member.