WO1994018424A1

WO1994018424A1 - Encased security device

Info

Publication number: WO1994018424A1
Application number: PCT/AU1994/000058
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clive Sydney Elgar
Original assignee: Clive Sydney Elgar
Priority date: 1993-02-08
Filing date: 1994-02-08
Publication date: 1994-08-18

Abstract

An encased security device (10) having a protective casing (12) comprised of a first component (14) and a second component (16). The first and second components (14, 16) are separable from a closed position in which the components are held together in abutting relationship, to an opened position in which the components are separated by an air gap but held together in spaced relationship. A locking mechanism in the form of a padlock (18) is housed within the casing (12) and is adapted to lock the first and second components (14, 16) together in the closed position. Locking mechanism (18) is substantially wholly enclosed within the protective casing (12) in its closed position, so that access to the locking mechanism is substantially inhibited. A pair of projecting members (34) are provided on the first and second components (14, 16) respectively, which together form the two halves of an ear or lug (35) for connecting the security device to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. Anchoring means in the form of a cable (40) for anchoring the security device to a vehicle may be fixed to the second component (16) of the casing by passing one end through an aperture (42) in the second component and welding the cable to the wall of the second component. The U-shaped member (28) of the padlock (18) is fixed to the second component (16) by means of a slotted circular plate (30) which is welded to the inner wall of the second component (16).

Description

ENCASED SECURITY DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a security device in which a locking mechanism is housed within a protective casing, and relatives particularly, though not exclusively, to such a security device for securing a motor vehicle against theft. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The following description will be given with particular reference to motor vehicle anti-theft devices, however it is to be understood from the outset, and it will be evident from the description, that the security device has many other applications, for example, in securing commercial and industrial installations . In recent years the incidence of vehicle thefts has reached epidemic proportions. To try and counter this trend, a large variety of electronic and/or mechanical vehicle anti- theft devices have been developed. Popular forms of mechanical anti-theft devices include various kinds of steering wheel lock. One form of steering wheel lock comprises a rigid telescopic tube having two U-shaped hooks which fit against the inside of the steering wheel rim. The tube consists of an outer sleeve and an inner shaft, and the device is fitted by moving the shaft outwards until both hooks engage the rim of the wheel on diametrically opposite sides. In this position, the end of the sleeve extends a significant distance beyond the steering wheel rim and interferes with the free rotation of the steering wheel to inhibit steering. The inner shaft has ratchet teeth which are engaged by a lockable pawl on the sleeve.

Another known form of steering wheel lock is structurally similar to the above, but is adapted to hook at one end onto the steering wheel and at the other end to a vehicle clutch or brake pedal. Recent tests conducted by The Australian Consumers

Association indicated that such popular forms of mechanical anti-theft devices can be readily circumvented. In many instances, the locking mechanism is readily accessible and can be easily broken by applying a modicum of force using a screw-driver or other instrument to provide mechanical leverage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was developed with a view to providing a security device which is more difficult to circumvent, by encasing the locking mechanism in a protective casing. According to the present invention there is provided an encased security device comprising: a protective casing comprised of a first component and a second component, the first and second components being separable from a closed position, in which the components are held together in abutting relationship, to an opened position in which the components are separated by an air gap but held together in spaced relationship; a locking mechanism housed within the casing and adapted to lock the first and second components together in the closed position, and wherein said locking mechanism is substantially wholly encased within the casing in the closed position so that access to the locking mechanism is substantially inhibited.

Preferably the security device further comprises connecting means for connecting the device to an object to be secured, said connecting means comprising first and second parts fixed to said first and second components respectively whereby, in use, when the first and second components are in the closed position said first and second parts can be connected to the object to be secured whereas when the first and second components are in the opened position said first and second parts can be disconnected from the object to be secured.

Advantageously the security device further comprises anchoring means for anchoring the device to a vehicle whereby, in use, the device can be employed to inhibit vehicle theft. Typically the anchoring means comprises a cable connected to at least one of said first and second components .

In one embodiment, said first and second components form two halves of an elongate casing and are each partially hollow. The locking mechanism may be a padlock. The body of the padlock may be housed within and fixed to the first component and the U-shaped member or hook of the padlock may be housed within and fixed to the second component. Preferably each end of the casing is covered with a plate, the plate at the end of the first component being provided with an aperture through which the keyhole of the padlock can be accessed with a key. A third plate may be located within the second component to facilitate fixing of the U-shaped member of the padlock to the inside walls of the second component.

The casing may be of circular or rectangular cross- section, or any other suitable shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature of the invention, several embodiments of the security device will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1(a), (b) and (c) illustrate a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 3 fitted to a vehicle steering wheel; and,

Figure 5(a) and (b) illustrate a third embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the security device 10 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and comprises a protective casing 12 comprised of a first component 14 and a second component 16. The first and second components 14, 16 are separable from a closed position (as illustrated) in which the components are held together in abutting relationship, to an opened position in which the components are separated by an air gap but held together in spaced relationship. A locking mechanism in the form of padlock 18 is housed within the casing 12 and is adapted to lock the first and second components 14, 16 together in the closed position. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 1 (b) , the padlock 18 is substantially wholly enclosed within the protective casing 12 in its closed position.

In this embodiment, the first and second components form two halves of an elongate casing 12 of circular cross- section and are substantially hollow. Each end of the casing 12 is covered with a plate 20, and the plate at the end of the first component 14 is provided with a circular aperture 22 through which the keyhole 24 of the padlock can be accessed with a key. Padlock 18 is a conventional padlock having a body 26 and a U-shaped member 28 connected thereto. The body 26 of the padlock 18 is fixed, for example by welding, to the inside of the first component 14, and the U- shaped member 28 is fixed to the second component 16.

In this embodiment the U-shaped member 28 is fixed to the second component 16 by means of a slotted circular plate 30 which is welded to the inner wall of the second component 16. The slotted plate 30 is illustrated in plan view in Figure 1(a) , and is provided with a diametrical slot 32 within which the U-shaped member 28 of padlock 18 is received. The U-shaped member 28 is welded in slot 32 in such a manner that when U-shaped member 28 is retracted into the body 26 of the padlock in its locked condition the first and second components 14, 16 will be substantially aligned and held together in the closed position. The gap shown between the first and second components 14, 16 in Figure 1(b) is exaggerated for illustrative purposes.

The security device 10 further comprises a connecting means 35 in the form of a pair of projecting members 34 provided on the first and second components 14, 16 respectively, which together form the two halves of an ear or lug 35 for connecting the security device to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. When the two projecting members 34 are aligned and the first and second components 14, 16 are held together in the closed position, a bore 36 is formed through the ear 35. The diameter of bore 36 is sized to fit snugly about the rim or other component of the steering wheel (not illustrated) in use.

This embodiment of the security device 10 further comprises an anchoring means in the form of cable 40 (not shown in Figure 1) for anchoring the security device to a vehicle. Cable 40 is fixed to the second component 16 of the casing by passing one end through an aperture 42 in the second component 16 and welding the cable to the wall of the second component. Alternatively, or in addition, the end of cable 40 may also be looped about the U-shaped member 28 of padlock 18. The other end of cable 40 is anchored to the vehicle, for example by being looped about the support frame of the vehicle seat. The length of cable 40 is selected to be substantially equal to the distance between the anchor point and the rim of the steering wheel, so that, in use, when the security device 10 is connected to the steering wheel there is no play in the cable and the steering wheel therefore cannot be freely rotated for steering.

In use, the security device 10 is connected or disconnected from the steering wheel by inserting a key through aperture 22 in the casing 12 for unlocking padlock 18. When padlock 18 is unlocked, U-shaped member 28 is released and the two components 14, 16 can be separated and pivoted relative to each other about the arm of the U-shaped member 28 which remains pivotally connected to the body 26 of padlock 18. It is not necessary for the two halves 34 of the lug 35 to move apart a distance equal to the full thickness of the steering wheel rim, since the two halves may be pivoted relative to each other so that they are non-aligned. One half may then be placed against the steering wheel rim and the other half pivoted back to an aligned position before the first and second components 14, 16 are moved back together again to the closed position. As the two components 14, 16 are moved to the closed position, the two halves 34 of lug 35 also close about the steering wheel rim. Clearly, lug 35 may be configured and dimensioned to fit about any part of the steering wheel, not only the rim, or indeed any other part of the vehicle controls, for example the gear stick. Furthermore, ear 35 may be replaced with any other suitable connecting means for connecting the security device to a part of the vehicle to effectively immobilise or prevent normal operation of the vehicle.

Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the security device 10 which is substantially identical to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, except that in this embodiment the body of the locking mechanism is provided integral to the first component 14 of the protective casing 12. Furthermore, this embodiment of the security device 10 incorporates an elongate member 38 which is fixed to and protrudes from the second component 16 of the protective casing 12. The locking mechanism of this embodiment is still in the form of a padlock having a hook-shaped member 28 which is pivotally connected to the body of the locking mechanism. The barrel of the locking mechanism is substantially identical to that of a conventional padlock and has been omitted from Figure 3 for clarity. An axial bore 44 is provided in the first component 14 to receive the lock barrel, and two parallel bores 46, 48 are also provided within the first component 14 to receive the respective ends of the U-shape member 28. A transverse bore 50 is also visible in Figure 3, (although this is filled during manufacture) , which is used when inserting the locking mechanism within the body of the padlock, in this case integral with the first component 14. The locking mechanism may, for example, be similar to that described in Australian Patent No. 553441 and sold under the trade mark "BILOCK" . In the BILOCK system each lock is only issued with one key which is registered with the manufacturer. BILOCK keys are difficult to duplicate, providing additional security for the locking mechanism. The embodiment of the security device 10 illustrated in Figure 3 has been designed as a steering wheel lock for a motor vehicle. Elongate member 38 in this embodiment passes through the end plate 20 of the second component 16 and is welded to the slotted plate 30 within the second component 16 as well as the end plate 20. Figure 4 illustrates the embodiment of Figure 3 fitted to a motor vehicle steering wheel 52. Elongate member 38 has a length which exceeds the diameter of the steering wheel 52 and is adapted to interfere with the free rotation of the steering wheel 52 when the security device 10 is connected thereto. The security device 10 is connected to the steering wheel 52 by first moving the first and second components to the opened position, placing the two projecting members 34 of connecting means 35 about the steering wheel grip and then returning the first and second components to the closed position so that the projecting members 34 are clamped about the steering wheel grip. The security device 10 as illustrated in Figure 4 has a BILOCK key 54 shown extending through an aperture provided for that purpose in the first component of the protective casing 12, to lock or unlock the locking mechanism housed within the casing. With this arrangement, it is difficult, if not impossible for a would-be thief to steer the motor vehicle. Furthermore, it is also extremely difficult for the would-be thief to remove the security device 10 from the steering wheel by damaging the locking mechanism, since access to the locking mechanism is substantially inhibited.

In all other respects, the embodiment of Figure 3 is structurally and functionally identical to that of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5(a) and (b) illustrate a third embodiment of the encased security device 10 according to the invention, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate like components to that of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. This embodiment of the security device is employed for securing a fuel supply cock located in the fuel supply line of a motor vehicle. When the fuel cock is opened, liquid or gaseous fuel is supplied freely to the engine, whereas closing the cock shuts off the supply of fuel to the engine. Figure 5(a) illustrates a typical fuel cock 60 with which the security device 10 of this embodiment may be employed. Fuel cock 60 in this embodiment is of the push- pull type and is provided with an extended spindle 70 which can be moved out and in to open and close the fuel cock 60 respectively. Spindle 70 is mechanically coupled, for example by welding, to the top of padlock 18. Therefore, when the padlock 18 is opened (unlocked) the fuel cock 60 is also opened, and when padlock 18 is closed (locked) fuel cock 60 is also closed. Hence, when the two components 14, 16 of casing 12 are returned to a closed position, fuel cock 60 shuts off the supply of fuel to the engine. This is the position in which the device 10 is left when the vehicle is unattended. When the driver returns to the vehicle, he simply unlocks the device 10 and separates the two components 14, 16 to the open position. This is the position in which the device 10 is left while the vehicle is being driven. Two apertures (not visible) are provided in diametrically opposite sides of the second component 16 of the casing 12, through which the two ends 64 of the fuel cock 60 protrude for connection to a fuel line. In this way, fuel cock 60 can be fully enclosed within the casing 12, which is in turn effectively anchored to the fuel line and cannot be removed without damaging the fuel line when the two components of the casing are locked together in the closed position. Typically the encased security device 10 would be located in the trunk of the car or under the bonnet where it is normally hidden from view.

In this embodiment the upper end of U-shaped member 20 on the second component 16. However, any other suitable means for fixing the U-shaped member 28 to the second component 16 may be employed, provided that when the U-shaped member 28 is retracted into the body 26 of padlock 18 in the locked condition, the two components 14, 16 of casing 12 are held together in the closed position.

To prevent the two components 14, 16 from inadvertently returning to the closed position in transit, for example if the vehicle drives over a pothole and is jolted, a coil spring 72 is provided to retain the padlock 18 in its unlocked condition. Spring 72 increases the compressive force required to return U-shaped member 28 to its retracted position, over that normally required to overcome the resistance provided by the internal spring of padlock 18. Spring 72 is mounted between the top face of padlock 18 and an annular stop plate 74 which is welded to the wall of the component 16 and/or the U-shaped member 28. The internal diameter of spring 72 is equal to or slightly larger than the U-shaped member 28. The encased security device according to the invention may be manufactured from any suitable materials . For example, the protective casing may be manufactured from a suitably hardened metal, for example steel, or alternatively from a reinforced synthetic material. Cable 40 of the first embodiment is typically a multi-fibre stainless steel cable which is practically impossible to severe other than by using an oxy-acetylene torch.

Now that several embodiments of the encased security device according to the invention have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the security device has a number of advantages compared to prior art anti- theft devices. It is of simple and robust construction and occupies a relatively small volume so that it can be easily installed in a confined space and/or stored in the vehicle cabin, for example, under the driver's seat. The protective casing of the security device greatly enhances its security as it inhibits access to the locking mechanism. The casing prevents a would-be thief from applying a cutting instrument to the locking mechanism, or attempting to force the locking mechanism open by leverage or impact as can be done with many prior art devices. The security device also lends itself to a variety of other applications. For example, when used as a steering wheel lock, the security device can also act as a car safe in which valuables can be stored. For example, taxi drivers can safely store money within the hollow confines of the protective casing so that they can provide change for their customers.

Now that various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be apparent to persons skilled in the mechanical arts that numerous variations and modifications may be made other than those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts . For example, the protective casing may be any suitable shape and is not restricted to the cylindrical configuration illustrated. Although each of the described embodiments employs a padlock as the locking mechanism, any suitable locking mechanism may be employed. The locking mechanism may be integral to either one or both components of the protective casing and may comprise one or more connecting members or a latch mechanism for engaging with the other component to hold the two components of the casing together in the closed position. Although the two components of the illustrated embodiments connect together in a simple butt joint, the peripheral edges of the first and second components may each be provided with an overlapping lip or inter-fitting tongue and groove arrangement to more effectively seal the locking mechanism within the casing. The locking mechanism need not be a key-operated mechanism, but may, for example, employ a combination lock. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description and the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. An encased security device comprising: a protective casing comprised of a first component and a second component, the first and second components being separable from a closed position, in which the components are held together in abutting relationship, to an opened position in which the components are separated by an air gap but held together in spaced relationship; a locking mechanism housed within the casing and adapted to lock the first and second components together in the closed position, and wherein said locking mechanism is substantially wholly encased within the casing in the closed position so that access to the locking mechanism is substantially inhibited.

2. An encased security device as defined in claim 1, further comprising connecting means for connecting the device to an object to be secured, said connecting means comprising first and second parts fixed to said first and second components respectively whereby, in use, when the first and second components are in the closed position said first and second parts can be connected to the object to be secured whereas when the first and second components are in the opened position said first and second parts can be disconnected from the object to be secured.

3. An encased security device as defined in claim 2, wherein said first and second parts comprise first and second projecting members respectively which together form the two halves of a lug for connecting the security device to a steering wheel of a motor vehicle.

4. An encased security device as defined in claim 3, further comprising a rigid elongate member fixed to one of said first and second components and having a length exceeding the diameter of the steering wheel of the motor vehicle whereby, in use, said elongate member is adapted to interfere with the free rotation of the steering wheel when the device is connected thereto.

5. An encased security device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second components form two halves of an elongate casing and are each partially hollow.

6. An encased security device as defined in claim 5, wherein said locking mechanism is in the form of a padlock, a body of the padlock being housed within and fixed to the first component and the U-shaped member of the padlock being housed within and fixed to the second component.

7. An encased security device as defined in claim 6, wherein said body of the padlock is provided integral to the first component, the padlock being key-operated and said first component having an aperture through which the keyhole of the padlock can be accessed with a key.

8. An encased security device as defined in claim 7, wherein said U-shaped member is pivotally connected to the padlock whereby when the first and second components are moved to the opened position, the second component can be pivoted relative to the first component about one of the arms of said U-shaped member.

9. An encased security device as defined in claim 7, wherein the security device is adapted to secure a fuel supply cock located in the fuel supply line for an engine of a motor vehicle, the fuel supply cock being housed within said second component whereby, in use, when the first and second components are in the closed position access to the fuel cock is denied.

10. An encased security device as defined in claim 9, wherein said fuel supply cock is of the push-pull type and is provided with a spindle which can be moved out and in to open and close the fuel cock respectively, said spindle being mechanically coupled to the body of the padlock whereby, in use, when the first and second components are moved to the opened position the fuel cock is opened, whereas when the first and second components are moved to the closed position the fuel cock is also closed to cut off the supply of fuel to the vehicle engine.

11. An encased security device as defined in claim 1, further comprising anchoring means for anchoring the device to a vehicle whereby, in use, the device can be employed to inhibit vehicle theft.

12. An encased security device as defined in claim 11, wherein the anchoring means comprises a cable connected to at least one of said first and second components.