GB2157244A - Anti-theft device for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-theft device for motor vehicles with handbrake (19) in line with the gear lever (17) has a sleeve (1) which slides over the handbrake and comes to rest at a stop within the sleeve. In front of the stop extends an arm (2) pivoted from a pin welded within the sleeve. For normal gear levers a can assembly (20) encloses the gear knob. For automatic and long gear levers a tube arrangement partially surrounds the gear lever shank. Both the cam assembly and tube arrangement are split and when closed both parts are locked together at the forward most point by a catch type locking mechanism. The length of the device can be altered and secured by a hidden grub screw engaging holes (9) in the arm (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Anti-theft device for motor vehicles This invention relates to an anti-theft device for vehicles of the type with the handbrake lever located adjacent to the gear lever, thus immobilising essential controls of the vehicle. It is capable of being fitted to motor vehicles without involving any structural alterations.

The invention comprises of a capped tube which slides over the handbrake. Extending from this, is a bar with one of two ends, depending on the design of the gear lever. For small manual gear levers the type would be a box arrangement which completely surrounds the gear knob. For long or automatic gear levers, a tube arrangement would be used to surround the gear shank. Both arrangements are locked by a catch type locking device, permanently fitted on the arrangement.

The device according to the invention is fitted when the handbrake is on, and the gear lever is in it's forwardmost position.

As all vehicles do not have the same dimensions, and the distance between the gear lever and handbrake can vary, the length of the device can be altered. (This is done by extending the length of the bar).

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 - shows in perspective the device in position on a motor vehicle. The box arrangement is used, for a short manual gear lever.

Figure 2 - shows in perspective the device in position, using the tube arrangement for automatic or long gear levers.

Figure 3 - shows (Part I) the sleeve section common to both models of the device.

Figure 4 - shows (Part lIthe tube arrangement in an open position.

Figure 5- shows (Part Ill) the cup arrangement in an open position.

It can be seen by referring to the drawing that the two models consist of three sections, one section shown as (Part I) Figure 3 is common to both.

This consists oftubing capable of sliding overthe handle of a handbrake. The tubing has two P.V.C.

insulators (16) to insulate the handbrake from damage. Welded a quarter of the way in at one end of the tube is a washer type arrangement (6) which acts as a stop for the handbrake. The hole in the middle is so that the release trigger is not operated when the device is secured. In the space in front of this washer (6) is a pivot where a square section bar (2) is connected. The pivot comprises of an over-sized hole (7) drilled through the end of the bar, Through this hole is a pin (6) of smaller diameter. This pin is welded at both ends to each side of the tubing. The bar is allowed to slide along the pin, across the tubing, shown by arrows (22). The free end can swing up and down, shown by arrows (23) and swing across, shown by arrows (24). Along the drivers side of the device are a line of holes (9) running along the bar. These are for adjustment of the device's length.

A close fit square tubing (3) slides over the bar and is secured in position by a grub screw (5). The grub screw runs through a thread in the square tubing (3) and comes to rest in one of the selected over-sized holes (9) in the bar. At one end of the tubing is a hinge (14). The pin (10) for the hinge is welded at both ends. The hinge acts as a pivot for a swinging arm (4). This arm is the same length as the square section tubing (3). Up to this point both models are identical.

For the short manual gear lever: Two halves of a square can assembly (20) with sufficient size to accommodate the knob of a gear lever, are welded on to the free ends of the square section tube (3) and the bar (4), so that when the two halves are brought together by the closing of the swinging arm (4), the original form of a box shape is produced. At the bottom of the can assembly there is an oval hole (15), it is of sufficient diameter to allow a gear lever shank to pass through it, but not the gear knob. This hole is lined with rubber (12) as shown in Figure 5.

The device is locked by a catch locking device, fitted at the front of the can assembly. The key slot faces the driver.

ForAutomatic or Long Gear Levers:- (Figure 2) This model is fitted below the automatic gear lever handle, or manual gear knob. Two halves of a square tube (21), internally insulated with rubber or P.V.C.

(13), surrounds the gear lever shank (17). The internal diameter of the tube assembly is about twice that of the outside diameter of the gear lever shank.

It is locked in the same manner as the manual device.

The device relies on a firmness of fit. This is produced by undoing the grub screw (5), sliding the square section tubing (3) up or down the bar (2) until the correct length of the device is found. The grup screw (5) is then tightened in to the nearest hole (9) on the bar (2).

Any effort to move the gear lever (17) from it's forwardmost position, whilst the device is fitted is resisted by the incompressible action of the device, pushing on the handbrake.

The free movement of the arm (2) on the pivot (8), permits greater ease, for the device to be assembled on to the vehicle. It allows for any offset of the gear lever, or handbrake, from being in line with each other. Forthe manual arrangement (Figure 1), it allows for slight variations of the height of the gear knob, relative to the line of the handbrake.

For the automatic arrangement (Figure 2) it allows for the forward angle of the gear lever. By lowering the arm (2) the radius of curviture tends to lean the top of the tube arrangement (21 ) forward.

Due to this effect of the radius of curviture, if the arm (2) is raised, the tube arrangement will tend to lean back. The movement will then be stopped because the front of the gear lever will touch the 'top front' of the tube and the back of the gear lever will touch the 'bottom back' of the tube. The conclusion being, the device cannot be pulled off the gear lever shank if the gear knob is removed.

On the manual arrangement the can assembly completely surrounds the gear knob, making it in-accessible thus impossible to undo and remove.

Claims (8)

1. An anti-theft device for motor vehicles with the handbrake in line with the gear lever. The device consists of a sleeve which slides over the handbrake from which, an arm extends and encloses part of the gear lever, where it is secured by a locking arrangement. The gear lever is in it's forward most position.

2. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim [1] in which the arm (2-3) is adjustable in length.

3. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim [2] where the arm is pivoted on the sleeve [1].

4. An anti-theft device as claimed in claim [3] in which an arrangement is used to enclose the gear knob, making it in-accessible for removal.

5. An anti-theft device as claimed in any preceding claims in which a tube arrangement is used to restrain the movement of the gear lever.

6. An anti-theft device as claimed in any preceding claims in which the locking arrangement is at the forwardmost point of the device.

7. An anti-theft device as claimed in any preceding claims in which a catch type locking mechanism is used, where a key is not necessary to lock the device.

8. An anti-theft device substantially as described here in reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.