Anti-theft steering wheel blocking lock

Details Anti-theft steering wheel blocking lock Anti-theft steering wheel blocking lock

1999-07-09

2001-03-13

Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)

Locks

Special application

For control and machine elements

C070S226000, C070S237000, C070SDIG004

Reexamination Certificate

active

06199415

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to anti-rotation steering wheel covers which house a state-of-the-art battery operated motion detector having audio and visual alarms.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Car theft is a thriving international business. Known in the art to deter theft are electronic motion detectors which trigger a 130 db siren inside the car engine compartment as well as flashes the car lights. Also known in the art are anti-rotation and steering wheel vandalism protection systems. The closest known prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,149 (1998) to Winner, Jr. Winner, Jr. teaches the use of two centrally connected pie-shaped plates to cover about ⅗'s of the steering wheel. The plates are cut-resistant and further support an anti-rotation handle which is designed to abut the windshield or other car interior structures. The anti-rotation handle secures the two plates to the steering wheel, however, since the plates rotate around a rivet 80 (col. 8, line 26), only one size steering wheel can be accommodated by one pair of plates. Therefore, a costly line of various sized plates are needed to meet the markets' demands.
Additionally, no layered security system is disclosed by Winner, Jr. He only teaches a single layer mechanical security system. Also known in the art is a “S.W.A.T.” motion detector device which offers a 130 db alarm siren, see U.S. Design Pat. No. D365774. The present invention offers substantial new, useful and non-obvious features over Winner, Jr. First the present invention offers a variable width steering wheel lock. Second the present invention offers two extra layers of built-in security, a 130 db siren, plus a flashing strobe light. All these electronics run on a disposable battery. This device automatically arms and rearms itself after a pre-set period of approximately four minutes. Below follows a summary of related art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,681 (1998) to Gorokhovsky discloses an anti-theft locking device which has a steering wheel engaging member 30, an end wall 32 covering the steering wheel 12, a peripheral wall 33 extending over at least a part of the outer periphery of a rim 14 of the steering wheel. According to Gorokhovsky, any attempt made within a reasonably short time to make the vehicle driveable will fail because it is not possible to cut or break rim 14 and ribs 16, 18 that are covered by end wall 32 and peripheral wall 33 of the steering wheel engaging member 30 [column 5, lines 45+]. Further, the rim 14 cannot be turned relative to the steering wheel engaging member 30 because stops 34 would interfere with one of the ribs 16, 18. The entire device cannot be turned because of engagement between stop member 24 and dashboard 26.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,001 (1997) to Ho discloses an anti-theft device for a vehicle which includes a casing covering over 200° of the wheel engaged onto a steering wheel of a vehicle for preventing the steering wheel form being rotated and for protecting the air bag from being stolen.
U.S. Pat No. 5,666,832 (1997) to Cunningham discloses an anti-theft device for an automobile steering wheel. Specifically, Cunningham discloses the use of two sleeve halves forming a housing to prevent cutting of the wheel. A locking bar(s) is also provided.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,067 (1996) to Kim discloses an anti-theft device for automobiles and airbags. Kim discloses the use of hub to protect the wheel and airbag from theft. Kim discloses that the lip of the cover spans at least 120°, but preferably 180°, around the wheel [Column 2, lines 35+]. A clamshell embodiment is shown in
FIGS. 3-6
. An electronic alarm is taught as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary aspect of the present invention is to provide a multi-layer security system for a car's steering wheel including a first mechanical layer to prevent theft of the car and/or vandalism to the wheel, a second electronic motion detector siren level, a third motion detector strobe light level, a fourth power backup level, and a fifth level of lock activated L.E.D. warning lights.
Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.
The present invention provides:
Layered Protection
Mechanical Protection
Electronic Protection
Visual Protection
Audio Protection
Mechanical Protection
Adjustable width fits the steering wheel of Automobiles, light trucks, SUV's and boats.
Easily installed.
Easily removed.
Locks in place “without” use of key.
Cylinder deadbolt lock has millions of combinations.
Design wraps around “top-side-backside” of steering wheel.
Two clamshell sections cover 200 minimum degrees of steering wheel.
Carrying handle projects from the right clamshell main body.
Carrying handle prevents steering wheel rotation (coming in contact with windshield, “A” pillar, driver's door or driver's seat).
Design prevents air bag removal.
Constructed of space-age plastics and steel inserts which are cut-resistant and lightweight.
When in place of the steering wheel, product will not absorb heat from the sun, preventing heat damage to the steering wheel and air bag.
Electronic Protection
A single key activates L.E.D. visual warning system, a frequency siren, a strobe light, a motion detector, and locks the interlocking frame members together.
When the motion detector's tamper tolerance is exceeded, a strobe light flashes at pre-calculated intervals for a specified amount of time, and a second frequency siren sounds.
After reaching its specified amount of time, the strobe light and siren shut off and reset to an armed condition.
Continued tampering will repeat sequence.
Visual Protection
From three to seven key activated L.E.D. lights are user friendly for arming.
A down lighting strobe prevents easy covering up.
Audio Protection
Variable frequency siren is down firing to prevent vandalism, and increase amplification by reflex action of the sound waves.
Other aspects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.


REFERENCES:
patent: D. 365774 (1996-01-01), Collins et al.
patent: D. 411821 (1999-07-01), Markegard et al.
patent: 4959981 (1990-10-01), Davidson
patent: 5469135 (1995-11-01), Solow
patent: 5540067 (1996-07-01), Kim
patent: 5598725 (1997-02-01), Chang
patent: 5619872 (1997-04-01), McCarthy
patent: 5619873 (1997-04-01), Wood
patent: 5636537 (1997-06-01), Chen
patent: 5636538 (1997-06-01), Openiano
patent: 5666832 (1997-09-01), Cunningham
patent: 5676000 (1997-10-01), Chen
patent: 5676001 (1997-10-01), Ho
patent: 5678433 (1997-10-01), Riccitelli
patent: 5678434 (1997-10-01), Kuo et al.
patent: 5706681 (1998-01-01), Gorokhovsky
patent: 5735149 (1998-04-01), Winner, Jr.
patent: 5755124 (1998-05-01), Chang
patent: 5782116 (1998-07-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 5842360 (1998-12-01), Somerfield
patent: 5868016 (1999-02-01), Duran, Sr.
patent: 5887464 (1999-03-01), Perez
patent: 5906122 (1999-05-01), Jinn-Fu
patent: 5992190 (1999-11-01), Townsend

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