Locks – Special application – For automotive vehicles
Patent
1989-11-17
1991-02-19
Wolfe, Robert L.
Locks
Special application
For automotive vehicles
70202, 70211, E05B 6512
Patent
active
049932489
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a lockable anti-theft device for a vehicle provided with a manual control lever (gear lever or gear selection lever) to achieve various drive positions, said device comprising blocking means to restrict the range of movement of the control lever in a lock position.
A wide variety of locking or anti-theft devices exist to prevent vehicles from being stolen. The most usual device, with which almost all vehicles are now equipped, is the key-operated ignition lock. Unfortunately such anti-theft devices have proved insufficient since the ignition contact can easily be by-passed and the leads between battery and starter connected directly to each other.
To further impede thefts, therefore, other types of locking devices have been added, e.g. of electrical or mechanical type, such as steering-wheel locks. However, these measures have unfortunately not given the desired result either and this type of crime still constitutes a major problem for owners, insurance companies and police authorities.
Anti-theft devices also already exist to lock the gear lever of a manual gearbox or in a vehicle with automatic transmission in a specific locking position such as reverse, neutral or parking position.
An example of such a device is described in DE-A-1 928 255. The anti-theft device described here is designed to permit driving in a low gear or in reverse, in a garage for instance. The lock comprises at least two movable parts which at least in locking position form a slit in which movement of the gear lever is restricted, at least to a low gear position. This anti-theft device is relatively complicated and requires fairly extensive installation work in the vehicle. The total cost is therefore relatively high, especially if it is to be fitted in a vehicle already built.
A similar locking system is described in GB No. 2 152 454. The control lever is, however, locked in one position here. This known lock consists of a lock casing which must be permanently fitted in the vehicle. The casing is provided with a displaceable locking plate provided with an aperture. When locked, the locking plate is displaced so that the aperture surrounds the gear lever and the locking plate is then locked in the casing by means of a key. This arrangement has substantially the same drawbacks as that described above. Both devices are clumsy and take up rather much space, thus encroaching on the mobility and convenient use of the gear lever.
Finally, DE-A-2 736 552 describes an anti-theft lock for a vehicle with automatic transmission, in which the gear lever can be locked in relation to the gearbox. Both gear lever and gearbox are specially designed and must therefore be removed and replaced by the construction described if they are to be used in a vehicle already built. This entails unreasonably high costs and very few owners would therefore consider equipping their vehicles with such a device.
The object of the invention is to achieve an anti-theft device for motor vehicles which is simple in design and thus inexpensive, and which can easily be used in a vehicle already built, without requiring extensive installation work.
This is achieved according to the invention in that the anti-theft device comprises a locking member connected to the blocking means, said member being movable to locking engagement with an element in the vehicle and releasable from said element in unlocked position.
One embodiment of the invention is described by way of example in the following in connection with a vehicle having automatic transmission, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
FIG. 1 shows an anti-theft device according to the invention in perspective, and
FIG. 2 shows the anti-theft device according to FIG. 1, in perspective, assembled in locking position in a gearbox.
The anti-theft device shown in the drawings is designed for use in a vehicle with automatic transmission and consists of a strong steel plate 1 shaped to fit the contour of the gearbox 9. It comprises a longish, flat section 1a which in locking position cover
REFERENCES:
patent: 1247512 (1917-11-01), Dobler
patent: 2693100 (1954-11-01), Wiegel
LandOfFree
Lockable anti-theft device for vehicles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lockable anti-theft device for vehicles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lockable anti-theft device for vehicles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1133958