Locks – Special application – For control and machine elements
Patent
1993-06-30
1995-01-17
Gall, Lloyd A.
Locks
Special application
For control and machine elements
70226, 70238, B60R 2502
Patent
active
053816790
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to vehicle anti-theft devices and in particular to devices of the type which are adapted to be associated with a vehicle steering wheel so as to prevent or limit rotation thereof.
BACKGROUND ART
A number of different vehicle anti-theft devices of the type which are attachable to a steering wheel are presently known. In one common form, such a device includes two parts which are provided with hooks for engaging opposite diametrical portions of the steering wheel. Such devices normally also include a member or part which extends beyond the periphery of the steering wheel to engage a portion of the vehicle when the wheel is rotated so that rotation of the steering wheel limited and thereby the risks of theft considerably reduced. Examples of such devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,738,127 and 4,970,884. Other devices are attachable between the vehicle steering wheel and a vehicle operating pedal such as a brake pedal as for example devices of the type disclosed in Australian Patent No. 599230. These devices, not only limit wheel rotation, but also prevent operation of the vehicle pedal to which it is secured.
The devices that are presently known are often relatively complex and their locking mechanisms do not provide a desired degree of security. Additionally, the strength and rigidity of some of these devices is limited.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to provide vehicle security devices for minimizing or reducing the risks of theft of a vehicle. The present invention also aims to provide devices which may be easily fitted to, or associated with a vehicle or vehicle steering wheel and which provide a high degree of security.
The present invention thus provides an anti-theft device for a vehicle adapted to be associated with the steering wheel of said vehicle so as to prevent or limit rotation thereof, said device including a first elongated member a second member associated with said first member and slidably movable longitudinally relative to said first member, one of said members having a series of longitudinally spaced apart apertures therein and the other said member including selectively actuable locking means, said locking means having a locking member adapted when actuated to extend into a selected said aperture so as to lock said first member relative to said second member, one of said members when locked to the other said member having a portion fixed thereto or formed integrally therewith extending in use beyond the periphery of said steering wheel so as to prevent or limit rotation of said steering wheel.
Preferably said locking means includes a selectively actuable push button which when depressed advances the locking member into a selected one of said apertures, the push button preferably includes a key slot for receipt of a key to enable unlocking of said locking means and retraction of said locking member so as to permit said members to move relative to each other. Means are also preferably provided for aligning the locking means and thus the locking member with respective said apertures. Preferably said aligning means includes means adjacent said locking means and engagable with respective apertures as one member is moved relative to the other said member. In one form the aligning means comprises detent means and suitably spring loaded detent means. Most preferably, the detent means comprises a spring loaded ball. The locking means and aligning means where used are preferably Incorporated into a handle of the device.
The associated members include respective steering wheel engaging means adapted in one form to engage opposite portions of the rim of a vehicle wheel. The wheel engaging means preferably are of hooked form to engage the inside of the wheel rim. Suitably the hooks are laterally offset from the axis of the elongated member.
In one preferred form the first elongated member is provided with the series of apertures and the second member comprises a sleeve like member slidable along the first member, the sleeve carryi
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