GB2145679A - Security device - Google Patents

Abstract

A security device comprises a tube (1) with one end (2) open and the other end (3) restricted so that the tube (1) will fit over but not slide along a handbrake lever (7), the tube (1) being solid with a bar (5) having means (6), such as a plurality of holes (6) selectively to receive the hasp of a padlock, for attachment and locking to a gear shift lever (9). Alternatively, the bar (5) may include a sliding and locking device, for engagement with the gear shift lever (9), the said sliding and locking device being also lockable to the bar (5) itself, for example by detent balls engaging in recesses in the bar (5), and provided with locking means to prevent their retraction when required. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security device This invention relates to security devices for motor vehicles.

The invention is based upon the concept that normally the handbrake is in a substantially fixed relationship to the rear of a gear shift, either manual or automatic.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a security device comprising a tube with one end open and the other restricted so that it will fit over but not slide along a handbrake lever, the said tube being solid with a bar having means for attachment and locking to a gear shift lever.

If the security device is fitted when the gear shift is fitted in a forward position, e.g., the parked position for a conventional automatic shift or first or third gear for most models of four speed manual gear boxes, abutment with the handbrake lever will prevent rearward movement of the gear shift. At the same time, the fixed location relative to the gear shift will prevent release of the handbrake lever.

In one form of the invention, the bar may include a plurality of holes to receive the hasp of a padlock fitting round the gear shift lever.

In an alternative form the bar may include a sliding and locking device for engagement with the gear shift lever, and also lockable, e.g., by detent balls engaging in recesses in the bar, to the bar itself.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of security device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation on the arrow Il of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the device of Figure 1 in a position of use.

Turning first to Figures 1 and 2, the security device illustrated consists of a short length 1 of tubing of which the rearward end illustrated at 2 is fully open, while the forward end is partially closed by an annular closure member 3 so as to leave clear a central zone 4. Solid with the length 1 of tubing is the bar 5 which extends forwardly from adjacent to the partially closed end of the length of tubing, and at its forward end is provided with a plurality of fixing holes 6. In use, as illustrated in Figure 3, the length of tubing 1 is fitted over the distal end of a handbrake lever 7 so that the release button 8 of the handbrake lever projects through the open central part 4. The tubing is pushed as far down the handbrake lever as is consistent with this.The length of the bar 5 is such that it projects into the region of a gear shift lever, illustrated at 9 in Figure 3 as a conventional automatic gear shift, and one or more of the holes 6 are used to receive the hasp of a padlock (not illustrated) which also fits round the gear shift lever. The gear shift lever is thus prevented from rearward movement towards the handbrake lever, so if the device is applied when the gear shift lever is in a forward position, it is locked in this position. Also, release of the handbrake is prevented since insufficient angular movement is normally available at the rear end of the bar 5 to accommodate the required movement.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is only one version of the invention. In particular the invention may be applied to manual gear shifts as well as automatics and also in order to avoid the use of a separate padlock, the bar 5 may be fitted with a lockable sliding device which itself locks to the gear shift lever as well as to the bar 5, e.g., by the use of detent balls engaging in spaced slots in the bar 5. Such detent balls will be spring loaded to enable them to locate, but in locked position will be positively prevented from retracting.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

1. A security device comprising a tube with one end open and the other end restricted so that the tube will fit over but not slide along a handbrake lever, the said tube being solid with a bar having means for attachment and locking to a gear shift lever.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the bar includes a plurality of holes selectively to receive the hasp of a padlock fitting round the gear shift lever.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the bar includes a sliding and locking device for engagement with the gear shift lever, the said sliding and locking device being also lockable to the bar itself.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 3, in which the sliding and locking device is lockable to the bar by detent balls engaging in recesses in the bar, and provided with locking means to prevent their retraction when required.

5. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Security device This invention relates to security devices for motor vehicles. The invention is based upon the concept that normally the handbrake is in a substantially fixed relationship to the rear of a gear shift, either manual or automatic. In accordance with the invention there is provided a security device comprising a tube with one end open and the other restricted so that it will fit over but not slide along a handbrake lever, the said tube being solid with a bar having means for attachment and locking to a gear shift lever. If the security device is fitted when the gear shift is fitted in a forward position, e.g., the parked position for a conventional automatic shift or first or third gear for most models of four speed manual gear boxes, abutment with the handbrake lever will prevent rearward movement of the gear shift. At the same time, the fixed location relative to the gear shift will prevent release of the handbrake lever. In one form of the invention, the bar may include a plurality of holes to receive the hasp of a padlock fitting round the gear shift lever. In an alternative form the bar may include a sliding and locking device for engagement with the gear shift lever, and also lockable, e.g., by detent balls engaging in recesses in the bar, to the bar itself. The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of security device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation on the arrow Il of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the device of Figure 1 in a position of use. Turning first to Figures 1 and 2, the security device illustrated consists of a short length 1 of tubing of which the rearward end illustrated at 2 is fully open, while the forward end is partially closed by an annular closure member 3 so as to leave clear a central zone 4. Solid with the length 1 of tubing is the bar 5 which extends forwardly from adjacent to the partially closed end of the length of tubing, and at its forward end is provided with a plurality of fixing holes 6. In use, as illustrated in Figure 3, the length of tubing 1 is fitted over the distal end of a handbrake lever 7 so that the release button 8 of the handbrake lever projects through the open central part 4. The tubing is pushed as far down the handbrake lever as is consistent with this.The length of the bar 5 is such that it projects into the region of a gear shift lever, illustrated at 9 in Figure 3 as a conventional automatic gear shift, and one or more of the holes 6 are used to receive the hasp of a padlock (not illustrated) which also fits round the gear shift lever. The gear shift lever is thus prevented from rearward movement towards the handbrake lever, so if the device is applied when the gear shift lever is in a forward position, it is locked in this position. Also, release of the handbrake is prevented since insufficient angular movement is normally available at the rear end of the bar 5 to accommodate the required movement. It will be appreciated that the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is only one version of the invention. In particular the invention may be applied to manual gear shifts as well as automatics and also in order to avoid the use of a separate padlock, the bar 5 may be fitted with a lockable sliding device which itself locks to the gear shift lever as well as to the bar 5, e.g., by the use of detent balls engaging in spaced slots in the bar 5. Such detent balls will be spring loaded to enable them to locate, but in locked position will be positively prevented from retracting. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

1. A security device comprising a tube with one end open and the other end restricted so that the tube will fit over but not slide along a handbrake lever, the said tube being solid with a bar having means for attachment and locking to a gear shift lever.

2. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the bar includes a plurality of holes selectively to receive the hasp of a padlock fitting round the gear shift lever.

3. A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the bar includes a sliding and locking device for engagement with the gear shift lever, the said sliding and locking device being also lockable to the bar itself.

4. A security device as claimed in claim 3, in which the sliding and locking device is lockable to the bar by detent balls engaging in recesses in the bar, and provided with locking means to prevent their retraction when required.

5. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.