U.S. patent application number 10/788164 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-02 for control pedal disabling device.
Invention is credited to Laba, Michael T., Simon, David A..
Application Number | 20040168489 10/788164 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26810088 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040168489 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simon, David A. ; et
al. |
September 2, 2004 |
Control pedal disabling device
Abstract
A motor vehicle anti-theft device adapted to disable the brake
pedal of the vehicle. In a first embodiment the device includes an
outer housing and an inner shaft member mounted within the housing
for relative rotary and telescopic movement. A first clamp
structure is journaled on the shaft and a second clamp structure is
threaded on the shaft so that as the shaft is rotated in the
housing the clamp members are moved toward and away from each other
into an out of locking engagement with the brake pedal. The inner
shaft and outer housing are slid telescopically relative to each
other to firmly engage the fire wall of the vehicle with the clamp
members clamped about the brake pedal and a lock structure is
provided to preclude relative rotary and relative longitudinal
movement of the housing and the shaft. In a second embodiment, the
device includes a tubular strut with an opening sized to receive
the pedal arm of the brake pedal and a lock bar which may be slid
forwardly following movement of the pedal arm into the opening to
trap the pedal arm in the opening. The device further includes an
actuator rod and a strut rod interconnected by a gear and rack
structure so that rearward movement of the actuator rod generates
forward movement of the strut rod to plant a foot carried on the
forward end of the strut rod against the fire wall of the vehicle
following entrapment of the pedal arm. A lock structure is provided
to preclude retraction of the lock bar and to preclude retraction
of the strut rod.
Inventors: |
Simon, David A.; (Grosse
Pointe Woods, MI) ; Laba, Michael T.; (Troy,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARLSON, GASKEY & OLDS, P.C.
400 WEST MAPLE ROAD
SUITE 350
BIRMINGHAM
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
26810088 |
Appl. No.: |
10/788164 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10788164 |
Feb 26, 2004 |
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10340926 |
Jan 13, 2003 |
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10340926 |
Jan 13, 2003 |
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08686220 |
Jul 23, 1996 |
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6575001 |
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08686220 |
Jul 23, 1996 |
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08112555 |
Aug 26, 1993 |
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5537846 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
70/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 25/005 20130101;
Y10T 70/573 20150401; Y10T 70/5735 20150401; Y10T 70/5889
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
070/202 |
International
Class: |
G05G 005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A motor vehicle anti-theft device comprising: an elongated
housing member having a major first axis; a shaft disposed within
the housing member, the housing member at least substantially
encircling a circumference of the shaft such that the shaft is
slidably supported by the housing; a front structure protruding
from a first end of the shaft in a direction generally
perpendicular to the first axis, the shaft and front structure
selectively moveable relative to the housing member generally
parallel to the first axis; and a key-operated locking mechanism
having a housing fixed relative to the housing member, the locking
mechanism for selectively locking the shaft to the housing member
to prevent relative axial movement between the shaft and the
housing member.
2. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 1 wherein the shaft
includes a handle at an outer end of the shaft, the handle
extending outside an outer end of the housing member.
3. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 2 wherein the
locking mechanism is disposed between the handle and the front
structure.
4. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 1 wherein the
elongated housing member has a foot at a first end and wherein the
front clamp structure is substantially between the lock assembly
and the foot.
5. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 1 wherein the
housing of the locking mechanism completely surrounds the shaft
about an entire circumference of the shaft.
6. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 5 wherein the
housing member includes an opening through which the front clamp
structure protrudes from the shaft.
7. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 1 wherein the
housing member includes an opening through which the front clamp
structure protrudes from the shaft.
8. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 1 wherein the
locking mechanism includes a locking pin selectively movable
transversely to the shaft in order to engage the shaft and
selectively prevent relative movement between the shaft and the
housing member.
9. A motor vehicle anti-theft device comprising: an elongated
hollow housing having a major first axis; a shaft disposed within
the housing, the shaft including a plurality of axially-spaced
detents or serrations; a front structure on a first end of the
shaft; a handle mounted to a second end of the shaft opposite the
first end of the shaft, the handle extending outside the housing,
wherein the shaft, handle and front structure are selectively
moveable relative to the housing generally parallel to the first
axis; a locking mechanism fixed to the housing between the handle
and the front structure, the locking mechanism including a locking
pin selectively movable transversely to the shaft in order to
engage at least one of the detents or serrations on the shaft to
selectively prevent relative movement between the shaft and the
housing member.
10. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 9 wherein the
locking mechanism has a lock housing integral with the housing.
11. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 9 wherein a
housing of the locking mechanism completely surrounds the shaft
about an entire circumference of the shaft.
12. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 9 wherein at least
a portion of the housing completely surrounds the shaft about an
entire circumference of the shaft.
13. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 12 wherein the
housing includes an opening through which the front structure
protrudes generally perpendicularly from the shaft.
14. A motor vehicle anti-theft device comprising: an elongated
housing having a major first axis; a shaft slidably disposed within
the housing; a front structure protruding from a lower end of the
shaft in a direction generally perpendicular to the first axis; a
handle mounted to an upper end of the shaft opposite the lower end
of the shaft, the handle extending outside the housing, wherein the
shaft, handle and front structure are selectively moveable relative
to the housing generally parallel to the first axis; and a rear
structure mounted to the housing and having a body portion
extending generally perpendicularly to the first axis and an upper
portion extending from an outer end of the body portion downwardly
in a direction generally parallel to the first axis.
15. The anti-theft device of claim 14 further including a locking
mechanism between the handle and the rear structure, the locking
mechanism selectively locking the shaft to the housing to prevent
relative axial movement between the shaft and the housing.
16. The anti-theft device of claim 15 wherein the locking mechanism
is a key-operated locking mechanism.
17. The anti-theft device of claim 15 wherein the locking mechanism
interacts with a plurality of axially-spaced detents or serrations
on the shaft to prevent relative axial movement between the shaft
and the housing.
18. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 17 wherein a
housing of the locking mechanism completely encircles the shaft
about an entire circumference of the shaft.
19. The motor vehicle anti-theft device of claim 18 wherein at
least a portion of the housing completely surrounds the shaft about
the entire circumference of the shaft.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/340,926,
filed Jan. 13, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is a
continuation of Ser. No. 08/686,220, filed Jul. 23, 1996, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,575,001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/112,555 filed on Aug. 26, 1993, now U.S.
Pat. No. 5,537,846
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to locking devices for motor vehicles
and more particularly to a motor vehicle anti-theft device which
disables the brake pedal of the motor vehicle.
[0003] Many anti-theft devices have been proposed to prevent the
theft of motor vehicles. The prior art devices include alarm
devices which sound an audible signal upon an attempt to force
entry into the vehicle, various devices to disable the steering
mechanism of the vehicle, various devices to preclude operation of
the control pedals of the vehicle, and various devices interlocking
a control pedal and the steering wheel to preclude operation of
either. However, the alarm devices are relatively easily defeated
by a knowledgeable thief and the various devices disabling the
control pedal and/or steering wheel are relatively easily defeated
by suitable shearing or snipping tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This invention is directed to the provision of an improved
anti-theft device and methodology for a motor vehicle.
[0005] More specifically, this invention is directed to the
provision of an improved anti-theft device and methodology for a
motor vehicle which is simple and inexpensive in construction and
which is very difficult for even a very experienced and
knowledgeable thief to defeat.
[0006] The invention anti-theft device is of the type that disables
a control pedal of the vehicle to preclude operation of the control
pedal. According to the invention, the device includes an axially
extending strut structure having a forward foot portion; a
disabling structure mounted to the strut structure and configured
to be positioned on opposite sides of a portion of the pedal
assembly to disable the pedal assembly; means mounting the strut
structure for axially forward movement relative to the disabling
structure; and means for locking the strut structure and the
disabling structure against contracting axial movement. With this
arrangement, and following positioning of the disabling structure
on opposite sides of the pedal assembly portion, the strut
structure may be moved axially forwardly relative to the disabling
structure to move the foot portion into engagement with the vehicle
fire wall whereafter the strut structure may be locked relative to
the disabling structure to totally disable the pedal.
[0007] According to a further feature of the invention, the
disabling structure includes a lock member movable relative to
another portion of the disabling structure; the locking means
includes a key lock having first and second extendable strikers
movable to retracted positions by the key; the first striker is
operative when extended to preclude movement of the lock member;
and the second striker is operative when extended to preclude axial
movement of the strut structure relative to the disabling
structure. This arrangement allows a single key to be utilized for
locking the lock member as well as the strut structure.
[0008] According to a further feature of the invention, the pedal
assembly includes a pedal arm and a pedal pad; the disabling
structure is intended to be positioned on opposite sides of the
pedal arm; the disabling structure defines an opening sized to
receive the pedal arm and having an entrance throat; and the lock
member comprises a lock bar mounted for movement between an open
position in which the entrance throat is open to allow insertion of
the pedal arm into the opening and a closed position in which the
bar obstructs the entrance throat to trap the pedal arm in the
opening. This arrangement provides a simple and inexpensive means
of trapping and disabling the pedal arm of the pedal assembly.
[0009] According to a further feature of the invention, the
disabling structure includes an axially extending tubular member;
the opening is defined in the tubular member; the lock bar is
mounted for sliding movement within the tubular member between its
open and closed positions; and the strut structure comprises an
elongated strut rod including a rearward portion mounted for
sliding movement within the tubular member and a forward portion
extending forwardly from the forward end of the tubular member and
attached to the foot portion. This arrangement provides a compact
and inexpensive package.
[0010] According to a further feature of the invention, the device
further includes a lock housing rigidly secured to a rearward end
of the tubular member and defining a key lock cavity receiving a
double striker key lock; the lock bar functions at its forward end,
with the lock bar in its closed position, to block the entrance
throat of the opening and includes a rearward end positioned
proximate the key lock cavity and defining a detent structure; a
first striker of the key lock is operative when extended to coact
with the lock bar detent structure to lock the lock bar in its
closed position; and the second striker of the key lock is
operative when extended to preclude contracting axial movement of
the strut rod relative to the tubular member. This arrangement
provides a simple and positive locking arrangement with respect to
both the lock bar and the strut rod.
[0011] According to a further feature of the invention, the device
further includes an actuator rod positioned slidably within the
tubular member and drive means operative in response to rearward
movement of the actuator rod relative to the tubular member to
generate forward movement of the strut rod relative to the tubular
member; the actuator rod includes a detent portion positioned
proximate the key lock cavity; and the second striker coacts with
the detent portion of the actuator rod. This specific arrangement
provides an effective means of moving the strut rod forwardly into
engagement with the fire wall and providing releasable locking
coaction between the second striker and the detent portion of the
actuator rod.
[0012] According to a further feature of the invention, the drive
means includes a rack structure at the forward end of the actuator
rod, a rack structure at the rearward end of the strut rod, and a
gear interposed between the rack structures and operative in
response to rearward movement of the actuator rod to generate
forward movement of the strut rod. This specific arrangement
facilitates the forward movement of the strut rod in response to a
simple rearward movement of the actuator rod.
[0013] The invention further provides a methodology for preventing
theft of a motor vehicle of the type having a control pedal
assembly spaced rearwardly from the fire wall of the vehicle.
According to the invention methodology, a disabling device is
provided including a disabling structure and an axially extending
strut structure movable axially relative to the disabling structure
and having a forward foot portion; the disabling structure is
positioned on opposite sides of a portion of the pedal assembly to
disable the pedal assembly; the strut structure is moved axially
forward relative to the disabling structure to move the forward
foot portion into engagement with the vehicle fire wall; and the
strut structure and disabling structure are locked against
contracting axial movement. This methodology provides a simple
process for quickly and readily disabling the pedal.
[0014] According to a further feature of the invention methodology,
the disabling structure includes a lock member movable relative to
another portion of the disabling structure and the method includes
the further step of moving the lock member relative to the other
portion of the disabling structure. This methodology allows the
disabling structure to firmly engage the pedal portion and firmly
locks the disabling structure with respect to the vehicle fire
wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
invention device shown in disabling relation to the brake pedal of
a motor vehicle;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a view showing the components of the device in
exploded relation;
[0018] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective, front and rear views of a
front clamp structure utilized in the invention device;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cover sleeve forming a
part of the front clamp structure;
[0020] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective, front and rear views of a
rear clamp structure utilized in the invention device;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cover sleeve forming a
part of the rear clamp structure;
[0022] FIGS. 12-16 are detail views showing a modification of the
first embodiment of FIGS. 1-11;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
invention device;
[0024] FIGS. 18 and 19 are cross-sectional and top views of the
second embodiment;
[0025] FIGS. 20-24 are detail views showing components of the
second embodiment; and
[0026] FIGS. 25-27 are detail views showing aspects of the
operation of the second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The first embodiment of the invention anti-theft device is
seen in FIG. 1 in association with a motor vehicle including a
floorboard 10, a fire wall 12, a transmission hump 14, and a brake
pedal 16 including a pedal arm 18 and a pedal pad 20.
[0028] The anti-theft device includes an outer elongated housing or
strut member 22, a foot 24, an inner elongated shaft assembly 26, a
detent tube 28, a lock assembly 30 and a disabling structure
including a front clamp structure 32 and a rear clamp structure 34.
All of the elements of the device are formed of a suitable ferrous
material.
[0029] Strut housing member 22 has an elongated tubular square
cross-sectional configuration and includes an upper wall 22a, side
walls 22b and 22c, a bottom wall 22d, a front wall end wall 22e and
a rear end wall 22f. Side walls 22b and 22c are cut away at 22g,
and top wall 22a is cut away at 22h, to form an upwardly facing
opening 22i in the housing member 22.
[0030] Foot 24 comprises a circular plate including a main body
plate portion 24a and a central lug portion 24b having a bore
24c.
[0031] Shaft assembly 26 includes a shaft 36, a push rod 38, a
spring 40, and a detent ball 42.
[0032] Shaft 36 has a round cross-sectional configuration and
includes a front end flange portion 36a, a journal or bearing
portion 36b, a threaded portion 36c, a detent portion 36d, a
locking portion 36e, and a rear handle portion 36f.
[0033] Detent portion 36d and locking portion 36e define a central
bore 36g. Detent portion 36d includes a detent aperture 36h opening
in central bore 36g. Locking portion 36e includes a plurality of
pairs of aligned apertures 36i, 36j. Apertures 36i are axially
aligned with detent aperture 36h and apertures 36j are
diametrically opposed to apertures 36i.
[0034] Push rod 38 has a round cross-section and is sized to fit
slidably in bore 36g. Push rod 38 includes a front portion 38a, a
main body portion 38b, and a rear portion 38c. A detent hollow 38d
is provided in front portion 38a and a plurality of axially spaced
locking through bores 38e are provided in main body portion 38b in
axial alignment with detent hollow 38d. The axial spacing of
locking bores 38e corresponds to the axial spacing of aperture
pairs 36i, 36j in shaft 36.
[0035] Spring 40 comprises a coil spring of known form and is sized
to fit within bore 36g.
[0036] Detent ball 42 comprises a spherical ball member sized to
seat in detent hollow 38d and sized to project upwardly out of, but
not upwardly through, detent aperture 36h.
[0037] Detent tube 28 has a square outer cross-sectional
configuration and a round inner cross-sectional configuration. Tube
28 is sized to fit within the square cross-sectional configuration
of housing 22. A plurality of axially spaced annular detent grooves
28a are provided on the circular inner periphery of the detent
tube. The inner periphery of the detent tube is sized to slidably
receive shaft 36 and the detent grooves 28a are spaced axially by
an amount corresponding to the spacing between detent apertures
pairs 36i, 36j in tube 36 and locking bores 38e in push rod 38.
[0038] A locking pin bore 28b is provided in the top wall of the
detent tube proximate the rear end of the tube. Bore 28b opens at
its inner end in one of the detent grooves 28a.
[0039] Lock assembly 30 includes a housing 44 integral with the
upper wall 22a of housing 22, a push button 46, a key 48, a pin
tumbler mechanism (not shown) within housing 44, and a locking pin
50. Lock assembly 30 may, for example, be of the type available
from the Chicago Lock Company of Chicago, Ill. as Part No.
1770.
[0040] Front clamp structure 32 includes a clamp plate 52, a
mounting plate 54, a bushing or actuator 56, and a cover sleeve
58.
[0041] Clamp plate 52 includes a main body portion 52a of planar
configuration, a lower flange portion 52b, a v-shaped cutout 52c in
the main body portion defining a pair of upper flange portions 52d,
and a square opening 52e in main body portion 52a having a size and
configuration conforming to the size and configuration of housing
22.
[0042] Mounting plate 54 is suitably secured to the rear face 52f
of the main body portion 52a of clamp plate 52 in overlying
relation to opening 52e and defines a downwardly opening slot
54a.
[0043] Bushing 56 has a square outer periphery 56a and a round
inner periphery or bore 56b sized to journal on the bearing portion
36b of shaft 36. Bushing 56 is mounted in slot 54a with its rear
face 56c flush with the rear face of mounting plate 54 and the rear
portion 52d of the bushing extending forwardly and axially through
opening 52e. The lower portion of bushing 56 coacts with opening
52e to define a U-shaped groove 59 having a size and configuration
conforming to the cross-sectional configuration of housing 22
proximate opening 22i.
[0044] Cover sleeve 58 has a square cross-sectional configuration
and defines an inner periphery 58a corresponding in size and
configuration to opening 52e in clamp plate 52 and sized to
telescopically receive housing member 22. Sleeve 58 is suitably
secured to the front face of clamp plate 52 in surrounding relation
to opening 52e.
[0045] Rear clamp structure 34 includes a clamp plate 60, a nut or
actuator 62 and a cover sleeve 64.
[0046] Clamp plate 60 includes a main body portion 60a, a lower
flange portion 60b, an upper flange portion 60c, and a central
rectangular open 60d in main body portion 60a. Nut 62 is positioned
in opening 60d and includes a threaded central bore 62a sized to
threadably coact with the threaded portion 36c of shaft 36, a main
body portion 62b projecting rearwardly from plate 60, and shoulders
62c defined on opposite sides of main body portion 62b. Shoulders
62c coact with opening 60d and with the lower portion of main body
portion 62b to define a U-shaped groove 65 having a size and
configuration conforming to the cross-sectional configuration of
housing 22 proximate opening 22i.
[0047] Cover sleeve 64 has a square tubular cross-sectional and is
sized to telescopically receive housing member 22. The front end
64a of the sleeve is fitted over nut main body portion 62b and
suitably secured thereto as by welding.
[0048] In the assembled relation of the various components of the
invention anti-theft device, detent tube 28 is positioned in the
rear end of housing 22 in abutting engagement with rear end wall
22f; shaft assembly 26 is positioned within housing member 22 with
shaft 36 passing through an aperture 22g in rear end wall 22f for
slidable receipt within detent tube 28; push rod 38 is slidably
positioned within the hollow portion 36g of shaft 36 with rear end
38c projecting from the handle portion 36f of shaft 36 and with the
forward end of the push rod 38a positioned proximate the blind end
36h of bore 36g; spring 40 is positioned in bore 36g between the
forward end 38a of push rod 38 and bore blind end 36h so as to bear
against the push rod; detent ball 42 is spaced from detent hollow
38d so that push rod 38 urges the detent ball outwardly into
engagement with a detent groove 28a; nut portion 62b of rear clamp
structure 34 threadably receives the threaded portion 36c of shaft
36 so as to mount clamp structure 34 on the shaft; bushing 36 of
front clamp structure 32 is joumaled on the bearing portion 36b of
shaft 36 so as to mount clamp structure 32 on the shaft; the side
walls 22b, 22c and bottom wall 22d of housing 22, proximate opening
22i, are slidably received in grooves 69 and 65 with nut shoulders
62c and the lower edge of mounting plate 54 guiding on housing
edges 22g; front flange portion 36a of shaft 36 is positioned
against the front end 56e of bushing 56; foot 24 is pivoted on the
front end of housing 22 by a pin 65 passing through foot lug
portion 24b and through aligned apertures in lugs 22h formed on the
front wall 22e of housing 22; a coil spring 66 surrounds pin 65 and
urges the foot to a rest position from which it may move pivotally
against the bias of the spring; cover sleeve 58 extends forwardly
from clamp plate 52 in telescopic surrounding relation to housing
22 and in covering relation to opening 22i; and cover sleeve 64
extends rearwardly from clamp plate 60 is surrounding telescopic
relation to tube 22 and in covering relation to opening 22i.
[0049] The assembly of the components is facilitated by the fact
that plates 52, 60, by virtue of their square opening 52e, 60d, may
be slid over strut housing 22 to a position proximate opening 22i
whereafter the nut 62 and bushing 56 may be positioned on shaft 36
with the shaft positioned within housing 22, whereafter the nut 62
and bushing 56 may be secured to the plates 52,60. The assembled
strut housing 22 and shaft 36 will be seen to constitute a strut
assembly whose overall length may be selectively varied by a
relative axial sliding movement of members 22 and 36 and which has
a forward end defined by the forward end of the housing 22 and a
rearward end defined by the rearward end of shaft 36.
[0050] Operation
[0051] In the use of the invention anti-theft device, and with the
clamp structures 32 and 34 in relatively axially separated
positions, the device is positioned below the brake pedal 20 with
the foot 24 proximate the fire wall 12, whereafter the device is
moved upwardly to move the clamp structures into coacting positions
forwardly and rearwardly of the brake pad so that the clamp
structures embrace the pad, whereafter push rod 38 is pushed in to
move detent hollow 38d into alignment with detent ball 42 to allow
the ball to drop into the detent hollow, whereafter strut housing
22 is slid forwardly relative to shaft 36 and relative to the
disabling structure constituted by clamp structures 32 and 34 to
firmly position foot 24 against the fire wall 12, whereafter push
button 38c is released to allow spring 40 to move the push rod
rearwardly to urge detent ball 42 into locking engagement with a
detent groove 28a, whereafter handle 36f is utilized to turn shaft
36 within housing 22 so as to advance clamp structure 34 toward
clamp structure 32 to firmly clamp and entrap brake pad 20
therebetween, whereafter push button 46 of lock assembly 30 is
depressed to move locking pin 50 transversely downwardly for
passage through aligned locking apertures 36i, 36j in shaft 36 to
the dotted line position seen in FIG. 2, whereby to lock the shaft
36 and strut housing 22 together to preclude relative axial or
rotational movement between the strut housing and the pedal
disabling structure constituted by clamp structures 32 and 34. It
will be seen that clamp structure 34 comprises a lock member which
is moveable relative to clamp structure 32 to clamp and entrap the
pedal pad therebetween. It will further be seen that with the clamp
structures clamped against the front and rear faces of the brake
pedal 20, pedal arm 18 passes through cutout 52i in clamp plate 52
and the rear edge 18a of the pedal arm is received in a notch or
cutout 60e in the front edge of the top flange 62 of clamp plate
60.
[0052] In the modification of the first embodiment seen in FIGS.
12-16, the structure and method for precluding axial and rotational
movement of the shaft is modified. Specifically, the housing or
strut 70 (replacing the strut housing 22) comprises a circular tube
and includes an offset portion defining a horizontal rearwardly
opening cavity 70a receiving a pin tumbler key lock 72 controlled
by key 48; the shaft 74 (replacing the shaft 36) includes a
plurality of axially spaced annular serrations 74a defining annular
conical surfaces 74b; several successive serrations include
hexagonal peripheral edges 74c; a detent wheel 76 is mounted on the
hexagonal serrations with hexagonal central bore 76a of the wheel
seated over the hexagonal edges 74c of the hexagonal serrations;
detent wheel 76 is mounted for rotation in a bore 70b defined by
strut 70 so that rotational movement of shaft 74 rotates wheel 76
in bore 70a; a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially
extending teeth 76b are provided on the outer circumference of the
wheel 76; key lock 72 includes a first striker 78 having a lower
tip 78a arranged for detenting, ratcheting coaction with teeth 76b;
and key lock 72 further includes a second striker 80 having a lower
tip 80a arranged for detenting, ratcheting coaction with serrations
74a.
[0053] In the operation of the modified locking structure of FIGS.
12-16, shaft 74 is held against forward movement relative to strut
70 by ratcheting coaction between striker 80 and serrations 74a and
shaft 74 is held against clockwise rotation (as viewed in FIG. 14)
by ratcheting coaction of striker 78 and detent wheel teeth 76b. It
will be understood that strikers 78 and 80 extend from key lock 72
in the absence of key 48, are resiliently supported within the key
lock so as to move selectively upwardly to pass serrations 74a and
teeth 76b, and are returned to their retracted positions generally
flush with the cuter surface of the casing of key lock 72 upon
insertion and turning of the key so that insertion and turning of
the key has the effect of unlocking shaft 74 for both axial
movement and rotational movement.
[0054] The second embodiment of the invention anti-theft device
seen in FIGS. 17-27, like the first embodiment, is intended for use
in Association with a motor vehicle including a floorboard 10, a
fire wall 12, a transmission hump 14 and a brake pedal assembly 16
including a pedal arm 18 and a pedal pad 20, all as shown in FIG.
1.
[0055] The anti-theft device of FIGS. 17-27 includes a tube 100, a
lock housing 102, a strut rod 104, a foot 105, an actuator rod 106,
a handle 108, a gear 110, a lock bar 112, and a key lock 114.
[0056] Tube 100 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional
configuration and includes an axially extending slot 100a in its
upper wall 100b and an opening 100c provided in the top wall 100b
and side walls 100d of the tube proximate the front end 100e of the
tube. Opening 100c defines an entrance throat 100f and is generally
sized to accommodate pedal arm 18 of the pedal assembly.
[0057] Lock housing 102 is a cast structure and is sized to
telescopically receive the rear end 100g of the tube and to be
secured to the rear end of the tube as by welding. Housing 102
defines a central rectangular passage 102a forming a continuation
of the central rectangular passage of the tube and further defines
a vertical key lock cavity 102b.
[0058] Strut rod 104 is formed of round bar stock and is slidably
positioned within the hollow tube 100 along the lower wall 10h of
the tube. Strut rod 104 includes a forward end portion 104a passing
slidably through a plug 114 positioned in the front end 100e of the
tube and a rearward end portion 104b defining an upwardly facing
rack structure 104c.
[0059] Foot 105 is generally similar to foot 24 of the first
embodiment and is suitably secured to the forward end portion 104a
of strut rod 104 as for example by a press-on spherical, universal
interconnection therebetween including a spherical front end
configuration 104d on the extreme forward end of strut rod 104.
[0060] Actuator rod 106 is also formed of round bar stock and
includes a forward end portion 106a defining a downwardly facing
rack formation 106b, a rearward end portion 106c of round bar stock
configuration, and an intermediate portion 106d defining a
plurality of axial spaced annular serrations 106e each defining a
conical annular surface 106f. Actuator rod 106 is positioned
axially within tube 100 in overlying relation to strut rod 104 with
the rear end 106c of the rod passing slidably through a bore 102c
defined at the rear end of lock housing 102.
[0061] Gear 108 is mounted on a pin 118 secured in the side walls
100d of tube 100 and drivingly interengages rack structure 106b at
its upper periphery and rack structure 104c at its lower periphery
so that the gear functions to convert rearward movement of rod 106
to forward movement of rod 104.
[0062] Handle 110 has a T-configuration including a handle portion
110a and a hub portion 110b fixedly secured to the rear end portion
106c of rod 106. Pulling movement on handle 110 moves rod 106
rearwardly and thereby moves rod 104 forwardly to extend the
forward portion 104a of the strut rod 104 forwardly from the front
end 100e of tube 100.
[0063] Lock bar 112 has a generally rectangular cross-sectional
configuration and includes a rear end portion 112a defining a
ratcheting detent structure 112b along a side face 112c of the bar
and a forward finger portion 112d having an angled lower face 112e.
Lock bar 112 is sized to fit slidably in the upper region of tube
100 in overlying relation to actuator rod 106 and includes a handle
120 fixedly secured at its lower end to the bar and passing
upwardly through slot 100a in tube 100.
[0064] Key lock 114 preferably has a pin tumbler configuration and
includes a first or upper striker 122 and a second or lower striker
124. Strikers 122 and 124 are spring biased in known manner to an
extended position and are movable to a retracted position
substantially flush with the casing 114a of the key lock in
response to insertion and turning of key 125. Upper or first
striker 122 detentingly coacts with detent portion 112b of lock bar
112 so as to allow free forward axial movement of the lock bar and
preclude return movement of the lock bar unless and until the
striker is withdrawn by insertion and turning of key 125. Lower or
second striker 124 similarly coacts with serrations 106e on
actuator rod 106 to allow free rearward axial movement of rod 106
(and thereby forward axial movement of strut rod 104) but preclude
return forward movement of the actuator rod (and return rearward
movement of the strut rod) unless and until the striker is
withdrawn by insertion and turning of key 125'. As shown, striker
124 may project from a recessed flat 114b on the casing of the key
lock to accommodate the configurations End disposition of the
various parts.
[0065] Operation
[0066] In the use of the anti-theft device of the second embodiment
of the invention (and with lock bar 112 in its retracted or open
position and strut rod 104 in a retracted position) the device is
positioned alongside pedal arm 18; the device is moved laterally to
move pedal arm 18 through the entrance throat 100f to position the
pedal arm within opening 100 so that the forward and rearward edges
100d and 100e of the opening 100 are positioned on opposite sides
of the pedal arm in embracing relation to the pedal arm; handle 120
is utilized to slide lock bar 112 forwardly to a closed position
wherein it obstructs entrance throat 100f and closes the opening
100 so as to entrap pedal arm 18 within opening 100; and handle 110
is pulled rearwardly to move actuator rod 106 rearwardly and move
strut rod 104 forwardly to plant foot 105 firmly against the fire
wall 12 of the vehicle. As lock bar 112 is moved forwardly to
entrap the pedal arm, the bar is locked in its forward entrapping
position by the coaction of striker 122 and detent structure 112b,
and as strut rod 104 moves forwardly to plant foot 105 against the
fire wall, the strut rod is locked in its forward position by the
coaction of striker 124 and detent serrations 106e on actuator rod
106.
[0067] Opening 100 is configured to accommodate a wide variety of
pedal arm cross-sectional configurations and includes a forward,
undercut portion 100f bordered by forward edges 100d and an
upwardly angled edges 100g. As the pedal arm 18 is moved laterally
into opening 100 it initially assumes the position in the opening
shown in dash lines in FIG. 27 whereafter, prior to forward
movement of lock bar 112, the entire anti-theft device is moved
rearwardly relative to the pedal arm to move the forward edge 18b
of the pedal arm into undercut opening portion 100f and into
engagement with front opening edges 100d (as seen in dotted lines)
whereafter lock bar 112 is moved forwardly to its dash line
position where finger 112 obstructs entrance throat 100f to close
opening 100 and a shoulder 112f, defined between lower finger
surface 112e and the lower face 112g of the bar, engages the
rearward edge 18a of the arm to clamp the arm between shoulder 112f
and edges 100d. The size and shape of opening 100 will be seen to
accommodate pedal arms of varying cross-sectional configuration
with the forward edge of the pedal arm in some cases engaging the
forward edges 100d of the opening and in some cases engaging the
upwardly angled opening edges 100g and with the rearward edge of
the arm in some cases engaged by shoulder 112f and in some cases
engaged by angled surface 112e.
[0068] In either disclosed embodiment of the anti-theft device, the
brake pedal is totally disabled so that, even if someone is able to
gain unauthorized entry into the vehicle, the vehicle still cannot
be driven since the brake pedal cannot be depressed to release the
brake/shift interlock and allow the transmission to be shifted out
of the park position. Further, even if the brake/shift interlock
can somehow be defeated and the vehicle transmission shifted into a
drive gear, the vehicle is still undrivable since it has no
brakes.
[0069] Unauthorized removal of the invention anti-theft device from
the brake pedal, in either embodiment, is extremely difficult as
compared to prior art anti-theft devices. For example, whereas a
typical prior art anti-theft device can be defeated by shears or
snipping devices, the sheer bulk and complexity of the invention
device makes it extremely difficult, if not practically impossible,
to achieve unauthorized removal of the invention device from the
brake pedal.
[0070] Authorized removal of the device of the first embodiment
from the brake pedal is accomplished by insertion of the key 48 in
the push button 46 of the lock assembly and turning of the key to
withdraw the locking pin 50, whereafter the shaft 36 may be rotated
relative to the housing 22 to move the rear clamp structure away
from the front clamp structure, whereafter push rod 38 may be
depressed to drop detent ball 42 into detent hollow 36d to allow
the tube 22 and shaft 36 to be relatively telescoped, whereafter
the device can be dropped downwardly out of engagement with the
brake pedal.
[0071] Authorized removal of the device of the second embodiment
from the brake pedal is accomplished by insertion of key 48 into
the key lock 114 and turning of the key which has the effect of
moving both of the strikers to a retracted position so as to allow
the lock bar to be retracted to its open position to allow the
entrapped pedal arm to escape and so as to allow forward movement
of actuator rod 106 to generate rearward movement of strut rod 104
to pull the foot away from the fire wall.
[0072] The invention will be seen to provide improved anti-theft
devices that are relatively simple in construction and operation
but yet which are extremely difficult to defeat once installed.
[0073] Whereas preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described in detail it will be apparent that
various changes may be made in the disclosed embodiments without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
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