Anti-theft device for an automobile audio set

• US 4,866,416 A
• Filed: 10/03/1988
• Issued: 09/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Weikert, Gunther, Reinhard, Theodor, Holzhauer, Horst, Polic, Marko, Robitschko, Peter, Kneib, Rudi
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen, Hollis T.
• Application Number:
  US07/252,112
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 340/63, 340/571, 340/568, 340/572, 340/825.31, 340/825.32, 307/10 AT, 455/345, 455/346, 455/348, 455/349
• US Class Current: 340/426.34
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0205 for radio sets B60R11/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0005 Dashboard
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0047 using hidden fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0098 using electric or electronic means, e.g. alarms, codes
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/04 and pressing it against a wall or other support
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 3/10 divided, i.e. with two or more members engaging the pipe, cable or protective tubing

Abstract

An anti-theft device for a car radio having a theft module, which renders the car radio inoperative when the radio is slid out of its installation recess in the vehicle, is provided by a joint housing for a power supply and anti-theft protection plug connection elements, as well as for a change-over switch controlling the theft module. The housing is fastened via the plug connection elements at the rear wall of the car radio such that the change-over switch is inevitably actuated by the frame of the installation recess during the sliding-out of the radio.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device for an audio set slidably insertable into an installation recess of a motor vehicle and which has an actuatable module means controlled by a change-over switch means which is actuated to prevent operation of the audio set when the audio set is pulled out of the installation recess, comprising:

a change-over switch means which, in at least one switching position, is electrically connected through a first plug connection element means at the rear wall of the audio set with a theft module means of the audio set, which change-over switch means is moved to a second position upon an unauthorized pulling out of the audio set to cause actuation of the theft module means as a result of a change of electrical potential, as a result of which the audio set is rendered inoperative;

the audio set, at its rear wall, having at least a second plug connection element means connectable to a power supply from the wiring system of the motor vehicle;

a housing contains the change-over switch means, as well as plug connection element means which match the plug connection element means at the rear wall of the audio set and which are connectable therewith;

and wherein the change-over switch means has at least one contact connectable with the wiring system of the motor vehicle.

2. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has an adapter plug which is connected by means of the output plug connection element means with the plug connection element input plug connection element means, which are connectable via cable plugs with cable trees of the wiring system of the motor vehicle.

3. An anti-theft device according to claim 2, wherein the housing has two multiple-pole input plug connection element means and wherein at least one line connection means, for the power supply of the audio set, is led from a pole of one of the input plug connection element means to a pole of the second input plug connection element means, and from another pole of the second input plug connection element means to a pole of one of the output plug connection element means;

said line connection being closed by a bridge between two poles of a cable plug which is inserted into the second input plug connection element means for operation of the anti-theft device.

4. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the change-over switch mans is constructed as a microswitch actuated by a switching lever.

5. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the change-over switch means is connected to a manually operable switch which is not connected with the theft module means and wherein only the change over switch means is moved to a conductive contact connected with the theft module when the audio set is pulled out of the installation recess.

6. An anti-theft device according to claim 3, characterized in that a burglar alarm system means is connected to the audio set by the second input plug connection element means and the change-over switch, triggering its alarm when a change of potential at the change-over switch takes place by the actuating of the change-over switch means.

7. An anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein positive potential from the wiring system is applied to the change-over switch means, which change over switch means in the installed position of the audio set is not electrically connected with the theft module, and wherein during an unauthorized pulling-out of the audio set, the theft module is controlled directly via the change-over switch in order to render the audio set inoperative.

8. An anti-theft device according to claim 2, wherein mechanical pull-off protection means are provided at all plug connection element means and cable plug means.