Vehicle security device and alarm

• US 5,469,135 A
• Filed: 05/10/1994
• Issued: 11/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wolo Manufacturing Corporation (1847 Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Wolo Manufacturing Corporation (1847 Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Solow, Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROSLAND, DONNIE L
• Application Number:
  US08/240,861
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/429, 340/425.5, 340/546, 70/209, 70/226, 70/210-214, 307/10.1, 307/10.2
• US Class Current: 340/426.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/0225 using a rod locked on the steering wheel rim B60R25/0221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1001 Alarm systems associated with another car fitting or mechanism, e.g. door lock or knob, pedals features related to the general power supply B60R25/1018
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5765 Rotary or swinging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5841 Rotation blocking

Abstract

A vehicle anti-theft device and alarm includes a U-shaped rod for attachment to a vehicle steering wheel in a position overlying the vehicle dash board. An alarm is positioned in said U-shaped rod, whereby said alarm is firmly secured to a vehicle and inaccessible for tampering.

Claims

1. An anti-theft and alarm device for a vehicle, comprising:

a U-shaped rod having two ends rigidly connected to parallel lock plates, said lock plates extending perpendicular to the plane of said U-shaped rod and being spaced to receive a steering wheel of the vehicle with said U-shaped rod extending therefrom over a dash board of the vehicle;

a lock member extendable between said parallel lock plates in a position corresponding to the inside of said steering wheel whereby when said lock member is extended, said U-shaped rod is locked to said steering wheel in a position overlying said dash board; and

a self-contained electronic alarm mounted between the two ends of said U-shaped rod and secured thereto, for sensing tampering with said vehicle and for signaling an alarm in response thereto.

2. An anti-theft and alarm device as specified in claim 1 wherein said alarm includes a power switch which is inaccessible for operation when said device is mounted on said steering wheel.

3. An anti-theft and alarm device as specified in claim 2 wherein said switch comprises a mercury switch.

4. An anti-theft and alarm device as specified in claim 1 wherein said alarm includes a battery power supply and a power cord for connection to the power supply of said vehicle.

5. An anti-theft and alarm device as specified in claim 4 wherein said alarm includes a back-up battery.

6. An anti-theft and alarm device as specified in claim 5 wherein access to said battery power supply is in an inaccessible position when said device is mounted to the steering wheel of the vehicle.

7. An anti-theft and alarm device as specified in claim 1 wherein said alarm includes a lamp and wherein said lamp is illuminated in response to an alarm.

8. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 7, wherein said electronic alarm includes a radio receiver for receiving command signals to arm and disarm said alarm, and wherein said lamp is illuminated when said alarm is disarmed.

9. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 7 wherein said alarm includes circuits to flash said lamp in response to an alarm.

10. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 9 wherein said electronic alarm includes a radio receiver for receiving command signals to arm and disarm said alarm circuit.

11. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 10 wherein said electronic alarm includes a switch to power said radio receiver.

12. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 11 wherein said switch is a mercury switch.

13. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 12 wherein said alarm includes at least one light emitting diode for signalling that the alarm is powered.

14. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 13, wherein said electronic alarm includes a battery power supply and a power cord for connection to the power supply of said vehicle, and wherein there are provided two light emitting diodes, one indicating said battery power supply and the other indicating connection of said vehicle power supply.

15. An anti-theft device as specified in claim 14 wherein said light emitting diodes alternatively flash when said electronic alarm is armed.

16. An anti-theft device and alarm for a vehicle, comprising:

parallel lock plates which are spaced to receive a steering wheel of the vehicle;

a U-shaped rod having both ends rigidly connected to the parallel lock plates, the U-shaped rod arranged to extend in a substantially perpendicular direction from said lock plates over the dash board of the vehicle;

a lock member extendable between the parallel lock plates in a position corresponding to the inside of the steering wheel;

a mounting plate rigidly connected between two portions of said U-shaped rod in a position corresponding to the dash board; and

a self-contained electronic alarm mounted on the plate so a bottom of the alarm is inaccessible when the U-shaped rod is over the dash board of the vehicle.

17. An anti-theft and alarm device as specified in claim 16, wherein said alarm includes a power switch responsive to the orientation of the device.

18. An anti-theft device and alarm for a vehicle, comprising:

first and second parallel lock plates which are spaced to receive a rim of a steering wheel of the vehicle;

a sleeve formed on the first parallel lock plate in a position corresponding to the inside of the rim of the steering wheel;

a lock member mounted in the sleeve and having a projecting rod extendable between the parallel lock plates for firmly securing the parallel lock plates to the rim of the steering wheel;

a U-shaped rod having both ends rigidly connected to the parallel lock plates, the closed portion of the U-shaped rod arranged to extend from the parallel lock plates over a dash board of the vehicle;

a plate rigidly connected between portions of the U-shaped rod extending over the dash board; and

a self-contained electronic alarm which is mounted on the plate so a bottom of the alarm is inaccessible when the U-shaped rod is over the dash board of the vehicle, the alarm comprising;

a power switch,

a back-up battery power supply,

a power cord for connection to a power supply of the vehicle,

a radio receiver,

an alarm circuit,

a sounding device,

a high intensity lamp, and

one or more light emitting diodes.