Anti-theft device for electronic apparatuses

• US 5,705,975 A
• Filed: 03/22/1996
• Issued: 01/06/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Original Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd. (Faurecia SA)
• Inventors: Serino, Tsutomu, Andoh, Kunihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/620,293
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 340/426, 340/455, 340/565, 340/568, 340/571, 307/10.2, 367/93, 381/86, 455/345, 455/346, 455/347, 455/349
• US Class Current: 340/426.34
• 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

Abstract

An anti-theft device for electronic equipment mounted in a vehicle, such as audio systems, includes a housing for storing electronic component of the audio system and a detachable control panel that can be removed when the operator leaves the vehicle. A replacement detachable panel can be mounted on the housing to enable a locking of the housing to the vehicle dashboard. The second detachable panel can include an alarm, an ultrasonic sensing device, and a self-contained power source so that a security alarm system can be activated by the installation of the second detachable panel as a further deterrent to theft.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus having an operating panel which is detachable from an electronic apparatus main body comprising:

an anti-theft panel constructed in such a way that it can be attached to and detached from the electronic apparatus main body when the operating panel has been removed;

a lock means, including a pivotally rotating member on the electronic main body and two locking pieces arranged to be advanced into the rotation area of the rotating member, operated by a key, for securing the anti-theft panel to the electronic apparatus main body by a key operation.

7. The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein the number of locking piece arranged to be advanced into the rotation area is two.

8. The anti-theft device of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is provided on the electronic main body.

9. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anti-theft panel incorporates a battery, a detection device and an alarm device, the detection device and the alarm device being supplied with power from the battery in response to a locking operation of the anti-theft panel to the electronic apparatus main body by the key.

10. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 9, wherein the anti-theft panel is equipped at the panel face with at least one indicator for displaying the remaining capacity of the battery.

11. The anti-theft device of claim 1, which further comprises a bracket into which an electronic apparatus main body can be inserted, the electronic apparatus main body is provided with a pair of latching clasps, the bracket is provided with latching holes corresponding to the latching clasps and with unfastening member insertion parts provided on the electronic apparatus main body in such a way as to allow an insertion of the unfastening member which unfastens the latching clasps of the electronic apparatus main body from their latched state with the latching holes, and with projections provided in the anti-theft panel in such a way as to cover the insertion parts when fitted by the anti-theft panel.

12. The anti-theft device of claim 11, wherein the anti-theft panel includes a means for locking by key onto the electronic apparatus main body.

13. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lock means is equipped with a key-receiving part provided on the panel face of the anti-theft panel, an operating member which moves in linked movement with the turning of a key inserted in the key-receiving part, and a lock member which locks or releases a detachment member on the side of the electronic apparatus main body under the action of this operating member.

14. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 13, wherein the anti-theft panel is also equipped with a detection device which can detect the proximity of a human and an alarm device which responds to the output of the detection device, the detection device and alarm device can enter an operating state when the panel has been locked by the key to the electronic apparatus main body.

15. The anti-theft device of claim 14, wherein the detection device comprises an ultrasound transmission unit, and a sensor which receives ultrasound waves transmitted from the transmission unit and reflected by a human.

16. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 14, which is further equipped with a power source supply means which supplies power to the detection device in response to locking by the lock means, and a first control means which activates the alarm for only a predetermined time period from the generation of the detection output from the sensor.

17. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 16, wherein the power source supply means is only operative after a predetermined time period from the activation of the text mode switch.

18. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 16, which further comprises a battery incorporated in the anti-theft panel;

an indicator;

a battery check switch; and

means for comparing the output of the battery due to the operation of the battery check switch with a predetermined reference value, and lightening the indicator in response to the results of the comparison.

19. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 16, which is further equipped with a test mode switch,

an indicator which indicates that the detection device is in an operational mode, and

a second control means, including a timer circuit arranged to be triggered by an operation of the test mode switch, which operates the detection device and the indicator for only a predetermined period having been designated by the timer circuit after the switch is activated.

20. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 19, which further comprises a flashing display means which makes the indicator flash when the switch is on.

2. An electronic vehicle audio system for mounting in the dashboard of a vehicle comprising:

housing for storing electronic components of the audio system;

a first detachable control panel for mounting on the housing to enable operator control input of the electronic component;

a second detachable panel for mounting on the housing;

connection means on the housing for removably mounting either the first or second detachable panels; and

means for locking the second detachable panel to the housing to deter theft, including a pivotally rotating member provided on the second panel and two locking pieces arranged to be advanced into the rotation area of the rotating member.

3. An anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus having an electronic operating panel which is detachable from an electronic apparatus main body comprising:

an electronic anti-theft panel constructed in such a way that it can be attached to and detached from the electronic apparatus main body when the operating panel has been removed; and

a lock means on the anti-theft panel, operated by a key, for securing the anti-theft panel to the electronic apparatus main body by a key operation, the anti-theft panel includes a detection device which can detect the proximity of a human and an alarm device which responds to the output of the detection device, the detection device and alarm device can enter an operating state when the panel has been locked by the key to the electronic apparatus main body.

4. The anti-theft device of claim 3, wherein the detection device comprises an ultrasound transmission unit, and a sensor which receives ultrasound waves transmitted from the transmission unit and reflected by a human.

5. The anti-theft device of claim 3, which further comprises a battery incorporated in the electronic anti-theft panel;

an indicator;

a battery check switch; and

means for comparing the output of the battery due to the operation of the battery check switch with a predetermined reference value, and lighting the indicator in response to the results of the comparison.

6. An anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus having an operating panel which is detachable from an electronic apparatus main body comprising:

an anti-theft panel constructed in such a way that it can be attached to and detached from the electronic apparatus main body when the operating panel has been removed;

a lock means, including a pivotally rotating member provided on one of the anti-theft panel and the electronic main body and at least one locking piece arranged to be advanced into the rotation area of the rotating member, operated by a key, for securing the anti-theft panel to the electronic apparatus main body by a key operation.

21. An electronic vehicle audio system for mounting in the dashboard of a vehicle comprising:

a housing for storing electronic components of the audio system;

a first detachable control panel for mounting on the housing to enable operator control input of the electronic components;

a second detachable panel for mounting on the housing;

connection means on the housing for removably mounting either the first or second detachable panels; and

means for locking the second detachable panel to the housing to deter theft, including a pivotally rotating member provided on one of the first and second panels and at least one locking piece arranged to be advanced into the rotation area of the rotating member.

22. The electronic vehicle audio system of claim 21, wherein the second detachable panel includes an alarm member that will be activated if the second detachable panel is improperly removed.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the number of locking pieces arranged to be advanced into the rotation area is two.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the rotating member is provided on the second panel.

25. The electronic vehicle audio system of claim 21, wherein the second detachable panel includes a sensor for detecting an intruder who enters the vehicle.

26. The electronic vehicle audio system of claim 25, wherein the second detachable panel includes an alarm member that is connected to the sensor.

27. An anti-theft device for a vehicle mounted electronic audio apparatus with an electronic operating panel having user control members and a first connector member, which is detachable from an electronic apparatus main body having a second connector member, comprising;

an anti-theft electronic panel constructed in such a way that it can be attached to and detached from the electronic apparatus main body when the electronic operating panel has been removed, including means for providing an alarm function, if the anti-theft electronic panel is forcibly removed; and

a lock means on the anti-theft electronic panel, operated by a key, for securing the anti-theft electronic panel to the electronic apparatus main body by a key operation.

28. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 27, wherein the lock means is equipped with a key receiving part provided on a panel face of the anti-theft electronic panel, an operating member which moves in linked movement with the tuning of a key inserted in the key-receiving part, and a lock member which locks or releases a detachment member on the side of the electronic apparatus main body under the action of this operating member.

29. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 28, wherein the anti-theft electronic panel is also equipped with a detection device which can detect the proximity of a human and an alarm device which responds to the output of the detection device, the detection device and alarm device can enter an operating state when the anti-theft electronic panel has been locked by the key to the electronic apparatus main body.

30. The anti-theft device of claim 29, wherein the detection device comprises an ultrasound transmission unit, and a sensor which receives ultrasound waves transmitted from the transmission unit and reflected by a human.

31. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 29, wherein the anti-theft electronic panel incorporates a battery, and the detection device and alarm device are supplied with power from the battery when the anti-theft panel has been locked to the electronic apparatus main body by the key.

32. The anti-theft device for an electronic apparatus of claim 31, wherein the anti-theft electronic panel is equipped at the panel face with at least one indicator for displaying the remaining capacity of the battery.