Anti-theft system

• US 6,116,370 A
• Filed: 07/23/1998
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fernando Marina Puigbo
• Original Assignee: Fernando Marina Puigbo
• Inventors: Puigbo, Fernando Marina
• Primary Examiner(s): English, Peter C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JASMIN, LYNDA C
• Application Number:
  US09/121,328
• Time in Patent Office: 782 Days
• Field of Search: 180/287, 180/336, 74/543, 74/544, 74/545, 74/557, 403/322.3, 403/109.7, 403/325, 70/159, 70/201, 70/202, 70/245, 70/247, 70/204, 70/246
• US Class Current: 180/287
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/066 Locking of hand actuated control actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5743 Disconnectable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5929 Cover combined
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5934 Selective-type shift rod, fork or block
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20732 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20738 Extension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20744 Hand crank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20864 Handles

Abstract

A new anti-theft system for permitting removal of the gear selection shaft from a vehicle having a gear selection console with an aperture extending through it that permits external gear selection of a transmission, thereby preventing theft of the vehicle. The inventive device includes a transmission engaging lever that is movably mounted to a transmission. The first end of the transmission engaging lever is insertable into the lower end of a shaft member that extends through the aperture in the console. A release lever extends from the aperture of the shaft member towards the lower end of the shaft member. The second end of the release lever has a flange extending from it that is inserted into a notch in the transmission engaging lever when the release lever is in an engaged position, thereby coupling the shaft member to the transmission engaging lever. The flange of the release lever is spaced apart from the notch of the transmission engaging lever when the release lever is in a released position, permitting removal of the shaft member from the console.

Claims

1. An anti-theft system for a vehicle having a gear selection console with an aperture extending therethrough for permitting external gear selection of a transmission, said anti-theft system comprising:

a transmission engaging lever having first and second ends and a notch being positioned towards said first end of said transmission engaging lever, said second end of said transmission engaging lever being movably mounted to a transmission;

a shaft member having an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface being extended between said upper and lower ends and defining a interior space, and an aperture being extended into said interior space;

said first end of said transmission engaging lever being insertable in said lower end of said shaft member;

a release lever being extended from said aperture of said shaft member towards said lower end of said shaft member, said release lever having first and second ends, said second end of said release lever having a flange extending therefrom;

wherein said release lever is pivotable between an engaged position and a released position, said flange of said release lever being extended into said notch in said transmission engaging lever when said release lever is in said engaged position, said flange of said release lever being spaced apart from said notch in said transmission engaging lever when said release lever is in said released position; and

said shaft member being coupled to said transmission engaging lever when said release lever is in said engaged position, said shaft member being removable from said console when said release lever is in said released position.

2. The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising a release button being extended into said aperture of said shaft member, said first end of said release lever abutting said release button.

3. The anti-theft system of claim 2, further comprising a handle member being mounted on said upper end of said shaft member and having an interior and a hole extending into said interior of said handle member, said hole of said handle member being positioned adjacent said aperture of said shaft member, wherein said release button is extended through said hole of said handle member into said aperture of said shaft member.

4. The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein said transmission engaging lever has a guide flange being extended from said second end towards said first end, said inner surface of said shaft member having a guide groove being extended between said upper and lower ends of said shaft member, said guide groove being for receiving said guide flange of said transmission engaging lever.

5. The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising a pin being provided in said interior space of said shaft member, said release lever being pivotable around said pin.

6. The anti-theft system of claim 5, wherein said inner surface of said shaft member has a second groove being extended from said aperture in said shaft member towards said lower end of said shaft member, said release lever being disposed between said second groove of said shaft member and said pin.

7. The anti-theft system of claim 1, wherein said release lever is biased towards said engaged position.

8. The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plate member for covering the aperture of the console when said handle member is removed, said plate member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said plate member being pivotally coupled to the exterior of the console, said second end of said plate member having a fastening portion; and

a locking mechanism for receiving said fastening portion of said plate member, said locking mechanism being for selectively securing said fastening portion of said plate member in place, thereby locking said plate member in a position preventing access to the aperture of the console.

9. The anti-theft system of claim 1, further comprising a stop being positioned in said interior space of said shaft member towards said lower end of said shaft member, said first end of said transmission engaging lever abutting said stop in said interior space of said shaft member.

10. An anti-theft system for a vehicle having a gear selection console with an aperture extending therethrough for permitting external gear selection of a transmission, said anti-theft system comprising:

a transmission engaging lever having first and second ends, a guide flange being extended from said second end towards said first end, and a notch being positioned towards said first end of said transmission engaging lever, said second end of said transmission engaging lever being movably mounted to a transmission;

a shaft member having an upper end, a lower end, an inner surface being extended between said upper and lower ends and defining an interior space, and an aperture being extended into said interior space, said aperture being positioned towards said upper end of said shaft member;

said first end of said transmission engaging lever being insertable in said lower end of said shaft member

a pin being provided in said interior space of said shaft member;

a stop being positioned in said interior space of said shaft member towards said lower end of said shaft member, said first end of said transmission engaging lever abutting said stop in said interior space of said shaft member;

wherein said inner surface of said shaft member has a guide groove being extended between said upper and lower ends of said shaft member, said guide groove being for receiving said guide flange of said transmission engaging lever;

wherein said inner surface of said shaft member has a second groove being extended from said aperture in said shaft member towards said lower end of said shaft member;

a handle member being mounted on said upper end of said shaft member and having an interior and a hole extending into said interior of said handle member, said hole of said handle member being positioned adjacent said aperture of said shaft member;

a release button being extended through said hole of said handle member into said aperture of said shaft member;

a release lever being disposed between said second groove of said shaft member and said pin of said shaft member, said release lever being extended from said aperture of said shaft member towards said lower end of said shaft member, said release lever being pivotable around said pin;

wherein said release lever has first and second ends, said first end of said release lever abutting said release button, said second end of said release lever having a flange extending therefrom;

wherein said release lever is pivotable between an engaged position and a released position, said flange of said release lever being extended into said notch in said transmission engaging lever when said release lever is in said engaged position, said flange of said release lever being spaced apart from said notch in said transmission engaging lever when said release lever is in said released position, said release lever being biased towards said engaged position;

said shaft member being coupled to said transmission engaging lever when said release lever is in said engaged position, said shaft member being removable from said console when said release lever is in said released position;

a plate member for covering the aperture of the console when said handle member is removed, said plate member having a first end and a second end, said first end of said plate member being pivotally coupled to the exterior of the console, said second end of said plate member having a fastening portion; and

a locking mechanism for receiving said fastening portion of said plate member, said locking mechanism being for selectively securing said fastening portion of said plate member in place, thereby locking said plate member in a position preventing access to the aperture of the console.