Anti-theft device for vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-theft device for vehicles, which can be coupled to the steering wheel of the vehicle and comprises: a main body (1) equipped with a fork (11) operable by means of a lock (12) and suitable for fixing the anti-theft device on an area of ​​the steering wheel (V), a first tube (13) fixed to said main body (1) and a second tube (2) mounted externally with respect to said first tube (13) and equipped with a hook (21) in order to hook onto a diametrically opposite area of ​​the steering wheel (V); the first tube (13) and the second tube (2) comprising adjustable coupling means for adjusting the length of the anti-theft device and the spacing between the fork (11) and the hook (21); characterized in that the adjustable coupling means comprise an internal thread (14) defined inside the first tube (13) and a threaded rod (22) fixed concentrically inside the second tube (2) and coupled in the internal thread (14);the anti-theft device comprising, inside the main body (1), an alarm module (3) comprising: a microcontroller (31), a power supply battery (33), acoustic alarm means (34), a switch (35) for activating and deactivating the alarm and a motion detector (32) capable of sending to the microcontroller (31) a signal for triggering the alarm when the latter detects movements or vibrations of a predetermined intensity.;

Description

Title of the invention: Anti-theft device for vehicles technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for vehicles, which can be coupled to the steering wheel of the vehicle and comprising: a main body equipped with a fork actuable by means of a lock and suitable for fixing the anti-theft device on an area of ​​the steering wheel, a first tube fixed to said main body and a second tube mounted externally relative to said first tube and equipped with a hook in order to hook onto a diametrically opposite area of ​​the steering wheel; the first tube and the second tube comprising adjustable coupling means allowing adjustment of the length of the anti-theft device and the spacing between the fork and the hook.

[0002] This invention is applicable to the field of anti-theft security devices for vehicles. State of the art

[0003] Anti-theft devices intended to be fixed to the steering wheel of the vehicle to be protected and which, in the position of use, protrude from the outer contour of said steering wheel, thus constituting an obstacle preventing the steering wheel from being turned and therefore the vehicle from being driven, are now well known.

[0004] Some of these anti-theft devices have a main body equipped with a fork that can be operated by means of a lock and is suitable for fixing the anti-theft device on an area of ​​the steering wheel, a first tube fixed to said main body and a second, external tube that can be moved relative to said first tube and is equipped with a hook in order to hook onto a diametrically opposite area of ​​the steering wheel.

[0005] The two tubes have coupling means allowing their length to be adjusted by adapting the spacing between the fork and the hook to the diameter of the flywheel.

[0006] To remove the steering wheel anti-theft device, it is necessary to open the fork using the corresponding lock, thereby releasing the steering wheel area housed inside, and then to release a diametrically opposite area of ​​the steering wheel from the hook of the second tube.

[0007] The lock of this type of anti-theft device can be manipulated or forced in an attempt to open it and carry out the theft of the vehicle concerned.

[0008] Thus, the technical problem that arises is that of the implementation of an anti-theft device for vehicles, of the type described above, capable of reducing the risk of manipulation and opening of the anti-theft device by a possible thief and, consequently, of the theft of the vehicle, by increasing the security provided by the anti-theft device. Presentation of the invention

[0009] The anti-theft device for vehicles of the present invention has technical characteristics aimed at solving the technical problem posed.

[0010] According to the invention, this anti-theft device for vehicles is of the type described in the preamble of the main claim and comprises a main body equipped with a fork actuable by means of a lock and suitable for fixing the anti-theft device on an area of ​​the steering wheel, a first tube fixed to said main body and a second tube mounted externally relative to said first tube and equipped with a hook in order to hook onto a diametrically opposite area of ​​the steering wheel; the first tube and the second tube comprising adjustable coupling means allowing adjustment of the length of the anti-theft device and the spacing between the fork and the hook.

[0011] According to the invention, the adjustable coupling means of the first and second tubes comprise an internal thread defined or fixed inside the first tube and a threaded rod fixed concentrically inside the second tube and coupled in the internal thread; so that, by turning the second tube in one direction or the other relative to the first tube, the length of the anti-theft device and the spacing between the fork and the hook are increased or decreased, thus allowing the anti-theft device to be used on vehicles having steering wheels of different diameters.

[0012] In order to increase the security provided, this anti-theft device has, inside the main body, an alarm module comprising: a microcontroller, a power supply battery, acoustic alarm means, an alarm activation and deactivation switch and a motion detector capable of sending the microcontroller an alarm trigger signal when the latter detects movements or vibrations of a predetermined intensity.

[0013] The alarm activation and deactivation switch is preferably a switch that can be operated magnetically or mechanically by the lock, although the use of a switch that can be operated remotely by means of a remote control may be envisaged.

[0014] In the case where the alarm activation and deactivation switch is operated by the lock, said alarm may also include a manual alarm activation button allowing the anti-theft device to be used without activating the alarm.

[0015] In the configuration indicated, when the microcontroller receives an alarm trigger signal from the motion detector, said microcontroller activates the acoustic alarm means, alerting to a possible theft attempt and thus reducing the risk of vehicle theft.

[0016] Said alarm module is designed to incorporate a manual alarm activation button, so that to activate the alarm, it is sufficient to press said button, either when closing the anti-theft device, or in a interval of a few seconds after having performed said closure by means of the lock which acts on the activation switch.

[0017] This manual alarm activation button allows the user to close the anti-theft device without activating the alarm, since all they have to do is not hold down the manual activation button when closing the device; this is advantageous, for example, when it is parked in an area close to a hospital, a school or other acoustically protected area.

[0018] The features of the invention set forth in the accompanying claims will be better understood by reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures. Brief description of the figures

[0019] In order to supplement this description and facilitate understanding of the features of the invention, this descriptive document is illustrated by a set of drawings in which the following is represented, by way of illustration and without limitation: - Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of the anti-theft device for vehicles, according to the invention, with the fork of the main body in the closed position. - Fig. 2 shows a front view of the vehicle anti-theft device from the previous figure, with the fork in the open position, in longitudinal section along a vertical plane, to allow observation of the lock and alarm module arranged inside the main body. - Fig. 3 shows a view of the anti-theft device of the invention installed in operational position on the steering wheel of a vehicle. - Fig. 4 shows a functional diagram of an example implementation of the alarm module included in the anti-theft device for vehicles in the previous figures. Description of the implementation methods

[0020] As illustrated in the embodiment example of Figures 1 and 2, the anti-theft device comprises: a main body 1 equipped with a fork 11 actuable by means of the lock 12, a first tube 13 fixed to said main body 1 and a second tube 2 mounted externally relative to said first tube 13 and equipped with a hook 21.

[0021] The first tube 13 and the second tube 2 are linked by adjustable coupling means allowing adjustment of the length of the anti-theft device and the spacing between the fork 11 and the hook 21.

[0022] The fork 11 mounted on the main body 1 by means of a rotation axis 1 is suitable for fixing the anti-theft device to an area of ​​the steering wheel V in a position of use, while the hook fixed to the second tube 2 allows the device to be attached anti-theft device in a diametrically opposite area of ​​the steering wheel V, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0023] In this operating position, the location of the steering wheel itself inside the fork 11 and the hook 21 prevents the first tube 13 and the second tube 2 from rotating, the opening of the fork 11 having to be carried out by means of the actuation of the lock to release the steering wheel anti-theft device V.

[0024] As shown in [Fig.2], the anti-theft device has an alarm module 3 located inside the main body 1 and comprising: a microcontroller 31, a power supply battery 33, acoustic alarm means 34; an alarm activation and deactivation switch 35 which, in this embodiment, is magnetically activated by means of a magnet inserted in the lock 3; and a motion detector 32 capable of sending an alarm trigger signal to the microcontroller 31 when the latter detects movements or vibrations of a predetermined intensity.

[0025] This alarm module 3 emits an acoustic signal when the motion detector 32 detects vibrations or movements of a predetermined intensity and likely to originate from an attempt to manipulate or force the anti-theft device.

[0026] The switch 35 is operated by the lock 12, so that the alarm is activated and deactivated respectively by closing and opening the lock 12.

[0027] However, according to the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.4], the alarm module 3 also has a manual alarm activation button 36, the user then having to press said button when closing the fork 11 of the anti-theft device, or within a time interval, for example of 5 to 10 seconds, after having closed said closure by means of the lock 12. If the user wishes to close the anti-theft device without activating the alarm, he simply has to not press said manual activation button 36 when closing the anti-theft device.

[0028] According to this embodiment, the alarm module 3 also includes: an indicator 37, acoustic or light, which is activated when the motion detector 32 detects movements or vibrations and sends the alarm triggering signal to the microcontroller 31, and a timer 38 for triggering the alarm from the receipt of said triggering signal by the microcontroller 31.

[0029] The indicator 37 serves to warn the user that the alarm is activated when the alarm trigger signal, provided by a motion detector 32, has been triggered by movements produced by the user himself when opening the anti-theft device. The delay timer 38, for its part, provides the user the time required to open lock 12 and deactivate the alarm, before the audible alarm signal starts to sound.

[0030] The nature of the invention, as well as an example of a preferred embodiment, having been described in detail, it should be noted, for all practical purposes, that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, provided that this does not imply any alteration of the essential characteristics of the invention claimed below.

Claims

Claims

1. Anti-theft device for vehicles, capable of being coupled to the steering wheel of the vehicle and comprising: a main body (1) equipped with a fork (11) operable by means of a lock (12) and capable of fixing the anti-theft device on an area of the steering wheel (V), a first tube (13) fixed to said main body (1) and a second tube (2) mounted externally with respect to said first tube (13) and equipped with a hook (21) in order to hook onto a diametrically opposite area of the steering wheel (V); the first tube (13) and the second tube (2) comprising adjustable coupling means for adjusting the length of the anti-theft device and the spacing between the fork (11) and the hook (21); characterized in that the adjustable coupling means comprise an internal thread (14) defined inside the first tube (13) and a threaded rod (22) fixed concentrically inside the second tube (2) and coupled in the internal thread (14);the anti-theft device comprising, inside the main body (1), an alarm module (3) comprising: a microcontroller (31), a power supply battery (33), acoustic alarm means (34), a switch (35) for activating and deactivating the alarm and a motion detector (32) capable of sending to the microcontroller (31) a signal for triggering the alarm when the latter detects movements or vibrations of a predetermined intensity.;

2. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, in which the switch (35) for activating and deactivating the alarm is a switch that can be magnetically or mechanically actuated by the lock (12), and the alarm module (3) comprises a button (36) for manually activating the alarm.

3. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the switch (35) for activating and deactivating the alarm is a switch that can be operated remotely by means of a remote control.

4. Anti-theft device, according to claim 1, in which the alarm module (3) comprises an indicator (37), acoustic or luminous, for sending the alarm triggering signal to the microcontroller (31) by the motion detector (32), and a delay timer (38) for triggering the acoustic alarm means. (34) from the reception of said trigger signal by the microcontroller (31).)