Anti-theft device for vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-theft device for vehicles, comprising an extendable body (10), formed by a bar (1) mounted telescopically, with the possibility of longitudinal movement and without the possibility of rotation, inside a tube (2); the bar (1) and the tube (2) each having hooks (11, 21) oriented in opposite directions and complementary means for locking the extendable body (10) in an operational position of the anti-theft device, in which the hooks (11, 21) carry out the hooking of two diametrically opposite zones of the steering wheel (V) of the vehicle; characterized in that the complementary locking means consist of a rack (12) defined at the outer surface of the bar (1) and a lock (3) mounted in a housing (22) fixed to the tube (2) and provided with a locking tooth (31) located opposite the rack (12);said anti-theft device having an alarm module (4) comprising: a microcontroller (41), a power supply battery (43), acoustic alarm means (44), a switch (45) for activating and deactivating the alarm and a motion detector (42) capable of sending to the microcontroller (41) 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 comprising an extendable body, formed by a bar mounted telescopically, with the possibility of longitudinal movement and without the possibility of rotation, inside a tube; the bar and the tube each having hooks oriented in opposite directions and complementary means for locking the extendable body in an operational position, in which the hooks carry out the hooking of two diametrically opposite zones of the steering wheel of the vehicle.

[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 an extendable body formed by a tube and a bar mounted telescopically, without the possibility of relative rotation, and each having hooks oriented in opposite directions, capable of surrounding two diametrically opposite zones of the steering wheel of the vehicle from the inner part of said steering wheel, the anti-theft device being fixed in an operational position of use by means of locking the extendable body at the appropriate length.

[0005] These locking means comprise a lock capable of being manipulated or forced in order to open the anti-theft device and remove the vehicle.

[0006] Thus, the technical problem which arises is that of implementing an anti-theft device for vehicles of the type described above, capable of reducing the risk of manipulation and opening of the device by a possible thief and, consequently, of theft of the vehicle. Presentation of the invention

[0007] The anti-theft device for vehicles of the present invention has technical characteristics aimed at solving the technical problem posed.

[0008] According to the invention, this anti-theft device for vehicles, being of the type described in the preamble of the main claim, comprises means for locking the extensible body, which consist of a rack defined at the level of the external surface of the bar mounted with the possibility of longitudinal displacement and without the possibility of rotation inside the tube, and in a lock mounted in a housing fixed to the tube and provided with a locking tooth located opposite said rack, so that the actuation of the lock allows the locking or unlocking of the tooth in any groove defined between the teeth of the rack.

[0009] This anti-theft device for cars has an alarm module located inside the housing and 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 a signal to trigger the alarm when it detects movements or vibrations of a predetermined intensity.

[0010] The alarm activation and deactivation switch is preferably a switch that can be magnetically or mechanically actuated by the lock, although the use of a switch that can be operated remotely by means of a remote control could be considered.

[0011] In the case where the alarm activation and deactivation switch is actuated by the lock, said alarm may further comprise a manual alarm activation button allowing the anti-theft device to be used without activating the alarm.

[0012] In the indicated configuration, when an attempt to manipulate or force the anti-theft device occurs and the motion detector detects movements or vibrations of a certain intensity, the latter sends the microcontroller an alarm triggering signal so that said microcontroller activates the acoustic alarm means, alerting to a possible theft attempt and thus reducing the risk of theft of the vehicle.

[0013] Said alarm module is designed to be able to integrate a manual alarm activation button, so that to activate the alarm, it is sufficient to press said button, either at the time of closing the anti-theft device, or within a few seconds after having closed said device by means of the lock which acts on the activation switch.

[0014] This manual alarm activation button allows the user to close the anti-theft device without activating the alarm, since he simply does not need to press the manual activation button; this is advantageous, for example, when the user is parked in an area close to a hospital, a school or other acoustically protected area.

[0015] The features of the invention combined in the appended claims will be better understood with reference to the exemplary embodiment illustrated by the figures. Brief description of the figures

[0016] In order to complete the present description and to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present descriptive memorandum is illustrated by a set of drawings in which the following is represented, by way of illustration and not limitation: - [Fig. 1] shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the anti-theft device for vehicles, according to the invention. - [Fig.2] shows a front view of the vehicle anti-theft device of the previous figure, in longitudinal section along a vertical plane. - [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 exemplary embodiment of the alarm module included in the anti-theft device of the previous figures. Description of the embodiments

[0017] As illustrated in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the alarm device comprises an extendable body (10), formed of a bar (1) mounted telescopically, with the possibility of longitudinal movement and without the possibility of rotation, inside a tube (2); the bar (1) and the tube (2) each having hooks (11, 21) oriented in opposite directions and capable of carrying out the hooking inside two diametrically opposite zones of the steering wheel (V) of a vehicle, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0018] As illustrated in [Fig.2], this anti-theft device comprises complementary means for blocking the longitudinal movement of the bar (1) relative to the tube (2), consisting of a rack (12) defined at the level of the external surface of the bar (1) and a lock (3) fixed to the tube (2) and provided with a blocking tooth (31) located opposite the rack (12) and capable of being housed in any groove defined between the teeth of the rack (12).

[0019] Said lock (3) is mounted inside a housing (22) fixed to the tube (2), here by means of the hook (21).

[0020] Inside said housing (22) is installed an alarm module (4) capable of emitting an acoustic signal when it detects vibrations or movements likely to come from an attempt to manipulate or force the anti-theft device.

[0021] In the embodiment illustrated by [Fig.4], the alarm module (4) comprises a microcontroller (41) to which are connected: a motion detector (42), a power supply battery (43), acoustic alarm means (44) represented by a loudspeaker, and a switch (45) for activating and deactivating the alarm which, in this embodiment, is actuated magnetically by a magnet inserted in the lock (3); so that, when the motion detector (42) detects movements or vibrations of a certain intensity, this sends to the microcontroller (41) a signal to trigger the alarm.

[0022] According to the embodiment illustrated by said [Fig.4], the alarm module (4) also has a manual activation button (46) for the alarm, the user then having to press it when closing the anti-theft device, or within a time interval, for example 5 to 8 seconds, after having closed said device by means of the lock (3). If the user wishes to close the anti-theft device without activating the alarm, he simply does not have to press said manual activation button (46).

[0023] According to this embodiment, the alarm module (4) also comprises: an indicator (47), acoustic or luminous, which is activated when the movement detector (42) detects movements or vibrations and sends the alarm triggering signal to the microcontroller (41), and a delay timer (48) for triggering the alarm from the reception of said triggering signal by the microcontroller (41).

[0024] Said indicator (47) has the role of warning the user that the alarm is activated when the alarm trigger signal, provided by a movement detector (42), has been caused by movements produced by the user himself when opening the anti-theft device; the delay timer (48), for its part, provides the user with the time necessary to open the lock (3) and deactivate the alarm, before the acoustic alarm signal starts to sound.

[0025] 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 useful 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, comprising an extendable body (10), formed by a bar (1) mounted telescopically, with the possibility of longitudinal movement and without the possibility of rotation, inside a tube (2); the bar (1) and the tube (2) each having hooks (11, 21) oriented in opposite directions and complementary means for locking the extendable body (10) in an operational position of the anti-theft device, in which the hooks (11, 21) carry out the hooking of two diametrically opposite zones of the steering wheel (V) of the vehicle; characterized in that the complementary locking means consist of a rack (12) defined at the level of the external surface of the bar (1) and a lock (3) mounted in a housing (22) fixed to the tube (2) and provided with a locking tooth (31) located opposite the rack (12);said anti-theft device having an alarm module (4) comprising: a microcontroller (41), a power supply battery (43), acoustic alarm means (44), a switch (45) for activating and deactivating the alarm and a motion detector (42) capable of sending to the microcontroller (41) 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, wherein the switch (45) for activating and deactivating the alarm is a switch magnetically or mechanically actuable by the lock (3), and the alarm module (4) comprises a manual activation button (46) for the alarm.

3. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, wherein the switch (45) 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 any one of the preceding claims, in which the alarm module (4) comprises an indicator (47), acoustic or luminous, for sending by the motion detector (42) the alarm triggering signal to the microcontroller (41), and a delay timer (48) for triggering the acoustic alarm means (44) from the reception of said triggering signal by the microcontroller (41).

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