GB2268305A - Vehicle theft deterrent device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle comprises a first indicator part 12 which is adapted to be secured to an exterior surface or to a window of a vehicle and a second indicator part 11 which is adapted to be detachably secured to the exterior surface or window of the vehicle. The first indicator part (12) is provided with a recess 14 which is adapted to receive a tongue 13 projecting from the second indicator part 11. The device is of such a size that a mis-match between the first and second parts or a missing second indicator part is immediately apparent to an observer outside the vehicle. The parts may be made of a resilient material, or may include magnets so that they may more easily be held together. The parts may incorporate a micro-chip. They may also be associated with an available and/or visual alarm. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: VEHICLE THEFT DETERRENT DEVICE This invention relates to devices for deterring the theft of motor vehicles.

Motor vehicle theft is becoming an increasing problem, particularly in towns and inner city areas. One attempt at solving this problem has been to fit an audible alarm device to a vehicle which is activated when an unauthorised attempt is made to open one of the doors of the vehicle. However, such alarms have proved to be unreliable and are frequently activated merely by a passer-by with no criminal intent so that the alarms are largely ignored by the general public. Having gained access to the interior of the vehicle, it is possible for a criminal to de-activate the alarm and then drive away in the stolen vehicle.

Another attempt has been to fit various forms of locking mechanisms to the steering wheel, brake pedal, gear shift lever and/or hand brake. Such mechanisms have usually involved the use of metal rods and the like and these can easily be sawn through if a potential thief is not disturbed.

The present invention aims to solve the problem of vehicle theft by making it clear whether or not a driven vehicle belongs to the driver or has been stolen.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a first indicator part which is adapted to be secured to an exterior surface or to a window of a vehicle and a second indicator part which is adapted to be detachably secured to the exterior surface or window of the vehicle, said first and second indicator parts being so configured that they co-operate with each other when the second indicator part is detachably fitted to the vehicle whereby a mis-match between said parts or a missing second indicator part is immediately apparent to an observer outside the vehicle.

Preferably, the first indicator part is adapted to be secured, for example by bonding, to a window of the vehicle. The windscreen is preferred although other windows, such as the rear window, may be employed if desired.

Each of the first and second indicator parts may be provided with projections and depressions which are designed to co-operate, respectively, with depressions and projections in the other part when the two parts are fitted together.

The two parts, when fitted together, may form any desired geometric shape although a regular shape such as a circle, square or triangle is preferred.

The indicator parts may be colour-coded and bright colours are preferred. Both parts should have the same colour.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in-which: Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of an indicator according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an indicator according to the invention; and Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of an indicator according to the invention.

Reference will first be made to Fig. 1 of the drawings in which the indicator comprises a first substantially semi-circular part 11 and a second substantially semicircular part 12, the part 11 having along its straight edge a projection or tongue 13 extending therefrom and the part 12 having along its straight edge a depression or recess 14. The tongue 13 is adapted to fit snugly in the recess 14, when the parts 11 and 12 are fitted together to form a circle, as shown in Fig. 1.

The indicator shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings comprises a substantially rectangular first part 21 and a substantially rectangular second part 22. A pair of projections or tongues 23 extend from one of the longer sides of the first part 21 and a pair of depressions or recesses 24 is provided in one of the longer sides of the part 22. The size and arrangement of the tongues and recesses is such that each tongue 23 is a snug fit in a respective recess 24 when the parts 21 and 22 are fitted together to form a square as shown in Fig. 2.

The indicator shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings comprises a substantially triangular first part 31 having a series of teeth 33 along one of its sides and a trapeziumshaped second part 32 having a series of teeth 34 along the shorter of its parallel sides. The teeth 33 and 34 are so shaped that they co-operate with one another when the parts 31 and 32 are fitted together to form a larger triangle as shown in Fig. 3.

In the drawings, the parts 11, 21 and 31 are shaded while the parts 12, 22 and 32 are plain. However, this is merely to show clearly the configurations of the two different parts. In use, both parts of each indicator will have the same colour and appearance.

The invention is not restricted to the particular forms of indicator shown in the drawings. Thus, for example, the indicator shown in Fig. 1 may have more than one tongue and recess or it may be provided with teeth 33, 34. Similarly, the indicator shown in Fig. 2 may have only one tongue and recess or it may also be provided with teeth 33, 34. The teeth shown in Fig. 3 may be substituted by one or more tongues and recesses.

Further, the tongues and recesses, as well as the teeth, may have different shapes and configurations from those shown in the drawings and any number of tongues and recesses may be provided.

Furthermore, although the drawings show the two parts of each indicator to be substantially equal in size, this is not essential and the first part may be significantly larger than the second part or vice versa.

One part of an indicator device, which will normally be the lower part but which could be the upper part, is adapted to be permanently secured, for example by bonding, to the windscreen or other window of a motor vehicle in a position which is prominent to an outside observer but does not obscure a driver's view. The other part is adapted to be fitted to the said one part and may be held in place by the engagement of the tongue or tongues in the corresponding recess or recesses or by the inter-engagement of the teeth. The two parts of the indicator device may be made from a resilient material to facilitate this engagement or, as an alternative, permanent magnets may be incorporated in the indicator parts to ensure that the said other part remains in place while the vehicle is being driven.

The owner of a vehicle to which an indicator device according to the invention has been fitted, or an authorised user of the vehicle, will normally fit the detachable part to the fixed part of the device before driving off in the vehicle. This will indicate to observers such as the police that the vehicle is being driven by the owner or authorised user. On leaving the vehicle, the owner or authorised user will remove the detachable part of the indicator and take it with him (or her).

If, while the vehicle is parked, a thief breaks into the vehicle, the thief will not have the detachable part of the indicator and will therefore have to drive off in the vehicle without this part. It will then be immediately apparent to observers, such as the police, that the vehicle is not being driven by an authorised driver and there is every likelihood that the vehicle has been stolen. Action can then be taken to apprehend the driver and recover the vehicle. The same would apply if a thief attempts to fit a different detachable part, in the hope of deceiving observers into thinking that the vehicle has not been stolen, because the detachable part will not fit correctly into the fixed part.

It will be apparent that a large range of different indicator devices will be needed for the system to operate successfully but the range of different shapes could be reduced by producing the indicator devices in a range of different colours. For this reason it is preferred to make the indicator parts from self-coloured plastics materials although other materials may be used if desired.

The indicator device according to the invention provides added security for vehicle parking in attended car parks at which it is necessary to pay an attendant before driving out of the car park because the attendant can check that the detachable part of the indicator is correct before operating the release barrier from the car park. Attendants at toll booths for bridges could perform the same function.

The detachable part and/or the fixed part of each indicator could also incorporate a micro-chip with a code number registered with the Vehicle Licensing Authority. Further, the fixed part of each indicator could also incorporate a visual and/or audible alarm which was activated if an attempt was made to fit a detachable part which was not the correct part for fitting with the fixed part. This arrangement would act still further to deter vehicle theft.

It will thus be seen that the indicator device according to the invention provides an effective and practical solution to the problem of motor vehicle theft.

Claims (11)

1. A device for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle, said device comprising a first indicator part which is adapted to be secured to an exterior surface or to a window of a vehicle and a second indicator part which is adapted to be detachably secured to the exterior surface or window of the vehicle, said first and second indicator parts being so configured that they co-operate with each other when the second indicator part is detachably fitted to a vehicle whereby a mismatch between said parts or a missing second indicator part is immediately apparent to an observer outside the vehicle.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first indicator part is adapted to be secured by bonding to a window of the vehicle.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second parts are each provided with projections and depressions which are designed to cooperate, respectively, with depressions and projections in the other part when the two parts are fitted together.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device takes the form of a circle, square or triangle shape when the two parts are fitted together.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicator parts are made of self-coloured plastics material and are both the same colour.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the two indicator parts are substantially equal in size.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicator parts are made of a resilient material which is deformed slightly when the parts are fitted .together, the resilience of the material serving to hold the two parts in engagement with one another.

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the indicator parts are provided with magnets which are arranged to hold the parts together by magnetic attraction.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each indicator part incorporates a micro-chip having a code number.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first indicator part is provided with a visual and/or audible alarm which is arranged to be activated if an attempt is made to engage an incorrect second indicator part.

11. A device for deterring the theft of a motor vehicle, said device being substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.