WO2012050430A1

WO2012050430A1 - An apparatus for securing a pedal of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2012050430A1
Application number: PCT/MY2011/000222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chabau Kow @ Tan Poi Heong Tan
Original assignee: Tan Chabau Kow Tan Poi Heong
Priority date: 2010-10-13
Filing date: 2011-10-13
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Also published as: MY157256A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for securing a pedal (80) of a vehicle, characterised by a first hollow tubular body (10); a second hollow tubular body (20) coupled to a pedal bracket (23) including a slot (31) for receiving a sheath (32) coupled with a spring (33) and a locking pin (34); a processor (41); a solenoid (43) adjacent to the aperture (12); an alarm control assembly including a switch (51) whereby it is engaged by a column (24) protruding from the pedal bracket (23); wherein locked position is commenced by loading the second body (20) into the first body (10) to allow locking pin (34) to engage with the aperture (12); wherein unlocked position is commenced by activating the solenoid (43) and propel the solenoid shaft (44), forcing the locking pin (34) into the sheath (32) and liberate the second body (20) whereby a primary spring (22) will thrust the second body (20) downward.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR SECURING A PEDAL OF A VEHICLE

Background of the Invention Field of the Invention

This invention relates to anti-theft device for a vehicle, and more particularly to an apparatus for securing a pedal of a vehicle to prevent operation of the vehicle.

Description of Related Arts

Vehicle theft is a serious problem occurring in many countries. In some cities, the problem is so serious that one car is stolen every few minutes. In view of this, the automotive security industry has gained increasingly more attention by the public. Nowadays, the market is flooded with car anti-theft devices that offer various methods of theft prevention. Many of the products function by locking a certain part of the vehicle to prevent operation of the vehicle so that driving away of the vehicle is not possible. Such locking devices can be applied to the steering, pedals, and gearshift, for deterring car thieves. Regardless, a good vehicle anti-theft device should be difficult and time-consuming to disarm or dismantle by a car thief, while at the same time should provide a convenient usage by car owners.

Even for car locking apparatus for a pedal, there is a wide variety of such apparatus available. Patent US6439012 disclosed a dual leg pedal lock device for securing one or more pedals of an automobile. The device comprises a dual leg shaft component, a locking slide bar component, a pedal engaging component, and a key lock component. The dual leg shaft is slidable within locking slide bar and extends from both ends of the slide bar. The lower part of the slide bar is attached with a pedal engaging component which is to be installed on a pedal to prevent any movement of the pedal. Locking is conferred by the dual leg shaft sliding downwards in relative to the sliding bar, so that the ends grip firmly on the car floor while the pedal engaging component set on the pedal. A plurality of groove indentations allows non-slip movement of the dual leg shaft relative to the sliding bar and locking of the device by engagement of a pair of biased pawls to the indentations on both shafts. The long tubular shaped apparatus extends from the car floor to above the driver seat, so that when installed, it is easily accessible by a potential thief by breaking through the window.

Patent US5282373 disclosed an anti-theft pedal locking device for vehicles, which restricts movements of the pedal when installed. The device has a first supporting member extending upwardly with a sideway extended portion to engage to a pedal shaft from above. The first supporting member is slidable on a second support member which has a sideway extending portion, which is in contact with the lower surface of the pedal shaft to coincide with that of first support member. The second supporting member is connected upright from the base plate mounted on the vehicle floor. In operation, a user places the device to the pedal properly and pushes the first supporting member downwards so that the sideway extending portion meets that of the second supporting member to hold the pedal shaft immobilized. A key lock is mounted on top of first supporting member. This device involves a simple mechanism and operates in a solely mechanical way. Such a device can be easily disarmed by picking on the lock or by damaging any of the supporting members.

Patent US59211 16 disclosed a vehicle pedal lock that is used to secure two pedals of the vehicle. The apparatus is comprised of a U-shaped shackle to engage about the arms of accelerator and clutch pedal, wherein the shackle member engages rear surface of clutch pedal and goes above and over the pedal arms. The free ends of the shackle are snugly coupled to a cross member which engages partly the rear surface of the accelerator pedal. A lock mechanism is found at the end of the cross member for locking the shackle to the cross member. A plurality of legs are attached perpendicular to the shackle and the cross member to provide support from vehicle floor. The drawback of this pedal lock is that a different dimension of the apparatus is needed for different models of cars. The apparatus size needs to fit perfectly to the pedals to make them immobilized. Therefore, the distance from the vehicle floor to the pedals, and the distance between the two pedals need to be taken into consideration for producing the locking apparatus for different car models.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved car security device for securing a pedal of a vehicle which can address the problems above. The anti-theft device should not be easily accessible, unlocked, and damaged by a potential thief. In addition, the device should be universal for use in different car models.

Summary of Invention

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus to secure a pedal of a vehicle for preventing car theft.

It is also an objective of the present invention to provide an apparatus with an alarm system to secure a pedal of a vehicle when a vibration to the apparatus in locked condition is detected to prevent disarming of the apparatus.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to an apparatus to secure a pedal of a vehicle which can be unlocked by using a remote control.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a car anti-theft apparatus which is convenient and easy to use.

Accordingly, these objectives may be achieved by following the teachings of the present invention. The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing a pedal of a vehicle, characterised by a first hollow tubular body with an opening on each end, coupled to a mounting bracket for fastening onto the vehicle floor, whereby said first tubular hollow body includes an aperture; a second hollow tubular body, received by the first hollow tubular body and coupled to a pedal bracket for engaging with the pedal of the vehicle, including a track means and a slot for receiving a sheath coupled with a spring and a locking pin, wherein said locking pin will engage with the aperture during locked position; a lever extended from said pedal bracket for loading second hollow tubular body into the first hollow 1 000222

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tubular body during locked position; a processor electrically connected to the power source of a vehicle and covered with a housing; wherein said housing is attached to the first hollow tubular body; a solenoid electrically connected to the processor and coupled to the first tubular body, including a solenoid shaft adjacent to the aperture, wherein said solenoid shaft is propelled towards the locking pin forcing said locking pin into the sheath for detaching the locking pin from the aperture, an alarm control assembly including a switch coupled to the first hollow tubular body and electrically connected to the processor; whereby it is engaged by a column protruding from the pedal bracket for arming the alarm control assembly; a release assembly including a rivet pin affixed in the first hollow tubular body, a primary spring coupled to said rivet pin and the pedal bracket; wherein during release from a locked position, said primary spring will thrust the second hollow tubular body downward to disengage the pedal bracket from the pedal of the vehicle; a lock assembly mounted on one opening of the first hollow tubular member, having a protrusion received by an orifice on the locking pin, wherein the turning of the protrusion by a key brings the locking pin inwards against the secondary spring, for manually unlocking the apparatus; wherein locked position is commenced by loading the second hollow tubular body into the first hollow tubular body to bring the pedal bracket into engagement with the pedal, and allowing locking pin in the sheath to engage with the aperture of first hollow tubular body; wherein unlocked position is commenced by a remote control which sends an unlocking signal to the processor to activate the solenoid and propel the solenoid shaft, thereby forcing the locking pin into the metallic sheath and liberate the second hollow tubular body whereby the primary spring will thrust the second hollow tubular body downward to disengage the pedal bracket.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The features of the invention will be more readily understood and appreciated from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view diagram on an apparatus for securing a pedal of a vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the top view of the apparatus for securing a pedal of a vehicle;

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional view of the apparatus from plane A in Fig. 2; Fig. 4a is a simplified drawing showing the apparatus in locked condition;

Fig. 4b is a simplified drawing showing the apparatus in unlocked condition;

Fig. 5a is a simplified drawing showing the alarm control assembly in armed condition;

Fig. 5b is a simplified drawing showing the alarm control assembly in armed condition; Fig. 6 is a simplified diagram showing the apparatus engaged to a pedal of the vehicle;

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the perspective view of a lock assembly having a protrusion received by an orifice on the locking pin.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for claims. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modification, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include," "including," and "includes" mean including, but not limited to. Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and the word "plurality" means one or more, unless otherwise mentioned. Where the abbreviations of technical terms are used, these indicate the commonly accepted meanings as known in the technical field. For ease of reference, common reference numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures. The present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1-7. The present invention relates to an apparatus (100) for securing a pedal (80) of a vehicle, characterised by a first hollow tubular body (10) with an opening (13) on each end, coupled to a mounting bracket (60) for fastening onto the vehicle floor, whereby said first tubular hollow body (10) includes an aperture (12); a second hollow tubular body (20), received by the first hollow tubular body (10) and coupled to a pedal bracket (23) for engaging with the pedal (80) of the vehicle, including a track means (29) and a slot (31) for receiving a sheath (32) coupled with a spring (33) and a locking pin (34), wherein said locking pin (34) will engage with the aperture (12) during locked position; a lever (28) extended from said pedal bracket (23) for loading second hollow tubular body (20) into the first hollow tubular body (10) during locked position; a processor (41) electrically connected to the power source of a vehicle and covered with a housing (42), wherein said housing (42) is attached to the first hollow tubular body (10); a solenoid (43) electrically connected to the processor (41) and coupled to the first tubular body (10), including a solenoid shaft (44) adjacent to the aperture (12), wherein said solenoid shaft (44) is propelled towards the locking pin (34) forcing said locking pin (34) into the sheath (32) for detaching the locking pin (34) from the aperture (12); an alarm control assembly including a switch (51) coupled to the first hollow tubular body (10) and electrically connected to the processor (41); whereby it is engaged by a column (24) protruding from the pedal bracket (23) for arming the alarm control assembly; a release assembly including a rivet pin (1 1) affixed in the first hollow tubular body (10), a primary spring (22) coupled to said rivet pin (11) and the pedal bracket (23); wherein during release from a locked position, said primary spring (22) will thrust the second hollow tubular body (20) downward to disengage the pedal bracket (23) from the pedal (80) of the vehicle; a lock assembly (70) mounted on one opening (13) of the first hollow tubular member (10), having a protrusion (71) received by an orifice (35) on the locking pin (34), wherein the turning of the protrusion (51) by a key (72) brings the locking pin (34) inwards against the secondary spring (33), for manually unlocking the apparatus (100); wherein locked position is commenced by loading the second hollow tubular body (20) into the first hollow tubular body (10) to bring the pedal bracket (23) into engagement with the pedal (80), and allowing locking pin (34) in the sheath (32) to engage with the aperture (12) of first hollow tubular body (10); wherein unlocked position is commenced by a remote control which sends an unlocking signal to the processor (41) to activate the solenoid (43) and propel the solenoid shaft (44), thereby forcing the locking pin (34) into the metallic sheath and liberate the second hollow tubular body (20) whereby the primary spring (22) will thrust the second hollow tubular body (20) downward to disengage the pedal bracket (23).

Wtih reference to Fig. 1-3, the present invention includes a first hollow tubular body (10) to slidably receive a second hollow tubular body (20). A mounting bracket (60) is coupled to the first hollow tubular body (10) for fastening onto the vehicle floor, as shown in Fig. 6. Thus, the first hollow tubular body (10) is a stationary member when the mounting bracket (60) is fastened to the vehicle floor. An aperture (12) is also found on the wall of the first hollow tubular body (10). The second hollow tubular body (20) is smaller in diameter so that it can slide within the first hollow tubular body (10) upward and downward. The lower end of the second tubular body (20) is coupled to a pedal bracket (23) to engage with the pedal (80) of the vehicle in locked condition, as shown in Fig. 6. The pedal bracket (23) is a horizontal plate with a generally 90° upward bend at one side to render the apparatus horizontally unmovable from the pedal of the vehicle when the apparatus is locked. A column (24) protruding from the pedal bracket (23) acts as a component for arming the alarm control assembly as will be described later. On the other side of the pedal bracket (23) is attached with a lever for manually raising the second hollow tubular body (20) relative to the first hollow tubular body (10) and bringing the pedal bracket (23) into engagement with the pedal (80) of the vehicle. A lock pin (35) is contained in a sheath (32) fixed to the interior of the second hollow tubular body (20), wherein the lock pin (35) is horizontally slidable within the sheath, into and out of a slot (31 ) on the second hollow tubular body (20). The lock pin (35) is also coupled to a secondary _. spring (33) which is biased to push the locking pin (35) outward.

In operation, when the apparatus is in an unlocked condition shown in Fig. 4a, the position of the second hollow tubular body (20) is relatively lower wherein the distance between the pedal bracket (23) and the pedal (80) of the vehicle is relatively larger so that the pedal (80) can be depressed. The locking pin (35) is retained within the second hollow tubular member (20) by the wall of first hollow tubular body (10). Conversely, to bring the apparatus (100) into a locked condition as shown in Fig. 4b, the lever is manually raised to bring the pedal bracket (23) into engagement with the pedal (80), thus preventing depressing of the pedal (80). Raising the lever at the same time also brings the second tubular body (20) up to a level where the slot (33) meets the aperture (12) of the first hollow tubular body (10), where the locking pin (35) is protruded outwards by the secondary spring (33) to engage the aperture (12). Thus, a locked condition is maintained wherein the second hollow tubular body (20) is unmovable relative to the first hollow tubular body (10).

A solenoid shaft (44) in a solenoid (43) is positioned adjacent to the aperture (12) and electrically connected to a processor (41 ). The solenoid (43) and the processor (41) is placed in a housing (42) which is coupled to the first hollow tubular body (10). When the processor (41) receives an unlocking signal from a remote control, the solenoid will be activated or energized, thus propelling the solenoid shaft (44) toward the locking pin (34) engaged with the aperture (12). Consequently, the locking pin (34) is forced into the first hollow tubular body (10), disengaged from the aperture (12). Once the locking pin (34) is disengaged from the aperture (12), the first hollow tubular body (10) will be thrusted downward automatically by a release assembly, comprising a primary spring (22) in the second tubular hollow body (20), coupled to the pedal bracket (23) at one end and the other end coupled to a rivet pin (11) which is fixed at the inner wall of the first hollow tubular body (10). The rivet pin (11) extends transversely into the second hollow tubular body through a track means (29) which is an elongated hole to allow the movement of the second hollow body (20). A rubber bush (14) may be mounted between the primary spring (22) and the rivet pin (11 ). Compression of the primary spring (22) in locked condition will thrust the second hollow body (20) downward once the locking pin (34) is disengaged from the aperture (12).

With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 7, the apparatus (100) can also be unlocked manually via a lock assembly (70) in case of power failure. The lock assembly (70) is mounted to the upper opening (13) of the first hollow tubular body (10). The lock assembly includes a protrusion (71) which extends downward and received by an orifice (35) of the locking pin (34) in locked condition. Reasonably, the sheath (32) enclosing the locking pin (34) also has a hole on each of the horizontal plate. In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion has a semicircular cross-sectional profile so that turning of the protrusion about a longitudinal axis along the flat surface (73) will force the locking pin (34) inward against the secondary spring (33), thereby disengaging from the aperture (12). Then, the second hollow tubular body (20) will be thrusted downward by the release assembly.

With reference to Fig. 5a-5b, the apparatus is also equipped with an alarm control assembly so that if any vibration is detected, an alarm will be set off. This is to prevent disarming of the apparatus (100) by a potential thief damaging it. A switch (51) is coupled externally to the first hollow tubular body (10), whereas the column (24) is attached upright from the pedal bracket (23). The column (24) and the switch (51) are arranged in such a position, so when the lever (28) is raised, the column (24) will press the switch (51) to arm the alarm controls assembly. The alarm control assembly may be connected to the processor (41) by wireless communication so that cutting off the wires to disable the alarm control assembly is not possible.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiment as shown in the appended figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications could be done within the scope of the invention as described in the specification and defined in the following claims.

Claims

I/We claim:

1. An apparatus (100) for securing a pedal (80) of a vehicle, characterised by:

a first hollow tubular body (10) with an opening (13) on each end, coupled to a mounting bracket (60) for fastening onto the vehicle floor, whereby said first tubular hollow body (10) includes an aperture (12); a second hollow tubular body (20), received by the first hollow tubular body (10) and coupled to a pedal bracket (23) for engaging with the pedal (80) of the vehicle, including a track means (29) and a slot (31) for receiving a sheath (32) coupled with a spring (33) and a locking pin (34), wherein said locking pin (34) will engage with the aperture (12) during locked position;

a lever (28) extended from said pedal bracket (23) for loading second hollow tubular body (20) into the first hollow tubular body (10) during locked position;

a processor (41) electrically connected to the power source of a vehicle and covered with a housing (42), wherein said housing (42) is attached to the first hollow tubular body (10);

a solenoid (43) electrically connected to the processor (41) and coupled to the first tubular body (10), including a solenoid shaft (44) adjacent to the aperture (12), wherein said solenoid shaft (44) is propelled towards the locking pin (34) forcing said locking pin (34) into the sheath (32) for detaching the locking pin (34) from the aperture (12);

an alarm control assembly including a switch (51) coupled to the first hollow tubular body (10) and electrically connected to the processor (41); whereby it is engaged by a column (24) protruding from the pedal bracket (23) for arming the alarm control assembly;

a release assembly including a rivet pin (11) affixed in the first hollow tubular body (10), a primary spring (22) coupled to said rivet pin (1 1) and the pedal bracket (23); wherein during release from a locked position, said primary spring (22) will thrust the second hollow tubular body (20) downward to disengage the pedal bracket (23) from the pedal (80) of the vehicle;

a lock assembly (70) mounted on one opening (13) of the first hollow tubular member (10), having a protrusion (71 ) received by an orifice (35) on the locking pin (34), wherein the turning of the protrusion (51) by a key (72) brings the locking pin (34) inwards against the secondary spring (33), for manually unlocking the apparatus (100);

wherein locked position is commenced by loading the second hollow tubular body (20) into the first hollow tubular body (10) to bring the pedal bracket (23) into engagement with the pedal (80), and allowing locking pin (34) in the sheath (32) to engage with the aperture (12) of first hollow tubular body (10);

wherein unlocked position is commenced by a remote control which sends an unlocking signal to the processor (41 ) to activate the solenoid (43) and propel the solenoid shaft (44), thereby forcing the locking pin (34) into the metallic sheath and liberate the second hollow tubular body (20) whereby the primary spring (22) will thrust the second hollow tubular body (20) downward to disengage the pedal bracket (23).

An apparatus (100) for securing a pedal of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said locking pin (34) is horizontally slidable within the sheath (32) fixed inside the second hollow tubular body (20).

An apparatus (100) for securing a pedal (80) of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said track means (29) receives the rivet pin (1 ) for enabling movement of the second hollow tubular body (20) relative to the first hollow tubular body (10).

An apparatus (100) for securing a pedal (80) of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein in a locked condition, said alarm control assembly emits a sound when a vibration is detected, or when the apparatus (100) is being manually unlocked without turning off the alarm control assembly.

5. An apparatus (100) for securing a pedal (80) of a vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein said switch (51 ) of the alarm control assembly may be wirelessly connected to the processor (41) for preventing disabling of said alarm control assembly by cutting off the wires.