Patent Application
20220363220
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle accessories of existing art and more specifically relates to an anti-theft device for a vehicle.
Unfortunately, vehicle theft is a common problem in many countries all over the world, and as such, vehicle protection has been a widespread concern among vehicle owners and users. Most new vehicles come equipped with vehicle alarms to act as a deterrent and hopefully alert passersby as to the theft. However, vehicle alarms are a weak solution, as they do not physically prevent unauthorized entrance of the vehicle, nor do they prevent the thief from starting the vehicle and driving away. Further, vehicle alarms often sound for reasons unrelated to a theft (such as a loud noise or accidental touch), and as such, we have grown accustomed to hearing vehicle alarms and ignoring them.
Attempts have been made to solve this problem by utilizing physical means inside the vehicle to protect it from theft. However, these attempts have not been satisfactory as the devices are easily broken or cut, thus rendering them useless; are bulky and cumbersome; and/or take too much time to install and remove from the steering wheel. In addition, the current devices do not prevent unauthorized entrance to the vehicle. Thus, a suitable solution is desired.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known anti-theft devices for vehicles art, the present disclosure provides a novel steering wheel lock device. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a means of inhibiting unauthorized movement of a steering wheel in a vehicle and inhibiting unauthorized entrance into the vehicle.
A device is disclosed herein. The device may at least substantially inhibit unauthorized movement of a steering wheel in a vehicle; the steering wheel including a wheel-section and a center-section. The device includes a first section which may include a first handle and a first clamp half, and a second section which may include a second handle and a second clamp half. The second section may be pivotably attached to the first section such that movement of the first handle and the second handle relative to each other selectively moves the first clamp half and the second clamp half between an open-clamp position and a locked-clamp position. The locked-clamp position may include the first clamp half and the second clamp half being clamped to an area of the wheel-section of the steering wheel, thereby at least substantially inhibiting the unauthorized movement of the steering wheel. Further, a stopper means may be attached to one of the first section and the second section. The stopper means may be configured for contact with the wheel-section of the steering wheel when the first clamp half and the second clamp half are clamped to the wheel-section.
According to another embodiment, a method of using a device for at least substantially inhibiting unauthorized movement of a steering wheel in a vehicle is also disclosed herein. The method includes providing the device as above; placing the first clamp half and the second clamp half about any area of wheel-section of the steering wheel, the first clamp half and the second clamp half being in the open-clamp position; moving the first handle and the second handle relative to each other to place the first clamp half and the second clamp half into the locked-clamp position; clamping the first clamp half and the second clamp half onto said any area of wheel-section of the steering wheel; and substantially inhibiting movement of the steering wheel.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a steering wheel lock device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an anti-theft device for a vehicle and more particularly to a steering wheel lock device as used to protect a vehicle from theft by substantially inhibiting unauthorized movement of a steering wheel, and further substantially inhibiting unauthorized entrance into the vehicle.
Generally disclosed is a device that is light, small, and simple to use. The device may lock onto a steering wheel, preferably anywhere on the steering wheel, which may prevent the steering wheel from working properly. Further, if the device is placed on a center of the steering wheel, an individual may be unable to enter the vehicle properly. This may be particularly useful for emergency cars, convertible cars, antique cars, or cars/trucks that are being defrosted or warmed and left unattended.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
Referring now to
The second section 120 may be pivotably attached to the first section 110 such that movement of the first handle 112 and the second handle 122 relative to each other selectively moves the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 between an open-clamp position 106 and a locked-clamp position 108. In some embodiments, the first section 110 and the second section 120 may be attached via a pivot joint. In another embodiment, the first section 110 and the second section 120 may be attached via a hinge 121. When the handles are pulled apart, the clamp halves (114, 124) may be placed in the open-clamp position 106 and when the handles (112, 122) are pushed together, the clamp halves (114, 124) may be placed in the locked-clamp position 108.
Further, as shown, the device 100 may include a numerical lock system 140. The numerical lock system 140 may be configured for selectively unlocking the first clamp half 112 and the second clamp half 122 from the locked-clamp position 108 (and locking the first clamp half 112 and the second clamp half 122 in the locked-clamp position 108). The numerical lock system 140 may utilize a sequence of symbols to selectively unlock the first clamp half 112 and the second clamp half 122. For example, the numerical lock system 140 may utilize a sequence of at least two numbers 142. In some embodiments, the numerical lock system 140 may utilize a sequence of three numbers. Other number sequences are also contemplated, as are other symbols. The numerical lock system 140 may include buttons, dials, etc. for allowing a user to enter the sequence. Entering the sequence into the numerical lock system 140 may then interact with integral mechanical locking means to unlock the first clamp half 112 and the second clamp half 122 from the locked-clamp position 108.
Referring now to
Preferably, as above, the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 may be configured to clamp to a variety of steering wheel sizes. As such, a diameter of the circular aperture 125 may be selectively changed via manipulation of the first handle 112 and the second handle 122, and as such, a point at which the clamp halves (114, 124) are placed into the open-clamp position 106 or the locked-clamp position 108 and a size of the substantially circular aperture 125 when in the locked-clamp position 108 may depend on a size of the steering wheel 5. For example, a steering wheel 5 including a wheel-section diameter of 2 inches may require the circular aperture 125 having a diameter of slightly larger 2 inches—large enough to fully encompass the wheel-section 10, but small enough to be secure on the wheel-section 10. In comparison, a steering wheel 5 including a wheel-section diameter of 1 inch may require the circular aperture 125 to be slightly larger than 1 inch (again, large enough to fully encompass the wheel-section 10, but small enough to be secure on the wheel-section 10).
A user may selectively manipulate the handles (112, 122) to clamp the clamp halves (114, 124) onto the steering-wheel 5 (in the locked-clamp position 108) until the device 100 is secure and does not move. The user may then selectively manipulate the handles (112, 122) to unclamp the clamp halves (114, 124) from the steering wheel 5 until the clamp halves are able to be removed (in the open-clamp position 106). The locked-clamp position 108 may include the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 being clamped to an area of the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5, thereby at least substantially inhibiting the unauthorized movement of the steering wheel 5. Preferably, the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 may be configured to clamp onto any area of the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5.
Preferably, when the clamp halves are clamped to any area of the wheel-section 10 it may prevent the steering wheel 5 from properly turning. When first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 are attached to a driver-door side 45 of the wheel-section 10 in the locked-clamp position 108, the first handle 112 and the second handle 122 may at least substantially inhibit unauthorized entrance to the vehicle 25. For example, in this instance, the first handle 112 and the second handle 122 may extend at an angle relative to the steering wheel 5 and toward a driver door of the vehicle 25 which may prevent an intruder from being able to enter the vehicle 25. In some examples, the angle may be between a 30-40 degree angle.
Further, in some embodiments, when the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 are attached to a bottom-center of the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5 in the locked-clamp position 108 (as shown in
The stopper means 130 may be attached to one of the first section 110 and the second section 120. In some embodiments, the stopper means 130 may be attached about the pivot joint or the hinge 121. The stopper means 130 may be stationary on the device 100 or may be configured to selectively pivot. In some embodiments, the stopper means 130 may further include a locking means (not illustrated) for locking the stopper means 130 in position. The stopper means 130 may be configured for contact with the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5 when the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 are clamped to the wheel-section 10. The stopper means 130 may be configured to, at least substantially, prevent the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 from being moved from the locked-clamp position 108 to the open-clamp position 106 when engaged with the steering wheel 5. The stopper means 130 may achieve this physically (by physically inhibiting movement of the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124) or may cause an alert to prevent an intruder from continuing with the theft.
When the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 are clamped to the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5, movement of the first handle 112 and the second handle 122 to place the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 into the open-clamp position 106 may force the stopper means 130 into the center-section 15 of the steering wheel 5. This may prevent the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 from being placed into the open-clamp position 106. Preferably, the stopper means 130 may be sturdy, durable and strong to resist pressure thereon and prevent movement of the device 100. In some embodiments, the stopper means 130 may include the metal material. The metal material may be the same metal materials as discussed above, or different metal materials. The stopper means 130 is also not limited to the metal material.
Preferably, the stopper means 130 may include a stopper rod 132. As shown, the stopper rod 132 may include a substantially curved profile 135. When the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 are clamped to the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5, the stopper rod 132 (the curved profile 135 of the stopper rod 132) may include a concave downward shape 136, such that movement of first handle 112 and the second handle 122 to place the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 into the open-clamp position 106 forces the stopper rod 132 (specifically, a distal end 134 of the stopper rod 132) into the center-section 15 of the steering wheel 5. As above, this may substantially prevent the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 from being placed into the open-clamp position 106.
Further, in some embodiments, when the stopper rod 132 (or stopper means 130) is forced into the center-section 15 of the steering wheel 5, it may activate a horn of the vehicle 25 to alert an owner of the vehicle 25, or passersby, as to unauthorized movement of the device 100. In addition, the stopper rod 132 may include a nonslip section 133 at the distal end 134 thereof, such as a rubber, silicone, etc. piece. The nonslip section 133 may further prevent the clamp halves (114, 124) from being placed into the open-clamp position 106 and/or allow the stopper rod 132 (or stopper means 130) to exact more precise contact with the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5.
Referring now to
Further, as above, when the first clamp half 114 and the second clamp half 124 are attached to a bottom-center of the wheel-section 10 of the steering wheel 5 in the locked-clamp position 108, at least one of the first handle 112 and the second handle 122 may be wedged between a driver seat 30 of the vehicle 25 and the steering wheel 5, thereby substantially inhibiting 706 unauthorized entrance to the vehicle 25.
It should be noted that step 706 (step six) is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 700 are illustrated using dotted lines in
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
