Patent Application
20220397215
The present application exists in the field of catalytic converter protectors. More particularly, a universal theft deterrence device is provided that is non-permanently attached to a motorised vehicle to deter the theft of the factory installed catalytic converter by increasing the complexity of removal by a thief.
Catalytic converters in motorised vehicles are targeted by thieves due to their ease of access and high value metals. Catalytic converters are often mounted externally under the vehicle. These devices can be easily removed destructively with a battery-operated sawing device. Thieves are able to steal a catalytic converter from a vehicle in under three minutes, rendering the vehicle un-drivable and leading to a substantial repair cost to the owner.
There are devices on the market which attempt to conceal or otherwise make accessing the catalytic converter in a motorised vehicle difficult. These devices are made as customized plates or wire mesh devices that are applicable only for the model year of passenger vehicle they are designed for.
Other methods of protecting catalytic converters are difficult, customized, and expensive to install. Furthermore, these other protective methods make the repair and maintenance of catalytic converters difficult when repair is required.
In one aspect, there is provided a universal theft deterrent device for a catalytic converter comprising a bracket configured to be attached to the catalytic converter and a wire rope connected to the bracket and configured to be attached/threaded through or wrapped around the frame of a vehicle.
In another aspect, there is provided a universal theft deterrent device comprising: a bracket; at least one strap configured to be wrapped around a catalytic converter, thereby attaching the bracket to the catalytic converter; and a wire rope for connecting the bracket to a frame of a vehicle.
In a further aspect, there is provided a wire rope that fits through holes in the bracket and is secured at each end of the wire rope to prevent the wire rope from slipping out of the holes.
In yet a further aspect, there is provided a second bracket with a second set of straps connecting the second bracket to the frame of the vehicle; wherein the wire rope is fed from the first bracket attached to the catalytic converter through holes in the second bracket, thereby attaching the wire rope to the frame of the vehicle via the second bracket.
In yet a further aspect, the bracket is comprised of a first piece and a second piece. The first piece and the second piece each have at least two elongated holes. In addition, the first piece and the second piece can each have a slot for the at least one strap to pass through. The at least two elongated holes in the first piece and the second piece are aligned such that the holes in the bracket become smaller than the two elongated holes when the first piece and the second piece are fit together to form the bracket.
The invention will be further understood from the following description with reference to the attached drawings.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be set forth in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements or method steps throughout.
In one aspect there is a provided a theft deterrent system that hinders a thief from quickly removing a catalytic converter, thereby increasing the time to remove the catalytic converter from the vehicle and increasing the likelihood of being discovered and caught. In one example, a metal device, such as a bracket, is non-permanently attached to a catalytic converter in a motorised vehicle. The metal device is attached to the sub-frame of the vehicle chassis using metal wire rope. The system is universal and will fit on any catalytic converter without modification to the device, the catalytic converter, or the vehicle frame. In yet a further example, a bracket is attached to the catalytic converter and one end of a wire rope is attached to the bracket, threaded through or coupled to the sub-frame of the vehicle and terminated back on the bracket.
In one example embodiment, the bracket of the theft deterrent device may be manufactured from 304 Stainless Steel Sheet Stock, and powder coat painted in a bright colour. The bracket may be cut from sheet stock and bent into shape, forming a strong bracket that can be attached to a catalytic converter. The product can be manufactured of any suitable, strong, corrosion resistant metal with a temperature rating suitable for installation in direct contact with a catalytic converter. In a further example embodiment, the wire rope may be formed of stainless steel.
During assembly, the bracket pieces 20, 22 are separate. One end of the wire rope is fed through the first hole in each piece 20, 22, wrapped around or through the vehicle frame, fed back through the second hole in each piece, wrapped around or through the vehicle frame a second time, and fed through the third hole in each piece. The bracket pieces are then slid together so the tabs 28, 30 touch the ends of the opposite bracket piece. Straps 12 are then through the slots 24, 26 and around the catalytic converter before being tightened in place.
It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that variants can exist in the above-described arrangements and applications. For example, any other materials and arrangement that allow for a wire-rope connection between the bracket or vehicle catalytic converter and the frame of the vehicle could be considered. Other forms and shapes of the bracket for attachment to the catalytic converter would be suitable. The wire rope can be looped through and/or around any portion of the vehicle or vehicle frame. The gauge of the wire rope can vary depending upon the user's desires for strength and attachment to the vehicle frame.
Furthermore, a second bracket and second set of straps could be used to hold the wire rope to the vehicle frame, if desired, the second set of straps used to secure the second bracket to a portion of the vehicle or vehicle frame. In this example, the wire rope is fed from the first bracket attached to the catalytic converter to the second bracket that is attached to the vehicle frame. The wire rope is fed through the elongated holes in the pieces of each bracket. The wire rope could be terminated with one end on each bracket. Alternatively, the wire rope could be fed from the first bracket, through the second bracket and terminated back at the first bracket. Any variation of looping of the wire rope could be considered; multiple passes of the wire rope between the holes in the first bracket and the holes in the second bracket will increase the strength and complexity of removing the theft deterrent device.
In another variation, additional attachment of the bracket and/or straps to the catalytic converter can be made through any suitable attachment mechanism, such as screws, bolts, straps, glue etc. Similarly, the straps may optionally be connected to the bracket through other mechanisms, such as tabs, slots or blades on the bracket. As another example, the bracket can be formed integrally with the straps.
In yet a further example, the bracket may have only two holes instead of three holes. As shown in the example embodiment of
It will be appreciated that the wire rope can be a single rope or two or more ropes connected at multiple places to the theft deterrent bracket. For example, if two ropes are used, the bracket can have four holes and each wire rope can each begin and terminate in a pair of holes.
It will further be appreciated that the wire rope can be provided with a ferrule or the ferrule can be added to the wire rope after the wire rope is fed or threaded through the bracket and around the vehicle frame.
Following from the above description, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the methods and apparatuses herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the invention described herein is not limited to any precise embodiment and that changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Consequently, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claims, since the invention is defined by the claims and since inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3121873 | Jun 2021 | CA | national |
