This invention relates to an anti-theft device, and in particular, to a device which mechanically immobilises a vehicle, or other machine, to which it is fitted by fixedly securing, in relation to one another, two of the control levers of the vehicle (or machine), for example, the handbrake lever and the gear lever.

There are a large number of mechanical devices presently in the market place which have been used for a number of years, and which provide a means by which a car can be effectively immobilised by use of mechanical means. Unfortunately, as will be well appreciated by those in the industry, no particular two makes of car are absolutely identical to one another and consequently in order to fulfil public demand for such devices at a marketable cost the devices have to be made fairly universal in their fitting characteristics. This in itself can lead to certain difficulties with regard to the effectiveness of such device.

One of the devices currently available in the market place is illustrated in UK published application number 2142889. The device shown here is an example of a mechanically operating car security device which fixedly secures two control levers of the vehicle in relation to one another. In this particular example of a device two pivotally connected members are provided one of which members is located over the handbrake lever and the other of which members is used to lock/clamp about the gear lever. The device is then secured in position and the vehicle effectively immobilised. One of the members comprises a hollow cylinder, closed by an end wall and having a pair of opposing angled guides extending between the end wall and the main wall of the cylinder to form a recess. The intention being to hold the handbrake lever firmly. However in use there is usually movement of the handbrake lever within the cylinder, especially if the handbrake lever is shorter than average or the distance between the handbrake lever and the gear lever is greater than average, thus creating a loose fit which can enable its removal by an expert thief.

Likewise, modern safety requirements dictate that gear levers have a greater degree of flexibility so as to minimise damage to persons in crash situations, this flexibility creates sufficient movement for the device to be removed by unauthorised persons, especially if the device has not been accurately fitted.

The pivotal connection in 2142889A is provided by a simple hing restricting relative movement of the members about a fixed axis, thus making the device less universal and often difficult to fit.

The other member of the device disclosed in 2142889A, that adapted to engage the gear stick is formed in two parts, one end of one part connected to the other member and the other end probably connected to the second part, said member adapted to engage the gear stick adjacent to its pivot, and the free end of the second part lockably attachable to the end of the first part remote from the hinge. The first part being telescopic to allow for adjustment. Again, despite being able to fit a variety of arrangements the device is comparably loose fitting and open to illicit removal.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a device for locking together two control levers of a vehicle, or other machine, so as to render the vehicle, or other machine, inoperable comprises a first portion, having means to lockably engage a first control lever of the vehicle, said first portion being pivotally connected to a second portion adapted to house a second control lever of the vehicle, characterised in that movement of each portion relative to the other causes, or results in, the movement of detent means against the second control lever housed therein, thereby engaging the said lever.

It can be seen that once the device has been fitted on both control levers, and lockably engaged thereto, relative movement between the portions is prevented and thus subsequent disengagement of the detent means from against the second control lever is also prevented.

The detent means may be provided on, or integrally with a pivotal member, such as a lever, operated by means of at least one cam provided on the

first portion of the device. Alternatively the cam may be provided on or integrally with the pivotal connection between the first and second portions.

The second portion is preferably of tubular construction open at its end remote from the pivotal connection.

The second portion may be tapered towards its open end to allow limited side movement about the second control lever at a point remote from the enclosed end of said control lever.

The detent means may be formed with a channel section adapted to partially surround the second control lever, thereby increasing its surface contact with said control lever thus increasing its grip thereon. The detent means may be provided with at least one resilient layer or pad to improve its grip on the second control lever and to protect the surface finish thereof.

The pivotal member may be provided with a projection or cam follower at its end remote from the detent means which projection co-operates with the cam.

According to a second aspect of the present invention a device for locking together two control levers of a vehicle, or other machine, so as to render the vehicle, or other machine, inoperable comprises a first portion, having means to lockably engage a first control lever of the vehicle, said first portion being pivotally connected to a second portion adapted to house a second control lever of the vehicle, characterised in that the pivotal connection allows movement of each portion relative to the other in . a combination of two or more planes.

The pivotal connection may be provided by a pair of pivots or hinges whose axes are substantially at right angles to each other thus allowing movement both side to side and up and down of each portion relative to the other.

Alternatively the axes may be set at any convenient angle with repsect to each other.

The pivotal connection may, alternatively, be provided by a ball-and-socketjoint, or a flexible cable or other flexible connecting portion, or any combination of the aforesaid.

Movement of the first and second portions of the device may be restricted in any direction before use, such restriction may be adjustable and is preferably set by the user to correspond to the users particular vehicle. Once in use, for example, and once the first portion is locked onto the control lever, the pivotal connection may be further restricted from any movement whatsoever.

According to a third aspect of the present invention a device for locking together two control levers of a vehicle, or other machine, so as to render the vehicle, or other machine, inoperable comprises a first portion, having means to lockably engage a first control lever of the vehicle, said first portion being pivotally connected to a second portion adapted to house a second control lever of the vehicle, characterised in that the first portion is provided with a pair of telescopically arranged sleeves, clamp means being provided on each sleeve member thereby defining an opening in the first portion to receive the first control lever, so that telescopis closure of the sleeve members causes, or results in, closure of said opening thus confining the first control lever between the clamp means.

Preferably one sleeve member is pivotally attached to the second portion and its respective clamp means is provided by a recess defining a first hook-like member, said recess being provided adjacent the end of the sleeve remote from the second portion, the clamp means of the other sleeve member being provided with a corresponding recess defining a hook-like member, whereby when the sleeve members are opened telescopically the first recess is open to receive the first control lever and when the sleeve members are closed telescopically the second hook-like member closes the recess, thus further closure of the sleeves results in the first control lever being trapped between the respective recesses of the sleeve members. Means is provided to lockably secure the sleeves closed.

Means are preferably provided to enable the length of the first portion, and therefore the device, to be adjusted, said means may be provided by a further sleeve telescopically mounted on the sleeve carrying the first hook-like member, and pivotally connected to the second portion.

The first portion is preferably provided with a number of different locking positions thereby accommodating varying sizes of control lever as well as distances bewteen control levers. Each locking position may be defined by respective teeth on a ratchet mechanism.

The exposed edges of each recess may be provided with resilient pads to assist grip on the control lever and prevent damage thereto when tightly locked on.

A device may be provided having any combination of any two of the three aspects of the present invention but preferably all three aspects may be combined to provide a very effective device.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention (of independent significance) a device for locking together two control levers of a vehicle, or other machine, so as to render the vehicle, or other machine, inoperable comprises a first portion, having means to lockably engage a first control lever, a second portion adapted to house a second control lever of the vehicle, characterised in that the portions are connected by means of at least two pivots, one of said pivots allowing the portions to axially rotate with respect to each other.

The axial rotation may be partial but is preferably through 360°•

An embodiment of the invention, incorporating each aspect of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan of the device in accordance with each aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation on the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows the detent means in its released position;

Figures 4 to 7 show the device of Figure 1 being fitted to the control levers of a vehicle; and

Figure 8 corresponds to Figure 2 but shows the detent means in engagement with a control lever.

Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 2, but shows a device in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 a device 10 for locking together two control levers of a vehicle (not shown) comprises a first portion 11 pivotally connected to a second portion 12 having detent means 13 for engagement with a control lever (not shown) . The detent means 13 comprises a lever 14 formed with a channel section towards one end and a cam follower 15 adjacent the other end. A cam 16 is provided on a first hinge 17 of the pivotal connection so that relative movement between portions 11 and 12 causes actuation of the lever 14 as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3.

The first hinge 17, in this embodiment is connected to a second hinge 18 and the respective axes 19 and 20 are at right angles to each other so that the portions 11 and 12 move in more than one plane relative to each other, i.e. up and down, as provided by the first hinge 17, and side to side, as provided by second hinge 18. Movement of each hinge 17 and 18 is adjustably restricted by means of respective screws 21 and 22.

The first portion 11 is provided with a pair of telescopically arranged sleeves 23 and 24 each being provided with clamp means 25 and 26. The clamp means 25 is provided by a recess 27, and the clamp means 26 likewise is provided with a recess 28, whereby, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 when the sleeves 23 and 24 are opened the first recess is open to receive a control lever (not shown). Closure of the sleeves, as will be seen in later Figures results in closure of the recess.

A key operated locking mechanism 29 is provided together with a number of ratchet positions 30 for engagement with lock pawl 31.

Resilient pads 32 and 33 are provided on the exposed edges of respective recesses 27 and 28.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 8 the various steps for fitting the device 10 are shown.

Adjustment of screws 21 and 22 will be previously conducted before regular fitting of the device and means may be provided to permanently secure the screws at a determined position.

With the longitudinal axes of the portions 11 and turned towards 90° with respect to each other, (as shown in Figure 3) the second portion 12 is slipped over the control lever in this example, handbrake lever H, rotation of the first portion 11 about axis 19 causes the cam 16 to act on the cam follower 15 so as to cause the lever 14 to engage the lever H, further rotation ensuring that the lever H is securely held within portion 12. First portion 11 is rotated slightly about axis 20 with its recess 27 open to receive the stock 34 of Gear lever G, reverse rotation of the portion 11 causes recess 27 to enclose stock 34, and the sleeve 24 can be telescoped into sleeve 23 causing closure of recess 27 and clamping of stock 34 between clamps 25 and 26, pawl 31 of lock 29 engages appropriate ratchet position 30.

Referring to Figure 9 the main reference numerals remain the same but a second pivotal connection P is provided allowing, in this embodiment, complete axial rotation of portions 11 and 12 with respect to each other.