BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Anti-theft devices attachable to the steering wheel of a vehicle are known. Typically, such devices include a rigid bar adapted to be attached to a steering wheel at one or two attachment points. At least one end of the bar extends beyond the limit of the steering wheel a sufficient distance so that rotation of the steering wheel causes the protruding end of the bar to contact the vehicle operator or part of the interior of the vehicle, thus rendering the vehicle inoperative.

One problem with these prior art devices is that they must be detached from the steering wheel prior to operation of the vehicle. Detachment and storage of such devices is often inconvenient, which is a disincentive to use of the devices. Storage of such devices within the vehicle may also be dangerous, as the devices may become a projectile in an accident.

U. S. Patent 5,197,309 (Del Rosario) describes a vehicle lock with flexible cable which attaches to an anchor member permanently mounted to the floor of the vehicle. This anchor member is separately installed by the operator and is located in an area which is often difficult to access for such installation. The locking head also has only a single hasp so that it cannot be attached to straddle a steering wheel spoke in order to prevent removal

of the lock with a single cut of the steering wheel. Also, once the flexible cable portion of this device is cut or detached from the mounting member, the vehicle is no longer inoperative as the steering wheel can be turned with little or no difficulty.

It is therefore desirable to produce an anti-theft device, attachable to a steering wheel, that does not require detachment of the device from the steering wheel and subsequent storage of the device in order to operate the vehicle.

It is also desirable to produce an anti-theft device, attachable to a steering wheel by a flexible cable or adjustable tube, which does not require a separate, permanently installed mounting member but which can be securely attached to an existing attachment point within the vehicle, such as the seat belt buckle. It is further desirable to include a locking mechanism which is capable of straddling a steering wheel spoke, thereby improving security by making it more difficult to cut the steering wheel to remove the device. It is also beneficial to provide a combination flexible cable and rigid tube which will serve as a hinderance to rotation of the steering wheel should the cable be cut or detached from the mounting point.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object in one embodiment of the invention to provide an anti-theft device that may be permanently mounted to a steering wheel.

It is a further object of the said embodiment to provide an anti-theft device, attachable to a steering wheel, that may be moved between a storage position and an operational position.

It is a further object of the said embodiment to provide a permanently attachable steering wheel mounted anti-theft device that does not interfere with operation of the vehicle when the device is not in use.

It is an object of another embodiment of the invention to provide an anti-theft device, attachable to a steering wheel by a rod or cable that may be securely attached to an existing point in the vehicle such as the seat belt buckle.

In a preferred embodiment anti-theft device is attachable to a steering wheel by a flexible cable, whereby the locking mechanism which attaches to the steering wheel is capable of straddling a steering wheel spoke, thereby improving security by making it more difficult to cut the steering wheel to remove the device.

In yet another preferred embodiment it is another object of the invention to provide an anti-theft device, attachable to the steering wheel of a vehicle by a connection which combines a flexible cable and a rigid rod or tube which will continue to serve as a hinderance to operation of the vehicle, by preventing rotation of the steering wheel, should the cable be cut or detached from the mounting point.

According to the invention, there is provided a vehicle anti-theft device attachable to a steering wheel, comprising: a base member attachable to a steering wheel; first locking means for locking the base member to the steering wheel; and elongated rigid member attached to the base member and movable between a first position, in which operation of the steering wheel is not interfered with, and a second position, in which the elongated rigid member extends from the steering wheel to interfere with use of the steering wheel; and second locking means for locking the elongated member in the second position.

According to the invention, there is further provided a vehicle anti-theft device attachable to a steering wheel, comprising: an elongated rigid member attachable to a steering wheel and movable between a first position, in which operation of the steering wheel is not interfered with, and a second position, in which the elongated rigid member extends from the steering wheel to interfere with use of the steering wheel; and locking means for locking the elongated rigid member to the steering wheel in the second position.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle anti-theft device attachable to a steering wheel, comprising: a first attachment means adapted for lockable connection to a vehicle steering wheel; a second attachment means adapted for secure connection to an existing location inside the vehicle, the existing location being remote from the steering wheel; and a connecting means for connecting the first attachment means to the second attachment means.

In an embodiment of either aspect of the invention, an alarm may be provided that operates in conjunction with the anti-theft device.

Other advantages, objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described and will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in a storage position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an operational position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention in a storage position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 3 in an operational position; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of an end portion of the embodiment of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a frontal perspective view of a modified vehicle antitheft device connected between a seat belt buckle and a steering wheel; Figure 7 is a side elevation view the device of Figure 6 in an open, unlocked position; Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the device of Figure 7 in the closed, locked position; Figure 9 is a perspective view of part of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7 with attachment lasso fully removed; Figure 10 is a front elevation view of the jaws of the locking attachment means of the device shown in Figures 6 and 7; Figure 11 is a plan view of the tether for the device shown in Figures 6 and 7;

Figure 12 is plan view of another embodiment of the invention; Figure 13 is a side cross-sectional view of the attachment means of the device shown in Figure 12 in a detached position; Figure 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the attachment means shown in Figure 12 in an attached position; Figure 15 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16 is a plan view of the attachment means for the device shown in Figure 15; Figure 17 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment means of the device shown in Figure 17 in a detached position; Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view of the attachment means shown in Figure 17 in an attached position.

Figure 20 is a side elevation view of part of another embodiment of the present invention showing an alternative T-connector attachment means in an unattached position.

Figure 21 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 20, in the attached position.

Similar reference numerals are used in the Figures to denote similar components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of a vehicle anti-theft device 5 is shown attached to a steering wheel 10. The anti-theft device 5 includes a fixed arm 15 and a movable arm 20. The fixed arm 15 is rigidly attached to the steering wheel 10 with locks 25. Preferably, the locks 25 are adjustable with a screw-type mechanism so that the device 5 can be installed on steering wheels 10 of various sizes. The movable arm 20 includes a free end 30 and a hinged end 35. The hinged end 35 of the movable arm 20 is attached to the fixed arm 15 with a hinge 40.

The moveable arm 20 is pivotable between a storage position, as shown in Figure 1, and an operational position, as shown in Figure 2. The respective arcuate shapes of the fixed arm 15 and the movable arm 20 are such that operation of the steering wheel 10 is not interfered with when the movable arm 20 is in the storage position, as shown in Figure 2. In the operational position, the movable arm 20 is locked into position with a locking mechanism 45. The locking mechanism 45 includes a brace 46 which can be locked to one of several adjustment holes 47.

Thus, in the operational position, the movable arm 20 prevents the proper operation of the steering wheel 10 by interfering with the vehicle operator or part of the vehicle itself, such as the windshield, when the steering wheel 10 is turned.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a second embodiment of a vehicle anti-theft device 50 is shown attached to a steering wheel 10. The device 50 includes two arms 55.

Each of the two arms 55 includes a slidable end 60, which is attached to the steering wheel 10 with a sliding lock 65, and a hinged end 70. The two hinged ends 70 are attached together with a hinge 75.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the arcuate shape of the arms 55 enables the arms 55 to follow the contour of the steering wheel 10 when the device 50 is in the storage position. Also, with reference to Figure 5, the curved cross-sectional shape of the arms 55 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the steering wheel 10. Thus, due to the shape of the arms 55, operation of the steering wheel 10 is not interfered with when the device 50 is in the storage position.

To move the device 50 from the storage position, as illustrated in Figure 3, to the operational position, as illustrated in Figure 4, the sliding lock 65 must first be deactivated. The sliding ends 60 are then moved towards the hinged ends 70, causing the arms 55 to pivot relative to each other at the hinge 75. Thus, the arms 55 move away from the steering wheel 10 and into an inverted V-shape.

At the same time, the arms 55 can be tilted forwardly over the vehicle dashboard to extend as much as possible into the confined space between the top of the dashboard and the windshield. This tilting further inhibits proper operation of wheel 10, and prevents the arms 55 from being forced up without hitting the windshield. As well, it reduces the available leverage on the arms when in their operative position that might otherwise allow the arms 55 to be forcefully bent. The sliding locks 65 are then activated, thus locking the device 50 in the operational position. In the operational position, the device 50 prevents the proper operation of the steering wheel 10 by interfering with the vehicle operator or part of the vehicle itself when the steering wheel 10 in turned.

The same tilting of the device over the dashboard is also possible in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

The preferred material from which to construct the device is hardened steel. Preferably, the device is

covered with leather or vinyl. Preferably, the device will be of a bright colour so as to be easily visible to thieves.

In order to accomplish additional desired objects of the invention, further aspects and embodiments of the invention have been found to be useful and beneficial. One such further preferred aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 6 to 11.

As shown in Figure 6, the anti-theft device 205 has a locking attachment means such as a steering wheel lock 210 adapted to attach and lock the device to the steering wheel 10 of a vehicle. Lock 210 has a solid metal body portion 215 and an transversely extending jaw 220 located at the top front. Jaw 220 is open at the top, preferably curved at the bottom and is of sufficient depth and width to accommodate the tubular cross-sectional shape of the steering wheel rim of most vehicles. Referring to Figure 10, the outer or front wall 230 of jaw 220 has two teeth 232 separated by a cut-out portion 234 designed to accommodate the spokes of most vehicle steering wheels so that when jaw 220 is engaged on the steering wheel rim, teeth 232 may be positioned to straddle either side of a steering wheel spoke.

Located at the rear of jaw 220 is a hinge 240.

Connected to hinge 240 by hinge pin 242 is a long flat metal plate 250. Metal plate 250 pivots on hinge 240 in the direction of arrow"A"from an unlocked position shown in Figure 7 to a locked position shown in Figure 8. Metal plate 250 pivots on hinge 240 in the direction of arrow"B" from the locked position shown in Figure 8 to the unlocked position shown in Figure 7. A locking mechanism 260 for example a key lock, is provided at the rear of lock body 215 to lock hinge 240 which in turn locks plate 250 into the position shown in Figure 8. Plate 250 may be of a size

sufficient to cover a portion or the entire front part of the steering wheel when locked into position as shown in Figure 8. Thus, plate 250 may also serve to prevent or at least hinder theft of the vehicle's driver-side air bag.

To attach the anti-theft device 205 to a steering wheel, jaw 220 of lock 210 is engaged on the steering wheel rim from below so that the tubular rim of the steering wheel fits into jaw 220. Teeth 232 on front wall 230 of jaw 220 may be positioned to straddle a steering wheel spoke. Plate 250 is swung in the direction of arrow"A" until it makes contact with the upper edge of wall 230 of jaw 220. Lock 260 is engaged, such as by turning a provided key (not shown), preventing movement of hinge 240, thereby securing the lock 210 to the steering wheel.

Positioning jaw 220 so that teeth 232 straddle a steering wheel spoke improves security since the steering wheel would have to be cut in at least two places to remove lock 210. For greater convenience, plate 250 can lock automatically when moved into the position shown in Figure 8. The key is needed then only to unlock the mechanism.

To detach lock 210 from the steering wheel, the locking mechanism 260 is unlocked and plate 250 is swung in the direction of arrow"B" (Figure 8), releasing the steering wheel rim from jaw 220.

Lock 210 is connected to one end of a generally tubular body 270 useful to interconnect the lock to the vehicle as will be described below. Tubular body 270 is preferably formed in three sections, a rigid metal tube 272, a flexible metal cable 276 and a rigid hollow tube 274. Flexible cable 276 provides considerable versatility, permitting the anti-theft device 205 to accommodate many different vehicle sizes, shapes and configurations.

Rigid hollow tube 274 includes an open outer end 278 which is internally threaded to engage the external threads on a nonlocking attachment means or lasso 290 (Figure 9).

Lasso 290 includes a flexible metal cable 298 fixedly attached at one end to one end of a threaded rigid metal rod 297. As aforesaid, Rod 297 is externally threaded to engage the internal threads provided at or adjacent to open end 278 of metal tube 274. The other end of flexible metal cable 298 is formed into an adjustable loop 299. This can be done in any number of ways including, as shown in the drawings, by using a rigid metal slider 292 having a first hole 296 to slidably receive the cable therethrough and a second hole 294 for a more or less permanent connection to the cable's free end. Obviously, by sliding the flexible cable 298 back and forth through hole 296, the size of loop 299 can be made larger or smaller to securely attach the lasso to various objects on the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the lasso 290 is used, as shown in Figure 6, to attach the anti-theft device 205 to the seat belt buckle of the vehicle located adjacent the driver's right hip or to the anchor for that buckle where it attaches to the vehicle.

To securely attach the lasso 290 to the vehicle seat belt buckle, the seat belt buckle is simply inserted through the loop 299 to a point where the narrow or flexible portion of the seat belt below the buckle is located within the loop and slider 292 is tightened to close the loop around the belt. To maintain tension on the loop when lock 210 has been attached to the steering wheel rim so that slider 292 cannot be released, the length of device 205 is adjusted to the correct size by rotation of the entire device relative to threaded metal rod 297. Once lock 210 has been attached and locked to the steering wheel of a vehicle, the anti-theft device 205 can no longer be rotated in order to loosen loop 299 and release the seat belt buckle. Thus, the anti-theft device 205 cannot be

removed from either the steering wheel or the seat belt buckle and thereby prevents rotation of the steering wheel and operation of the vehicle.

A determined thief can attempt to thwart the present device by severing it, the most likely points for cutting being cable 298, cable 276 or the seat belt below lasso 290. Assuming the device is cut at the junction of cable 276 and rod 272, the rod and lock 210 will remain attached to the wheel's rim with the rod extending radially outwardly from the wheel. In this regard, the orientation of loc 210 when connected to the wheel's rim and the angle at which rod 272 extends from the lock are such that rod 276 will interfere with the vehicle operator or a part of the vehicle itself when the steering wheel is turned.

Rotation of rod 272 into a non-interfering position, for example, extending orthogonally either forwardly or rearwardly from the wheel, is prevented by the configuration of lock 210 when connected to the wheel straddling a spoke. Moreover, attempting to pull the rod towards the driver will depress plate 250 into the wheel's hub which will, on many vehicles, activate the horn.

Pushing the rod towards the dash is additionally inhibited by contact between extension 268 on lock body 215 and the back of the spoke straddled by the lock.

Device 205 can also be rigged to sound an audible alarm in severed.

When not in operation the anti-theft device 205 is designed to remain securely attached to the seat belt buckle to the right of the driver's seat and to be stored out of the way on the floor beside the driver's seat. In most vehicles, lock 210 will rest just to the front right of the drive's seat so that it does not interfere with operation of the vehicle or with the driver, yet is easily reached when needed to lock the vehicle steering wheel. To

lock the vehicle wheel the driver simply reaches down, picks up the lock and secures it to the steering wheel as described above. To unlock the wheel, the locking mechanism 260 is disengaged and the locking attachment means is lowered to its resting position on the floor of the vehicle. Lasso 290 remains securely attached to the seat belt buckle at all times.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the anti-theft device 205 may be permanently secured to the vehicle by, for example, bolting connecting means 270 to the floor of the vehicle in a location that will permit easy attachment of lock 210 to the steering wheel 10 while at the same time permitting the anti-theft device 205 to be stored out of the way when not in use. Bolts used to secure the device to the vehicle floor would of course be tamper resistant to prevent easy detachment.

In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, the anti-theft device 205 may be connected to a point on the vehicle by way of a hinged T-connector 600. T-connector 600 resembles a cuff iink and includes a first rigid metal rod 605 connected to a second rigid metal rod 610 by hinge 615.

Hinge 615 is located at or near the mid-point of second rod 610. Second rod 610 pivots on hinge 615 from a first position, as shown in Figure 20, where first rod 605 is parallel or almost parallel to second rod 610, to a second position, as shown in Figure 21, where first rod 605 is perpendicular to second rod 610 forming a"T"shape. First rod 605 is externally threaded to engage the internal threads provided at or adjacent to open end 278 of metal tube 274.

To connect the anti-theft device 205 to the vehicle, second rod 610 of T-connector 600 is pivoted to a first position as describe above and inserted through a suitable

narrow opening such as may be found on the mounting bracket for the seat or on the seat belt buckle. Rod 610 is pivoted to a second position as described above so that rod 610 lies across the narrow opening, and prevents removal of the T-connector 600 back through the opening. First rod 605 is threaded into metal tube 274, as shown in Figure 21, by rotating the entire anti-theft device 205 to tighten the connection between lock 210 and T-connector 600, thereby preventing rod 610 from pivoting on hinge 615 once lock 210 is connected to the steering wheel.

Preferably, the entire anti-theft locking device 205 is covered with a rubberized material to protect vehicle components, and it is also desirable that it be or a bright colour so as to be easily visible to thieves.

Also provided is a tethering device 300, as shown in Figure 11, to secure lock 210 to a fixed point within the vehicle when the anti-theft device is not in use.

Tethering device 300 will prevent anti-theft device 205 from flying around in the vehicle during a collision and especially during a side-impact collision. One skilled in the art will appreciate that tethering device 300 may have many different configurations, one of which is shown in Figure 11. Tethering device 300 has a hook or loop means 305 to securely attach to anti-theft device 205 and a hook or loop means 306 to securely attach to a fixed point within the vehicle. Hook or loop means 305 is connected to hook or loop means 306 by a flexible cable 307. Flexible cable 307 and hook or loop means 305 and 306 may be formed of an elastic material to provide increased versatility and ease in securely tethering the anti-theft device 205 to the vehicle. Alternatives to the use of tether 300 include a friction or snap fit bracket secured to the vehicle floor to engage lock body 215 or rod 272 or VELCRO fasteners.

In addition to the above described preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicant has found that numerous variations and modification are possible in order to achieve the same desired purposes. One further embodiment is shown in Figure 12. In Figure 12, the anti- theft device 105 has a locking attachment means 110 which attaches to the steering wheel 10. Locking attachment means 110 is equipped with a locking mechanism having two hasps 112 adapted to engage the steering wheel 10 on either side of a steering wheel spoke 11. In this way, removal of the locking attachment means 110 without a key is made much more difficult in that the steering wheel would have to be cut in at least two places.

In this embodiment locking attachment means 110 is pivotally attached to a nonlocking attachment means 130 by a telescoping connecting means 120. Connecting means 120 is comprised of a metal tube 122 which slidably engages metal tube 124 so that metal tube 124 can slide in a telescoping fashion inside metal tube 122. A pivoting collar 115 connects locking attachment means 110 to metal tube 122 to provide a means of adjusting the anti-theft device 105 for attachment to the steering wheel 10 in different vehicle configurations.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the end of metal tube 124 which slidably engages metal tube 122 has an annular flange 126 which engages a raised annular stop means 128 on the inside of metal tube 122. This prevents metal tube 124 from being removed from metal tube 122. A keyway (not shown) on the inside of metal tube 122 engages a tab (not shown) on flange 126 to prevent metal tube 124 from rotating with respect to metal tube 122.

Metal tube 124 is connected at the other end to nonlocking attachment means 130. In this embodiment of the invention, a nut 132 is welded to the end of metal tube 124

and is covered by a tubular shield 134. Nut 132 threadably engages a metal rod 140. A first end 144 of metal rod 140 is straight and threaded to engage nut 132 while a second end 142 of metal rod 140 is U-shaped forming a hook 146 adapted to engage the narrow or flexible portion of a seat belt 154 below a buckle 150.

Reference is now made to Figures 13 and 14 to describe the secure attachment of the anti-theft device 105 to the seat belt buckle 150. A narrow or flexible portion of the seat belt buckle 154 below the buckle portion 152 is engage by the hook 146 of metal rod 140. The anti-theft device 105 is rotated so that first end 144 of metal rod 140 is drawn into metal tube 124. This action draws the hook 142 and the attached blet into annular shield 134 securely capturing the seat belt within the shielded area of shield 134.

Once the locking attachment means 110 has been attached and locked to the steering wheel of a vehicle, the anti-theft device 105 can no longer be rotated in order to withdraw rod 140 from nut 132 and release seat belt buckle 150. In this way, the anti-theft device 105 cannot be removed from either the steering wheel 10 or the seat belt buckle 150 and thereby prevents rotation of the steering wheel.

In a situation where a vehicle thief is able to cut the seat belt buckle and free one end of the anti-theft device 105, the device, and specifically the rigid metal rods 122 and 124, will continue to act to prevent the proper operation of the vehicle by interfering with the vehicle operator or a part of the vehicle itself when the steering wheel is turned.

When not in operation the anti-theft device 105 is designed to remain securely attached to the seat belt

buckle to the right of the driver's seat and to be stored out of the way on the floor beside the driver's diver's seat. In most vehicles, the locking attachment means 110 will be positioned just to the front right of the drive's seat so that it does not interfere with the operation of the vehicle or with the driver, but is easily reached when needed to lock the vehicle steering wheel. To lock the wheel the driver simply reaches down, picks up the locking attachment means 110, telescopically extends connecting means 120 by sliding tube 122 relative to tube 124, rotates the locking attachment means 110 on pivoting collar 115 to adjust to the steering wheel rim and secures the locking attachment means 110 to the steering wheel. To unlock the steering wheel, the locking attachment means 110 is disengaged, the connecting means 120 is retracted by sliding tube 124 into tube 122 and the entire device is lowered to a resting position on the floor of the vehicle.

Preferably, the entire anti-theft locking device 105 is covered with a rubberized material to protect vehicle components, and it is also desirable that it be of a bright colour so as to be easily visible to thieves.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting means 120 between locking attachment means 110 and nonlocking attachment means 130 is replaced by a flexible armoured cable 420 as shown in Figure 15. This variation of the present invention has the advantage of being more versatile and easier to manipulate for attachment to the vehicle steering wheel. It will be appreciated that a metal chain with a soft rubberized sheath may be used in place of the flexible armoured cable.

Also shown in Figures 15 and 16 is an alternate means of attaching the anti-theft device 105 to the seat belt buckle. A ratchet style hasp lock 430 is attached to one end of the connecting means 420 and used to capture and

securely clamp the vehicle seat belt. The hasp lock 430 uses the same key as the locking attachment means 110 and is equipped with a shield 435 to increase cut resistance.

Figure 17 shows a further embodiment of this aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, anti-theft device 505 has a connecting means 520 which consists of a length of metal tube 522 connected to an armoured wire or cable 524.

Cable 524 is connected by crimping to metal tube 526 which is similar to metal tube 124 described above. A nonlocking attachment means 530, similar to nonlocking attachment means 130 described above, is used to securely attach the anti-theft device 505 to the narrow or flexible portion of a seat belt buckle 554. A nut 532 is welded to the end of metal tube 526 and is covered by a tubular shield 534. Nut 532 threadably engages a metal rod 540. A first end 544 of metal rod 540 is straight and threaded to engage nut 532 while a second end 542 of metal rod 540 is U-shaped forming a hook 546 adapted to engage the flexible portion of a seat belt 554 below buckle 550. Secure attachment of the nonlocking attachment means 530 to the seat belt buckle is the same as describe above for nonlocking attachment means 130.

Numerous modifications, variations and adaptations, obvious to one skilled in the art, may be made to the particular embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.