Automobile and property anti-theft apparatus

A combination vehicle steering wheel locking and article protection apparatus comprises an elongate, rigid locking bar having joined at one end region a first, longitudinally--opening fork configured for fitting over a conventional vehicle steering wheel rim. Included are a second, longitudinally-opening fork configured for fitting over the steering wheel rim and means for enabling the second fork to slide longitudinally along the locking bar with both the first and second forks directed longitudinally outwardly in opposite directions. Locking means are mounted for longitudinally sliding along the locking bar intermediate the first and second forks, the locking means being operative for being locked to the locking bar in any selected one of a multitude of longitudinal positions. The apparatus includes a lock box having a bottom portion and a top portion, one of which is attached to the second fork and the other of which is attached to the locking means so that when opposing regions of the steering wheel rim are received into the first and second forks and the locking means are slid along the locking bar so that the lock box top portion closes the lock box bottom portion and is locked to the locking bar in that position, the steering wheel is locked between the first and second forks and the lock box is locked in its closed condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates generally to the field of anti-theft 
apparatus for automobiles, and, more, particularly to automobile 
anti-theft apparatus of the type that locks onto an automobile steering 
wheel and, due to the projecting length of the apparatus, prevents the 
turning of the steering wheel, thereby rendering the automobile 
unsteerable. 
2. Background Discussion 
Because of high automobile theft rates in many regions of the United States 
as well as in many other countries in the world anti-theft apparatus are 
often installed in automobiles, either as factory installations or after 
market installations. Such anti-theft apparatus may consist of expensive 
motion sensors and unauthorized entry electronic systems that may cost 
several hundreds of dollars and require professional installation. A 
problem with many such electronic systems is false alarms which may be 
caused, for example, by an accidental touching of the automobile or by 
earth tremors such as may be caused by heavy equipment or earthquake 
jolts. As a result of such frequent false alarms, people seem to pay 
little attention to the resultant blaring of automobile horns and the 
flashing of automobile lights which might, in fact, be signaling an 
illegal entry of the vehicle. 
Some relatively simple mechanical apparatus are alternatively (or, in some 
cases, additionally) used to deter automobile theft. The most common of 
such mechanical apparatus are apparatus that locks across a vehicle's 
steering wheel and projects sufficiently outwardly, in a radial direction, 
such that only limited turning of the steering wheel is possible. Thus, 
even if the manufacturer's steering wheel lock is forced, the mentioned 
mechanical lock across the steering wheel would prevent the steering of 
the vehicle. 
An additional advantage of such steering wheel locking apparatus, typified 
by the widely advertised "CLUB" apparatus, is that they are readily 
visible from outside the vehicle. Although even such mechanical apparatus 
can be defeated by a determined automobile thief set on taking a 
particular make and model of automobile, they are considered to be an 
effective deterrent against joy-riders or thief of opportunity. Seeing a 
steering wheel disabled by such a locking apparatus, a potential auto 
thief can be expected to search for another automobile not so protected. 
A further advantage of such apparatus is that they are relatively 
inexpensive, being found at most discount stores, and can also be readily 
moved from one automobile to another as the occasion may warrant. Another, 
perhaps less recognized advantage of such apparatus is their potential use 
as a defensive weapon if the driver is attacked. 
Although, as above-mentioned, such steering wheel locking apparatus as the 
"CLUB" or similar apparatus are usually effective automobile theft 
deterrents, they still do not protect against the theft of valuables left 
in the automobile. For example, expensive stereos, tape decks or CD 
players may be inviting targets for thieves who may settle for such items 
if the automobile itself cannot be easily stolen. Other items, such small 
items as cameras, expensive sun glasses, portable cellular telephones, 
check books and even purses or wallets (which may be left in automobiles 
for "safety" by beach-goers) may be likely candidates for theft and 
ordinarily cannot safely be left in even locked automobiles 
For such reasons, it is desirable to provide an automobile anti-theft 
apparatus that is an effective deterrent for automobile theft but can also 
serve as a small "safe" for items that are, for one reason or another, 
left in automobiles. It is, accordingly a principle objective of the 
present invention to provide for both automobile anti-theft bar for the 
safe protection of small personal items that might otherwise be a good 
target for theft from an automobile. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a combination vehicle steering 
wheel locking and article protection apparatus comprises first and second 
forks configured for receiving thereinto a conventional vehicle steering 
wheel rim. Included are means enabling relative adjustable movement 
between the first and second forks so that the forks can engage opposite 
regions of the steering wheel rim. The apparatus of the invention further 
includes a lock box having bottom and top portions and locking means 
configured for locking the first and second forks relative to one another 
when the forks receive thereinto opposite regions of the steering wheel 
rim and for simultaneously locking the lock box bottom and top portions 
together for closing the box. 
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first fork is 
attached to one end of an elongate, rigid locking bar, there being 
included means for enabling the second fork to slide longitudinally along 
the locking bar with both the first and second forks directed 
longitudinally outwardly in opposite directions. Preferably, the locking 
means are mounted for longitudinally sliding along the locking bar 
intermediate the first and second forks, the locking means being operative 
for being locked to the locking bar in any selected one of a multitude of 
longitudinal positions. 
It is further preferred that one of the bottom and top portions of the lock 
box is attached to the second fork so as to slide along the locking bar 
therewith, the other of the bottom and top portions being attached to the 
locking means so as to slide along the locking bar therewith. 
Consequently, when opposing regions of the steering wheel rim are received 
into the first and second forks and the locking means are slid along the 
locking bar until the lock box top portion closes the lock box bottom 
portion and is then locked to the locking bar in that position, the 
steering wheel is locked between the first and second forks and the lock 
box is locked closed. 
The locking bar is preferably constructed having a number of spaced-apart 
locking apertures that are orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the bar 
and the locking means include a locking pin that can be introduced and 
locked into a selected one of the locking apertures in the locking bar for 
locking the apparatus to the steering wheel rim and for locking the lock 
box in its closed condition. Also the lock box is preferably positioned on 
the opposite side of the locking bar from the second fork. 
The apparatus is thus constructed for being locked to a vehicle steering 
wheel so as to disenable the steering wheel from being turned through a 
complete revolution and at the same time functions to close and lock a 
lock box, which is an integral part of the apparatus. Valuables can thus 
be placed in the lock box before it is closed by the locking means and 
when the apparatus is locked to the steering wheel the lock box is locked 
closed so as to prevent the opening thereof until the apparatus is 
unlocked from the steering wheel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
There is shown in FIG. 1, by way of further background and to assist in the 
understanding of the present invention, a conventional, prior art vehicle 
steering wheel locking apparatus 10. As shown, locking apparatus 10 
comprises first and second members 12 and 14, respectively, the first 
member having a first, longitudinally-opening, U-shaped fork 16 and the 
second member having a second, longitudinally-opening, U-shaped fork 18. 
First fork 16 is at the end of first member 12, whereas second fork 18 is 
located on second member 14 so that a free end portion 20 of the second 
member extends longitudinally well beyond the second fork. Apparatus 10 is 
constructed so that a rod portion 22 of first member 12 is slidingly 
disposed within second member 14, which is necessarily tubular in the 
region receiving the rod portion of the first member. 
To install apparatus 10 onto a steering wheel or steering wheel rim 24 
(shown in phantom lines) the distance, D, between first and second forks 
16 and 18 is reduced, by telescoping members 12 and 14 (Arrows A) so that 
open ends of the forks fit inside the rim. Then first and second members 
12 and 14 are extended relative to one another (Arrows B) until the forks 
receivingly engage wheel rim 24, as shown in FIG. 1. A locking mechanism 
26, which forms part of apparatus 10 and is joined to a proximal end 
region 28 of second member 14, is actuated by a key 30 so as to internally 
lock to one of a series of cone-shaped locking recesses 32 formed along 
first member portion 22. Locking of first and second members 12 and 14 
together as above-described may be achieved merely by the removal of key 
30 from locking mechanism 26; in which case, the two members are unlocked 
from one another by the reinsertion of the key into the locking mechanism. 
Projecting portion 20 of second member 14 is made sufficiently long and 
projecting so that the steering wheel 24 can only be rotated a partial 
revolution without the projecting portion being stopped against the 
vehicle's windshield or other part of the vehicle interior. As a result, 
the vehicle cannot be driven even if the engine is somehow started and the 
factory-installed ignition and steering wheel lock is somehow defeated. 
THE PRESENT INVENTION--FIGS. 2-7 
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is 
depicted in FIG. 2 a combination steering wheel lock and integral lock box 
apparatus 100. Shown comprising apparatus 100 is a first steering wheel 
rim engaging fork 102 which is attached at an outboard end region 104 of 
an elongate, rigid locking bar 106, one half of the fork, in fact, being 
formed by bar end region 104 (as better seen in FIG. 3). Locking bar 106 
is preferably about one inch square in transverse cross section (FIGS. 
4-6) and is preferably constructed of a strong metal such as steel. 
Further comprising apparatus 100 is a second steering wheel engaging fork 
108 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is slidingly mounted on locking bar 106 by a 
short sleeve 110 which fits closely over the bar. Fixed to sleeve 110 is a 
first portion 112 of a rectangular lock box 120. As depicted first portion 
112 of lock box 120 comprises the bottom part of the box and has a recess 
122 for holding an object 124 (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3) such as a 
removable stereo radio. First lock box portion 112 is open is open in a 
direction away from the open direction of second fork 108. 
It is apparent from the foregoing that lock box portion 112 slides along 
locking bar 106 with second fork 108, either toward or away from first 
fork 102 (which, as above-described, is fixed to end region 104 of the 
bar) in the respective directions of Arrows C and D. Although lock box 
portion 112 and second fork 108 may be free to slide off from locking bar 
106, they are preferably retained thereon by an enlarged end region or 
handle 126 formed at the end of the bar remote from first fork 102. It is, 
however, apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3 that when first and second forks 102 
and 108 are in locking engagement with a steering wheel or steering wheel 
rim 130 (shown in phantom lines), lock box portion 112 is confined to 
locking bar 106 even if it is not otherwise retained on the locking bar. 
A second portion 132 of lock box 120 is slideably mounted on locking bar 
106 by a sleeve 134 which is similar to above-described sleeve 110 
associated with second fork 108. As depicted in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, lock box 
portion 132 is a cover portion that fits over, and thereby closes, the 
open end of first lock box portion 112 when the two portions are brought 
together in the manner described below. Accordingly, an open end of second 
lock box portion 132 faces the open end of first lock box portion 112. As 
further shown in such FIGS., second lock box portion 132 is installed on 
locking bar 106 intermediate first and second forks 102 and 108 and is 
free to slide along the bar (on sleeve 134) therebetween. 
Lock box portions 112 and 132 are preferably formed, by welding, of sheet 
metal, preferably sheet steel having a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch 
for strength and to resist efforts to pry open the box when it is locked 
closed. Although lock box 120 can be constructed in any convenient size, a 
preferred size is about eight inches wide, about six inches deep and about 
two to three inches high. 
Locking means 140, which is actuated by a key 142, are fixed to an upper 
surface 144 of sleeve 134 and a top surface 146 of second lock box portion 
132. Locking means 140 functions to lock second lock box portion 132 and 
its mounting sleeve 134 to a selected position along locking bar 106, as 
more particularly described below. 
Locking means 140 may, by way of example, comprise a pin 152 upwardly 
biased by a compression spring 154 (FIG. 6). A locking mechanism 156, 
actuated by key 142, is operative for pushing pin 152 downwardly, against 
the force of spring 154, into an appropriate one of a number of 
longitudinally spaced apart apertures 158 formed along locking bar 106 
parallel to an axis 160 of locking means 140. When key 142 is removed from 
locking mechanism 156, pin 152 is locked in its extended position in one 
of apertures 158. 
The operation of apparatus 100 is considered to be readily apparent from 
the above description and the accompanying FIGS. 2-7. Nevertheless, a 
brief description is provided. Key 142 is inserted (or left) in locking 
means 140 and the locking means and second lock box portion 132 are slid 
along locking bar 106 to first fork 102. Second fork 108 and first lock 
box portion 112 are likewise slid toward first fork 102 which is then slid 
into engagement with steering wheel (rim) 130. Then, second fork 108 and 
lock box portion 112 are slid along locking bar 106 away from first fork 
102 until the second fork slides into engagement with another region of 
steering wheel 130 opposite to the region engaged by the first fork. Then 
locking means 140 and second lock box portion 132 are slid along locking 
bar 106 until the second lock box portion tightly closes first lock box 
portion 112 and pushes second fork 108 tightly against steering wheel 130. 
Key 142 is then removed from (or actuates) locking mechanism 156 so as to 
force locking pin 152 into the closest one of locking bar apertures 158 so 
as to lock apparatus 100 to steering wheel 130 and lock box 120 closed. 
Apertures 158 are preferably spaced closely enough together such that pin 
152 can be forced into one of the apertures without causing apparatus 100 
to be excessively loose on steering wheel 130. Apparatus is removed from 
steering wheel 130 in the reverse manner of its installation. 
Although there has been described and illustrated a steering wheel locking 
apparatus with an integrated article lock box in accordance with the 
present invention for purposes of illustrating the manner in which the 
invention may be used to advantage, it is to be appreciated that the 
invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, any and all variations and 
modifications of this invention that may occur to those skilled in art are 
to be considered as being within the scope and spirit of the claims as 
appended hereto.