Security device

A security device for locking the cable of a bonnet lock of a car comprising a housing with cable inlets. The inner core of the cable is secured to a cable engaging member which is movable within the housing on a pivot member about a pivot pin. A solenoid spindle mounted on the pivot member engages a bracket mounted on the housing to prevent pivotal movement of the cable engaging member. A compression spring biases the spindle into engagement with the bracket on de-energizing of the solenoid to lock the cable.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a security device, and in particular to a 
security device for rendering a cable inoperative for fitting to a car, 
motor bike, bicycle and the like to prevent theft. For example, it may be 
fitted to a bonnet lock cable or the like. 
2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
Essentially, there are two types of security devices for use in cars, motor 
cycles and the like. Firstly, there is the visible type, for example, 
chains, steering locks and the like, and secondly, there are alarm devices 
which are activated if an attempt is made to enter the vehicle or to start 
it. The first type suffer from the disadvantage that they can readily 
easily be seen, and in general, it is not too difficult to either saw, cut 
through, or bend these devices, so that they can be removed, thereby 
permitting the thief to drive off in the car or motor bike, as the case 
may be. The second type, namely, the alarm type, suffer from a number of 
problems, and in particular, they very often can be inadvertently 
activated, when the owner isn't present, and may continue to alarm until 
the owner returns, thereby, in many cases, causing a flat battery. 
Further, alarm devices are relatively difficult and expensive to fit, and 
may be successfully by-passed by a determined burglar. 
Only some of these devices tend to prevent or make it difficult to gain 
access to the passenger compartment of a car or other such vehicle, and 
indeed, some do not prevent access at all. However, in general, there is 
no suitable or satisfactory device or apparatus which adequately secures 
the bonnet of a car. It will be appreciated that the components beneath 
the bonnet of a car can, in many cases, be valuable and are very often a 
target for thieves. For example, the battery is, in general, mounted under 
the bonnet of a car, and this is very commonly a target for thieves. Other 
easily removed components on the engine are also targets for thieves. 
There is therefore a need for a security device for a car or other road 
vehicle which prevents access through the bonnet of a car. Indeed, there 
is a need for a security device which is also effective in preventing 
theft of vehicles, such as cars, lorries, motorcycles, bicycles and the 
like. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
One object of the invention is to provide a security device for a car or 
other vehicle. Another object of the invention is to provide a security 
device for preventing unauthorised access to the bonnet of a car or other 
vehicle. A further object of the invention is to provide a security device 
for mounting on a cable which renders the cable inoperative. For example, 
a device which could be mounted to a bonnet lock cable, a clutch cable, 
handbrake cable, or indeed any other cable, whether on a car, lorry or any 
other vehicle, or indeed, in certain cases, on a bicycle, motorbike or the 
like. A further object of the invention is to provide a security device 
which is relatively easily and inexpensively manufactured. It is also an 
object of the invention to provide a security device which can readily 
easily and inexpensively be fitted to a cable of a car, lorry, van or 
other vehicle, motorbike, bicycle or the like. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a security device for locking 
a cable which can be mounted into an alarm system fitted to a car or other 
vehicle. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the invention, there is provided a security device for 
rendering a mechanical cable inoperative, the device comprising a housing, 
a cable engaging member for engaging the cable, and movable in the 
housing, stop means movable from a locking position preventing movement of 
the cable engaging member to a release position permitting movement of the 
cable engaging member. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the cable engaging member is mounted on 
a pivotal member pivotally mounted in the housing. Preferably, the pivotal 
member is an elongated member, one end of which is pivotally connected to 
the housing, and the other end supporting the cable engaging member. 
Advantageously, the stop means is mounted on the pivotal member, and 
engageable with the housing in the locking position. Preferably, the stop 
means is provided by a solenoid operated spindle. 
Alternatively, the cable engaging member comprises engagement means 
engageable with the stop means to prevent movement of the cable engaging 
member. Preferably, the engagement means is provided by a recess adapted 
to engage the solenoid spindle. Advantageously, the cable engaging member 
is slidable in a mounting block mounted in the housing, and the solenoid 
spindle is slidable transversely in the mounting block to engage the 
recess. 
Additionally, the invention provides a cable incorporating the security 
device according to the invention. 
Furthermore, the invention provides a bonnet locking mechanism comprising a 
locking means for the bonnet operable by a cable, and the security device 
of the invention connected to the cable. 
Additionally, the invention provides a vehicle alarm comprising the 
security device of the invention, wherein the solenoid is activated by an 
electrical circuit of the vehicle alarm. 
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
The advantages of the invention are many. One particularly important 
advantage is that the invention provides a security device for a car, 
lorry, or any other vehicle, motorbike, bicylce or the like, which is 
particularly effective against thieves. Where the security device is 
mounted on the cable of the bonnet lock of a car or other vehicle, it 
provides effective means for securing the bonnet to prevent unauthorized 
access to the components of the vehicle mounted beneath the bonnet. 
Another important advantage of the invention is that it is relatively 
easily and inexpensively manufactured. A further advantage of the 
invention is that it is readily easily and inexpensively fitted to a 
cable, whether it be a cable of a car bonnet, a clutch cable, a brake 
cable, a throttle cable, or indeed any other cable, either of a car, 
vehicle, motorbike, bicycle or the like. A further advantage of the 
invention is that it can readily easily be connected into an existing 
alarm system of a car or any other vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is 
illustrated a security device according to the invention indicated 
generally by the reference numeral 1 for rendering a cable 2 inoperative. 
In this particular embodiment of the invention, the device is mounted in 
the cable for operating the latch (not shown) of a bonnet lock, (also not 
shown) of a car. The device 1 comprises a housing 3 having a base 4, side 
walls 5 and end walls 6 pressed from sheet metal. Four corner members 7 
are provided to support the side and end walls 5 and 6 threaded holes 8 in 
the corner member 7 receive screws (not shown) to secure a lid (also not 
shown) and of sheet metal. 
A pivotal member 10 formed of a sheet metal pressing is pivotally mounted 
at one end on the base 4 by a pivot pin 11. Washers 12 accommodate pivotal 
movement of the member 10. A cable engaging member 15 is formed on the 
other end of the pivotal member 10 and receiving screws 16 on the cable 
engaging member 15 receive the inner core 17 of the cable 2 as will be 
described below. Because the pivot member 10 is pivotal, the cable 
engaging member 15 is therefore movable from side to side in the housing 3 
to permit operation of the cable 2. 
However, a stop means, in this case provided by a solenoid 18 with a 
spindle 19 is mounted on the pivot member 10 to prevent movement of the 
cable engaging member 15. An upstanding bracket 20 extending upwardly from 
the pivot member 10 supports the solenoid 18 and screws 21 secure the 
solenoid to the bracket 20. An opening 22 is provided in an upstanding 
portion 23 of the pivot member 10 to accommodate the spindle 19. A bracket 
25 secured to the base 4 by rivets 26 is provided with an opening 27 to 
receive the spindle 19 of the solenoid 18. Thus, when the spindle 19 
engages the bracket 25, the pivot member 10 and in turn the cable engaging 
member 15 is locked and prevented from moving. Releasing the spindle 19 
from the bracket 25 permits pivotal movement of the member 10 and in turn 
the cable engaging member 15. A compression spring 28 bearing between the 
solenoid 18 and a washer 29 biases the spindle 19 towards the bracket 25. 
A pair of cable inlets 30 are provided on each side wall 5 to accommodate 
the cable 2. Each inlet 30 comprises an adjustable member 31 which engage 
the outer sleeve 32 of the cable 2. Threaded holes (not shown) in the side 
walls 5 engage the adjustable members 31 and nuts 33 are provided to lock 
the adjustable members 31 in any desired position. The inner core 17 of 
the cable is fed through the adjustable member 31 to engage the receiving 
screws 16 on the cable engaging member 15. Such screws will be well known 
to those skilled in the art. Essentially, each screw 16 comprises a 
transverse hole (not shown) to receive the cable core 17. Washers 35 are 
provided to clamp the cable core 17 in the transverse hole when a nut 36 
is tightened. 
A cable inlet 37 is provided in one of the side walls 5 and protected by a 
grommet 38 to accommodate an electrical cable to deliver power to the 
solenoid 18. A cable terminal block 39 is provided on the side wall 5 for 
connecting the incoming electrical cable. An electrical cable (not shown) 
is connected between the terminal block 39 and the solenoid 18. 
In use, the security device 1 is mounted in an appropriate position on a 
bulkhead beneath the bonnet of a car. Usually, it would be mounted on a 
bulkhead adjacent the front wing of a car in the path of the bonnet 
locking cable 2. The cable is then cut at an appropriate position, and 
part of the outer sleeve 32 is stripped back from the cable. The two cut 
ends of the cable are engaged in the adjustable members 31 and the inner 
cores 17 are secured to the cable engaging member 15 by the receiving 
screws 16. The adjusting members 31 are adjusted until the cable is 
correctly operating the bonnet latch. An electrical cable from a suitable 
control circuit is connected into the terminal block 39 to operate the 
solenoid. When the solenoid 18 is energized, the spindle 19 is withdrawn, 
and thus disengages the brackets 25. In this position, the cable 2 is 
operative. This would normally be when the car is not locked, or the 
ignition switched on. When the solenoid is de-energized the spindle 
engages the bracket 25 under the action of the spring 28. 
It is envisaged that, in general, the security device 1 will be connected 
into an alarm circuit. Thus, when the alarm has been deactivated, the 
alarm control circuit would operate a relay (not shown) which, in turn, 
would energize the solenoid, thereby releasing the spindle 19 from the 
bracket 25. Conversely, when the alarm circuit is activated, and the alarm 
set, the relay (not shown) would de-energize the solenoid, thereby 
allowing the spindle under the spring biasing of the compression spring 28 
to engage the bracket 25, rendering the cable 2 inoperative. It is 
envisaged that the device 1 may be connected into an alarm circuit which 
would normally be activated by keying in a personal identification number 
into a keypad. The alarm circuit would have storing means to store a 
personal identification number and also would have comparing means to 
compare the keyed in number with the stored number. In general, it is 
envisaged that both the storing means and comparing means would be 
provided by a micro-processor. Such alarm systems will be known to those 
skilled in the art, and it is not intended to describe it in further 
detail. Further, it is envisaged that the alarm system would also 
deactivate the ignition circuit of the vehicle. 
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 there is illustrated a security device 
according to another embodiment of the invention. In this case, the device 
is indicated by the reference numeral 40, and is also for rendering a 
bonnet cable 2 inoperative. This device 40 comprises a base 41, with a 
side wall 42. A pair of end brackets 43 form cable inlets 44 for the cable 
2. Adjusting members 45 similar to the members 31 are provided in the 
brackets 43. A mounting block 46 slidably supports a cable engaging member 
47 and grub screws 48 in each end of the cable engaging member 47 secure 
the inner core 17 of the cable 2. A stop means provided by a solenoid 49 
and spindle 50 which engages a receiving means, namely, an annular recess 
51 in the cable engaging member 47, to render the cable 2 inoperative. The 
spindle 50 is slidable in the mounting block 46 transversely of the cable 
engaging member 47 to engage the recess 51. The solenoid 49 is supported 
on a support plate 52, which is mounted on mounting screws 53 to the base 
41. A compression spring (not shown) is provided to bias the spindle 52 
into engagement with the recess 51 when the solenoid has been deactivated. 
The operation of this device is substantially similar to the operation of 
the device 1. While the solenoid 49 is energised, the spindle 52 is 
retained out of engagement with the recess 51, and accordingly, the cable 
engaging member 47 and the cable 2 is operative. To lock the cable, the 
solenoid 49 is de-energised, and the spindle 50 under the spring biasing 
engages the recess 51. 
It is envisaged that this device 40 may be connected into an alarm system 
of a car or other such vehicle. 
It will be appreciated that while in both embodiments of the invention the 
security device has been described for locking a bonnet lock cable, it 
could be used for rendering any cable inoperative, for example, a hand 
brake cable, a clutch cable, a throttle cable, or indeed any other cable. 
Needless to say, it is envisaged that the device, as well as being 
suitable for use in a car, could be used on a motor bike or the like, 
similarly for locking any desired cable. In fact, in certain cases, it is 
envisaged that the security device may be used on a bicycle. 
It will also be appreciated that while the solenoid has been described as 
engaging a recess in the cable engaging member of the embodiment of the 
invention described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the solenoid could 
engage any suitable engagement means other than a recess. For example, in 
certain cases, it is envisaged that a transverse hole may be provided in 
the cable engaging member or any other type of recess. 
Further, it is envisaged in certain cases that instead of mounting the 
device intermediate the ends of the cable, it could be mounted to one or 
other end of the cable. For example, it may be mounted adjacent the bonnet 
lock latch, in which case it would not be necessary to cut the cable, 
merely all that would be required would be to strip portion of the outer 
sleeve of the cable and pass the inner cable directly through the device 
without the need for cutting it. However, needless to say, the cable would 
be secured to the cable engaging member. 
Needless to say, while the security device has been described as being 
controlled by an electrical control circuit of an alarm system, it could 
be controlled by any suitable electrical circuit. In fact, it is envisaged 
in certain cases, it may be controlled directly from the ignition switch, 
or indeed it could be controlled from one of the door locks of the 
vehicle, or it could be controlled by a separate independent control 
circuit. 
Needless to say, while the stop means has been described as being a spindle 
operated by a solenoid any other suitable stop means could be used. It 
will be appreciated that means other than a solenoid could be used for 
operating the stop means. 
Where an independent electrical circuit is used to control the device, it 
is envisaged that a suitable activating and deactivating means could be 
provided. Such an activating and deactivating means could be a keypad, a 
tumbler lock which would operate an electrical switch, or indeed, an 
ordinary toggle switch. In which case, it is envisaged that the switch 
would be provided in a concealed location. 
It will of, course be appreciated that while particular constructions of 
housing have been described, any other suitable construction of housing 
could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless 
to say, other suitable cable inlets could be used with the housing without 
departing from the scope of the invention. 
Further, while the solenoid has been described as being controlled through 
a relay, this is not necessary, it could be controlled directly if 
desired. Further, transistor switching or transistor relays could also be 
used to control the solenoid. 
It is also envisaged that a standby battery may be provided to power the 
device to guard against the failure or removal of the vehicle battery. 
Furthermore, while the cable engaging member of the device of FIGS. 1 to 4 
has been described as being pivotally mounted, while in this particular 
embodiment of the invention, pivot mounting is preferable, it is not 
essential, the cable engaging member may be slidably mounted or mounted to 
move in any other suitable manner. Needless to say, it will be appreciated 
while in the embodiment of the invention described with reference to FIGS. 
1 to 4, the solenoid and spindle have been mounted effectively on or with 
the cable engaging member, the solenoid could be mounted on the housing 
and engagable with any suitable engaging means on the cable engaging 
member. Similarly, in the case of the embodiment of the invention 
described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the solenoid may be mounted on 
the cable engaging member and engagable with the housing.