Abstract:
A steering wheel lock having a triple hook, a bar receiving mechanism, a lock box, a bar fixable to the lock box, and a lock is disclosed. The triple hook, via its lock box attaches to the steering wheel of a vehicle and is secured with the lock, which is attached with the bar. The length of the bar is adjusted within the lock box to provide a tight and secure fit customized to the particular dimensions of the steering wheel. A blinking LED alerts a passerby that the lock is engaged.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional application No. 60/965,976 filed Aug. 23, 2007 to Eduardo D&#39;Angelo for Universal Steering Wheel Lock, U.S. Provisional application No. 61/011,609 filed Jan. 18, 2008 to Eduardo D&#39;Angelo for Universal Steering Wheel Lock, and U.S. Provisional application No. 61/134,801 filed Jul. 14, 2008 to Eduardo D&#39;Angelo for Universal Steering Wheel Lock. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Introduction 
         [0003]    Cars are expensive, but certain factors limit their appeal to thieves. For example, a big lock on the steering wheel makes stealing difficult requiring significant time and effort. Also, a thief can see the big lock, and move to another less challenging car to steal. Finally, motors might be somewhat distinctive, bearing serial numbers or other indicia. Consequently, thieves have found a more favorable risk to reward ratio in just stealing the parts of the motor. 
         [0004]    Most car steering wheels have three sections: a horn at the center of the wheel, a circular wheel section, where a driver grips and steers the car, and at least one arm joining the center to the circular wheel section. 
         [0005]    If the steering wheel can be fixed in place, and its unauthorized movement restricted, then the car cannot be removed. 
         [0006]    2. Field of the Invention 
         [0007]    The present invention relates to a lock for securing the steering wheel of a motor vehicle to prevent the movement of the wheel, thereby preventing unauthorized operation of the vehicle. 
         [0008]    3. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0009]    Motor vehicle security devices are disclosed in U.S. Patents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,133, to Passantino teaches a steering wheel and brake-locking device for road vehicles. Passantino&#39;s lock is installed between the brake and the steering wheel. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,753 to Matlock teaches a vehicular anti-theft steering wheel lock. Matlock&#39;s lock primarily surrounds and immobilizes vehicle steering wheels with a rigid circular pan that surmounts the steering wheel and overlies the steering column. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,458 to Heh teaches a lock that hooks on to a steering wheel, and the vehicles brake. Here again, the brake serves as an anchor preventing the movement of the steering wheel via a rigid member. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,127 to Johnson is a patent directed toward an automobile steering lock. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to prevent the unauthorized operation of a motor vehicle. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a lock that will prevent the movement of the steering wheel of a vehicle. 
         [0015]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a lock that can draw attention by continuously flashing an LED. 
         [0016]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a lock that will sound the vehicles horn if one attempts to remove the lock without a key. 
         [0017]    Yet another objective is to provide a lock that allows one-time fine adjustment to provide a customized, tight fit for a unique steering wheel, 
         [0018]    These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a steering wheel lock having a triple hook, a bar, and a lock. The triple hook abuts the steering wheel, and the bar fixes the lock to the triple hook and the steering wheel. 
         [0019]    Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0020]    The present invention will be better understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings with which are given by way of illustration only. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the lock of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lock of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a view from the vehicle window showing the triple hook and lock box of the present invention attached to a steering wheel. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lock box of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a view of the stopper and stopper knob of presently claimed invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a view of a bar for the presently claimed invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a view of a lock box, stopper and a portion of the bar for the presently claimed invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a lock box with the stopper and bar inserted for the presently claimed invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a transparent view of a lock for the presently claimed invention showing internal cavities. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is another transparent view of a lock for the presently claimed invention showing additional cavities. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a lock for the presently claimed invention showing a key lock mechanism. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of a lock with a bar inserted for the presently claimed invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a close-up, cross-sectional view of a lock for the presently claimed invention showing the interaction between the lock and a bar. 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is a view of an unlocked lock for the presently claimed invention illustrating the wiring schematic for an LED warning system. 
           [0035]      FIG. 14  is a view of a locked lock for the presently claimed invention illustrating the wiring schematic for an LED warning system. 
           [0036]      FIG. 15  is a view of the presently claimed invention attached, and unlocked. 
           [0037]      FIG. 16  is a view of the presently claimed invention attached, and locked. 
           [0038]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the presently claimed invention installed on a steering wheel. 
           [0039]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the lock for the presently claimed invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 19  is a view of an alternative embodiment the presently claimed invention with the bar attached to the lock box and in-line with the triple hook. 
           [0041]      FIG. 20  is a view of an adjustment screw with a truncated area of the presently claimed invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 21  is a view of an adjustment screw with a rectangular bar of the presently claimed invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 22  is a view of another embodiment of the presently claimed invention from the side. 
           [0044]      FIG. 23  is an environmental view of another embodiment of the presently claimed invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    A Universal Steering Wheel Lock of the presently claimed invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1A  and designated generally by reference numeral  10 . With reference now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1A , the steering wheel lock has three basic components: a triple hook  12 , a bar  14  and a lock  16 .  FIG. 1B  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the truncated area of the bar remains in contact with the lock and the lock box, but the remaining portion of the bar attaches to the lock box and is aligned with the bended bar  28  of the triple hook, as explained below. 
         [0046]    The Universal Steering Wheel Lock locks the steering wheel  18  of a vehicle. A conventional steering wheel  18  is formed by the circular wheel section  20  and at least one arm  22  attached at the end to the circular wheel section  20  and to the center of the steering wheel at the other end. 
         [0047]    The triple hook  12  has first and second U-shape hooks  24 ,  26  and a bended bar  28 . The U-shaped hooks  24 ,  26  wrap around the wheel section of the steering wheel  20 . The bended bar  28  attaches between the first and second U-shaped hooks  24 ,  26 , and abuts the horn  100 . 
         [0048]    The shape of the bended bar  28  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The U-shaped hooks  24 ,  26  respectively have first and second ends  30 ,  32 . This shape allows hooking up the circular wheel section  20  with the first and second ends  30 ,  32  and the U-shaped hooks  24 ,  26 . The bended bar  28  assures a tight fit with the arm  22 . The first and second ends  30 ,  32  belong to first and second U-shaped hooks  24 ,  26  and follow the arc shape of the circular wheel section  20 . 
         [0049]    The triple hook  12  includes a bar receiving mechanism  39  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . The bar receiving mechanism  39  features a lock box  42  attached to first and second ends  30 ,  32  of first and second U-shaped hooks  24 ,  26  and to the bended bar  28 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the bar receiving mechanism  39  is positioned approximately 70 degrees in reference with the side of the bended bar  28  directly opposite the steering wheel  18  to compensate the inclination of the steering wheel  18  in a vehicle. 
         [0050]    The lock box  42  has a bar cavity  44 , a stopper cavity  46  and a stopper knob cavity  47  as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , the bar cavity  44  has an internal threaded orifice  48  abutting the bar cavity along its longitudinal axis.  FIG. 4  shows a stopper  54  having a stopper knob  55  perpendicular at one end of the stopper  54 . The stopper  54  and stopper knob  55  having such size an dimension to substantially fill the stopper cavity  46  and a stopper knob cavity  47 . 
         [0051]    The triple hook  12  is normally made of metal mainly hardened steel covered with a rubber finish to avoid any damage to the steering wheel  18 . 
         [0052]    There is a bar  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 . The bar  14  has at one end a screw shape  52  with a thread to be screw up in the bar cavity  44  gradually until the desire position, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0053]    The stopper  54  is inserted in the stopper cavity  46  to prevent the rotational moving of bar  14  inserted in the bar cavity  44  when has reached the desire position. This function will be described in detail later. 
         [0054]    The stopper  54  has a small knob  55  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to allow manual removal of the stopper  54  from the stopper cavity  46 . This knob  55  is inserted in the stopper knob cavity  47  when the bar  14  is locked in the desire position as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0055]    The bar  14  is illustrated in detail in  FIG. 5 . The end of bar  14  has a screw shape  52  already described. The other end of bar  14  has a rubber grip  56  to cover the bar  14  avoiding any damages in the dashboard  98  and front window  102  of the vehicle, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show the bar  14  has at the bottom different tooth creating a sequence of shallow ridges  58  used in the locking mechanism of  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The bar  14  has a truncated area  60  in the left side of the bar  14  located in the sequence of shallow ridges  58  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The bar  14  has first and second marks  62 ,  64 . Both of them will be explained later. 
         [0057]    The lock  16  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 . The lock  16  features a lock housing  61  having a key lock mechanism  63 , a truncated hole  66 , a case  70  and an indicator recess  76  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The truncated hole  66  has a spherical bearing  68  and an opening  67  as illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 10 . The truncated hole  66  allows to pass the bar  14 . 
         [0058]    The lock  16  has a curved impression  69  to accommodate the circular wheel section  20 -of the steering wheel and a dimple  65  to accommodate the arm  22 . 
         [0059]    The case  70  is designed to hold the batteries  71 . The case  70  has a lid  72  able to slide when it is moved using the groove  74 , allowing removing the batteries  71  from the case  70  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0060]    The indicator recess  76  comprises a rotary switch  78 , a switch circuit  80  and a LED  82 . The indicator recess  76  has a lid  81  and a screw  83  to close the indicator recess  76 . 
         [0061]    The interaction between the bar  14  and the lock  16  is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The bar  14  is inserted in the lock  16  through the truncated hole  66 . 
         [0062]    The lock  16  has a spring cavity  84 . The spring cavity  84  accommodates a spring  86  and a spherical bearing  68 . The spring cavity  84  has a set of flanges  88 ,  90  to avoid the exit of the spherical bearing  68  from the spring cavity  84 . 
         [0063]    The key lock mechanism  63  has a prolongation bar  92  as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The prolongation bar  92  comprises a prolongation bar recess  94 . The opening  67  allows to interact the prolongation bar  92  belong to the lock mechanism  63  with the sequence of shallow ridges  58  of the bar  14 . The prolongation bar recess  94  allows the bar  14  to slide through the truncated hole  66  when the prolongation bar recess  94  is in the position illustrated in  FIG. 13 . In this illustration the bar  14  is unlocked. 
         [0064]    The prolongation bar  92  has a rotary switch cavity  96  at the end with a half moon shape to insert the half moon bar belongs to the rotary switch  78 . 
         [0065]    The rotary switch  78  has first and second switch contacts  75 ,  77  as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
         [0066]    The switch contacts  75 ,  77  will be open in normal position and closed when the rotary switch  78  has rotated 180 degrees clockwise. 
         [0067]    The batteries  71  have first and second battery contacts  85 ,  87 . The first contact  85  is always connected to a switch circuit  80  to an input  89 . The second contact  87  of the battery  71  is connected to the second switch contact  77  of the rotary switch  78 . The first switch contact  75  of the rotary switch  78  is connected to the second input  91  of the switch circuit  80 . 
         [0068]    When the bar  14  is unlocked, the switch contacts  75 ,  77  of the rotary  78  switch are opened. In this situation no current flows from the batteries to the switch circuit  80  and the LED  82  is off as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0069]    When the key  59  of the lock mechanism  63  is turned 180 degrees the prolongation bar  92  is present in one of the sequence of shallow ridges  58  of bar  14  through the opening  67 . The prolongation bar recess  94  is in the opposite of a ridge of the sequence of shallow ridges  58  belong to the bar  14 . In this case the prolongation bar  92  of lock mechanism  63  will lock the bar  14 . At the same time when the key has been turned 180 degrees clockwise the rotary switch  78  has rotated 180 degrees too, closing the first and second switch contacts  75 ;  77  allowing to flux the current from the batteries  71  to the switch circuit  80  and the LED  82  starting to flash as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0070]    The prolongation bar  92  of the lock mechanism  63  is located in the lock  16  a distance from the spherical bearing  68  exactly the distance between the sequence of shallow ridges  58  of the bar  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . The function of the spherical bearing  68  is to stop the bar  14  in the right position allowing to rotate the key  59  of the lock mechanism  63 . 
         [0071]    The Universal Steering Wheel Lock has two adjustments to lock the steering wheel of a vehicle. The locking mechanism  39  operates as a fine adjustment and the lock  16  operates as a gross adjustment and final lock. 
         [0072]    The adjustment for locking the steering wheel using the lock  16  and the bar  14  goes from one ridge of the sequence of shallow ridges  58  to an adjacent ridge of the sequence of shallow ridges  58  in the bar  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0073]    The other locking mechanism  39  illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  adjusts the Universal Steering Wheel lock with more precision because every time the bar  14  screwing up a whole turn one thread of the screw shape  52  will advance inside the locking mechanism  39 . This advance is at least five (5) times smaller than the steps between the sequence of shallow ridges  58  of the bar  14 . 
         [0074]    The procedure for the adjustment of the Universal Steering Wheel Lock to the steering wheel of a vehicle is described as follows. The Universal Steering Wheel Lock  10  is inserted in the steering wheel  18  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 15 . The lock  16  is moved to the steering wheel  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . If the lock  16  is in position to lock, allowing turning the key  59 , but it doesn&#39;t adjust firmly the steering wheel  18  then the user starts to screw up the bar  14  between the first and second marks  62 ,  64  of the bar  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The distance the first and second marks  62 ,  64  matches the distance between the ridges of the sequence of shallow ridges  58 . 
         [0075]    Once the lock  16  is moved back again to the steering wheel  18  and gets the position able to lock firmly against the steering wheel  18  then the lock  16  is moving back momentarily allowing one to insert the stopper  54  in the stopper cavity  46  locking the bar  14 . 
         [0076]    The final lock is reached when moving back the lock  16  against the steering wheel  18  and turning the key  59  180 degrees clockwise. The Universal Steering Lock is looked in the steering wheel  18  of a vehicle. 
         [0077]    When is locked the space between the front side of locking mechanism  39  and the lock  16  is smaller than the length of the stopper  54  making unable to remove the stopper  54 . This procedure is made only one time to adapt the Universal Steering Wheel to a specific steering wheel of a vehicle. The next time the user wants to lock the steering wheel only will be necessary to move the lock  16  against the steering wheel  18  and turn the key  59  180 degrees clockwise. In this moment the Universal Steering Wheel Lock has locked the steering wheel  18  of a vehicle and the LED  82  starts trashing. 
         [0078]    The bar  14  of the Universal Steering Wheel Lock firmly attached to the steering wheel  18  obstructs the rotation of the steering wheel  18  when the bar  14  starts to touch the dashboard  98  of the vehicle, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . 
         [0079]    The U shape of the hook  18  will be on the top of the horn  100  of the steering wheel provoking a horn sound when someone other than car&#39;s owner tries to remove the lock as illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 23 .  FIG. 17  illustrates the Universal Steering Wheel installed in the steering wheel  18  of a vehicle. 
         [0080]    A version of the Universal Steering Wheel Lock is shown in the  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  20 . In this embodiment, the bar  14  has been cut keeping only the small section with the truncated area  60  and the sequence of shallow ridges  58  for locking purposes, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . The bar  14  is now attached firmly on the top of locking mechanism  39  as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . The lock  16  is touching the arm  22  avoiding the movement of the Steering Wheel Lock  10 . 
         [0081]    If the lock  16  does not reach the arm  22  of the steering wheel when is locked, the lock  16  has a threaded adjustment hole  110  and special shape  116  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ,  9  and  12 . 
         [0082]    An adjustment screw  112  with a truncated area  120  is illustrated in  FIG. 20 . The adjustment screw  112  has a bended T head  114 . When the adjustment screw  112  rotates in the threaded adjustment hole  110 , the T head  114  will be closer to the arm  22 . In this moment the lock  16  is moved back to allow inserting the rectangular bar  118  illustrated in  FIG. 21  in the rectangular shape  116  avoiding rotation of the adjustment screw  112  inside the lock  16 . This procedure is made only one time to adjust the Universal Steering Wheel Lock to specific arm shape of the steering wheel. 
         [0083]    For now on the next time to lock the steering wheel only will be necessary to move the lock  16  against the steering wheel  18  and turn the key  59  180 degrees. 
         [0084]    The function of the adjustment screw  112  is illustrated in  FIG. 22  avoiding any rotation of the steering wheel lock through the cylindrical part of the steering wheel. In this version the bar  14  of the Universal Steering Wheel Lock will obstruct the rotation of the steering wheel  18  when the bar  14  starts to touch the front window of the car  102 , the roof of the car, the glass of the driver&#39;s door  99  or the driver&#39;s door of the car  104 , as illustrated in  FIG. 23 . 
         [0085]    The Universal Steering Wheel Lock is normally made of metal mainly hardened steel and covered some areas of finished chrome and colored rubber coating for preservation. Fluorescent paints can be used for better visualization and label logo of the product.