Patent Publication Number: US-RE38951-E

Title: Anti-theft brake or clutch locking device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 08/949,009 entitled ANTI-THEFT BRAKE LOCKING DEVICE filed Oct. 10, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an anti-theft brake-locking device for vehicles, which is particularly suitable for both automatic and standard transmission vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to a device which prevents the brake or clutch pedal from being depressed. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automotive theft is a major worldwide problem. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has reported that a car is stolen every 20 seconds. 
     The proliferation of mechanical type anti-theft devices for motor vehicles have resulted in the commercial availability of different types of anti-theft devices. One type of prior art system mechanically locks the brake and accelerator by means of two independent or articulated shoes which lock the pedals. The major problem stemming from the use of such devices is that the driver has to reach out for the pedal area or actually get down on his or her knees in order to operate the locking device, and the varying distance between the brake and accelerator which can prevent the device from being installed. 
     More recently, some devices have been suggested which are constructed from a long rod consisting of an anti-picking material and which is provided at both ends with two shaped members that couple respectively with a pedal and with the steering wheel of the vehicle. The coupling with the steering wheel is locked using a safety lock that prevents the same from being disengaged. This device, which owing to its characteristics, can be employed on traditional transmission cars as well as on automatic transmission vehicles, is affected in the main by two drawbacks. 
     First, the connection, due it longitudinal size and cumbersomeness is difficult to store when the device is not being utilized. Secondly, devices of this nature actually have a poor record against theft. Indeed, it is relatively easy to cut the rim of the steering wheel by means of a saw or the like. The rim of the steering wheel is usually not a viable obstacle for thieves, and the anti-theft device by can be disengaged merely pulling apart the two ends of the rim. Such devices are also not usually adaptable for automatic transmission vehicles because of their structural characteristics. 
     In UK patent application No. 2.091.656, an anti-theft pedal-locking device for vehicles is described comprising a first supporting member extending upwards and provided with a safety lock and with a laterally projecting member, a second supporting member, upon which the first supporting member slides, with a projecting member cooperating with the corresponding member of the first supporting member so as to lock a pedal of the vehicle when the latter member is in its lower position, while the lower end of the second supporting member may carry a base member to rest on the floor of the vehicle. 
     A number of United States Patents have also issued on brake locking mechanisms. U.S. Pat. No. 4,040,675 discloses a vehicle anti-theft device which maintains the braking function of the braking fluid by preventing reverse flow thereof from the wheel cylinder back to the master cylinder until an authorized procedure permits said backflow. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,198 discloses an anti-theft lock for a pedal operated apparatus. The invention incorporates first and second stop bodies which are arranged to clamp around the lever of a pedal. When the stop bodies are locked in place, the pedal cannot be operated unless the apparatus is restrained. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,492 discloses an automatic brake-locking mechanism which locks the brake of a vehicle having a hydraulic brake system. The system incorporates a safety switch provided to operate in conjunction with the ignition switch so that the safety switch and the ignition both must be operated to an “on” position to release the auxiliary brake device to allow normal operation of the vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,387 similarly discloses a vehicle brake lock assembly which engages a brake pedal and which includes a U-shaped end portion which engages the brake pedal telescopically to lock the brake pedal in position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,796 discloses a vehicle brake-pedal locking device which mechanically maintains the vehicle brake pedal in a depressed position to prevent the vehicle from being driven. The device includes a horizontally and vertically pivoting brake-pedal swing arm interfacing structure. 
     Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,133 discloses an anti-theft device for vehicles having a steering wheel and a brake. The device comprises a brake guard moveably mounted to a fixed portion of the brake, a lower elongated member which hooks to the brake guard, an upper elongated member which is locked to the lower elongated member, a wide bar spaced a distance adaptable to be placed around the steering wheel and a locking bar and a claw member. When the device is secured with two padlocks, movement of the steering wheel and the brake pedal is prevented. 
     In addition to above discussed devices and technologies, the prior art also includes complex tracking devices which send out signals to police if a vehicle is reported stolen. The search may take up to 24 hours or longer with no guarantee of recovery. Installation of these systems is expensive and require a monthly monitoring fee. Automotive alarms are similarly expensive and may be deactivated by car thieves. 
     While the prior art is replete with mechanisms and inventions for locking the brake pedals of a vehicle, there is no simple and easy system ever devised for swiftly securing the brake or clutch pedal in a non-depressible state without the driver or operator having to get down on his or her knees or crouch down. Such a system would be to disable a vehicle, because automobiles built since 1990 cannot start and be placed into gear without the brake or clutch pedal being depressed. 
     The present invention is thus directed to a brake or clutch lock mechanism which does not require the driver or vehicle operator to get down on his knees or to move beneath the vehicle and which prevent the brake from being depressed. These and other objects of the present invention will be described with reference to the following summary and detailed description. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a device for locking the brake or clutch of a vehicle in an upward or unextended position and preventing vehicle theft is disclosed. The invention comprises a base member for a placement on the floorboard of a vehicle beneath a brake or clutch pedal; a U-shaped housing extending downward and having a first arm attached to the base and having a second shorter arm defining a gap for receipt of a brake or clutch pedal shaft, said space between the first and second arms defining a slot for receiving the brake or clutch pedal shaft and permitting its full extension upward through said shaft; and locking means associated with the second arm for locking the underside of the pedal within the slot such that the brake pedal cannot be depressed. 
     In a more preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device for locking the brake of a vehicle and preventing its theft comprising: a base member for a placement on the floorboard of a vehicle beneath a brake pedal; a metallic U-shaped housing extending downward and having a first arm attached to the base and having a second shorter arm defining an opening for receiving of a brake pedal shaft, said space between the first and second arms defining a slot for receiving the brake pedal shaft and permitting its full extension upward through said slot, said first arm having a cylindrical opening therethrough; a rod extending through said cylindrical opening and being slidable therewith, said rod having a pin which catches the underside of said brake pedal shaft and pulls it upward in a decompressed position; and locking means for locking the position of the rod and pin such that the that the brake pedal cannot be depressed. 
     In still a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device for locking the brake of a vehicle and preventing its theft comprising: a base member for a placement on the floorboard of a vehicle beneath a brake pedal; a steel U-shaped housing extending downward and having a first arm attached to the base and having a second shorter arm defining an opening for receiving of a brake pedal shaft, said space between the first and second arms defining a slot for receiving the brake pedal shaft and permitting its full extension upward through said slot, said first arm having a cylindrical opening extending therethrough and collinearly with said slot; a serrated rod extending through said cylindrical opening and being slidable therewith, said rod having a pin at a first end for catching the underside of said brake pedal shaft and a handle at a second end for pulls it upward in a decompressed position; and locking means adapted to lock the serrated rod for locking the position of the rod and pin such that the that the brake pedal cannot be depressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an elevationala perspective view of the brake anti-theft device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevationala perspective view of the handle and lock pin utilized with the brake lock mechanism of the brake anti-theft device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an elevationala perspective view of the brake locking anti-theft device of the present invention in an inactive position. 
         FIG. 4  is an elevationala perspective view of the brake locking anti-theft device of the present invention in an activated state. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspectivefront elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the brake locking anti-theft device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspectiveright side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the brake locking anti-theft device of the present invention along line  6 — 6  ofshown in FIG.  5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of yet an additional base embodiment for use in the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The brake anti-theft device of the present invention is now described with reference to the enclosed Figures wherein the same numbers are utilized where applicable. In general, the present invention is a device specifically designed to lock the brake or clutch pedal of a motor vehicle in an up or non-depressed state. 
     Because since 1990, vehicles manufactured for sale in North American cannot start without the depression of the brake pedal or clutch pedal, the invention is specifically designed to prevent the pedal from being depressed thus, thereby disabling the vehicle and preventing its theft and use. This feature is referred to as the brake pedal shift interlock or BPSI in automatic transmission vehicles. Non-automatic transmission or so-call “standard have a similar feature called the clutch pedal start interlock or CPSI, which requires the suppression of the clutch pedal to start the vehicle. The present invention is applicable to both types of vehicles. 
     A particular feature of the present invention is that it is intended to be utilized by the driver or operator from the comfort of the driver&#39;s seat of the vehicle without any need for the driver to get down on his hands or knees or crouch in order to place or adjust the system. While the present invention will be described in the context of a conventional automobile, it is to be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are equally applicable to all manner of vehicles having brake shafts including sports utility vehicles, vans, pick-up trucks and trucks. 
     For purposes of explanation the present invention is now described in the context of a device which locks a brake pedal  50  in an upward position, thus preventing the disabling of the BPSI of the vehicle. Referring now to  FIGS. 1  to  4 , the brake lock anti-theft device of the present invention  10  comprises a base  12  which is placed on the floor of the vehicle adjacent to the brake pedal  50  and shaft  13 . The base  12  thereby is affixed flush to the floorboard  35  of the vehicle directly below the brake pedal  50  and pedal shaft  13 . 
     Extending from the base  12  is a U-shaped steel housing  14  which extends downward. The U-shaped housing comprises two arms  16 ,  18 . One arm  16  of the U-shaped housing is shorter than the other  18  thereby defining an opening  20  which extends to a slot  22  defined by the space between the arms legs of the U-shaped housing  14 . The opening  20  facilitates the placement and removal of the brake pedal shaft  13 . In a preferred embodiment, slot  22  should have an approximate width of the steel brake pedal shaft  13  such that the brake pedal shaft  13  extends through the slot  22  and up to a extended position. In this position, the pedal  50  can be depressed freely as it extends downward through said slot  22 . 
     The invention further comprises a locking mechanism  32  associated with a second leg  18  of the U-shaped housing  14 . The second leg  18  of the U-shaped housing  14  includes a cylindrical tube  24  designed to encase a slidable locking pin  26  which is attached to the end of an extendible rod  28 . The rod  28  contains machined lock ratchets or serrations  30  which extend out the tube of the rectangular steel housing to a locking mechanism  32 . The second end of the rod  28  comprises a handle  34  which is used to pull the rod upward. 
     The preferred locking mechanism or means  32  which is utilized in the present invention may be a commercially available key operated steering wheel locking mechanisms . There are other locking mechanisms suggested by the present invention including combination locks. Locking mechanism or means  32  locks the machine locked ratchets  30  at the appropriate point. As shown most clearly in  FIG. 4 , as the rod  28  extends upward, the pin  26  enters the slot  22 , pulls up (Arrow A) and secures the bottom of the brake petal pedal shaft  13  in an upward or unextended position so that it cannot be depressed. In this position, after being locked into place by pin  26 , the brake pedal shaft  13  cannot be depressed. Because the pedal  50  cannot be depressed, the car cannot be placed in gear. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the base  12  and bottom of leg  16  are beveled at 45 degree angles so that the brake pedal shaft  13  can more easily be guided into and out of the slot  22  when the device is place placed on and removed from the brake pedal shaft  13 . 
     This embodiment further incorporates a means  36  for enabling the driver to press the device into the floorboard or carpet of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, means  36  comprises a foot rest  36  which extends horizontally from the top of leg  16 . This extension  36  provides a sufficient surface area  38  for the foot of an operator to press downward. This embodiment further incorporates studs  40  which extend downward from the base  12  and which facilitate the positioning of the device against a carpeted floor. The studs  40  prevent the device from moving with respect to the floor. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the device may also incorporate cleats  42  which are cut into the bottom of the base  12 . Finally, as also shown in  FIG. 7 , this embodiment incorporates a triangular base design in which the legs go to the left, right and straight back. The triangular base design provides maximum support and strength in operation and use. 
     The operation of the present invention is now described with reference to the enclosed Figures and most particularly  FIGS. 3 through 6 . The driver or operator desiring to utilize the device  10  will unlock the device  10  and lower the pin  26  all the way down to the base  12  via the handle  34 . The base  12  will then be placed on the floor board  35  under the brake pedal  50  and brake pedal shaft  13 . The brake pedal shaft  13  will then extend through the opening  20  in the U-shaped housing  14  and into the slot  22  with the base  12  positioned squarely on the floor board  35  of the vehicle. The operator will then pull up the handle  34  (Arrow B) thus raising the locking pin  26  upward into the slot  22  and securing the base brake pedal shaft  13  at its bottom in an upward position. As shown in the alternative embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the operator can place his foot on extension  36  to maximize the downward thrust of the device against the floor board  35  of the vehicle. Studs  40  secure the device against the floorboard  35  or carpet. The vehicle operator will then lock the device in this position using the lock mechanism  32  such that the brake pedal  50  cannot be depressed, thereby disabling the operation of the vehicle. 
     The present invention has been described in the context of locking the brake of a vehicle. In standard transmission vehicles, the device will be affixed to the clutch of the vehicle in the discussed above. Because the clutch is then locked in an upward position and cannot be depressed, the vehicle cannot be started. Accordingly, the teachings of the present invention are equally applicable to affixation to a clutch in a standard transmission vehicle. 
     The present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. It is to be appreciated that other embodiments fulfill the spirit and scope of the present invention and that the true nature and scope of the present invention is to be determined with reference to the claims appended hereto.