GB2215688A - Improvements in and relating to security devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A security device particularly for the protection of vehicles and their contents wherein a length of expansible trellis (1) is arranged to be secured at one end thereof to a fixed point (4), e.g. the front passenger's door (5) and arranged to be secured at the other end thereof to a further point (2) which is movable, e.g. the driver's door (3) such that the trellis (1) is expanded when the further point (2) is moved away from the fixed point (4) and retracted when located between the fixed point (4) and further point (2) is moved towards the fixed point (4) such as to inhibit access to the area spanned by the trellis when in the retracted state. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SECURITY DEVICES IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO SECURITY DEVICES This invention relates to security devices and particularly, but not exclusively, to a security device for vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a security device for vehicles which inhibits access to the front seats of the vehicle and by so doing prevents any unauthorisec' person from sitting in the driver's seat for the purose of driving the vehicle vehicle away, or tempering with or stealing the contents, e g. a radio, from the front of the vehicle According to the invention there is provided a length of metallic, expansible trellis arranged to be secured at one end thereof to a fixed point and arranged to be secured at the other end thereof to a further point movable between a first position which is a predetermined distance from the fixed from the fixed point and a second position which is a greater distance from the fixed point, such that the trellis when secured to the fixed and further points is expanded when located between the fixed point and further point at said first ositin and and retracted when located between ttle fixed point and further point at said second position whereby to inhibit access to the area spanned by the treLlis when in said retracted state The invention is designed to fit almost any vehicle and to inhibit access to the front seats of the vehicle making it virtually impossible to sit in the driver's seat Thus, unlilce other vehicle security devices, any unauthorised person cannot sit in the driver's seat or front passenger seat and cannot therefore drive the vehicle away or steal the contents from the front of the vehicle without first immobilising the security device.

TEle trellis is preferably formed of hardened metal e.g. steel, and is approximately twelve inches in depth retractable to approximately 5 inches and expansible to approximately 5 feet but infiniteLy expansit)le in relation to the height or depth of the trellis.

The invention is shown by way of example only in the accompanying informal drawing in which a length of trellis 1 is located between a fixing 2 on the driver's door 3 and a fixing 4 on the front passenger's door 5 and extends across the driver's seat 6 and the front passenger seat 7.

Wach end of the treLlis 1 is provided with a bar or tongue (not shown) to snap lock into the fittings 2, 4 respectiveLy, attached to the doors 3, 5 of the vehicle These fittings are preferably secured in place in a permanent manner by means of heavy duty self-tapping screws or the like, screwed to tile inner door skin of each door. The fittings 2, 4 are each provided with a key actuated locking device arranged to lock a male retaining portion of each end of the trellis 1 into a female portion of the fitting similar to th mannr of securiny seat bCts seat belts in position but with an additional key locking facility.The male part of each locking device is preferably provided with a metal cover arranged to conceal the screws or securing means of the female locking port ions when the trellis is locked in the operative position.

The retracted trellis is preferably stowed away stowed away under the front seat or on the front parcel shelf or in the well of the vehicle and when required, the driver of the vehicle, whilst Sitting normally in the driver's seat, snaps one male end of the trellis into the female locking portion of the front passenger's door.

As the driver alights from the vehicle he pulls the trellis, now secured at one end to the passenger door, across with him expanding the trellis in so doing and when the driver is completely out of the vehicle he Snap locks the other male end of the trellis in the female receiving port ion 2 on the driver's door whilst it is open.The Locking devices are such that the insertion of the male portions in the female receiving portions on the doors will automatically lock the trellis in position and will require a key operation to release the trellis The driver then simply shuts the driver's door retracting the trellis by so doing and the trellis acts as a barrier between the doors and serves to prevent any person from sitting in the front seats of the vehicle except by first unlocking the trellis from the driver s door and retracting the trellis to its fullest extent.

The treLlis may be Left secured in the passenger door fixture or alternatively removed completely and stowed in a convenient place in the vehicle as previously described The trellis is arran3ed at an angle complementary to the angle of the Steering wheeL to hamper any effort by an intruder to enter the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the invention is capable cf considerable modification and is not to be deemed limited to the particular features described an L Lustrated by way of example only For instance, the device may be used on all kinds of vehicles inctuding lorries and vans in order to secure goods against theft and may be used on boats where valuable equipment is required to be protected.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A security device comprising a length of metallic, expansible trellis arranged to be secured at one end thereof to a fixed point and arranged to be secured at the other end thereof to a further point movable between a first position which is a predetermined distance from the fixed point and a second position which is a greater distance from the fixed point, such that the trellis when secured to the fixed and further points is expanded when located between the fixed point and further point at said first position and retracted when located between the fixed point and further point at said second position whereby to inhibitFaccess to the area spanned by the trellis when in said retracted state.

2. A security device for vehicles comprising a length of metallic, expansible trellis arranged to be secured at one end thereof to a fixed point within the vehicle e.g. the front passenger's door, and arranged to be secured at the other end thereof, to a movable point e.g. the driver's door, such that when the driver's door is opened, the trellis is expanded to extend across the front seats of the vehicle and when the driver's door is closed, the trellis is rtracted but still extends across the front seats of the vehicle whereby to inhibit access to the area spanned by the trellis when at least in the retracted state.

3. A security device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein each end of the trellis is arranged with means to snap lock into fittings attached to the fixed and movable points, each fitting being provided with a key actuated locking device to allow one end of the trellis to be removed from its fitting, to permit access to the protected area by retraction of the trellis, or allow both ends of the trellis to be removed from theirFfittings to permit access to the protected area and allow the trellis to be removed completely from the fittings.

4. A security device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the trellis is arranged at an angle complementary to the angle of the steering wheel when fixed between the front passenger door and the driver's door when both are closed.

5. A security device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein each end of the trellis is provided with a male retaining portion arranged to engage in a respective female portion in t'he fittings, the male part of each locking device being provided with a metal cover arranged to conceal screws or securing means of the female locking portions when the trellis is locked in the operative position.

6. A security device for vehicles and substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawing.