ANTI-THEFT ROTATING STEERING WHEEL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[001] The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for automobiles.

Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under

37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
[002] The problem at hand is how to deter thieves from stealing a car and

driving off with it. The prior arts listed demonstrate how to hinder thieves from

stealing one’s car.

[003] US Patent Publication 5,557,957 issued 24 September 1996, by Wyman

for AUTOMATIC STEERING WHEEL ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM discloses a

steering wheel anti-theft system for an automobile having an ignition key switch

assembly and a steering wheel wherein a pair of extendable rods are built into

the transverse body of the steering wheel for radial extension and retraction in

between an extended position wherein they are visible and interfere with the

driving of the automobile and a storage position wherein they are retracted in the

steering wheel and do not so interfere. The steering column ignition key

assembly includes an electric switch which is opened and closed by the turning

of a key for connecting or not connecting a source of electrical power to

electronically operated latches for securing said rods in extended positions when

said switch is opened or allowing it to be retracted only when said switch is

closed. The disclosed latches are solenoids in the steering wheel that retract a

spring loaded pin when electrically energized but when unenergized allow the pin

to be driven into a hole in the extended rod to latch it in that position. Only by

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operating the ignition key switch can the rods be unlatched and manually

retracted and only that one key switch need be operated to unlatch the anti-theft

system and start and run the automobile.

[004] US Patent Publication 8,272,239 published 20 August 2009, by Fong for

ANTI-THEFT LOCKING DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL

discloses an anti-theft locking device for a vehicle steering wheel includes an

anti-theft locking device locking the steering column so that it cannot rotate when

it is arranged on the rotation shaft of the steering column. The anti-theft locking

device includes a limit unit and a locking unit. The locking unit may be actuated

by a driving unit. After affirming the signal is correct through electrical detection,

the driving unit makes the locking unit be selectively locked or disengaged

relative to the limit unit.

[005] The above prior arts are simple deterrents, yet they only hinder the theft

process and are easily bypassed. Our invention solves this problem by being

directly attached to the steering column, meaning it is impossible for the common

car thief to remove it. Our invention also makes it much harder for a thief to drive

off with one’s car as it is always swerving out of control & near impossible for a

thief to control the car. Our invention can also deliver a shock to the thief,

deterring them from forcibly keeping the steering wheel steady.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] The invention is an anti-theft steering wheel device that comprises a

steering wheel, steering column, taser component, rotating component and a

circuit component that controls the taser and rotating components. The steering

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wheel is pressure sensitive to determine if the car is being handled without a key,

and will administer an electrical shock from the taser component when the

steering wheel detects pressure by sending a signal to the circuit component.

When the circuit component receives this signal, it also activates switches in the

rotating component to make the steering column rotate by the use of a magnetic

disk, making the steering wheel rotate and shake uncontrollably.

[007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the whole mechanism from the side.

List of Reference Numerals

[009] 1 A steering wheel.

[0010] 2 A rotating magnetic component.

[0011] 3 Magnetic switches.

[0012] FIG 2 is an anterior cross-section view of a magnetic component.

[0013] 4 A switch.

[0014] 5 A magnet.

[0015] 6 A steering column.

[0016] 7 A magnetic disk.

[0017] FIG 3 is a circuit diagram of the system.

[0018] 8 A power source.

[0019] 9 A fuse or other limiting device.

[0020] 10 A key switch.

[0021] 11 Taser solenoid.

[0022] 12 Rotation solenoid.

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[0023] FIG. 4 A straightforward view of the steering wheel.

[0024] 13 A low voltage transformer.

[0025] 14 A pressure-sensitive steering wheel cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] A vehicular steering wheel device of the present invention is employable

by a user without the need for assembly of the invention, installation of the

invention, modification of the invention, configuration of the invention, or removal

of the invention. The device of the present invention may be used only when the

vehicle is not in motion.

[0027] The device of the present invention protects the vehicle from theft and

unauthorized use while the vehicle is not in use by the user. With reference to

FIG. 1, the device attaches to the steering column 6 of the steering wheel 1 and

overrides the steering wheel’s 1 rotational ability to prevent unauthorized use.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 2, when the device of the present

invention detects unauthorized use such as a lack of a key in the key switch 10,

an electrical component FIG. 3, powered by the car battery 8 or other power

source, will activate a solenoid 12 that will activate a magnetic switch 3, resulting

in a magnetic component 2 that activates a switch 4 that activates a magnet 5

and rotates a magnetic disk 7, in turn rotating the steering column 6, causing the

driver to be unable to firmly grasp the steering wheel 1. While the device of the

present invention is activated, the driver will not be able to safely drive the

vehicle because the steering wheel 1 is rotating unpredictably and the driver is

thus unable to control the direction of the vehicle via the steering wheel 1.

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[0029] With reference to FIG. 4, when the device of the present invention detects

unauthorized use such as a lack of a key in the key switch 10, it activates, the

device will send a signal to the electrical component FIG. 3 that is within the

steering wheel 1, powered by the car battery 8 or some other power source.

When the pressure-sensitive steering wheel cover 14 gets input, a solenoid 11 is

activated from the electrical component FIG. 3. A fuse or other limiting device 9

prevents the component from overloading. The electrical component FIG. 3

activates a solenoid 11 that activates a taser within the steering wheel 1,

administering an electrical shock. This electrical shock is caused by low-voltage

transformers 13 within the steering wheel itself. The electrical shock is strong

enough to cause the driver to release the steering wheel. The electrical shock

from the transformers 13 is similar to that of a standard-issue law enforcement

taser.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described with reference to

specific embodiments, it is understood that modifications and variations of the

present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention,

which is defined by the claims set forth below. Unless defined otherwise, all

technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly

understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Any

methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also

be used in the practice or testing of the present invention; however, the preferred

methods and materials are now described.

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 CLAIMS

The invention claimed is:

1. An automobile anti-theft device comprising:

a. A steering wheel;

b. A steering column connected to the steering wheel;

c. A rotating component surrounding the steering column; and

d. A circuit component inside the steering column.

2. An anti-theft device in claim 1 further wherein the steering wheel rotates

along the steering column.

3. An anti-theft device in claim 1 further wherein the steering column is non-

flexible and rigid.

4. The rotating component of claim 1 further comprising

a. A magnetic disk surrounding the steering column;

b. Three magnets on top of the magnetic disk;

c. A switch on top of each magnet; and

d. A plastic shell surrounding the magnetic component

5. The circuit component of claim 1 further comprising

a. A key switch; and

b. a rotation solenoid

6. The circuit component of claim 5 further comprising

a. a power source for the circuit and

b. a limiting device for the circuit

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7. An anti-theft device in claim 1 further wherein the rotating component is

located near the base of the steering column.

8. The anti-theft device of claim 1 further wherein the force of rotation is

enough to cause a reasonable person to be unable to firmly grasp the

steering wheel.

9. An automobile anti-theft device comprising:

a. A steering wheel;

b. A steering column connected to the steering wheel;

c. A taser component inside the steering wheel; and

d. A circuit component inside the steering column.

10. An anti-theft device in claim 9 further wherein the steering wheel rotates

along the steering column.

11. An anti-theft device in claim 9 further wherein the steering column is non-

flexible and rigid.

12. The circuit component of claim 9 further comprising

a. A key switch; and

b. a rotation solenoid

13. The circuit component of claim 12 further comprising

a. a power source for the circuit and

b. a limiting device for the circuit

14. The taser component of claim 9 wherein the electrical shock is similar in

power to that of a standard police issue taser.

15. An automobile anti-theft device comprising

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a. A steering wheel; wherein the steering wheel rotates along the

steering column;

b. A steering column connected to the steering wheel; wherein the

steering column is non-flexible and rigid;

c. A taser component inside the steering wheel;

d. A magnetic disk surrounding the steering column; wherein the

rotating component is located near the base of the steering column;

e. At least three magnets on top of the magnetic disk;

f. A switch on top of each magnet;

g. A plastic shell surrounding the magnetic component;

h. A circuit component;

i. A power source for the circuit component;

j. A limiting device for the circuit component

k. A key switch; further wherein the key switch controls a taser

solenoid that sends an electrical shock through the taser

component; and

l. A key switch; further wherein the key switch controls a rotation

solenoid that rotates the magnetic disk with enough force to cause

a reasonable person to be unable to firmly grasp the steering

wheel.

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 ABSTRACT

A steering wheel anti-theft system for an automobile having an ignition key

switch assembly and a steering wheel wherein a taser is built into the steering

wheel, and a rotating magnetic component is built onto the steering column. The

ignition key assembly detects whether or not a key is in place and prompts an

electrical component. The electrical component comprises two solenoids that

both control separate functions of the device, one of which activating the taser

within the steering wheel, and the other activating a rotating magnetic

component. This magnetic component contains switches to engage and

disengage magnets that excite a magnetic disk within the magnetic component

that causes the steering column and steering wheel to rotate uncontrollably and

unpredictably.

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DRAWINGS

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