Spotlight on Security
Page 71
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cEVERAL new vehicle security devices were shown at a demonstration in Dudley, organized by the Road Haulage Association, West Midland area, last week. Over 10 different types of system were displayed, and the demonstration was attended by the chief constable of Dudley, Mr. C. W. Johnson.
Addressing the visitors, the area chairman of the R.H.A., Mr. G. W. Mousley, said that security was an attitude of mind that should be fostered in operators, drivers and customers. Thefts in London, the centre of criminal activity, had been reduced by the use of security systems and it was probable that criminals would be paying more attention to the Birmingham area in the years to come.
Guarded Depots
Following Mr. Mousley, Mr. Johnson referred to "careless talk " of drivers in cafés and so on as a serious contributory cause of vehicle thefts. Consideration should be given to the ultimate establishment of depots along the main trunking routes for night parking, which would be guarded by able-bodied men and trained dogs.
The advantage of providing a vehicle-immobilization system that did not entail "extra thoughtfulness" on the part of the driver was emphasized by some of the makers. Applicable to petrol-engined vehicles, new ignition cut-out devices of this type were demonstrated by Hartwood Alarms, Ltd., Golders Green Road, London, N.W.11, and by F. E. Powell and Co., Overstone, Northampton, both of which afford increased security without complicating the driver's responsibilities.
The Hartwood system comprises a separate switch unit, which is used in conjunction with armoured wiring and a completely encased coil, whilst the Powell company offer a special coil with an integral switch for mounting under the dashboard. Individual keys are supplied with each system, and it is impossible to connect the coil with the battery by means of an external lead.
A small micro-switch concealed behind the instrument panel is an essential component of a new ignition lock demonstrated by The Auto Call Co., Ltd., Security House, 40 Parker Street, Kingsway, London, W.C.2. Finger pressure must be applied to the microswitch at the moment the driver turns the key of the main switch, otherwise the ignition is inoperative and the horn blows. A separate system is available, controlled by a master switch which is connected to micro-switches in the doors, the boot and bonnet.
A novel form of time switch Which is preset by the• operator's security officer (and locked with a special key) before the vehicle leaves the depot is a special feature of a system that was shoWn. by Mr. M. J. Watson, 3 Kingston Road, Bath. The switch is incorporated in an alarm circuit Connected to micro-switches in the doors and windows, and can be adjusted to sensitize the system for predetermined periods during the time taken for the vehicle to reach its destination, where a second security officer unlocks the switch. Other features include a pendulum-operated switch that closes the horn circuit if the vehicle is moved by towing.
Actuated by a sensitive pendulum system, the Selmar vehicle alarm, shown by Stellar Components, Ltd., 364 Uxbridge Road, London, W.12, closes the horn circuit for a predetermined time interval if pressure is applied to any part or the body and can be used to cut out the ignition system of " a petrol engine. The device can be mounted in any convenient position in the vehicle, and the pendulum mechanism can be adjusted to give any degree of sensitivity required. The system is controlled by a concealed external switch.
The Deelarm handbrake-operated system was demonstrated by G. H. Wood and Co.. Ltd., Glebe Road, London, E.8. Applicable to dieselengined vehicles, the Declaim sounds the horn if the brake is released with the fuel-control plunger in the off position. The plunger is automatically
locked in this position and can only be released with a key.
Particular interest was shown by the police and other visitors in the AutoSafe brake-locking system, demonstrated by Mr. I.. Johnson, 4 Tiddington Road, Stratford-on-Avon. It is notable that the device can be employed to apply the hydraulic footbrakes of the vehicle indefinitely, without assistance from the driver, and this can be particularly advantageous if a transmission handbrake is made inoperative by the failure of an axle shaft.
News was available at the demonstration of the B.M.S. immobilizer for diesel engines, produced by The Lunken Co., Ltd., 299 Gander Green Lane, Cheam, Surrey. This comprises a. switch in the starter-solenoid circuit which is fitted with a special detachable cap. Unless the correct cap is fitted the engine is immobilized.
In the case of the Cartec system, produced by Alverstone Products, Ltd., 104 Great Russell Street, London, W.C.1, twin coding dials are used to control the ignition or electrical circuit and give a combined total of 144 different positions.