GB2120190A - A vehicle anti-theft device - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-theft device comprising a body having a pair of arms 11, 12 which are movably connected at one end and adapted at their opposite end to be releasably connectable to one another, the arms when connected defining an enclosed space. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An anti-theft device The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for spoked wheeled vehicles, in particular motor cycles.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device comprising a body having a pair of arms which are movably connected at one end and adopted at their opposite end to be releasably connectable to one another, the arms when connected defined an enclosed space.

Preferably the arms are formed from a strip material and are integrally joined together at said one end so that the body is basically V-shaped. The dimensions of the arms and the choice of strip material is preferably such as to be resistive to cutting by use of manually operable shears.

Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the present invention shown in situ.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a device according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 2.

Referring initially to Figures 2 and 3, the device 10 includes a pair of arms 11, 12 which are integrally connected at one end by a curved portion 13.

The terminal end of each arm 11, 12 is provided with a curved portion 1 la, 12a respectively and an outwardly directed flange 13, 15. The device is preferably formed from stainless steel strip (or other material having similar properties) and the arms 11, 12 are formed so that their terminal ends are spaced apart. When the terminal ends are moved into contact, as shown in Figure 2, so that flanges 14, 15 abut one another an enclosed space 18 is formed.

The flanges 14, 15 are provided with an aperture 20 to receive the bolt 21 of a pad lock 22 (Figure 1) for preventing opening of the arms 11, 12. Due to the resilient nature of stainless steel if the arms 11,12 are unrestrained their terminal ends will normally reside in a spaced apart condition.

In use, the device is mounted on a motor cycle so as to extend between the forks 30 of the cycle with the forks 30 and at least one of the spokes 32 of the wheel 33 being iocated within the enclosed space 18.

Preferably the length of arms 11, 12 and the dimensions of the curved portions 14, 1 la and 12a are designed so as to be a close fit on the forks 30.

The width and thickness of the arms is chosen so as to make it difficult to cut through the strip with manually operated shears, e.g. stainless steel of 14 gauge of a width of about 2 inches has been found acceptable. Due to the close fit of the device accessability to the body with shears is made difficult.

The flanges 14,15 may be reinforced, if desired, by securing, for example by spot welding, an additional layer 14a, 1 Sa of strip material to each terminal end.

CLAIMS (Filed on 11.5.83) 1. An anti-theft device comprising a body having a pair of arms which are movably connected at one end and adapted at their opposite end to be releasably connectable to one another, the arms when connected defining an enclosed space.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the arms are formed from a strip material and are integrally joined together at said one end.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein the strip material is resilient and the arms are connected so as-to define a body which is basically V-shaped.

4. A device according to Claim 3 wherein the arms are formed from stainless steel.

5. A device according to any preceding claim for use with a spoked wheel supported by a pair of forks, wherein the body is shaped so as to be capable of extending between and embracing the forks between said arms.

6. An anti-theft device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An anti-theft device The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for spoked wheeled vehicles, in particular motor cycles. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device comprising a body having a pair of arms which are movably connected at one end and adopted at their opposite end to be releasably connectable to one another, the arms when connected defined an enclosed space. Preferably the arms are formed from a strip material and are integrally joined together at said one end so that the body is basically V-shaped. The dimensions of the arms and the choice of strip material is preferably such as to be resistive to cutting by use of manually operable shears. Various aspects of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the present invention shown in situ. Figure 2 is a plan view of a device according to the present invention. Figure 3 is a side view of the device shown in Figure 2. Referring initially to Figures 2 and 3, the device 10 includes a pair of arms 11, 12 which are integrally connected at one end by a curved portion 13. The terminal end of each arm 11, 12 is provided with a curved portion 1 la, 12a respectively and an outwardly directed flange 13, 15. The device is preferably formed from stainless steel strip (or other material having similar properties) and the arms 11, 12 are formed so that their terminal ends are spaced apart. When the terminal ends are moved into contact, as shown in Figure 2, so that flanges 14, 15 abut one another an enclosed space 18 is formed. The flanges 14, 15 are provided with an aperture 20 to receive the bolt 21 of a pad lock 22 (Figure 1) for preventing opening of the arms 11, 12. Due to the resilient nature of stainless steel if the arms 11,12 are unrestrained their terminal ends will normally reside in a spaced apart condition. In use, the device is mounted on a motor cycle so as to extend between the forks 30 of the cycle with the forks 30 and at least one of the spokes 32 of the wheel 33 being iocated within the enclosed space 18. Preferably the length of arms 11, 12 and the dimensions of the curved portions 14, 1 la and 12a are designed so as to be a close fit on the forks 30. The width and thickness of the arms is chosen so as to make it difficult to cut through the strip with manually operated shears, e.g. stainless steel of 14 gauge of a width of about 2 inches has been found acceptable. Due to the close fit of the device accessability to the body with shears is made difficult. The flanges 14,15 may be reinforced, if desired, by securing, for example by spot welding, an additional layer 14a, 1 Sa of strip material to each terminal end. CLAIMS (Filed on 11.5.83)

1. An anti-theft device comprising a body having a pair of arms which are movably connected at one end and adapted at their opposite end to be releasably connectable to one another, the arms when connected defining an enclosed space.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the arms are formed from a strip material and are integrally joined together at said one end.

3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein the strip material is resilient and the arms are connected so as-to define a body which is basically V-shaped.

4. A device according to Claim 3 wherein the arms are formed from stainless steel.

5. A device according to any preceding claim for use with a spoked wheel supported by a pair of forks, wherein the body is shaped so as to be capable of extending between and embracing the forks between said arms.

6. An anti-theft device substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.