GB2165507A

GB2165507A - A security device

Info

Publication number: GB2165507A
Application number: GB08425624A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Jeffrey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-10-10
Filing date: 1984-10-10
Publication date: 1986-04-16
Also published as: GB2165507B; GB8425624D0

Abstract

A security device for securing articulated trailers (10) against theft comprises a collar (28) which can be locked around the fifth wheel coupling pin (12) of the trailer. The device can be locked using a padlock which is not an integral part of the device, and which is shielded by parts of the collar to prevent the padlock being tampered with. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security device This invention relates to a security device for securing articulated trailers against theft.

In many areas, particularly in docks, loaded and unloaded trailers are parked awaiting a tractor unit and driver to take them to their destination. The tractor unit and trailer are coupled by means of a "fifth wheel" coupling which is of a standardised nature and permits any tractor unit to couple up to any trailer and then tow it away. Unless some form of security is applied to the trailers, it is only too easy for an unthorised driver to couple to a loaded trailer and drive it away.

Security measures which have been used include keeping trailers in an enclosed parking area, and the use of wheel clamps on the trailer wheels. The first of these requires a considerable outlay in fencing and in security partrols of the fenced area. The second requires relatively complicated apparatus which is costly and time consuming to apply and remove.

According to the present invention there is provided a security device for trailers with a fifth wheel coupling, the device comprising an openable collar adapted to fit around the coupling pin of the trailer, and means for locking the collar in a closed position where it surrounds the pin and prevents access thereto by the fifth wheel coupling of a tractor unit.

The collar is preferably made in two mutually hinged halves, which can be hinged open to allow the collar to be placed around the coupling pin. The means for locking the collar preferably includes lugs with through holes which register with each other when the collar is closed to allow a padlock to be inserted through the holes to lock the collar.

The collar preferably includes an upstanding skirt which will surround the enlarged diameter boss above the coupling pin itself, and fit up against the underside of the trailer to prevent a crowbar or other lever being used in an attempt to prise offthe device from the coupling pin.

The lugs which accept a padlock are preferably shielded so that, when a padlock is in place, there is no access to the hasp of the padlock so that bolt cutters cannot be used.

The device may be made from cast metal, for example a spheroidal graphite cast iron which will not shatter if it is subjected to heavy blows. The device can be made in two pieces joined by a hinge pin. The design should be such that, when the device is in place on a coupling pin, the hinge pin is concealed.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a compact device which can be easily carried by a driver in his cab, ready for use, and which is very simple to use to secure a trailer whilst providing very effective security against unauthorised removal of the trailer to which it is applied.

If the outer circumference of the device is generally circular, it will not damage the fifth wheel coupling of a tractor unit if an attempt is made to couple up without first removing the device. It is also advantageous if the device can turn freely on the coupling pin, again to prevent damage when attempting to couple up without first removing the device.

The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa view from underneath of a trailer showing the coupling pin; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the invention, in an open condition; Figure 3 is a plan view of the device in the closed position; Figure 4 is a section through the device of Figure 3, on the line Ill-Ill; Figure 5 is a plan view of one half of the device; and Figures 6 and 7 show two alternative hinge arrangements between the two halves of the device.

In Figure 1,the underside of a trailer is indicated at 10. A conventional fifth wheel coupling pin 12 is secured to the trailer, normally by welding. The pin has a centre coupling portion 14, a lower enlargement 16 and an upper boss 18. In use the fifth wheel coupling on a tractor engages around the coupling portion 14 and is prevented from moving axially off the pin by the lower enlargement 16 and the upper boss 18.

The security device has two hinged halves 20 and 22 joined by a hinge pin 24. There is a central passage 26 which fits around the pin with a collar 28 surrounding the pin coupling portion 14 and an upstanding skirt 30 surrounding the upper boss 18.

The device also has a pair of lugs 32, each with a hole 34. The lugs are shielded by wings 36. In the closed position, the holes 34 line up with each other and allow a padlock to be inserted through them to lock the device closed. The position taken up by a padlock 38 is shown in Figure 3, and it will be seen that the wings 36 conceal the hasp of the padlock, leaving just the lock body exposed. This prevents the use of bolt cutters or similar to cut through the hasp of the lock.

Coupling pins 12 used for fifth wheel couplings are of standard dimensions. The dimensions of the device will be such that the collar 28 fits snugly around the coupling portion 14 of the pin and allows the device to turn around the axis of the pin, without being loose. The skirt 30 will extend up to the underside of the trailer 10 and should not allow enough space for a lever to be inserted between the device and the trailer base. The hinge pin 24 is fitted into the two halves of the device from above, so that when the device is in position, the hinge pin is hidden.

The two alternative hinge configurations shown in Figures 6 and 7 are self-explanatory.

1. A security device for a trailer with a fifth wheel coupling, the device comprising an openable collar adapted to fit around the coupling pin of the trailer, and means for locking the collar in a closed position where it surrounds the pin and prevents access to the pin by the fifth wheel coupling of a tractor unit.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Security device This invention relates to a security device for securing articulated trailers against theft. In many areas, particularly in docks, loaded and unloaded trailers are parked awaiting a tractor unit and driver to take them to their destination. The tractor unit and trailer are coupled by means of a "fifth wheel" coupling which is of a standardised nature and permits any tractor unit to couple up to any trailer and then tow it away. Unless some form of security is applied to the trailers, it is only too easy for an unthorised driver to couple to a loaded trailer and drive it away. Security measures which have been used include keeping trailers in an enclosed parking area, and the use of wheel clamps on the trailer wheels. The first of these requires a considerable outlay in fencing and in security partrols of the fenced area. The second requires relatively complicated apparatus which is costly and time consuming to apply and remove. According to the present invention there is provided a security device for trailers with a fifth wheel coupling, the device comprising an openable collar adapted to fit around the coupling pin of the trailer, and means for locking the collar in a closed position where it surrounds the pin and prevents access thereto by the fifth wheel coupling of a tractor unit. The collar is preferably made in two mutually hinged halves, which can be hinged open to allow the collar to be placed around the coupling pin. The means for locking the collar preferably includes lugs with through holes which register with each other when the collar is closed to allow a padlock to be inserted through the holes to lock the collar. The collar preferably includes an upstanding skirt which will surround the enlarged diameter boss above the coupling pin itself, and fit up against the underside of the trailer to prevent a crowbar or other lever being used in an attempt to prise offthe device from the coupling pin. The lugs which accept a padlock are preferably shielded so that, when a padlock is in place, there is no access to the hasp of the padlock so that bolt cutters cannot be used. The device may be made from cast metal, for example a spheroidal graphite cast iron which will not shatter if it is subjected to heavy blows. The device can be made in two pieces joined by a hinge pin. The design should be such that, when the device is in place on a coupling pin, the hinge pin is concealed. It will thus be seen that the invention provides a compact device which can be easily carried by a driver in his cab, ready for use, and which is very simple to use to secure a trailer whilst providing very effective security against unauthorised removal of the trailer to which it is applied. If the outer circumference of the device is generally circular, it will not damage the fifth wheel coupling of a tractor unit if an attempt is made to couple up without first removing the device. It is also advantageous if the device can turn freely on the coupling pin, again to prevent damage when attempting to couple up without first removing the device. The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa view from underneath of a trailer showing the coupling pin; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the invention, in an open condition; Figure 3 is a plan view of the device in the closed position; Figure 4 is a section through the device of Figure 3, on the line Ill-Ill; Figure 5 is a plan view of one half of the device; and Figures 6 and 7 show two alternative hinge arrangements between the two halves of the device. In Figure 1,the underside of a trailer is indicated at 10. A conventional fifth wheel coupling pin 12 is secured to the trailer, normally by welding. The pin has a centre coupling portion 14, a lower enlargement 16 and an upper boss 18. In use the fifth wheel coupling on a tractor engages around the coupling portion 14 and is prevented from moving axially off the pin by the lower enlargement 16 and the upper boss 18. The security device has two hinged halves 20 and 22 joined by a hinge pin 24. There is a central passage 26 which fits around the pin with a collar 28 surrounding the pin coupling portion 14 and an upstanding skirt 30 surrounding the upper boss 18. The device also has a pair of lugs 32, each with a hole 34. The lugs are shielded by wings 36. In the closed position, the holes 34 line up with each other and allow a padlock to be inserted through them to lock the device closed. The position taken up by a padlock 38 is shown in Figure 3, and it will be seen that the wings 36 conceal the hasp of the padlock, leaving just the lock body exposed. This prevents the use of bolt cutters or similar to cut through the hasp of the lock. Coupling pins 12 used for fifth wheel couplings are of standard dimensions. The dimensions of the device will be such that the collar 28 fits snugly around the coupling portion 14 of the pin and allows the device to turn around the axis of the pin, without being loose. The skirt 30 will extend up to the underside of the trailer 10 and should not allow enough space for a lever to be inserted between the device and the trailer base. The hinge pin 24 is fitted into the two halves of the device from above, so that when the device is in position, the hinge pin is hidden. The two alternative hinge configurations shown in Figures 6 and 7 are self-explanatory. CLAIMS

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the collar is made in two mutually hinged halves, which can be hinged open to allow the collar to be placed around the coupling pin.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for locking the collar includes lugs with through holes which register with each other when the collar is closed to allow a padlock to be inserted through the holes to lock the collar.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the collar includes an upstanding skirt which, in use, will surround an enlarged diameter boss above the coupling pin itself, and will fit up against the underside of the trailer.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lugs which accept a padlock are shielded so that, when a padlock is in place, there is no access to the hasp of the padlock.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim and made from a spheroidal graphite cast iron.

7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which is made in two pieces joined by a hinge pin.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein, when the device is in place on a coupling pin, the hinge pin is concealed.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer circumference of the device is smoothly curved.

10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device, when fitted on a coupling pin, can turn freely on the pin.

11. A security device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.