GB2170765A - Vehicle security device - Google Patents

Abstract

Security device for parked vehicles e.g. caravans in winter storage comprises a stand for each wheel whose upper part forms a box-like enclosure having a lockable door (20) at the front. A securing plate (16) locates within the box and is provided with apertures fitting onto the studs (10) of the wheel hub after the wheel has been removed, unauthorised access to the studs being prevented by the locked door. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle security device This invention relates to security devices for wheeled vehicles, particularly but not exclusively caravans, trailers or other road vehicles which may be left parked or stored unattended for substantial periods of time.

It is known to provide locking attachments for mounting on the hitches of caravans or like so that they cannot readily be coupled up to an unauthorised towing vehicle but the security afforded by these devices is limited in that they are fairly easy to wrench free or destroy, or the entire hitch with the device attached may be removed and a replacement substituted, or a lowloading trailer or the like might be employed for the bodily removal of the vehicle.

Afurther problem when vehicles are left unattended for long periods is the theft of their component parts, in particular road wheels and tyres.

The object of the present invention is to provide a security device which is simple and effective in use both in preventing or substantially discouraging attempts to remove the vehicle as a whole and which also avoids risk of theft of the road wheels therefrom.

According to the invention there is provided a security device for a vehicle having road or other ground engaging wheels which are dismountably located on respective hubs by means of threaded studs or other wheel securing means, said device comprising a ground engaging supporting stand, a hub engaging member of or operatively supported by the stand and provided with formations engagable with the hub in place of the associated wheel whereby said hub is supported with the wheel removed, and a securable enclosure of the stand provided with locking means for preventing unauthorised access to the hub engaging member after it has been secured to the hub.

Preferably the hub engaging member is a plate removably received in structure of the stand whereby a range of alternative plates may be provided adapted to fit a variety of types of hub, e.g. to suit various numbers, sizes and spacing of wheel studs, which can be interchangably located in a common pattern of supporting stand.

The securable enclosure may be a strong metal box having a door which is secured by a high quality lock. The box may be formed, at least in part, by structure of the stand.

One example of the invention is now more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a security device and associated wheel hub with the door of its securable enclosure removed for clarity, and Figure 2 is a vertical section of an upper portion of the device secured to the hub and with said door in place.

By way of illustration let it be assumed that a two-wheeled caravan, boat trailer or the like is to be parked and rendered secure e.g. for long term winter storage. The vehicle will be jacked up and the road wheels removed leaving the conventional hub 9 with its wheel securing studs 10, in this example four in number, exposed. A pair of security devices will be used, one for each hub, one of which will now be described in detail.

The device comprises a strong fabricated metal supporting stand 11 having a pair of steel angle uprights 12 welded to a flat metal ground engaging base plate 13. Spaced upper and lower cross members 14, 15 form, with the uprights, a rectangular box-like frame whose rear face defines a rectangular opening. Stand 11 is positioned with said rear face abutting the front of hub 9 so that studs 10 project through said opening.

The device further includes a hub engaging member in the form of a heavy gauge rectangular securing plate 16 which is a close fit within the box-like structure and which is provided with four holes 17 to receive the studs 10 and a central aperture 18 to clear the central projection of hub 9.

With the stand in position plate 16 is secured to the hub by using the wheel nuts on studs 10 thus clamping the rear face of the stand between the plate and the hub. When the stands have been mounted on each side of the trailer the jacks which were used while the wheels were removed can be retracted so that the weight of the vehicle is taken by the two stands.

Finally a strong sheet metal door 20 (Figure 2, also shown in perspective in Figure 2a) which fits closely onto the front of the box-like structure is secured in place, the loweredge being provided with lugs 21 which engage behind a flange 22 at the bottom of said opening and the upper edge of the door abutting an inner flange 23 of the opening. The upper part of the door is provided with a strong internally mounted 7 lever lock 24 whose bolt engages behind flange 23 when its key 25 is turned.

The key is removed, the keyhole being protected by an escutcheon plate 26.

The securable enclosure formed by the box structure and door 20 prevents any easy access to the nuts securing the stand to the hub, nor can the hub and stand be readily removed from the axle. This makes unauthorised removal of the trailer extremely difficult and will deter all but the most determined thieves even if provided with a lowloading trailer.

A further advantage is that the road wheels can be taken to a place of safety for storage, also that deterioration of the tyres due to weathering, supporting the weight of the vehicle in one position, and possibly their becoming underinflated while the vehicle is left unattended are avoided thus prolonging their useful life and contributing to their safety when the vehicle is on the road.

Even if a thief comes provided with equivalent wheels (possibly stolen from someone else's van not fitted with the devices of the invention) he will be prevented from fitting these readily onto the vehicle to assist its removal.

A caravan may cost 4,000 upwards and sites for winter storage are often difficult to come by and local bylaws or lack of space may prevent storage at or adjacent to the owner's house. The risks involved in laying the van up for the winter can be substantial- ly reduced by use of the invention at a cost which is small in comparison with the value of the property protected. It is possible that use of the devices may encourage insurers to offer more favourable terms.

It is intended that a standard pattern of stand 11 will be provided which will suit a wide variety of patterns of hub, variations in the number and spacing of the wheel studs 10 etc being accommodated by providing a range of interchangable securing plates 16, the appropriate plate being selected for use with the stand. If an owner changes caravans or trailers his existing security devices can be adapted by obtaining exchange plates suitable for the new hubs.

While this example of the invention has been described in relation to two-wheeled caravans or other light duty trailers such as boat trailers it is also contemplated that heavier versions of the device may be provided for improved security of other wheeled vehicles, for example self-propelled vans or lorries or articulated trailers, other heavy goods vehicles, contractors' machines and equipment and the like particularly where valuable vehicles andlor cargos have to be left unattended. A set of stands can readily be carried on the vehicle and, when they are to be used, the removed road wheels can either be stored in the vehicle itself where they will be more secure or can be removed to a place of safety, e.g. in or on the tractor of an articulated vehicle when the trailer is left parked.

While a key operated lever lock has been described it will be appreciated that other forms of locking means might be employed such as combination locks, electrically actuated locking devices or the like and that the stand and the securable enclosure thereof may take various forms and be constructed in various ways.

Claims (6)

1. A security device for a vehicle having road or other ground engaging wheels which are dismountably located on respective hubs by means of threaded studs or other wheel securing means, said device comprising a ground engaging supporting stand, a hub engaging member of or operatively supported by the stand and provided with formations engagable with the hub in place of the associated wheel whereby said hub is supported with the wheel removed, and a securable enclosure of the stand provided with locking means for preventing unauthorised access to the hub engaging member after it has been secured to the hub.

2. A device as in Claim 1 wherein the hub engaging member is a plate removably received in structure of the stand whereby a range of alternative plates can be interchangably located in a common pattern of supporting stand.

3. A device as in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the hub engaging member inciudes apertures locating on threaded studs of the wheel hub, said studs being contained in the securabie enclosure in use.

4. A device as in Claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the securabie enclosure is a strong metal box having a door which is secured by a lock.

5. A device as in Claim 4 wherein the box is formed, at least in part, by structure of the stand.

6. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.