GB2184276A

GB2184276A - Vehicle chock anti-theft warning device

Info

Publication number: GB2184276A
Application number: GB8530193A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Laurence Albert Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-12-06
Filing date: 1985-12-06
Publication date: 1987-06-17
Also published as: GB8530193D0

Abstract

The device includes a chock or wedge shaped, watertight hollow block 1, containing an integral electrical alarm mechanism activated, (if ON/OFF master switch 2 is switched on) by the release of pressure pads (5) from the vehicle's wheel. Forward protruding arms and cover plate 6,8 with adjustable lugs 7, locking bar 4 and padlock 3 secure the alarm to the vehicle wheel and at the same time cover the ON/OFF alarm master switch. An optional pressure pad may be positioned at the highest part of the wedge giving warning if the vehicle wheel is driven up the wedge with the alarm set in its activated state against the wheel. Tampering with the alarm when it is set against the wheel may result in the alarm sounding should the pressure pads 5 leave contact with the wheel surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Chock alarm This invention relatesto a CHOCK ALARM for fitti ng as an anti-theft device to wheeled vehicles.

Vehicle alarms and anti-theft devices are available in many forms -fitting to electrical systems steering columns - ignition circuits and motion response cir cuits. Mostly they require expert fitting or at least a background knowledge of electrical circuitry and practical experience to fit them. Once fitted to a vehicle, in many cases, the alarm system cannot be readily transferred to another vehicle without rewiring and re-arranging the components of the device. Except in certain cases, most devices on the market are hidden when fitted but with conspicuous labelling on the vehicle windows warning of the antitheft device.

The CHOCK ALARM can be fitted to most vehicle wheels without complicated adjustment, without any wiring to the vehicle and be conspicuous en oughitselfwhen positionedtobeadeterentagainst theft of the vehicle. The CHOCK ALARM can betrans- ferred from one vehicle to another in seconds giving it a unique advantage over other electrical alarms.

According to the present invention the CHOCK ALARM is a portable, watertight concave and wedge shaped hollow block designed to bewedged beneath the tyre of a wheeled vehicle. The chock's concave surface in contact with the wheel is fitted with two or more pressure pads, electrically connected to an alarm device of conventional design fitted within the hollow of the CHOCK accessiblefrom a base cover plate. The underside of the CHOCK is also fitted with a pressure pad connected electrically direct two the alarm. The pressure pads are so pre-wired that should less than two ofthe pads be in contact with the wheel and the alarm ON/OFF master switch is in an acti-vated situation, the alarm will be set off.Pads on the concave surface are wired in series and the underneath pad is wired seperately to the alarm mechanism but in each case via the ON/OFF switch.

The CHOCK ALARM has an ON/OFF master switch at its rear end for permanent shut off ofthe alarm mechanism when not in use, being switched on when positioned for anti-theft operation againstthe vehicle wheel. The aforementioned switch is covered by a plate locked into place after activating the alarm in situ.

Two forward protruding arms are attached to the sides ofthe CHOCK ALARM with inwards projecting adjustable lugs at the extreme ends away from the CHOCKfor locating into the vehicle wheel contours or extended forwardsto thefar side of the wheel and secured by the adjustable lugs pulling against the wheel. One arm is permanently fixed to the side of the CHOCK and the opposite arm is removable from the CHOCK and has a plate attached to the furthest end from the projecting lugs. The plate slides over the end of the CHOCKthus covering the activating switch to prevent it being turned OFFwhen the CHOCK is set in the anti-theft situation.The adjustable lugs aforementioned may be in the form of adjustable arms both sideways, backwards and forwards.

Asliding barpassesthroughtheCHOCKfromone side to the other through the CHOCKfrom one side to the otherthrough corresponding across its hollow section. The bar also passes through a hole in the forward protruding arm,with the plate attached.

Afterthe CHOCK is actuated and the forward protruding arm pushed overthe aforementioned bar, exposed holes in the barallowfora padlock to bethreaded through, locking the CHOCK ALARM against the wheel. Any interference with the CHOCK may now cause the alarm to go off.

An additional pressure pad may be fitted atthe highest edge of the wedge activating the alarm when pushed in, this is to warn oftheft ifthe wheel is driven up the CHOCK without the driver being aware ofthe device being fitted. A handle or knob is affixed to the back of the ON/OFF switch cover plate for ease of handling. A specific embodiment ofthe invention will now be described by way of example with refer- enceto the accompanying drawing inwhich: Figure 1 illustrates the CHOCK ALARM.

Figure2 illustrates the CHOCK ALARM with theremoval arm and switch cover plate removed from the CHOCK in readiness for positioning the device againstthevehiclewheel. The ON/OFF master switch is shown at the end of the CHOCK exposed ready for switching and activating the alarm mechanism.

Figure 3 il lustrates the CHOCK ALARM against a wheel depressing the pressure pads on the undersides and wedge face. Also shown is the optional pressure pad setting alarm off ifthe wheel is driven against it.

Referring to the drawing the CHOCK ALARM comprises an alarm mechanism (1 ) battery or otherwise operated, internally pre-wired to the pressure plates (5) and ON/OFF master switch (2). Forward protruding arms (6) with adjustable lugs (7) alterable in position to suit varying wheel formations and shapes (these lugs may change in deisgn to suit different wheel trim patterns). A padlock (3) locates into holes on the sliding bar (4) lockingtheCHOCKtotheveh- iclewheel. The bar (4) is blanked at the one end to prevent it pulling through the CHOCK holes after locking into position.

Figure 2 illustrating the CHOCK before fitting to the vehiclewheel (1 ) with forward protruding arm (6) shown away from the CHOCK in readiness forthe CHOCKto be positioned againstthewheel (11). The CHOCK is pushed againstthewheel (11) locating the fixed forward protruding arm (6) and adjustable lug (7) intothewheel (11) contours. The lug (7) is adjust able by inserting a socket spanner intothetubular end, the lug (7) and loosening the securing nut and bolt (14) allowing forthe lug (7)to be moved back- wards and forwards along the forward protruding arm slot (6) until it fits tightly against the inside of the wheel (11) contours holding the CHOCK in position.

The lugs (7) are not accessible for adjustment with the CHOCK in situ for security reasons.

With the CHOCK pushed firmly against the wheel (11) the pressure pads (5) beneath the CHOCK and on the wheel surface are depressed, breaking the circuit tothe alarm. Atthis pointthe ON/OFF masterswitch (2) is switched on activating the alarm if the pressure pads (5) are allowedto be moved awayfromthe wheel (11), Holding one hand firmly on thetop flat section of the CHOCK (13)to avoid accidently moving the CHOCK away from the wheel (1 1 ) the forward protruding arm (6) with the plate (8) attached is slid into position with the plate covering the ON/OFF switch (2) and lug (7) adjusted as described in the aforementioned paragraph. Bar (4) is pulled tightlythrough the holes in the CHOCK and the padlock (3) 'U' bolt shank slotted through the appropriate hole in the bar (4) nearestto the forward protruding arm (6) side.

The CHOCK is now set as an antitheft device.

Figure 3 illustrating the CHOCK ALARM activated and set against the wheel (2). Any interference with the CHOCK may now set the alarm off giving warning ofthe possible theft of the vehicle.

To remove the CHOCK ALARM the steps described above are carried out in reverse sequence.

Claims

1. A CHOCK ALARM, vehicle anti-theft device, comprising a portable concave orwedge shaped hollow watertight block with an integral, battery or otherwise, alarm mechanism, electrically connected to external pressure pads, a push through barand locking device, forward protruding arms with adjustable lugs, ON/OFF master switching of alarm circuit and a cover plated for locking overthe ON/OFF master switch.

2. A CHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure pads on the concave section of the CHOCK are wired in series so that only one pad need be depressed to de-activatethe alarm circuit when the master switch is on.

3. ACHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the pressure pad beneath the CHOCK is wired independantly to the alarm mechanism, via the ON/OFF master switch, causing the alarm to be activated on depressing or de-activated on releasing irrespective of the position of the pressure pads on the concave section.

4. ACHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein an addition pressure pad may be fitted near to the top edge of the concaves, wired to activate the alarm on depressing giving warning ofthe possible theft of the vehicle when the wheel is driven upthewedge.

5. ACHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adjustable lugs can only be slackened off and adjusted via a nut sited inside the tubular section of the lugs and are not accessible with the CHOCK against the wheel.

6. ACHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adjustable lugs may be in the form of adjustable sliding arms backwards or forwards being secured into position by screws or bolts ac cesse bile only with the CHOCK ALARM away from the vehicle wheel preventing interferance with the adjusters when in situ againstthe wheel.

7. A CHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 wherein the forward protruding arms may extend to the opposite side of the wheel to be secured by adjustable legs pulling againstthewheel.

8. ACHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 wherein the locking bar has holes spaced along its length to give width adjustment of the forward prot ruding arms when fitted to the wheel still giving adequate plate cover over the ON/OFF master switch when fully adjusted to its maximum width.

9. ACHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 wherein the CHOCK is consrtuctedfrom a solid substantial and strong material to withstand theweight of a heavy vehicle.

10. ACHOCKALARM as claimed in claim 1 wherein the CHOCK can also be used to CHOCKa vehicle wheel checking the motion of the vehicle.

11. A CHOCK ALARM substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the accompanying drawings.