GB2238030A

GB2238030A - Security device

Info

Publication number: GB2238030A
Application number: GB8922741A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William John Gunn
Original assignee: MCNICHOLAS CONSTRUCTION COMPAN
Current assignee: MCNICHOLAS CONSTRUCTION COMPAN
Priority date: 1989-10-10
Filing date: 1989-10-10
Publication date: 1991-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-10
Also published as: GB2238030B; GB8922741D0

Abstract

A security device for rendering unusable the towing eye of a vehicle or trailer comprises a cover (5) positionable to prevent access to the bolts or screws (3) by means of which the towing eye (1) is secured to the vehicle or trailer, a pin (6) secured to the cover for extending through the towing eye, and a lock (9) securable to the end of the pin remote from the cover to prevent removal of the pin from the towing eye and displacement of the cover from its operative position. Preferably a security chain (11) is secured to the cover to enable the device to be secured to a fixed structure. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY DEVICE This invention relates to a security device, and more particularly to a security device for rendering unusable towing eye of a vehicle or trailer.

Many items of civil engineering plant, for example compressors are provided with a towing eye which is used for the purpose of towing the piece of plant in question behind a prime mover. The theft of such items of plant is a serious problem. In the vast majority of thefts the equipment in question is towed away utilising the towing eye.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a security device for rendering unusable the towing eye of a vehicle or trailer, the security device comprises: a cover positionable to prevent access to the bolts or screws by means of which the towing eye is secured to the vehicle or trailer; a pin secured to the cover for extending through the towing eye; and a lock securable to the end of the pin remote from the cover to prevent removal of the pin from the towing eye and displacement of the cover from its operative position.

Whilst the invention is primarily intended to render unusable the towing eye of an item of civil engineering plant it will be appreciated that the invention may also be used to render unusable the towing eye of any other towable structure furnished with such an eye or indeed a towing eye secured to a prime mover if the prime mover is provided with such a towing eye. The term "the towing eye of a vehicle or trailer" could be construed broadly enough to cover all such items.

Preferably, the security device incorporates a flexible security wire or chain which may be used to secure the security device, and with it any vehicle or trailer to on which it is mounted, to a fixed structure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a security chain is permanently secured to the cover and is provided, at the end remote from the cover, with an eye member which may be passed over the pin prior to securing the lock to the end of the pin. Accordingly, the cover may be positioned in its operative position with the pin extending through the towing eye, the chain passed around a suitable fixture, the eye threaded over the pin, ad the lock secured to the pin whereby not only is the towing eye rendered unusable, but the vehicle or trailer is secured to the fixture.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein the single Figure illustrates in perspective a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing there are illustrated two different types of towing eye 1,2 commonly used on civil engineering plant. Both types of towing eye are conventionally secured to the remainder of the item of plant by means of bolts or screws 3. If the towing eyes are rendered unusable but the bolt or screws 3 remain accessible a thief may simply remove the bolts or screws 3 to detach the towing eye from the item of equipment, and substitute a new towing eye for that removed thereby allowing the item of equipment to be towed away.

Accordingly, the security device 4 comprises a cover 5 which is of inverted U-shape in transverse cross section and is conveniently formed by a length of steel channel. A pin 6 is secured as by welding to the cover 5, the arrangement being such that when the pin 6 is inserted through the central aperture 7 of the towing eye 1,2 the cover 5 lies atop and prevents access to the bolts or screws 3. The end 8 of the pin 6 remote from the cover 5 is formed with flats on opposite faces thereof and a through hole so that a high security padlock 9 may be positioned with the end region 8 received between the flanks of the padlock and the padlock bar passing through the through hole provided in the pin.The provision of flats on the pin in association with the use of a padlock of the type illustrated in the drawing makes it extremely difficult to gain access to the bar of the padlock for the purpose of cutting through the bar.

A shackle 10 extends around the pin 6 and is preferable welded to the cover 5. The shackle 10 has attached thereto in a permanent manner a high security chain 11. The end of the chain 11 remote from the cover 5 is secured in a permanent manner to a shackle 12 which is itself secured as by welding to an eye member 13 having a through bore sized snugly to receive the pin 6.

In use, the padlock 9 and eye member 13 are removed from the pin 6 and the pin 6 is inserted through the aperture 7 of the towing eye in a manner which positions the cover 5 to prevent access to the bolts or screws 3. The chain 11 is then passed around a suitable fixture if desired and the eye member 13 threaded onto the pin 6. The padlock 9 is then secured to the pin 6. The lower (as viewed in the drawing) face of the shackle 10 and the upper (as viewed in the drawing) face of the eye member 1 3 snugly engage the upper and lower surfaces respectively of the towing eye to hinder access to the pin 6 for the purpose of cutting the pin.

The above described embodiment of the invention provides a security device which is capable of rendering unusable the towing eye of a vehicle or trailer, and yet which at the same time facilitates securing of the vehicle or trailer to a suitable fixture. The security device is a simple construction and can be made ruggedly to resist attempts to force it or cut it free.

Claims

1. A security device for rendering unusable the towing eye of a vehicle or trailer, the security device comprising: a cover positionable to prevent access to the bolts or screws by means of which the towing eye is secured to the vehicle or trailer; a pin secured to the cover for extending through the towing eye; and a lock securable to the end of the pin remote from the cover to prevent removal of the pin from the towing eye and displacement of the cover from its operative position.

2. A security device according to claim 1 comprising a flexible security wire or chain which may be used to secure the security device, and with it any vehicle or trailer to on which it is mounted, to a fixed structure.

3. A security device according to claim 2 wherein the security wire or chain is permanently secured to the cover and is provided, at the end remote from the cover, with an eye member which may be passed over the pin prior to securing the lock to the end of the pin.

4. A security device according to any preceding claim wherein the cover is of U-shaped transverse crosssection.

5. A security device according to claim 4 wherein the cover is formed by a length of steel channel.

6. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.