GB2269348A

GB2269348A - Anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2269348A
Application number: GB9216642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Colin Mcmorran; Colin Robison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-08-05
Filing date: 1992-08-05
Publication date: 1994-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2012-08-05
Also published as: GB9216642D0; GB2269348B

Abstract

An anti-theft device for all-terrain vehicles comprises: a base member (14) for securing to a floor (12) using fasteners (16); side members (18, 20) for fixing to the base member (14) and including guard portions (34, 36); and a cross member (26) lockable to the side members (18, 20) and for extending between parts of a vehicle. The side members (18, 20) have a locking configuration in which the members extend upwardly from the base member (14) to receive end portions of the cross member (26) and in which position the guard portions (34, 36) restrict access to the fasteners (16). <IMAGE>

Description

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE This invention relates to anti-theft device and in particular to a device for use in securing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

In recent years, ATVs, also known as three or four wheeled motor bikes, have become increasingly popular and are now widely used by farmers, gamekeepers, forestry workers and for recreational purposes. Theft of such vehicles is a major problem and most conventional anti-theft devices have proved ineffective against the determined thief and conventional wheel clamps and the like are overcome by simply lifting the clamped vehicle into a waiting truck.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a more effective anti-theft device which will obviate or mitigate the problems associated with conventional wheel clamps and the like.

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-theft device for all-terrain vehicles comprising: a base member for securing to a floor using fastening means; side members for fixing to the base member and including guard portions; and a cross member lockable to the side members and for extending between parts of a vehicle, the side members having a locking configuration in which the side members extend upwardly from the base member to receive end portions of the cross member and in which position the guard portions restrict access to the fastening means.

In use, the device permits an ATV to be secured in a garage by fixing the vehicle to the concrete floor of the garage. The various members are preferably formed of metal plate which cannot be easily cut and the guard portions of the side member prevent the removal of the floor fastening means, typically bolts extending through the base member and into the floor.

It is preferred that the side members are hingedly mounted to the base member and may be pivoted from the locking configuration to lie flat on the surrounding floor, such that, for example, larger vehicles may be parked over the device. In normal use, it is expected that the majority of ATVs will be driven over the device until the base member lies behind the front wheels. The side members will then be pivoted into the locking configuration and the cross member passed between the side members and between the vehicle frame and engine and then locked in place.

Preferably, the side members each define an aperture to receive the cross member which is preferably in the form of a bar. One end of the cross member may be bent at right angles to prevent the end of the member being pulled through the aperture in the corresponding side member.

The other end of the cross member may be provided with a bore to receive the shank of a padlock. Most preferably, a number of apertures are provided at different heights on each side member to accommodate different vehicle types.

This aspect of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of anti-theft device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is an end elevation of the device of Figure 1 illustrating two possible configurations of the device.

The drawings illustrate an anti-theft device 10 for use in securing an ATV to the concrete floor 12 of a garage, storage shed or the like. The device 10 comprises a base plate 14 which is secured to the floor 12 using four bolts 16 which extend through apertures at the end of the plate 14. Two side plates 18, 20 are pivotally attached to the opposite ends of the base plate 14 and are moveable between a locking configuration, as shown in Figure 1 and as shown in chain-dotted outline in Figure 2, and an out-of-use configuration, as shown in solid outline in Figure 2, in which the side plates 18, 20 lie flat on the floor 12. Various apertures 22, 24 are provided in the side plates 18, 20 for receiving the end of a cross bar 26.In this example, one end 28A of the cross bar is bent at a right angle and the other end 28B is provided with a bore 30 to receive the shank of a padlock 32 to allow the cross bar 26 to be lockably fixed between the side plates 18, 20.

Guard portions in the form of flanges 34, 36 are provided at the lower ends of the side plates 18, 20 and extend perpendicularly from the plates such that when the plates 18, 20 are in the locking configuration the flanges 34, 36 extend over and cover the heads of the bolts 16.

In use, the side plates 18, 20 are normally left in the flat, out-of-use position such that the garage or shed is substantially unobstructed and thus may be used as normal and vehicles parked over the device. To lock a vehicle using the device 10 the vehicle is driven over the device 10 such that the base plate 14 lies behind the front wheels of the vehicle. The side plates 18, 20 are then brought into the upright, locking configuration and the cross bar 26 is then passed through the apertures 22 and also between the frame and engine of the vehicle. The shank of a padlock 32, preferably of the closed shackle type, is then passed through the bore 30. The vehicle is now secured to the floor 12 and unauthorised removal of the vehicle would require cutting of one of the substantial parts of the device or cutting a part of the vehicle, which should be sufficient to deter the great majority of thieves.

In the drawings the cross bar 26 is shown located in the uppermost apertures 22 in the side plates 18, 20. A number of further apertures 24 are also provided to allow the cross bar 26 to be located in different positions to suit different vehicle configurations.

It will be clear to those of skill in the art that the above described embodiment is merely exemplary of one example of the present invention and that various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An anti-theft device for all-terrain vehicles comprising: a base member for securing to a floor using fastening means; side members for fixing to the base member and including guard portions; and a cross member lockable to the side members and for extending between parts of a vehicle, the side members having a locking configuration in which the side members extend upwardly from the base member to receive end portion of the cross member and in which position the guard portions restrict access to the fastening means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the members are formed of metal plate.

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the floor fastening means is in the form of bolts extending through the base member for fixing in a concrete floor.

4. The device of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the side members are hingedly mounted to the base member and may be pivoted from the locking configuration to lie flat on the surrounding floor.

5. The device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the side members each define an aperture to receive the cross member.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein one end of the cross member is angled to prevent the end of the member being pulled through the aperture in the corresponding side member.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the other end of the cross member is provided with a bore to receive the shank of a padlock.

8. The device of claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein a number of apertures are provided at different heights on each side member to accommodate different vehicle types.

9. A method of securing an all-terrain vehicle against theft comprising: providing an anti-theft device having a base member, side members for fixing to the base member and including guard portions, and a cross member; securing the base member to a floor using fastening means; parking a vehicle above the base member; positioning the side members such that the side members extend upwardly from the base member and restrict access to the fastening means; locating the cross member such that it extends through parts of the vehicle; and locking end portions of the cross member to the side members.

10. An anti-theft device for all-terrain vehicles substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.