GB2274631A

GB2274631A - Vehicle anti-theft device

Info

Publication number: GB2274631A
Application number: GB9301939A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard John Berry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-02-01
Filing date: 1993-02-01
Publication date: 1994-08-03
Also published as: GB9301939D0

Abstract

A device 10 for restraining a vehicle 11 (only partly shown) comprises a ball hitch 12, of the type used on trailers for towing, which is pivotally mounted on a support bracket 13 which itself is welded onto a steel box-section frame 14. The frame 14 comprises two upright members 14a, 14b which are welded onto a horizontal member 14c at spaced apart locations. At opposite ends of the horizontal member 14c are welded two further horizontal members 14d, 14e (shown in figure 2). The ball hitch 12 is pivotally moveable between a first position (shown in solid lines) in which it engages a towing ball 11a of the vehicle 11, and a second position (shown in broken lines) in which it does not engage the towing ball 11a, wheels 11b and 11c of the vehicle 11 are orientated such that when the towing ball 11a is positioned for engagement with the ball hitch 12, the wheels 11b and 11c are located on the horizontal frame members 14d and 14e respectively. <IMAGE>

Description

VEHICLE SECURITY DEVICE AND METHOD The present invention relates to a vehicle security device and to a method of securing a vehicle.

The crime of vehicle theft is an increasingly common occurrence. A category of vehicle which is particularly vulnerable to theft is that of agricultural vehicles and particularly the four-wheeled. "all terrain vehicles" (ATV). Since these vehicles commonly do not have a lockable cabin in which to sit when driving it is impossible to prevent access to the driving controls if the vehicle is kept outside. As a result, these vehicles are relatively easy for a thief to steal as the thief need only overcome the obstacle of how to start the engine without an ignition key.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provide restraining apparatus for restraining the movement of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising engagement means arranged, in use, to releasably engage a portion of a vehicle and a securing portion arranged in use to be secured to a fixed structure.

Preferably the securing portion is arranged in use to be secured to a supporting surface. The securing portion may be arranged in use to be secured to a ground surface.

In a preferred arrangement the engagement means is provided with locking means arranged in use to lock the engagement means to a portion of a vehicle.

Preferably the locking means comprises a lockable barrier portion moveable between a first unlocked position in which the engagement means may be released from engagement with a portion of a vehicle, and a second locked position in which the engagement means may not be so released.

The barrier portion may be arranged, in use, to restrict access to the engagement means when the barrier portion is in the second position.

Preferably the securing portion is arranged, in use, to be at least partially covered by a wheel of a vehicle.

The securing portion may be arranged to be secured to a ground surface by at least one securing member. The or each securing member may comprise a bolt.

Preferably at least one of the securing members is arranged in use to be substantially covered by a wheel of a vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally at least part of the securing portion may be arranged, in use, to be at least partly embedded in a supporting surface.

Preferably the engagement means is arranged in use to engage a towing member of a vehicle. The engagement means may be arranged to engage a towing ball of a vehicle.

In a preferred arrangement the engagement means comprises a concave portion arranged, in use, to cooperate with a towing ball of a vehicle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of restraining the movement of a vehicle, the method including releasably engaging a portion of the vehicle with engagement means, and securing the engagement means to a fixed structure with a securing portion.

Preferably the method includes fixing the securing portion to a supporting surface. The method may include fixing the securing portion to a ground surface.

In a preferred arrangement the invention includes locking the engagement means to a portion of the vehicle.

Preferably the method includes moving a lockable barrier portion from a first, unlocked position in which the engagement means may be released from engagement with the vehicle, to a second, locked position in which the engagement means may not be so released.

The method may include restricting access to the engagement means with the barrier portion when the barrier portion is in the second position.

Preferably the method includes at least partially covering the securing portion with a wheel of the vehicle in use.

In a preferred arrangement the method includes engaging a towing member of a vehicle with the engagement means to restrain movement of the vehicle. Preferably the method includes engaging a towing ball with the engagement means.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways but an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a rear view of a vehicle restraining device, according to an embodiment of the invention, and part of a vehicle, Figure 2 is a side view of the device of figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of figures 1 and 2 with a locking member removed for clarity, Figure 4 is a plan view similar to that of figure 3 with the locking member in place, and Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of vehicle restraining device.

Referring now to figure 1, this shows generally at 10 a vehicle restraining device for restraining a vehicle 11 (only partly shown). The restraining device comprises a ball.hitch 12, of the type used on trailers for towing, which is pivotally mounted on a support bracket 13 which itself is welded onto a steel box-section frame 14.

The frame 14 comprises two upright members 14a, 14b which are welded onto a horizontal member 14e at spaced apart locations. At opposite ends of the horizontal member 14c are welded two further horizontal members 14d, 14e (shown in figure 2).

The ball hitch 12 is pivotally moveable between a first position (shown in solid lines) in which it engages a towing ball 11a of the vehicle 11, and a second position (shown in broken lines) in which it does not engage the towing ball lla. Wheels 11b and lic of the vehicle 11 are orientated such that when the towing ball 11a is positioned for engagement with the ball hitch 12, the wheels 11b and 11c are located on the horizontal frame members 14d and 14e respectively.

Turning to figure 2, this shows the vehicle restraining device 10 and vehicle 11 in side view. Each of the two horizontal frame members 14d and 14e are, in use, securely bolted to the ground using bolts 15. A further horizontal frame member 14f spans the members 14d and 14e and is welded to each, so as to strengthen the frame 14.

Figure 2 also shows a locking plate 16 which was omitted from figure 1 for clarity. The locking plate 16 is pivotally mounted on the horizontal frame member 14c by hinges 17 and comprises a rectangular steel plate having a perpendicular smaller plate 18 welded thereto in an upper portion of the plate 16.The plate 16 is pivotally moveable between a locked position (shown in solid lines) in which the smaller plate 18 is located over the ball hitch 12, thereby preventing the ball hitch 12 from pivotally moving so as to release the towing ball lia of the vehicle 11, and a second position (shown in broken lines) in which the smaller plate 18 does not prevent the ball hitch 12 from moving so as to release the towing ball lla. The plate 16 is also provided with a projection 19 which acts as a guide for the towing ball 11a of the vehicle 11 so as to enable the ball lla to be correctly aligned beneath the ball hitch 12.

The plate 16 may be retained in the locked position using a lock 20 operated by a key (not shown) which lock 20 engages the upright frame member 14b and retains the plate 16 in the upright position.

Figure 3 shows in plan view the restraining device 10 with the ball hitch 12 engaging the towing ball 11a of the vehicle 11. The locking plate 16 has been omitted from this figure for clarity.

Figure 4 shows the plan view of figure 3 but includes the locking plate 16 in its upright locked position with the smaller perpendicular plate 18 located over the ball hitch 12.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of vehicle restraining device. The device of figure 5 is identical to that of figures 1 to 4 with the exception that, instead of the frame 14 having the two horizontal members 14d and 14e which are bolted to the ground, the frame 21 of figure 5 has two upright members 21a and 21b which are themselves concreted into the ground. A cross-member 21c attached to each of the members 21a and 21b is provided for stability.

Referring now to figures 1 to 4, the vehicle restraining device 10 is used to restrain the movement of a vehicle 11, and is particularly useful for restraining the movement of an open vehicle such as a tractor or an all terrain (ATV) on which there is no cabin and therefore no means of preventing access to the driving controls. In use, the towing ball 11a of the vehicle 11 is engaged by the ball hitch 12 and the locking plate 16 is then pivotally moved to its upright position and locked into place with lock 20. The smaller plate 18 then extends over the ball hitch 12 thereby preventing the ball hitch 12 from being pivotally moved from its position of engagement with the ball lla. The frame 14 is secured to the ground by the bolts 15 which, in use, are located beneath the wheels llb, 11c of the vehicles 11 and so cannot be tampered with.

The embodiment of figure 5 shows an alternative means of securing the frame 14 to the ground. The two frame members 21a, 21b are concreted into the ground so that the frame 14 cannot be moved.

The invention provides a means of releasably securing a vehicle. Whilst the above embodiments describe the engagement of a towing ball of the vehicle, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other portions of vehicle may be secured by apparatus similar to that described above and may be engaged by apparatus similar to that above without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Restraining apparatus for restraining the movement of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising engagement means arranged, in use, to releasably engage a portion of a vehicle and a securing portion arranged in use to be secured to a fixed structure.

2. Restraining apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the securing portion is arranged in use to be secured to a supporting surface.

3. Restraining apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the securing portion is arranged in use to be secured to a ground surface.

4. Restraining apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the engagement means is provided with locking means arranged in use to lock the engagement means to a portion of a vehicle.

5. Restraining apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the locking means comprises a lockable barrier portion moveable between a first unlocked position in which the engagement means may be released from engagement with a portion of a vehicle, and a second locked position in which the engagement means may not be so released.

6. Restraining apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the barrier portion is arranged, in use, to restrict access to the engagement means when the barrier portion is in the second position.

7. Restraining apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein a securing portion is arranged, in use, to be at least partially covered by a wheel of a vehicle.

8. Restraining apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the securing portion is arranged to be secured to a ground surface by at least one securing member.

9. Restraining apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the or each securing member comprises a bolt.

10. Restraining apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the securing members is arranged in use to be substantially covered by a wheel of a vehicle.

11. Restraining apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 10, wherein at least part of the securing portion is arranged, in use, to be at least partly embedded in a supporting surface.

12. Restraining apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the engagement means is arranged in use to engage a towing member of a vehicle.

13. Restraining apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the engagement means is arranged to engage a towing ball of a vehicle.

14. Restraining apparatus according to Claim 13, wherein the engagement means comprises a concave portion arranged, in use, to cooperate with a towing ball of a vehicle.

15. Restraining apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of restraining the movement of a vehicle, the method including releasably engaging a portion of the vehicle with engagement means, and securing the engagement means to a fixed structure with a securing portion.

17. A method according to Claim 16, wherein the method includes fixing the securing portion to a supporting surface.

18. A method according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein the method includes fixing the securing portion to a ground surface.

19. A method according to any Claims 16 to 18, wherein the method includes locking the engagement means to a portion of the vehicle.

20. A method according to any of Claims 16 to 19, wherein the method includes moving a lockable barrier portion from a first, unlocked position in which the engagement means may be released from engagement with the vehicle, to a second, locked position in which the engagement means may not be so released.

21. A method according to Claim 20, wherein the method includes restricting access to the engagement means with the barrier portion when the barrier portion is in the second position.

22. A method according to any of Claims 16 to 21, wherein the method includes at least partially covering the securing portion with a wheel of the vehicle in use.

23. A method according to any of Claims 16 to 22, wherein the method includes engaging a towing member of a vehicle with the engagement means to restrain movement of the vehicle.

24. A method according to Claim 23, wherein the method includes engaging a towing ball with the engagement means.

25 A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.