GB2293586A - Anti-theft device for mobile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-theft device 1 for mobile equipment such as lawn-mowers comprises two pillars 2, 16 and a cross member 30 lockable to the pillars 2, 16 by locking means 60 and for extending between parts of the equipment parked between the pillars 2, 16 to secure the equipment to the ground. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SECURITY DEVICES FOR MOBILE EOUIPMENT The present invention concerns improvements in or relating to security devices for mobile equipment, and has reference in particular, but not exclusively, to equipment employed in horticulture or agriculture such as lawn mowing equipment of the push or sit-on kind or tractors.

The incidence of theft in respect of equipment of this kind is in the ascendancy and has been so for some time, particularly during the recession extending over the last few years. The inconvenience of having to replace stolen equipment and the cost associated therewith are persuasive reasons for attempting to improve the security thereof.

Security devices for such equipment are of course known and perhaps the type most commonly available is the wheel clamp. Some versions of the wheel clamp are adapted for fixing to the ground whereby the equipment, for example a lawn mower, is parked over the fixing elements such as bolts to deny access for removal purposes, the remainder of the clamp being affixed around the wheel and suitably locked in place by a padlock. One disadvantage of the wheel clamp is the number of parts and of course a determined thief would dismantle the device or detach the body of the equipment from the wheel, and a wheel clamp might not always be practicable for all types of equipment.

An object of the invention therefore is to provide an improved security device for mobile equipment which will obviate the disadvantages associated with known devices.

According to the invention a security device for mobile equipment includes a first anchor member securable to an immobile structure, a second anchor member securable to an immobile structure, a parking area for mobile equipment being definable in use between the anchor members, and a locking element engageable with the anchor members and adapted in use to extend across the parking area to prevent in use removal of the mobile equipment therefrom.

Conveniently, the first and second anchor members are in the form of pillars which are securable by for example bolts to the immobile structures which may be constituted by a base such as a concrete base or some other immovable formation. In an alternative embodiment, the first anchor member may in the form of a pillar securable to a base as aforesaid and the second anchor member may be a locating recess in or a support detent securable to a wall. In this alternative, the detent may in the form of a hinge component to which the locking member is pivotally connected.

The anchor members are advantageously provided with locating recesses for engaging the locking element which in use extends therethrough across the parking area to confine and secure the mobile equipment therein. The locking element is preferably formed in such a way as positively to engage the anchor members to ensure that removal therefrom is impossible when in the locking mode. A further locking member may be provided in this respect and may be in the form of for example a padlock.

By way of example, one embodiment of security device for mobile equipment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view; and Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the device superimposed upon mobile equipment to illustrate the manner of use thereof.

Referring to the drawings, a security device shown generally at 1 comprises a first anchor member in the form of a tubular pillar 2 having a ground engaging base 4 with a foot 6 provided with slots 8 for the reception and passage of at least one bolt 10. The pillar 2 has a through bore 12 intersected by a recess 14 for a purpose hereinafter described.

A second anchor member in the form of a tubular pillar 16 is provided and has a ground engaging base 18 with a foot 20 provided with slots 22 for the reception and passage of at least one bolt 24. The pillar 16 also has a through bore 25 at the same height as the through bore 12 of the pillar 2.

A locking element in the form of a bar 30 has at one end a head 32 and a hole 34 in spaced relation thereto.

In use, referring now particularly to Figure 2, the device 1 is deployed by locating the pillars 2 and 16 on a firm base for example a concrete base at a spacing sufficient to define a parking area 40 for the mobile equipment concerned, the pillars being bolted to the base by means of the bolts 10, 24 passing through the slots 8, 22 in the feet 6 and 20 respectively. The mobile equipment in this example is a motorised lawn mower 50 of the rotary type having two front wheels 51 and two rear wheels 52 only one of which latter is to be seen partially in the drawing.

When it is desired to park the mower after use in a secure position, the mower is wheeled into the parking area 40 such that the rear wheels 52 rest on the feet 6 and 20 and cover the bolts 10, 24 thereby denying access for unauthorised removal. The through bores 12 and 25 are aligned at such position in relation to the mower 50 that the bar 30 when in position extends across the mower between its drive motor 54 and the body casting 56 just in front of the handle arrangement 58. The insertion of the bar 30 through the bores 12 and 25 across the mower in the fashion indicated ensures that the mower is contained and constrained within the parking area 40, it being clamped by the combination of the bar, the pillars and the feet.

To lock the bar to the pillars, a padlock 60 is applied through the recess 14 to engage the hole 34 thereby preventing removal of the bar from the bores 12 and 25.

The present invention constitutes a simple and yet effective security measure to prevent or assist in preventing the unauthorised removal of mobile equipment from its rightful owner.

It is to be understood that there are variations on the invention which nonetheless remain within its scope.

For example, the anchor members in the form of pillars may conveniently be provided with more than one through bore spaced apart vertically to accommodate mobile equipment of differing dimensions.

Claims (8)

1. A security device for mobile equipment includes a first anchor member securable to an immobile structure, a second anchor member securable to an immobile structure, a parking area for mobile equipment being definable in use between the anchor members, and a locking element engageable with the anchor members and adapted in use to extend across the parking area to prevent in use removal of the mobile equipment therefrom.

2. A security device according to claim 1 in which the first and second anchor members are in the form of pillars.

3. A security device according to claim 2 in which the immobile structure is a concrete base to which the pillars are securable.

4. A security device according to claim 3 in which the pillars are securable to the concrete base by means of bolts.

5. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the anchor members are provided with locating recesses for engaging the locking element which in use extends therethrough across the parking area to confine and secure the mobile equipment therein.

6. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the locking element is formed in such a way as positively to engage the anchor members to ensure that removal therefrom is impossible when in the locking mode.

7. A security device according to any one of the preceding claims in which a locking member is provided and is associated with the locking element to prevent the removal of the locking element from the anchor members.

8. A security device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.