GB2306424A

GB2306424A - Trailer security device

Info

Publication number: GB2306424A
Application number: GB9622121A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Burton; Virginia Ann Burton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-25
Filing date: 1996-10-24
Publication date: 1997-05-07
Also published as: GB9521833D0; GB9622121D0

Abstract

A device to prevent the theft of trailers comprises a shaft 1 and screw 2 which may be screwed directly into the ground. The part of the device which remains above the ground incorporates a coupling 4 to which the trailer may be coupled and locked. This coupling may be rigidly fixed to the device or may be adjustable on the device to accommodate various height requirements. (fig 2)

Description

TITLE: Trailer Security Device DESCRIPTION This invention concerns a device for use in securing trailers and other towed vehicles including caravans, plant and equipment when they are parked or sited away from the towing vehicle in a field or other locations.

Towed trailers and other vehicles are usually fixed to the towing vehicle by means of a standard hitching system. Fixed to the towing vehicle is a bracket that includes a standard metal ball of SOmm diameter or similar size, or a jaw and pin, or some other attachment. Attached to the trailer or vehicle to be towed will be a hitching cup or eye or other fitting which couples to the attachment on the towing vehicle. This is secured using a pin or latch or other securing system. The vehicle can then tow the trailer or other towed vehicle without the possibility of the trailer or vehicle being towed separating from the towing vehicle.

Trailers can be locked to their towing vehicles using integral anti theft locks or locking covers to fit to couplings which have no integral lock. When a trailer is parked away from its towing vehicle such a lock will prevent the trailer from being coupled conventionally to a tiers vehicle, but will not prevent the trailer from being loaded onto another vehicle and carried away, or being towed away by means of a rope or similar. Trailers, caravans or towed plant and equipment when separated from the towing vehicle are therefore extremely vulnerable to theft.

According to the present invention there is a trailer security device which may be screwed, temporarily or permanently, directly into the ground and which incorporates a coupling to which a trailer may be coupled and locked.

The security device is screwed into the ground at an appropriate location to a substantial depth such that only the top of the device appears above ground, containing a similar attachment to that used on the towing brackets fixed to towing vehicles. The standard coupling of the trailer, caravan or other vehicle is then hitched up to the attachment on the device.

A standard hitching lock, or similar widely available locking system is then used to lock the trailer's coupling to the device as it would be used to lock the trailer to its towing vehicle using a security key or combination lock similar to lock and key systems used on padlocks and other similar lock products. Alternatively a conventional chain and padlock may be used to lock the trailer to the security device.

Some types of trailer attachment, most notably towing balls, are free to rotate within the trailer coupling. In order that the device may not be unscrewed from the ground when used with such a trailer attachment, a means of preventing rotation of the device may be incorporated. One way of achieving this is to extend part of the device upwards alongside the trailer attachment. Any attempt to unscrew the device while so attached would result in the extended part of the device abutting the trailer's coupling, preventing any further rotation. Alternatively another means of preventing rotation of the device could be used. The trailer is now firmly fixed to the ground given that the security device cannot be unscrewed or levered in order to remove and steal the trailer.

The fixed height security device (a specific embodiment of which is shown by way of an example in Figure 1) comprises a tubular stem or similar length of solid material (1) with a screw (2) fixed near the bottom and a shank (5) that remains above ground. At the top of the shank can be a piece of tubing or an eye (3) through which a rod or tommy bar is inserted to turn the device and screw it into and out of the ground or some other turning method may be used. A trailer attachment (4) is fixed to the shank of the device. Figure 1 shows a ball as the means of trailer attachment but this could be a towing jaw or another type of trailer attachment.

Where the nature of a trailer requires it, a device with a means of varying the height of the trailer attachment would be used. A specific embodiment of this is shown in Figure 2 by way of example. The reference numbers in Figure 2 indicate parts of similar functions to those indicated by equivalent numbers in Figure 1. The height of the attachment (4) (which is shown as a ball but could be a towing jaw or another type of trailer attachment.) may be adjusted on the device and secured with a bolt or other fixing system or may be allowed to slide freely on the shank or it may be in a single fixed position of different heights depending upon the trailer to be secured.

In each case the device may be articulated or removably joined at some point along its length to reduce its size for storage or transport, or to facilitate the connection of the trailer coupling. Where the device is thus articulated or joined, part of it may be used as the lever or tommy bar which is used to insert the device into the ground.

The essential element of the device, whether the version with attachment position fixed or variable is that the only way of removing the device from the ground, apart from the use of heavy equipment, would be by turning and unscrewing it and this would be impossible with the security device combined with standard industry coupling locks or more general locks.

Claims

1. A trailer security device which may be screwed, temporarily or permanently, directly into the ground and which incorporates a coupling to which a trailer may be coupled and locked.

2. A trailer security device, as claimed in claim 1, where the coupling to which the trailer is attached is solidly fixed to the security device.

3. A trailer security device, as claimed in claim 1, where the coupling to which the trailer is attached can be moved along the security device and locked in one or more positions.

4. A trailer security device, as claimed in claim 1, where the coupling to which the trailer is attached is free to move along the security device.

5. A trailer security device, as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, which is articulated or joined at some point along its length to facilitate the coupling of the trailer to be secured, to the security device.

6. A trailer security device, as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, which is articulated or joined at some point along its length to allow one or more of its dimensions to be reduced for storage or transport.

7. A trailer security device as claimed in claim 5 or 6 where the articulated part of the security device is used as a lever to screw the device into the ground.

8. A trailer security device, as claimed in any previous claim, where part of the device extends beyond the trailer attachment in order to prevent the unscrewing of the device while the trailer is attached.

9. A trailer security device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.