GB2361901A

GB2361901A - A system for preventing unauthorised movement of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2361901A
Application number: GB0110864A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Elliot
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-05-05
Filing date: 2001-05-03
Publication date: 2001-11-07
Also published as: GB0110864D0; GB0010754D0

Abstract

A security apparatus for hindering unauthorised movement of a vehicle, such as a caravan, comprises an actuator (6) for raising or lowering a levelling leg (4 in Fig. 1) of the vehicle and a brace (8) for imparting motion to the actuator. The actuator (6) and brace (8) are provided with complimentary unique patterns of female and male parts (10a, 10b, 10c, 12a, 12b, 12c) for mating together such that only that motion means is able to operate the actuator.

Description

1 2361901 Title: A system for preventing unauthorised movement of a

vehicle.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an improved system for preventing unauthorised movement of a vehicle, particularly a towed vehicle, such as a caravan or trailer.

A large number of items are on the market for increasing the security of motor vehicles, such as steering wheel locks, car alarms and immobilisers that assist in deterring a would-be thief from stealing the vehicle. However, motor vehicles often tow an object, such as a caravan or trailer, that is provided with minimal security measures. Accordingly, these objects may be stolen when the vehicle is stationary or the object is parked, for example, on a driveway or at a caravan site.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved security system, particularly but not exclusively, for a towed vehicle, such as a trailer or caravan, that aims to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a system for hindering unauthorised movement of a vehicle, the system comprising an actuator for raising or lowering a levelling leg of the vehicle and means for imparting motion to the actuator, the actuator and motion means being engageable by a plug and socket type arrangement and each having at least one additional male or female part respectively, the respective parts being located in corresponding positions on the engageable portions of the actuator and motion means to allow engagement of the complimentary parts.

2 The present invention provides that the part of the actuator on the levelling leg that engages with the motion means is provided with a unique pattern of male or female parts for mating with a corresponding unique pattern of parts provided on the accompanying motion means.

Preferably, the means for imparting motion to the actuator to raise or lower the levelling leg is in the form of a brace.

Preferably, the actuator is provided with a number of recesses for engagement with a number of projections, for example in the form of studs, extending from the end of the brace. Alternatively, the actuator may be provided with projections for mating with recesses provided in the end of the brace.

Alternatively, an adaptor for attachment to the actuator may be provided with a particular pattern of male or female parts corresponding to the pattern provided on the actuator wherein the brace fits onto another part of the adaptor to effect movement thereof. In this manner, a standard brace may be used to raise or lower the levelling leg but a unique adaptor is required to enable the brace to be attached to a particular actuator of a levelling leg.

A detachable cover may be provided for placing over the end of the actuator to prevent damage occurring to the male or female parts that would prevent engagement of the actuator with the complimentary brace or adaptor and therefore prevent raising or lowering of the levelling leg.

The present invention is particularly suitable for providing a security device for a towed vehicle, especially a caravan or trailer.

3 For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the positioning of levelling legs on a caravan; Figure 2 is a side view of a levelling leg according to one embodiment of the present invention for attachment to a towed vehicle; Figure 3 is a plan view of the end of the actuator of the levelling leg shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of a brace for actuation of the levelling leg shown in Figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of one end of the brace shown in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of an adaptor for connecting an actuator to a brace according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates a caravan 2 for towing by a motor vehicle (not shown) that is provided with levelling legs 4 or corner steadies attached to the underside of each corner of the caravan. The legs may be wound up into a contracted state wherein the legs lie substantially flat against the underside of the caravan to allow unhindered movement of the van or the legs may be extended (as shown in Figure 1) to steady the caravan on an uneven surface and prevent unauthorised movement of the caravan. The leg is moved by means of a brace that engages with an actuator provided at the top of the levelling leg that imparts rotary motion to a threaded screw carrying the leg thereby raising or lowering the leg.

4 The present invention provides a levelling leg having a modified actuator wherein only a brace or adaptor having a particular configuration for connecting with the actuator of the leg will allow movement of the levelling leg between its contra.cted and extended state. In this manner, the owner of the caravan is provided with a. particular brace or adaptor that fits only the actuator of the levelling legs of their caravan and accordingly, only the owner of the caravan may raise and lower the leg. Hence, the owner can secure the caravan on site by locking the legs in the extended position which will deter a would-be thief from trying to steal the caravan. Previously, any brace may have been used to wind up the legs to allow unauthorised movement of the vehicle.

Figures 2 to 3 of the accompanying drawings illustrate one configuration of an actuator 6 for a levelling leg 4 and Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a corresponding brace 8 for effecting movement of the actuator. The actuator of the leg is provided with a plurality of male or female parts of any particular configuration or pattern and the end of the brace is provided with a series of complimentary male or female parts. For example, in Figure 2 and 3 the actuator of the leg 4 is provided with three female parts 10a, 10b, 10c positioned at particular locations on the end of the actuator 6. The end of the brace 8 is provided with three male parts 12a, 12b, 12c that are located at sites corresponding to the positions of the female parts on the actuator thereby enabling the male and female parts to mate together. Engagement of one end of the brace with the actuator enables pressure to be applied to the other end of the brace which is in line with the end attached to the actuator whilst the middle part 14 of the brace is cranked out so that the whole thing may be rotated.

Rotation of the brace causes rotation of the threaded screw 16 carrying the leg 4 thereby causing the leg to be wound up or down, as required.

Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Instead of the brace being provided with a complimentary arrangement of male or female parts, an adaptor 20 is provided. The adaptor has a cylind.rical end 22 for attachment to the actuator of the levelling leg (not shown) that is provided with a series of studs 24 for mating with recesses provided in corresponding locations on the end of the actuator. The opposite end 26 of the adaptor is in the form of a hexagonal member wherein a socket provided in the end of a brace may be fitted over the member to enable the brace to impart motion to the adaptor which in turn imparts motion to the actuator thereby raising or lowering the levelling leg. In this manner, a standard brace may be used to operate all levelling legs but the owner of the towed vehicle would be provided with an adaptor that fits only to the actuator of his particular vehicle.

The actuator 6 of the levelling leg may be provided with a detachable cover (not shown) for fastening over the end of the actuator. This assists in preventing damage occurring to the actuator which may prevent it from engaging with the brace or adaptor.

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Claims

1. An apparatus for hindering unauthorised movement of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising an actuator for raising or lowering a levelling leg of the vehicle and means for imparting motion to the actuator, the actuator and motion means being engageable by a plug and socket type arrangement and each having at least one additional male or female part respectively, the respective parts being located in corresponding positions on the engageable portions of the actuator and motion means to allow engagement of the complimentary parts.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the motion means is in the form of a brace.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator is provided with one or more recesses for engagement with a corresponding number of projections extending from the end of the motion means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator is provided with one or more projections for engagement with a corresponding number of recesses provided in the end of the motion means.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the motion means is provided with a detachable adaptor, the adaptor having the at least one additional male or female part located in a corresponding position to the complimentary part provided on the actuator.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a detachable cover is provided for placing over the end of the actuator.

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7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for use as a security device for a towed device.

8. An apparatus for hindering maintained movement of a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to Figures 2 to 5 and Figure-6 of the accompanying drawings.