GB2419334A

GB2419334A - Wheel hub security device

Info

Publication number: GB2419334A
Application number: GB0422465A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Johnson; Ian Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-07-03
Filing date: 2004-10-11
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Also published as: GB0422465D0

Abstract

There is provided a security device configured to restrict fitting of a wheel to a wheel hub assembly 108 comprising a cover 101, the cover 101 comprising at least one orifice 103, said orifice configured to receive fixing means 113, said fixing means 113 being configured to affix the cover 101 to the wheel hub assembly 108 thereby restricting fitting of a wheel to the wheel hub assembly 108. The fixing means comprises a locking bolt or nut which can only be released by a matching locking bolt key.

Description

24 1 9334

SECURITY DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a security device, and in particular to a security device for affixing to a wheel hub assembly.

Backaround to the Invention

Vehicles include caravans, motor homes, horseboxes, and trailers. Trailers can be used to transport or store valuable items such as heavy plant or boats.

To These vehicles can have a value of 50,000 or more, and so are becoming increasingly targeted by professional thieves. It is estimated that 27,000 boats are stolen every year in the USA, and 95% of these boats are stolen when they are loaded onto a trailer.

Caravans, motor homes, horseboxes and trailers are most vulnerable when left unattended either at home, on site or in winter storage, as the owner may not be able to provide a secure storage environment. There is therefore a need to provide security devices to reduce the risk of theft when the vehicle is unattended.

Various security devices can be employed to reduce the risk of theft of a vehicle. One or more wheels can be removed and replaced with a lay-up stand.

A lay-up stand allows the axle and wheel hub assembly to remain at a predetermined height when the wheel is removed. As the vehicle cannot be towed or driven away without the correct number of wheels, by replacing one of the wheels with a lay-up stand, it is more difficult to steal the vehicle. However, it is a trivial matter for a thief to obtain the correct spare wheel for the vehicle, and fit the spare wheel before driving or towing it away. A lay-up stand can therefore inconvenience a thief, as the vehicle would need to have a new wheel fitted 3 o before it could be stolen.

Lay-up stands with locks on are available to further reduce the risk of theft.

However, these locks are usually in the form of padlocks or simple bolts that can be quickly removed using cutters or oxyacetylene equipment.

Other security devices employed to reduce the risk of theft include wheel locks or clamps that are fitted around a wheel of the vehicle. However, it is a simple matter to cut through these security devices using cutters or oxyacetylene, and using oxyacetylene some security devices can be removed in a matter of seconds.

A problem with the security devices currently available is that they can be removed relatively easily using oxyacetylene equipment with little or no damage to the vehicle. A determined thief with the right equipment can therefore remove such security devices with relative ease.

Summarv of the Invention The inventors have realised the problems associated with prior art security devices, and have accordingly invented a security device that is attached to a wheel hub assembly in place of a wheel and restricts fitting of a wheel to the go wheel hub assembly. The security device can not be easily removed from a wheel hub assembly using oxyacetylene cutting equipment or other types of cutter.

According to a first aspect there is provided a security device configured to restrict fitting of a wheel to a wheel hub assembly comprising: a cover; said cover comprising at least one orifice, said orifice configured to receive o fixing means; and said fixing means being configured to affix said cover to said wheel hub assembly.

Preferably, the cover comprises at least two orifices, each orifice configured to receive fixing means.

Preferably, the fixing means comprises a locking bolt.

Preferably, the fixing means comprises a set of locking bolts, said set of locking bolts having a profile on a head of each locking bolt of said set of locking bolts, whereby said locking bolts have an associated locking bolt key with a To locking bolt key profile to match said profile.

Preferably, the orifice comprises a hole having a first end and a second end, said hole having a first diameter at said first end, and a second diameter at said second end; and said first diameter is greater than said second diameter.

Preferably, the orifice further comprises a shoulder between said first end and said second end.

Alternatively, the fixing means comprises a locking nut.

Preferably, the cover comprises a disc having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned 2 5 adjacent to said wheel hub assembly.

Preferably, the second surface comprises a recess configured to allow for a protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.

3 o Alternatively, the cover comprises a ring having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and a gap in said ring being configured to allow for a protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.

Alternatively, the cover comprises a bar having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly.

Alternatively, the cover comprises a collar having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and no more than one orifice.

To According to a second aspect, there is provided a kit of parts for a security device configured to restrict fitting of a wheel to a wheel hub assembly comprising: a wheel hub assembly cover, said cover comprising at least one orifice, said orifice configured to receive a locking bolt; and at least one fixing means; and a fixing means key configured to fit or remove said fixing means; Preferably, the cover comprises at least two orifices, each orifice configured to receive fixing means.

Preferably, the fixing means comprises a locking bolt.

Preferably, the fixing means key comprises a locking bolt key having a profile configured to interact with a single locking bolt or single set of locking bolts.

3 o Alternatively, the fixing means comprises a locking nut.

Preferably, the fixing means key comprises a locking nut key having a profile configured to interact with a single locking nut or single set of locking nuts.

Preferably, the kit of parts further comprises a lay-up stand.

Alternatively, the kit of parts further comprises an axle stand.

Preferably, the orifice comprises a hole having a first end and a second end, said hole having a first diameter at said first end, and a second diameter at said second end; and o said first diameter is greater than said second diameter.

Preferably, the cover comprises a disc having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and; said second surface further comprises a recess configured to allow for a o protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.

Altematively, the cover comprises a ring having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and a gap in said ring being configured to allow for a protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a wheel hub security device, using wheel locking bolts or nuts preventing the fitting of wheels, thereby immobilizing the vehicle and preventing theft.

Preferably, there is a cavity protecting a hub bearing assembly.

Alternatively, the wheel hub security device is in the form of a ring giving clearance over a hub bearing assembly.

Alternatively, the wheel hub security device comprises separate collars or connecting bars rather than a single disc or ring.

Alternatively, the wheel hub security device comprises any combination of single or multiple fixing points.

Preferably, the wheel hub security device incorporates a security shoulder to prevent the use of professional tools to remove locking bolts/nuts.

Preferably, the wheel hub security device can be used in conjunction with axle stands.

Alternatively, the wheel hub security device can be used in conjunction with lay-up stands.

Preferably, the wheel hub security device can prevent the theft of caravans, horseboxes, trailers, cars, vans and commercial vehicles.

Preferably, the wheel hub security device may be released only with the use 3 o of the security key provided.

Preferably, the wheel hub security device cannot be released by professional tools.

Preferably, the wheel hub security device overcomes the use of oxyacetylene to facilitate its removal.

Brief Descrintion of the Drawinns For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates schematically a front elevation view (A) and a cross section view (B) of the security device according to a first specific embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically a cross-section view of a hole in a cover of the security device with a locking bolt located through the hole.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a cross-section view of a hole in the cover of the security device with a locking bolt located through the hole and a locking bolt key in position over the locking bolt.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically a front elevation view (A) and a cross section view (B) of the security device according to a second specific embodiment.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically a front elevation view (A) and a cross section view (B) of the security device according to a third specific embodiment and a fourth specific embodiment.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a cross-section view of a portion of a wheel hub assembly and a portion of a cover according to the fifth specific embodiment.

Detailed Descrintion There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

Referring to Fig. 1 herein, there is illustrated schematically a front elevation JO view (A) and a cross-section view (B) of the security device according to a first specific embodiment.

The device comprises a cover 101, said cover having a plurality of holes 103,104, 105, 106, 107. In use, the cover 101 is configured to fit over the wheel hub assembly 108 of a vehicle. The most convenient shape for the cover 101 is a disc, although other shapes may be used as described below. The wheel hub assembly 108 is affixed to the end of an axle 109 and further comprises a hub bearing assembly 111. The wheel hub assembly 108 may further comprise elements such as brake drums.

The hub bearing assembly 111 may protrude beyond the wheel hub assembly 108, and so it is desirable to have a recess 112 in a surface of the cover 101 that is adjacent to the wheel hub assembly 108 in which the hub bearing assembly 111 is positioned. The recess allows the cover 101 to closely s fit with the wheel hub assembly 108 when in use.

Different wheel hub assemblies 108 from different vehicles have different parameters, for example the size of the wheel hub assembly 108, the size and shape of the hub bearing assembly 111, and the number, size and spacing of the plurality of holes 103, 104, 105, 106, 107. The cover 101 is therefore configured to have the correct size, spacing and number of holes 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, and the correct recess size 112 to match a particular type of wheel hub assembly.

ln use, the cover 101 is held in a predetermined position by a lay-up stand 102 to provide the required height for the axle 109 of the vehicle. The cover 101 is positioned over the wheel hub assembly 108 such that the plurality of hole 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 line up with wheel hub assembly holes (not shown) in the wheel hub assembly 108. Fixing means in the form of locking bolts are located through each hole of said plurality of holes 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 in the cover 101, and threaded through the associated wheel hub assembly hole. By threading the bolts into the wheel hub assembly 108, the cover 101 is firmly attached to the wheel hub assembly 108. In Fig. 1 B. a bolt 113 is shown located through hole 103 and threaded into the wheel hub assembly 108. In use, bolts are also located through each other hole of the plurality of holes 104, 105, 106, 107.

By affixing the cover 101 to the wheel hub assembly 108 in this way, the lay-up stand 102 is sandwiched between the cover 101 and the wheel hub assembly. It is also possible to use an axle stand to support the axle of the vehicle, in which case the cover 101 is affixed directly to the wheel hub assembly 108.

Referring to Fig. 2 herein, there is illustrated schematically a crosssection view of a hole 103 in the cover 101 with a locking bolt 113 located through the hole 103.

The hole 103 comprises three separate portions, the entry portion 201, a middle portion 202 and an exit portion 204. When a locking bolt 113 is located in the hole 103, it enters the entry portion 201 and is pushed or threaded through the hole such that the thread of the bolt 113 exits through the exit portion 204.

The exit portion 204 is chamfered to prevent the locking bolt 113 from passing entirely through the hole 103 and allow the bolt 113 to securely attach the cover 101 to the wheel hub assembly 108. This is referred to as conical seating.

Whilst it is preferred that the exit portion 204 is chamfered to prevent the locking bolt 113 from passing entirely through the hole 103, there are other ways in which the locking bolt 113 can be seated to securely attach the cover 101 to the wheel hub assembly 108. These include flat seating or spherical seating, in addition to the conical seating.

The diameter of the entry portion 201 is sufficiently large to allow a locking bolt key to enter the entry portion 201. The locking bolt key is used to tighten the bolt 113. The diameter of the middle portion 202 is smaller than that of locking bolt key, and so the locking bolt key cannot enter the middle portion 202. There is a shoulder 203 between the entry portion 201 and the middle portion 202, and so there is an abrupt change from the diameter of the entry portion 201 to the diameter of the middle portion 202.

s The thickness 205 of the cover 101 is greater than the length 206 of the head of the bolt. When the bolt 113 is in position, and the cover 101 is attached to the wheel hub assembly, the head of the bolt is located below an outer surface of the cover 101, and so cannot be attacked directly from the side by cutting or oxyacetylene tools.

The cover 101 is made from any suitable material such as mild steel, stainless steel or other types of metal alloy. The use of a metal or metal alloy means that the cover 101 has a high thermal mass. If a thief were to attempt to remove the cover 101 using oxyacetylene, the heat generated by the flame would s cause sufficient heating of the cover to damage the wheel hub assembly 108, and probably damage other components of the wheel hub assembly such as the brake drums. If a thief is able to remove the cover 101 by using oxyacetylene cutting means, then it is likely that the wheel hub assembly 108 will be too damaged to allow the thief to fit a new wheel onto it, thereby preventing the thief o from driving or towing the vehicle away.

Referring to Fig. 3 herein, there is illustrated schematically a crosssection view of a hole 103 in the cover 101 of the security device with a locking bolt 113 located through the hole and a locking bolt key 303 in position over the locking bolt 113.

The locking bolts used are security locking bolts, for example of the type sold by McGard. The head 301 of the locking bolt 113 has a surface profile 302 that is configured to engage with the surface profile 304 of the locking bolt key 303. Each set of locking bolts has a surface profile 302 that is configured to match the corresponding locking bolt key 303.

JO Conventionally, there are two main ways that this type of security locking bolt can be removed by thieves without the correct locking bolt key 303. The first is to use an undersized socket hammered over the locking bolt. This forces the socket to match the profile of the locking bolt sufficiently to allow a thief to turn the socket, thereby removing the locking bolt. The other is to use a commercial lock bolt remover in the form of a chrome vanadium socket with a left hand thread hammered over the lock bolt.

The shoulder 203 is provided to reduce the possibility that a thief could use professional tools such as an undersized socket or a chrome vanadium socket with a left hand thread to remove a locking bolt 113. The shoulder 203 prevents an undersized socket or chrome vanadium socket with a left hand thread from being hammered onto the locking bolt 113 to a depth sufficient to allow the locking bolt 113 to turn. This is because a standard socket has a greater diameter than the diameter of the hole below the shoulder 203, and so cannot be forced onto the locking bolt any lower than the shoulder 203 will allow. In this way, a contact between the socket and the locking bolt 113 is likely to be limited.

The limited contact would be insufficient to allow a thief to turn and remove the locking bolt 113.

o For some vehicles, the hub bearing assembly 111 protrudes further than the thickness 205 of the cover 101, and so providing a recess 112 in the cover 101 will not provide sufficient clearance to allow the cover 101 to form an intimate contact with the wheel hub assembly 108. It is desired that the cover 101 forms an intimate contact with the wheel hub assembly 108 to restrict attack of the locking bolts 113.

Referring to Fig. 4 herein, there is illustrated schematically a front elevation view (A) and a cross-section view (B) of the security device according to a second specific embodiment. The security device comprises a cover 401 in the shape of a ring. The cover has a central hole 402 through which the hub bearing assembly 111 can extend. The cover 401 further comprises a plurality of holes 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 which are used to locate locking bolts, thereby attaching Jo the cover 401 to the wheel hub assembly 108. In all other respects, the second specific embodiment is compatible with the first specific embodiment.

Referring to Fig. 5 herein, there is illustrated schematically a front elevation view (A) and a cross-section view (B) of the security device according to a third specific embodiment and a fourth specific embodiment.

According to the third specific embodiment, the security device comprises a cover 501 having at least two holes 502, 503. It is not required for the cover 501 to completely cover the wheel hub assembly 108, but just to be attached to the So wheel hub assembly 108 to prevent a thief from fitting a wheel to the wheel hub assembly 108.

The holes 502, 503 need not be configured to line up with adjacent attachment points on the wheel hub assembly 108, but can be spaced such that they line up with opposing attachment points on the wheel hub assembly 108.

Furthermore, the cover 501 can be any suitable shape. The cover 501 shown in Fig. 5 is an elongate shape comprising two holes 502, 503. Other suitable shapes may be used, such as an angled 'L' shape or a substantially o crescent shape.

In other respects, the third specific embodiment is compatible with the first specific embodiment.

According to the fourth specific embodiment, the cover 504 comprises only one hole 505. The cover 504 surrounds the locking bolt that is threaded through the hole 505 to attach the cover 504 to the wheel hub assembly 108. In this way, the locking bolt is protected from attack by professional tools such as an undersized socket or a chrome-vanadium socket with a left hand thread, and is also protected from attack by oxyacetylene.

The cover 504 shown in Fig. 5 is substantially disc-shaped, but any suitable shape or size may be used. It is sufficient for the cover 504 to protect the locking bolt from attack and thereby restrict the ability of a thief from removing the cover 504 from the wheel hub assembly 108 and replacing it with a wheel.

In other respects, the fourth specific embodiment is compatible with the first specific embodiment.

A feature of the four specific embodiments described above is that the locking bolts are protected from attack by oxyacetylene cutting equipment. By surrounding the locking bolts with a material such as mild steel or stainless steel having a large thermal mass, any attempt to remove the locking bolts using oxyacetylene cutting equipment will generate a great deal of heat in the cover 101. This heat will transfer rapidly to the wheel hub assembly 108 and is sufficient to damage the wheel hub assembly 108. If the wheel hub assembly is damaged by the heat generated and the blasts of molten steel caused by cutting through the cover, then it may prove impossible for a thief to fit a new wheel to the wheel hub assembly 108 and tow or drive the vehicle away.

It is therefore preferred to form the cover from a material having a high thermal conductivity to transfer heat generated from oxyacetylene tools to the wheel hub assembly 108. Whilst mild steel and stainless steel have been suggested as examples of such materials, other materials with this property may

also be suitable.

The cover further protects the locking bolts because the thickness 205 of the cover 101 is greater than the length 206 of the head of the locking bolt. This means that when the bolt 113 is affixed through the cover 101 and attached to the wheel hub assembly 108, it is surrounded on all sides by the cover 101 and cannot be directly attacked from the side by cutting tools or oxyacetylene tools.

The description above refers to one wheel being removed from a vehicle wheel hub assembly 108 and being replaced by a cover 101. For additional security, more than one wheel can be removed from the vehicle and replaced To with a cover 101.

The above specified embodiments describe wheel hub assemblies having threaded female connectors that can be engaged with a male threaded locking bolt. However, some types of vehicles have threaded male connectors protruding from the wheel hub assembly. According to a fifth specific embodiment, a cover is provided for a wheel hub assembly where the wheel hub assembly comprises a protruding threaded male connector.

Referring to Figure 6 herein, there is illustrated schematically a cross zo section view of a portion of the wheel hub assembly and a portion of the cover according to the fifth specific embodiment.

The wheel hub assembly 108 comprises a threaded male connector 601 that protrudes laterally from a surface of the wheel hub assembly 108. It is usual for the wheel hub assembly 108 to comprise several such male threaded connectors 601 disposed radially about the surface of the wheel hub assembly 108. Only one male threaded connector 601 is shown in Figure 6.

The cover 602 comprises a hole 603 corresponding to each male threaded connector, and configured to fit over each male threaded connector 601. In use the cover 602 is positioned over the wheel hub assembly 108 such that each threaded male connector 601 is disposed through each hole 603 in the cover 602. A locking nut 604 is provided configured to engage with the protruding male member 601.

The hole 603 further comprises an exit portion 605 against which the locking nut 604 can be tightened, thereby firmly affixing the cover 602 onto the wheel hub assembly 108. As with previous embodiments, the exit portion 605 is shown in figure 6 as chamfered to provide a conical seating between the exit portion 605 and the locking nut 604. Other types of seating are available, including flat seating and spherical seating.

The hole 603 further comprises a shoulder 606. The shoulder 606 serves the same purpose as the shoulder 203 referred to in the first specific embodiment; that is to say, it reduced the possibility of an unauthorized person using professional tools such as an undersized socket or a chrome vanadium socket with a left hand thread to remove the locking nut 604. This is because a standard socket has a greater diameter than the diameter of the hole 603 below the shoulder 606, and so cannot be forced onto the locking nut 604 any lower than the shoulder 606 will allow. In this way, a contact between a socket and the locking nut 204 is limited thereby reducing the chances of making a sufficiently 2 0 intimate contact between the socket and the locking nut 604 and so reducing the chances of the locking nut being removed.

Each set of locking nuts 604 has a surface profile that is configured to match a corresponding locking nut key (not shown).

In all other respects, the fifth specific embodiment is compatible with any one of the other four specific embodiments.

The security disc requires a wheel (or wheels) to be removed, and a layup stand fitted along with the security disc, both being locked in position using high security lock bolts.

Axle stands may be used in place of the lay-up stands, in which case the security disc would be secured directly to the wheel hub.

The security disc can be fitted to caravans, horseboxes, trailers etc., and may also be used for cars, vans, motor homes and commercial vehicles.

The hub security disc prevents road wheels being fitted and effectively immobilises the caravan, trailer or vehicle.

The heavy disc being bolted directly to the wheel hub deters the use of oxyacetylene, and it is likely the wheel hub would be severely damaged during any attempt to remove the disc.

Careful design of the security disc prevents the use of professional tools to remove the locking wheel bolts.

The wheel lock key requires minimal contact on the locking stud and cannot be duplicated by thieves.

The security disc is machined from a solid steel blank, with the number of holes, hole diameter and the pitch circle diameter to match the wheel hub assembly.

The security disc will be supplied in a number of sizes to cover the range of 2 5 wheels and hole centres.

A large cavity is machined into the back of the disc to accommodate and protect the hub bearing assembly.

o Where this is not possible the security device is made in the form of a ring allowing the hub centre to protrude through the ring.

Further options are to provide individual collars or connecting bars.

The security device is designed to prevent removal by oxyacetylene and any attempt to remove the device by this method would cause considerable damage to the hub and bearing assembly.

The security disc is fitted over the wheel hub and lay up stand (2) after removal of the road wheel, and is locked in position using high security lock bolts.

The lock bolts are tightened using a special key.

The holes in the security disc are machined with minimal clearance over the lock bolts and include a security shoulder preventing the use of professional tools for the removal of the security bolts.

These are: An undersized socket hammered over the security bolt.

A commercial lock bolt remover in the form of a chrome vanadium socket 2 0with a left hand thread hammered over the lock bolt.

Claims

Claims: 1. A security device configured to restrict fitting of a wheel to

a wheel hub assembly comprising: a cover; said cover comprising at least one orifice, said orifice configured to receive fixing means; and said fixing means being configured to affix said cover to said wheel hub assembly.
2. A security device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover comprises at least two orifices, each orifice configured to receive fixing means.
3. A security device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said fixing means comprises a locking bolt.
4. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said So fixing means comprises a set of locking bolts, said set of locking bolts having a profile on a head of each locking bolt of said set of locking bolts, whereby said locking bolts have an associated locking bolt key with a locking bolt key profile to match said profile.
5. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said orifice comprises a hole having a first end and a second end, said hole having a first diameter at said first end, and a second diameter at said second end; and said first diameter is greater than said second diameter.
6. A security device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a shoulder between said first end and said second end.
7. A security device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said fixing means comprises a locking nut.
8. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said cover comprises a disc having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly.
9. A security device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said second To surface comprises a recess configured to allow for a protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.
10. A security device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said cover comprises a ring having a first surface, a thickness, and a second s surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and a gap in said ring being configured to allow for a protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.
11. A security device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein To said cover comprises a bar having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly.
12. A security device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said cover comprises a collar having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and no more than one orifice.
13. A kit of parts for a security device configured to restrict fitting of a o wheel to a wheel hub assembly comprising: a wheel hub assembly cover, said cover comprising at least one orifice, said orifice configured to receive a locking bolt; and at least one fixing means; and a fixing means key configured to fit or remove said fixing means;
14. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said cover comprises at least two orifices, each orifice configured to receive fixing means.

o
15. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein said fixing means comprises a locking bolt.
16. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 15 wherein said fixing means key comprises a locking bolt key having a profile configured to interact with a single s locking bolt or single set of locking bolts.
17. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14 wherein said fixing means comprises a locking nut.

2 0
18. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 17 wherein said fixing means key comprises a locking nut key having a profile configured to interact with a single locking nut or single set of locking nuts.
19. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18 further comprising a lay-up stand.
20. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 claim 1 1 or claim 12 further comprising an axle stand.
21. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20 wherein said orifice comprises a hole having a first end and a second end, said hole having a first diameter at said first end, and a second diameter at said second end; and said first diameter is greater than said second diameter.
22. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a shoulder between said first end and said second end.
23. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22 wherein said cover comprises a disc having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and; said second surface further comprises a recess configured to allow for a protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.
24. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22 wherein said cover comprises a ring having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and a gap in said ring being configured to allow for a protrusion of said wheel hub assembly.
25. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22 wherein said cover comprises a bar having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly.
26. A kit of parts for a security device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 22 wherein said cover comprises a collar having a first surface, a thickness, and a second surface, said second surface being configured to be positioned adjacent to said wheel hub assembly, and no more than one orifice.
27. A wheel hub security device, using wheel locking bolts or nuts preventing the fitting of wheels, thereby immobilising the vehicle and preventing theft.
28. A wheel hub security device according to claim 27, with a cavity protecting the hub bearing assembly.
29. A wheel hub security device according to claim 27, in the form of a ring giving clearance over the hub bearing assembly.
30. A wheel hub security device according to claim 27, which comprises separate collars or connecting bars rather than a single disc or ring.
31. A wheel hub security device according to claim 27, which comprises any combination of single or multiple fixing points.
32. A wheel hub security device according to any one of claims 27 to incorporating a security shoulder to prevent the use of professional tools to remove locking bolts/nuts.
33. A wheel hub security device according to any one of claims 27 to 32 that can be used in conjunction with axle stands.
34. A wheel hub security device according to any one of claims 27 to 32 that can be used in conjunction with lay-up stands.
35. A wheel hub security device according to any one of claims 27 to s 34 that can prevent the theft of caravans, horseboxes, trailers, cars, motor homes, vans and commercial vehicles.
36. A wheel hub security device according to any one of claims 27 to that may be released only with the use of the security key provided.
37. A wheel hub security device according to any one of claims 27 to 36 that cannot be released by professional tools.
38. A wheel hub security device according to any one of claims 27 to 37 that overcomes the use of oxyacetylene to facilitate its removal.