GB2440391A

GB2440391A - Security apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2440391A
Application number: GB0614593A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Edward White
Original assignee: TANGENT 2002
Current assignee: TANGENT 2002
Priority date: 2006-07-22
Filing date: 2006-07-22
Publication date: 2008-01-30
Also published as: GB0614593D0

Abstract

A security apparatus and a method for the production of a security apparatus for a vehicle, vehicle trailer, gate or door comprising, a tubular housing 18 for attachment to a structural member of an object to be protected, an elongate member 16 telescopically mounted inside the housing, the elongate member being mounted within the tubular housing in a manner which allows their relative movement along their longitudinal axes only, and a screw shaft 20 rotatably mounted inside the housing, the elongate member being mounted on the screw shaft via an internal complimentary screw thread 26 such that in use, rotation of the screw shaft results in said movement. The screw shaft has an axially extended portion 32 for attachment of a turning handle 34 and an internally mounted locking mechanism 36 to prevent rotation of the screw when the desired position is achieved.

Description

I

Security Apparatus The present invention relates to a security apparatus for a vehicle, vehicle trailer, gate or door, a method for the production of a security apparatus as well as to vehicles and other objects, which comprise such security apparatus.

Security apparatus for vehicles are known, which have telescoping sections, one of which can be fixed to a vehicle and the other of which can be extended beneath the vehicle to engage with the ground. These devices are generally lockable whilst in the down ground engaging position.

Often the locking mechanisms on such devices are positioned on the outside of the apparatus and are therefore vulnerable to attack by a would be thief by hitting the lock, or in some cases by simply removing a pin. Such devices are therefore not as secure as is desirable. Examples of such security apparatus can be seen in GB2242405, GB2262076, W003/016107, GB2292356, GB2286163.

GB2288159 discloses another security apparatus comprising a rigid tubular housing in the form of a collar for attachment to a structural member of an object to be protected. Inside the collar a rigid elongate tubular member is telescopically mounted. The elongate tubular member is arranged such that it can be lowered out of the housing and then locked in its fully extended position, which is not in contact with the ground.

Inside the elongate tubular member a screw shaft is provided which can be lowered out of the elongate member to make contact with the ground.

The apparatus described in GB2288159, although improved over the above-mentioned apparatus still has disadvantages. Namely the screw shaft in use protrudes from the bottom of the apparatus and is therefore vulnerable to attack by a thief who could either saw through it or take a hold of the screw shaft and screw it back into the elongate member, thus disengaging it from the ground.

In addition to the protection of vehicles and vehicle trailers, a security device which can be used to secure for example gates or doors would be very useful.

According to a first aspect the present invention provides a security apparatus comprising; a tubular housing for attachment to a structural member of an object to be protected, an elongate member telescopically mounted inside the housing, the elongate member being mounted within the tubular housing in a manner which allows their relative movement along their longitudinal axes only, and a screw shaft rotatably mounted inside the housing, substantially along the longitudinal axis of the housing, the elongate member being mounted on the screw shaft via a complimentary screw thread such that in use, rotation of the screw shaft results in telescopic movement of the elongate member and the housing relative to one another.

This apparatus is advantageous because only the housing and the elongate member move relative to one another. The screw shaft rotates but does not move along its longitudinal axis.

In use, when the housing is attached to a structural member of an object to be protected, the elongate member can be moved out of the housing by rotation of the screw shaft, causing a base end of the elongate member to contact the ground or a depression or hole made in the ground. If desired the screw shaft can be further rotated once the base end of the elongate member has contacted the ground.

This will cause the object to which the housing is attached to be raised off the ground.

Thus if the housing is fixed to for example the chassis of a vehicle, a gate or to the tow bar of a trailer, the elongate member can be lowered to the ground or into a hole made in the ground by turning the screw shaft. Once the base end of the elongate member has contacted the ground, movement of the object to which the housing is fixed is either prevented or made very difficult.

Most preferably the screw shaft is fully enclosed within the housing and the elongate member, and is therefore more secure than in prior art apparatus. It is most desirable that in normal use no part of the screw shaft extends out of the elongate member past the base end of the elongate member. However a first end of the screw shaft may extend out of a top end of the housing, opposite the base end of the elongate member, for attachment to a turning handle by which the screw shaft may be turned during use, the screw shaft being otherwise fully enclosed within the housing and the elongate member.

Most preferably the apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism, for preventing rotation of the screw shaft. Thus the locking mechanism can be used to lock the elongate member in a ground engaging position. Since the locking mechanism prevents rotation of the screw shaft the elongate member cannot be raised back off the ground because the screw shaft cannot be turned.

Most preferably the moving parts of the locking mechanism and in particular the parts which prevent rotation of the screw shaft are positioned internally of the housing to increase the security of the device. Ideally the entire locking mechanism is positioned internally of the housing.

Most preferably the locking mechanism is mounted on an internal wall of the housing. This advantageously means that the locking mechanism cannot be subjected to any outside force by a person wishing to move or steal the object to which the security apparatus is fixed in use, since the locking mechanism is protected by the housing. The positioning of the locking mechanism on an internal wall of the housing also beneficially allows the locking mechanism to be operated by a key which can be inserted into the locking mechanism through a key hole positioned in a wall of the housing.

The locking mechanism most preferably comprises a plunger, which is movable from an unlocked position in which the screw shaft is free to rotate to a locked position in which the screw shaft is prevented from rotating.

In one embodiment, the locking mechanism can be arranged to lock the screw shaft by means of a plunger, which is movable from an unlocked position in which the screw shaft is free to rotate to a locked position in which the plunger engages with an aperture in the screw shaft, preventing rotation thereof. In this embodiment because the locking mechanism is fixed to an internal wall of the housing and the plunger is arranged to be able to engage with the screw shaft, once the plunger is in the locked position, rotation of the screw shaft within the housing is no longer possible. Thus, in use, when the housing has been fixed to an object to be secured, and the elongate member has been lowered into a ground engaging position and then locked using the locking mechanism, it is not possible to raise the elongate member of f the ground without unlocking the locking mechanism, for example using a key. The screw shaft is protected inside the housing itself and the lock cannot be hit or smashed open because it is protected inside the housing.

In an alternative embodiment, the locking mechanism can be arranged to lock the screw shaft by means of a plunger, which is movable from an unlocked position in which the screw shaft is free to rotate to a locked position in which the plunger engages with an aperture in a first member fixed to the screw shaft rather than an aperture in the screw shaft itself. Most preferably the first member is a shaft locking plate, which is located inside the housing and most preferably is a radial plate which extends from the screw shaft. Ideally the plate extends completely around the circumference of the screw shaft.

In order to make the apparatus even more secure the plunger may also engage, when in the locked position, with a further aperture in a member associated with an inside wall of the housing.

Turning the screw shaft causes relative movement of the housing and the elongate member. This relative movement occurs because the housing and the elongate member cannot rotate about their longitudinal axes and so when the screw shaft is turned the elongate member is either drawn into the housing or extended further from it depending on which way the screw shaft is turned.

Most preferably the housing and the elongate member are prevented from rotating about their longitudinal axis by both having a cross sectional profile with at least one edge.

Most preferably the tubular housing and the elongate member are square in cross-section preventing relative rotational movement of the housing and the elongate member. Other embodiments can also however be envisaged, for example where the tubular housing and the elongate member are oblong, triangular or hexagonal in cross section.

Most preferably the screw shaft is in the form of a trapezoidal screw although other types of screw shaft could be used, for example a metric, imperial, Acme or square screw shaft. A trapezoidal screw is advantageous because it can take a lot of weight of its size, has a very strong form and a high load rating.

It is also very hard to strip the thread if undue force is applied to it.

Ideally a turning handle is integral with the screw shaft.

Alternatively it may be removable.

If the turning handle is integral, it is most preferably arranged to be shearable such that it can break in response to a predetermined force applied to the handle. This feature is advantageous because if a person, for example a thief, tried to turn the handle whilst the screw shaft was locked by the locking mechanism, the handle will shear of f. This means that a force cannot be applied to the handle which is strong enough to break the locking mechanism. Once the handle has broken off there is no access to the interior of the housing and therefore the apparatus is very secure.

If the turning handle is removable, a first end region of the screw shaft is adapted for engagement with the handle. In use the handle is preferably inserted though an aperture in a wall of the housing to engage with the screw shaft. A removable handle is advantageous as it adds to the security of the apparatus. Once the elongate member has been lowered into position by turning the screw shaft using the handle and the screw shaft has been locked in position by the locking mechanism, the handle can be removed. Since the screw shaft is fully housed within the apparatus the apparatus is very secure.

In use of many embodiments, it will be desirable to fix the housing in a substantially permanent manner to the item to be secured.

This may be achieved by any suitable secure fixing method, such as welding, riveting or bolting.

Preferably however the housing further comprises at least one protrusion, for example a stud or screw that is integral with or welded to the housing and projects outwardly therefrom. The housing can be attached to the item to be secured by passing the at least one protrusion through an aperture in the item to be secured, for example a drilled hole in the chassis of a vehicle or a purpose made bracket, and fixing the at least one protrusion in place, ideally using a clamping plate and/or at least one securing device, for example a nut. Ideally a cover plate having at least one aperture which corresponds to the position of the at least one securing device is place over the at least one securing device and welded in place. Preferably 2 or more protrusions are provided on the housing. More preferably 3 protrusions are provided.

In an alternate embodiment the housing may be attached to the item to be secured by retracting the elongate member, preferably fully into the housing and then passing a protrusion as described above through a first protrusion aperture in a side face of a substantially right angled bracket. In this embodiment a bottom edge of the housing rests on the lower surface of the bracket during use. The side face of the bracket may welded to the item to be secured, for example the chassis of a vehicle. The lower surface of the bracket contains an aperture which is sized to allow the elongate member to pass through it towards the ground during use.

This embodiment advantageously allows the security apparatus to be removed when the elongate member is retracted and secured when the elongate member is elongated through the aperture on the lower surface of the bracket.

In other embodiments the housing may form an integral part of an object to be secured. For example the housing may form part of a gate, door or fence which it is desirable to be able to secure. In such embodiments where the object to be protected is already at or near ground level it is envisaged that the elongate member may be lowered into a hole in the ground, during use to provide security.

The housing may be an integral part of the object for example the strut of a fence, or it may be attached to the object to be protected, for example using the means described above.

The apparatus may form an integral part of a vehicle, for example a car, truck, lorry, mechanical digger, tractor, vehicle trailer or caravan, such that the vehicle comprises a security apparatus as described above.

In a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a method for making a security apparatus comprising: a) rotatably fixing a screw shaft into a tubular housing, along the longitudinal axis of the housing, the tubular housing having a first end which is adapted to receive a turning handle and a second end opposite the first end which is open, the screw shaft having a first end which is attachable to a turning handle and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular housing being adapted for attachment to a structural member of an object to be protected, b) inserting an elongate member into the second end of the tubular housing in a manner which allows their relative movement along their longitudinal axes only, the elongate member having a screw thread which is complementary to the screw shaft, c) positioning the elongate member inside the housing such that the second end of the screw shaft contacts the complementary screw thread; and d) rotating the screw shaft, thus drawing the elongate member into the tubular housing, rotation of the screw shaft resulting in telescopic movement of the elongate member and the housing relative to one another.

This method is advantageous as it produces a security device which is very secure and cannot be disassembled without turning the screw shaft.

The screw shaft is preferably fixed inside the housing by means of a first member attached to the screw shaft and a second member attached to the housing, the second member attached to the housing being positioned below the first member attached to the screw shaft, within the housing.

The second member is sized such that the first member cannot move passed it once the screw shaft has been rotatably fixed inside the housing. The second member is suitably fixed to the housing by plug welding it in place from outside the housing once the screw shaft has been positioned inside the housing.

In a preferred embodiment a thrust bearing bottom support plate is first fixed to the screw shaft followed by a thrust bearing, thus providing support for the second member before it is fixed to the housing. The second member is preferably a shaft support plate which is rotatably placed, preferably with a bush, onto the screw shaft followed by a second thrust bearing. Most preferably the first member is a shaft locking plate which is then fixed to the screw shaft sandwiching the shaft support plate and bush. Ideally the shaft locking plate contains an aperture Step a) is then carried Out by plug welding the shaft support plate to the housing by welding through a hole or holes in the wall of the housing.

Most preferably an additional step is carried out before or after step a) to fix a locking mechanism to the housing and! or the elongate member.

Ideally this additional step comprises fixing a locking mechanism to an internal wall of the housing before step a) is carried out, such that the locking mechanism is enclosed within the housing. In a most preferred embodiment the locking mechanism can prevent rotation of the screw shaft.

In a preferred embodiment the method further comprises fixing the locking mechanism to an internal wall of the housing before step a), via a fixing plate which is suitably secured to the housing.

The locking mechanism preferably has a plunger which engages with the aperture in the shaft locking plate. Steps a) to d) are then followed.

In a preferred embodiment, the screw shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing in step a) by mounting the screw shaft in a bearing housing at the first end of the housing. Ideally the first end of the housing is adapted to the bearing housing. Ideally once the screw shaft is mounted in the bearing housing a cap is fixed over the bearing housing to seal the first end of the housing. A handle is preferably attached to the first end of the screw shaft for instance by a roll pin, at the first end of the housing. Ideally the first end of the housing contains an aperture through which the screw shaft and the handle are associated with one another.

Preferred features of further aspects can be as described for the first aspect.

Following the method of the present invention produces a security device which cannot easily be disassembled.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an object such as a vehicle, gate or door as described above comprising a security apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferred features of the further aspects can be as described for the first aspect.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of security apparatus will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a security apparatus in use, fixed to a trailer.

Figure 2 is a partial section through an embodiment of a security apparatus.

Figure 3 is a partial section through an alternate embodiment of a security apparatus.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration showing the point of attachment of an embodiment of a security apparatus to an object to be protected.

Figure 5is a schematic illustration of an alternate attachment for the security apparatus.

As shown in Figure 1, the security apparatus indicated generally at 1 comprises a rigid elongate tubular housing 2 attached to the chassis 4 of a trailer 6. A rigid elongate tubular member 8 is telescopically mounted inside the housing 2. The elongate member 8 and the housing 2 are preferably formed from a metal such as steel.

Most preferably the apparatus is rust proof.

Both the elongate member 8 and the housing 2 are square in cross section such that relative rotational movement is prevented and they can move relative to one another along their longitudinal axis only. Most preferably the apparatus can extend its length from 0mm to 1000mm, more preferably from 0mm to 800mm and most preferably from 0 to 500mm.

The elongate member 8 is shown extended below the housing 2 such that its base end 10 is in a down, ground engaging position. In Figure 1 it can be seen that the front end of the trailer 6 has been raised off the ground 12 such that the hitch 14 is now too high for attachment to a towing vehicle meaning that the trailer cannot be towed away.

Figure 2 shows a preferred example of the security apparatus. The elongate member 16 is mounted inside the housing 18 and a trapezoidal screw shaft 20 is rotatably mounted inside the housing 18 along its longitudinal axis. The screw shaft 20 is rotatably mounted in a ball race bearing 22 which is fixed in place by a cap plate 24 The elongate member 16 is mounted on the screw shaft 20 via a nut item 26 having a complimentary screw thread (not shown). The nut item 26 is attached to the elongate member 16 by means of bolt items 28 which are bolted into plate item 30 that is secured to the elongate member 16. Rotation of the screw shaft 20 results in telescopic movement of the elongate member 16 and the housing 18 relative to one another because both the elongate member 16 and the housing 18 are square in cross section and so cannot rotate relative to one another.

The screw shaft 20 is fully enclosed within the housing 18 and the elongate member 16 except for a portion 32 which extends out of the top end of the housing 18, opposite the base end of the elongate member (10, in Figure 1) for attachment to a turning handle 34 by which the screw shaft 20 can be turned during use.

The apparatus also has a locking mechanism 36, for preventing rotation of the screw shaft 20. The locking mechanism 36 can be used to lock the elongate member 16 in the ground engaging position as shown in Figure 1, or in any other position between the fully raised position (not shown) where the elongate member 16 is almost entirely or entirely, enclosed within the housing 18 and the down, ground engaging position where the elongate member 16 is extended out of the housing 18.

Since the locking mechanism 36 prevents rotation of the screw shaft 20, when it has been used to lock the elongate member 16 in the down, ground engaging position as shown in Figure 1, the elongate member 16 cannot be raised back off the ground 12 because the screw shaft 20 cannot be turned. The locking mechanism 36 is preferably a lever deadlock.

The entire locking mechanism 36 is positioned internally of the housing 18 to increase the security of the apparatus. The locking mechanism 36 is mounted on a plate item 38 that is suitably welded to the housing 18. The locking mechanism 36 is preferably operated by a key 40 which can be inserted into the locking mechanism 36 through a key hole (not shown) positioned in a wall of the housing 18.

The locking mechanism 36 is arranged to lock the screw shaft 20 using a plunger 42 which is movable from an unlocked position in which the screw shaft 20 is free to rotate to a locked position in which the plunger 42 engages with an aperture 44 in a shaft locking plate 46 which is fixed at right angles to the screw shaft 20.

In order to make the apparatus even more secure the plunger 42 may also engage with a further aperture 48 in a member 50 associated with an inside wall of the housing 18 in the locked position.

However this additional aperture 48 is not necessary to lock the screw shaft 20.

Below the shaft locking plate 46 the screw shaft 20 is supported and runs in a pair of thrust bearings 52 which are positioned on either side of a shaft support plate 54 and an olilite bush 56 which is assembled on the screw shaft 20. A thrust bearing bottom support plate 58 is fixed to the screw shaft 20 below the bottom thrust bearing 52.

Turning the screw shaft 20 causes relative movement of the housing 18 and the elongate member 16, such that when the screw shaft 20 is turned the elongate member 16 is either drawn into the housing 18 or extended further from it depending on which way the screw shaft is turned.

Ideally a turning handle 34 is integral with the screw shaft 20 or may be removable. Figure 2 shows an embodiment where the turning handle is integral and Figure 3 shows an embodiment where the turning handle 134 is removable.

In Figure 2 the turning handle 34 is shearable about a roll pin 59 such that it can break in response to a predetermined force applied to the handle 34.

In Figure 3 the turning handle 134 is removable, and a first end region 136 of the screw shaft 120 is adapted for engagement with the handle 134. In use the handle 134 is preferably inserted though an aperture 138 in a wall of the housing 180 to engage with the screw shaft 120. A removable handle 134 is advantageous as it adds to the security of the apparatus. Once the elongate member (not shown in Figure 5) has been lowered into position by turning the screw shaft 120 using the handle 134 and the screw shaft 120 has been locked in position by the locking mechanism 136, the handle 134 can be removed. Since the screw shaft 120 is fully housed within the apparatus the apparatus is very secure.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of how the apparatus can be fixed to an object to be protected, for example the trailer shown in Figure 1. The housing 60 has a plate 62 fixed to it, preferably by welding. The plate 62 has at least one and preferably three studs 64, which project outwardly from it. The housing 60 can be attached to the item 66 to be secured by passing the studs 64 through apertures in the item 66, for example a drilled hole in the chassis of a vehicle or a purpose made bracket, and fixing the studs 64 in place, using a clamping plate 68 and nuts 70. A cover plate 72 having apertures 74 which correspond to the position of the nuts 70 are placed over the nuts 70 and welded in place.

Figure 5 illustrates a second example of how the apparatus can be fixed to an object to be protected 280, for example the trailer shown in Figure 1. The base edge 210 of the housing 200 rests on a bottom surface 220 of a substantially right-angled bracket 240. A sidewall 260 of the bracket 240 is fixed to the object to be protected 280, preferably by welding. The housing 200 has at least one stud 300, which projects outwardly from it and through a first aperture 310 in the side wall 260 of the bracket 240, and possibly into an aperture in the object 280. When the housing 200 is positioned on the bracket 240 the elongate member 320 is preferably fully retracted inside the hosing 200. Once in position the elongate member 320 may be lowered through a second aperture 340 in the bottom surface 220 of the bracket 240, thus securing the housing 200 to the object 280.

The order in which the apparatus is put together forms another aspect of the invention and therefore a preferred method of forming the apparatus is described here and is illustrated with particular reference to Figure 2. The method comprises the steps of a) attaching the locking mechanism 36 to plate 38 which is first welded to the housing 18, b) fixing the thrust bearing bottom support plate 58 to the screw shaft 20 followed by one of the pair of thrust bearings 52, the shaft support plate 54, the iolite bush 56 and then the remaining thrust bearing 52, C) fixing the shaft locking plate 46 to the screw shaft 20, d) placing the screw shaft 20 into the tubular housing 18, along the longitudinal axis of the housing 18, the tubular housing 18 having a first end which is adapted to receive a turning handle 34 and a second end which is open, the tubular housing 18 also being adapted for attachment to a structural member of an object to be protected, e) plug welding the shaft support plate 54 into position through the housing 18, f) fixing a cap plate 24 to the housing, preferably by welding, followed by placing a ball race bearing 22 onto the screw shaft 20, g) inserting an elongate member 16 into the second end of the tubular housing 18 in a manner which allows relative movement along their longitudinal axis only, the elongate member 16 having a nut 26 which has a screw thread which is complementary to the screw shaft 20, h) positioning the elongate member 16 inside the housing 18 such that the screw shaft 20 contacts the complementary screw thread on the nut 26; and i) rotating the screw shaft 20 drawing the elongate member 16 into the tubular housing 18, rotation of the screw shaft 20 resulting in telescopic movement of the elongate member 16 and the housing 18 relative to one another.

This method is advantageous as it produces a security device which is very secure.

Claims

Claims 1. A security apparatus comprising; a tubular housing for

attachment to a structural member of an object to be protected, an elongate member telescopically mounted inside the housing, the elongate member being mounted within the tubular housing in a manner which allows their relative movement along their longitudinal axes only, and a screw shaft rotatably mounted inside the housing, substantially along the longitudinal axis of the housing, the elongate member being mounted on the screw shaft via a complimentary screw thread such that in use, rotation of the screw shaft results in telescopic movement of the elongate member and the housing relative to one another.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the screw shaft is fully enclosed within the housing and the elongate member.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the screw shaft.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the entire locking mechanism is positioned internally of the housing.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the locking mechanism is mounted on an internal wall of the housing.

6. An apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plunger which is movable from an unlocked position in which the screw shaft is free to rotate to a locked position in which the screw shaft is prevented from rotating.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein in the locked position the plunger is located in an aperture in the screw shaft preventing rotation thereof.

8. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein in the locked position the plunger is located in an aperture in a first member fixed to the screw shaft.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first member is a radial plate, which is located inside the housing.

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the housing and the elongate member both have a cross sectional profile with at least one edge.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the tubular housing and the elongate member are square in cross-section.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the screw shaft is in the form of a trapezoidal screw.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising a turning handle associated with the screw shaft.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the turning handle is removable.

15. An apparatus according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the turning handle is shearable in response to a predetermined force.

16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one protrusion which projects outwardly from the housing.

17. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A method for making a security apparatus comprising: a) rotatably fixing a screw shaft into a tubular housing, along the longitudinal axis of the housing, th.e tubular housing having a first end which is adapted to receive a turning handle and a second end opposite the first end which is open, the screw shaft having a first end which is attachable to a turning handle and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular housing being adapted for attachment to a structural member of an object to be protected, b) inserting an elongate member into the second end of the tubular housing in a manner which allows their relative movement along their longitudinal axes only, the elongate member having a screw thread which is complementary to the screw shaft, c) positioning the elongate member inside the housing such that the second end of the screw shaft contacts the complementary screw thread; and d) rotate the screw shaft drawing the elongate member into the tubular housing, rotation of the screw shaft resulting in telescopic movement of the elongate member and the housing relative to one another.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the screw shaft is rotatably fixed into the tubular housing by fixing a first member to the screw shaft and a second member to the housing, the second member being positioned below the first member and being sized to prevent the first member from moving past it once the second member is fixed to the housing.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the second member is fixed to the housing by plug welding it into place from outside the housing once the screw shaft has been positioned inside the housing.

21. A method according to any of claims 18 to 20 further comprising fixing a locking mechanism to an internal wall of the housing before step a) is carried out such that the locking mechanism is enclosed within the housing, the locking mechanism comprising a plunger, which is movable from an unlocked position in which the screw shaft is free to rotate to a locked position in which the screw shaft is prevented from rotating 22. A method according to claim 21 comprising fixing the locking mechanism to an internal wall of the housing via a fixing plate that is suitably secured to the housing 23. A method according to claim 21 or 22 further comprising fixing a shaft locking plate containing an aperture, to the screw shaft before step a) is carried out, such that when the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the plunger is located in the aperture.

24. A method according to substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings 25. An object having attached to it a security apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 17.

26. An object according to claim 25 which is a vehicle.

27. An object according to claim 25 which is a gate.

28. An object according to claim 25 which is a door. 25.

29. A method of fixing a security apparatus according to claim 16 to and object according to any of claims 25 to 28 comprising: a) passing the at least one protrusion through an aperture in the item to be secured, b) fixing the at least one protrusion in place using a clamping plate and/or at least one securing device c) placing a cover plate having at least one aperture which corresponds to the position of the at least one securing device over the at least one securing device d) welding the cover plate in place.