GB2477496A

GB2477496A - Wheel clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2477496A
Application number: GB1001681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frederick Nigel Millbank
Original assignee: Milenco Ltd
Current assignee: Milenco Ltd
Priority date: 2010-02-03
Filing date: 2010-02-03
Publication date: 2011-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-03
Also published as: GB201001681D0; GB2477496B

Abstract

A wheel clamp 10 comprises an elongate bar 12, a cross bar 14, a threaded rod 16, a handle 18 and a locking bar 20. The cross bar extends perpendicularly from the elongate bar and is integral with the elongate bar. The threaded rod has at least a portion inside the cross bar. The handle is connected to the threaded rod and is arranged to rotate the threaded rod, and the locking bar is mounted on the threaded rod and is arranged to move relative to the elongate bar when the threaded rod is rotated. The handle may be located in a recess in the elongate bar when the clamp is locked (figure 4), and may be retracted from the recess under the action of a spring when unlocked (figure 5). End bars 30 and shield 28 may also be provided. In use, the cross bar is inserted through a vehicle road wheel, and the threaded rod is rotated by means of the handle so that the wheel is clamped between the locking bar and the elongate bar.

Description

DESCRIPTION

WHEEL CLAMP

This invention relates to a wheel clamp.

It is common to secure a vehicle with a wheel clamp. Stationary vehicles such as cars and caravans are secured by the wheel clamp being fixed to a wheel and/or axle of the vehicle. The wheel clamp will prevent the rotation of the wheel on which it is located, and as a consequence, the vehicle cannot be driven or towed away. Usually a locking mechanism is also provided for the wheel clamp. This locking mechanism could be integral in the clamp or could be a simple device such as a padlock, and the locking mechanism prevents the removal of the wheel clamp, once the wheel clamp has been located on the wheel of the vehicle and locked in place.

An example of a wheel clamp is shown in United States Patent 4878366, which shows a locking device for a vehicle wheel and tyre. The locking device is for preventing rotation of a vehicle wheel and tyre unit and comprises a U-shaped clamp insertable through the openings between spoke-like portions of a conventional wheel so that the base of the clamp engages one side of the wheel and a pair of threaded clamp members project through the openings outwardly of the other wheel side. A wheel rotation blocking bar is mounted on the clamp members, is urged by fastening nuts into compressive contact with the tire at spaced locations, and has ends projecting beyond the outer circumference of the tyre. Tabs threaded on the clamp members and interconnected by a padlock, prevent removal of the device from the wheel and tire unit.

The problem with this prior art solution is that the wheel clamp comprises multiple individual components that must assembled by the user when installing the wheel clamp and also requires the user to perform connecting and locking actions on the interior side of the wheel, which at the very least will be dirty, but will also be dark and difficult to reach, making the locating and locking of the wheel clamp an unpleasant and difficult task for the user, when they are clamping the wheel of a vehicle.

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve upon the known art.

According to the present invention, there is provided a wheel clamp comprising an elongate bar, a cross bar extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar and integral with the elongate bar, a threaded rod, at least a portion of the threaded rod inside the cross bar, a handle connected to the threaded rod and arranged to rotate the threaded rod, and a locking bar mounted on the threaded rod and arranged to move relative to the elongate bar when the threaded rod is rotated.

Owing to the invention, it is possible to provide a wheel clamp that is simple to install, without requiring the user to perform any locating or locking actions on the interior of the wheel, and is formed in a single component of is interconnected parts which do not require the user to connect two or more parts together when they are locating and/or locking the wheel clamp on the wheel of a vehicle. The elongate bar locates on the outside of a wheel, with the cross bar passing through a hole in the wheel. The handle is turned to bring the locking bar, which is on the inside of the wheel, into contact with the wheel, thereby locking the wheel clamp onto a spoke of the wheel.

Preferably, the locking bar extends perpendicularly from the cross bar and extends in a plane perpendicular to the elongate bar and the locking bar comprises a hook at one end thereof. The locking bar extends outwards from the cross bar and is parallel to the elongate bar which mounts the cross bar.

The handle of the wheel clamp is turned to move the locking bar towards the elongate bar and the hook on the end of the locking bar facilitates the locking of the wheel clamp onto a spoke of the wheel of the vehicle being clamped.

Advantageously, the handle is located at an opposite side of the elongate bar from the cross bar and the elongate bar comprises a recess for locating the handle. The wheel clamp further comprises a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of the handle and the handle is located in the recess of the elongate bar and wherein the unlocking of the locking mechanism causes the handle to retract from the recess. The provision of a locking mechanism to lock the handle of the wheel clamp prevents the easy removal of the wheel clamp from the vehicle wheel to which the clamp is connected. The handle, when locked, locates in a recess in the elongate bar and cannot be turned.

After the locking mechanism is unlocked, the handle is released from the recess, by virtue of a spring pushing the handle outwards, for example, and the handle can then be turned. The locking mechanism could be situated within the handle itself.

Ideally, the wheel clamp further comprises a shield portion connected to the elongate bar in the region of the cross bar and extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar and the shield portion extends perpendicularly from the cross bar. The shield portion further strengthens the security of the wheel clamp, as the shield portion prevents unauthorised access to the cross bar, once the wheel clamp is positioned and locked onto the wheel of a vehicle.

Preferably, the wheel clamp further comprises one or more end bars, each end bar extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar and integral with the elongate bar with each end bar lying in the same plane as the cross bar.

The end bars strengthen the overall wheel clamp and further assist in the prevention of the rotation of the wheel to which the clamp is fixed. In general, in use, the end bars will engage with the ground-contacting surface of the wheel of the vehicle, ensuring that the wheel clamp is rigidly in place and cannot be moved, once located and locked.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of the wheel clamp, Figure 2 is a perspective view of components of the wheel clamp, Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the locking mechanism of the wheel clamp, Figure 4 is a top plan view and end plan view of the wheel clamp with the handle locked, and Figure 5 is a top plan view and end plan view of the wheel clamp with the handle unlocked.

The wheel clamp, shown in perspective in Figure 1, comprises an elongate bar 12, a cross bar 14 extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar 12 and integral with the elongate bar 12, a threaded rod 16, at least a portion of the threaded rod 16 being inside the cross bar 14, a handle 18 connected to the threaded rod 16 and arranged to rotate the threaded rod 16, and a locking bar 20 mounted on the threaded rod 16 and arranged to move relative to the elongate bar 12 when the threaded rod 16 is rotated. The cross bar 14 is located substantially in the centre of the elongate bar 12, relative to the length of the elongate bar.

The locking bar 10 extends perpendicularly from the cross bar 14 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the elongate bar 12. The locking bar is comprises a hook 22 at one end thereof. In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the handle 18 can be rotated to turn the threaded rod 16. The locking bar 10, which has a threaded hole therein to mount the locking bar 20 on the threaded rod 16 will move back and forth on the threaded rod 16, when the handle 18 is turned. The wheel clamp operates by the cross bar 14 being inserted between two spokes of a wheel, and the handle 18 turned to bring the locking bar 20 towards the elongate bar 12 to lock the wheel between the elongate bar 12 and the locking bar 20.

The handle 18 is located at an opposite side of the elongate bar 12 from the cross bar 14. The elongate bar 12 comprises a recess 24 for locating the handle 18 and further comprises a locking mechanism 26 for preventing rotation of the handle 18. When locked, the handle 18 is located in the recess 24 of the elongate bar 12 and the unlocking of the locking mechanism 26 causes the handle 18 to retract from the recess 24. The handle is being urged outwards from the elongate bar 12 by a spring (not shown), such that when the locking mechanism 26 is unlocked, the handle 18 pops out from the recess 24 and can then be turned by the user, to either release the locking bar 20 or tighten the locking bar 20 into place.

The wheel clamp further comprises a shield portion 28 connected to the elongate bar 12 in the region of the cross bar 14. The shield portion 28 extends perpendicularly from the elongate bar 12 and also extends perpendicularly from the cross bar 14. The shield portion 28 further strengthens the security of the wheel clamp 10, as the shield portion 28 prevents unauthorised access to the cross bar 14, once the wheel clamp 10 is positioned and locked onto the wheel of a vehicle. The clamp 10 also further comprises end bars 30, each end bar 30 extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar 12 and integral with the elongate bar 12. Each end bar 12 lies in the same plane as the cross bar 14. The end bars 30 strengthen the wheel clamp 10 and assist in the prevention of the rotation of the wheel to which the clamp 10 is fixed. In general, in use, the end bars 30 will engage with the ground-contacting surface of the wheel of the vehicle, ensuring that the wheel clamp 10 is rigidly in place and cannot be moved, once located and locked.

is Figure 2 shows more detail of the handle 18, threaded rod 16 and locking mechanism 26. The handle body 32 passes through the elongate bar 12 (not shown in this Figure) to connect to the threaded rod 16. Turning the handle 18 turns the threaded rod 16 and thereby moves the locking bar 20 towards or away from the elongate bar 12. The handle body 32 is provided with two notches 34 on opposite sides of the handle body. When the handle 18 is in the locked position one of these notches 34 engages with the locking mechanism 26, and this prevents the handle 18 from being pushed outwards from the elongate bar 12.

When the locking mechanism 26 is unlocked by the key 36, then the central part of the locking mechanism 26 will turn and the mechanism 26 will no longer engage with the notch 34 in the body 32 of the handle 18. This allows the handle 18 to eject outwards from the elongate bar 12 under the pressure of a spring (not shown) that creates a force between the handle 18 and the elongate bar 12. Once the handle 18 has been ejected, then it can be turned by the user who will be able to turn the threaded rod 16 and thereby move the locking bar 20. To lock the wheel clamp 10 it is necessary for the user to push the handle 18 back into the recess 24 of the elongate bar 12. The locking mechanism 26 can then be locked again, engaging with the notch 34 and holding the handle 18 in position.

The locking mechanism 26 is shown in more detail in Figure 3. The principal components of the locking mechanism 26 are the lock body 38 and the central core 40, with a spring 42 between the lock body 38 and the central core that is providing a turning force between the two parts 38 and 40. The central core 40 is provided with a notch 44. In the locked configuration, the central core 40 of the locking mechanism 26 engages with the notch 34 of the handle 18, preventing the handle 18 from moving out of its recess 24 in the elongate bar 12. The handle 18 cannot be turned while the locking mechanism 26 is locked.

Once the key 36 is turned, the central core 40 of the locking mechanism 26 will turn under the user's force on the key 36 and the notch 44 will release the handle body 32, thereby releasing the handle 18 from the recess 24. Once the user releases the key 36, the turning force provided by the spring 42 will cause the central core 40 to return to its original position, but this will not affect the handle body 32, as the handle 18 will already have moved outwards under the pressure of its spring. When the user wishes to lock the handle 18 the pushing movement of the handle inwards will cause the notch 34 on the handle body 32 to once again engage with the central core 40 of the locking mechanism 26.

Figure 4 shows the wheel clamp 10 in top plan view and end plan view with the handle 18 locked in place within the recess 24 of the elongate bar 12.

The locking mechanism 26 is locking the handle 18 in position and the handle 18 cannot released from the elongate bar 12 and turned. The threaded rod 16, within the cross bar 14, which mounts the locking bar 20, likewise cannot be turned and the locking bar 20 is therefore fixed in its current position. The configuration of Figure 4 is the locked configuration of the wheel clamp 10.

The shield portion 28 can also be seen in this Figure.

After the key 36 is turned in the locking mechanism 26 to release the handle 18 from the elongate bar 12, the configuration shown in Figure 5 is reached. As can be seen in this Figure, the handle 18 is no longer located in the recess 24 of the elongate bar 12. As discussed above, when the locking mechanism 26 is unlocked, a spring within the elongate bar 12 is able to push the handle 18 away from the elongate bar 12. The handle 18 can now be turned, and the threaded rod 16, to which the handle 18 is connected, will likewise turn. This will result in the locking bar 20 moving relative to the elongate bar 12.

The configuration of Figure 5 is the unlocked configuration of the wheel clamp 10. Once the handle 18 is free to be turned, then the wheel clamp 10 can mounted in place on the wheel of a vehicle, with the handle 18 turned to io tighten the locking bar 20 on the spoke of a wheel. Once the locking bar 20 is in position, then the handle 18 can be pushed into the elongate bar 12, which causes it to be locked again by the locking mechanism 26, as described above. When the wheel clamp 10 is to be removed from the wheel to which it is affixed, then the above process is reversed. The key 36 is once again turned in the locking mechanism 36 to release the handle 18, and the handle 18 can be turned in the opposite direction to drive the locking bar 20 away from the wheel, and the clamp 10 can be removed.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A wheel clamp comprising: o an elongate bar (12), o a cross bar (14) extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar and integral with the elongate bar, o a threaded rod (16), at least a portion of the threaded rod inside the cross bar, o a handle (18) connected to the threaded rod and arranged to io rotate the threaded rod, and o a locking bar (20) mounted on the threaded rod and arranged to move relative to the elongate bar when the threaded rod is rotated.
2. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the locking bar extends perpendicularly from the cross bar and extends in a plane perpendicular to the elongate bar.
3. A clamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking bar comprises a hook (22) at one end thereof.
4. A clamp according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the handle is located at an opposite side of the elongate bar from the cross bar.
5. A clamp according to any preceding claim, wherein the elongate bar comprises a recess (24) for locating the handle.
6. A clamp according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a locking mechanism (26) for preventing rotation of the handle.
7. A clamp according to claims 5 and 6, wherein the handle is located in the recess of the elongate bar and wherein the unlocking of the locking mechanism causes the handle to retract from the recess.
8. A clamp according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a shield portion (28) connected to the elongate bar in the region of the cross bar and extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar.
9. A clamp according to claim 8, wherein the shield portion extends io perpendicularly from the cross bar.
10. A clamp according to any preceding claim, and further comprising one or more end bars (30), the or each end bar extending perpendicularly from the elongate bar and integral with the elongate bar.
11. A clamp according to claim 10, wherein the or each end bar lies in the same plane as the cross bar.
12. A clamp according to any preceding claim, wherein the cross bar is located substantially in the centre of the elongate bar.