GB2483109A

GB2483109A - A wheel clamp for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2483109A
Application number: GB201014336A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Ross Boden Barrow; Jonathan Mark Schofield
Original assignee: Purple Line Ltd
Current assignee: Purple Line Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-27
Filing date: 2010-08-27
Publication date: 2012-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 2030-08-27
Also published as: GB201014336D0; GB2483109B

Abstract

A wheel clamp 10 for a vehicle includes a shield 12 having an immobilising arm 14. The immobilising arm 14 is arranged to locate through an opening 17 between the spokes of a wheel 16. The shield 12 locates adjacent to the face of the wheel 16. The wheel clamp 10 includes locking means in order to lock the shield 12 to the wheel 16. The locking means comprises a first locking member 20 which comprises a conventional wheel nut or wheel bolt but also provides engagement means in order for a second locking member 22 to be engaged with and locked to the first locking member 20. Once installed, if the vehicle is attempted to be moved, then the rotation of the wheel 16 also causes rotation of the wheel clamp 10 which results in the immobilising arm 14 striking or abutting a part of the vehicle. This prevents the vehicle being moved away and prevents the wheel 16 from being further rotated.

Description

Wheel Clamp

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wheel clamp for a wheeled vehicle, an assembly comprising a wheel clamp and a wheeled vehicle and a method of immobilising a wheeled vehicle. In particular, the present invention relates to wheel clamp for a trailer and specifically a caravan, an assembly comprising a wheel clamp and a trailer and specifically a caravan and to a method of immobilising a trailer and specifically a caravan.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Wheel clamps are well known devices to immobilise wheeled vehicles. Wheel clamps may be used by third parties who want to immobilise vehicles which are illegally parked and located in unauthorised locations. In addition, vehicle owners may also fit a wheel clamp to their own vehicle in order to deter and prevent the theft of the vehicle.

Whilst wheel clamps may be used for powered vehicles, such wheel clamps can also be used for unpowered vehicles, for example trailers including caravans.

Such unpowered vehicles may be stolen by being coupled to a vehicle and towed away since such trailers may not have any sophisticated braking mechanism and may not require a key or even access to the inside of the vehicle prior to towing the trailer.

Conventional wheel clamps can be used on caravan wheels but such clamps may be large, heavy and cumbersome to fit. In addition, such wheel clamps may comprise numerous detachable components which may easily be lost or misplaced. Accordingly, the physical size and number of components may deter or prevent users from always using the wheel clamps or transporting the wheel clamps for use to the final destination.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a wheel clamp for securement to a wheel of a wheeled vehicle, the wheel clamp comprising locking means to lock the clamp to the vehicle, the locking means including a shaft which extends through a mounting aperture of the wheel and secures the wheel clamp to a rotatable hub of the vehicle, the wheel clamp further comprising a shield which extends from the locking means and is arranged, in use, to locate adjacent to a first face of the wheel, the wheel clamp comprising an imrnobilising arm which extends through an opening in the wheel from the first face of the wheel to a second face of the wheel and wherein rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the wheel clamp until the immobilising arm abuts a part of the vehicle.

Preferably the wheel clamp is arranged to extend radially outwardly from a central position of the wheel to an outermost position within the perimeter of the outer face of the wheel.

Preferably the wheel clamp is arranged to extend radially outwardly from a central position of the wheel to an outermost position located prior to a rim of the wheel.

Preferably the shield at least partially conceals a second mounting aperture of the wheel.

Preferably the wheel is mounted to the rotatable hub by mounting means and the shield, in the locked position, is arranged to at least partially conceal the mounting means for the wheel.

Preferably the shield is arranged in the locked position to conceal all of the mounting means for the vehicle.

Preferably the shield prevents or inhibits access to the or each mounting means for the wheel.

The or each mounting means may comprise a wheel nut or a wheel bolt.

The shield may be arranged, in use, to conceal a central portion of the wheel.

The locking means may comprise a replacement wheel nut or wheel bolt.

The locking means may comprise a first locking member and a second locking member.

The first locking member may comprise a threaded shaft for engagement with a corresponding threaded hole provided in the rotatable hub of the vehicle.

The first locking member may comprise a threaded hole for engagement with a corresponding threaded shaft provided on the rotatable hub of the vehicle.

Preferably the first locking member is arranged, in use, to replace a mounting bolt or nut of the wheel. The first locking member may comprise a replacement wheel nut or wheel bolt.

Preferably the first locking member retains or at least assists in retaining the wheel to the rotatable hub of the vehicle.

Preferably the first locking member secures or at least partially secures the wheel to the rotatable hub of the vehicle.

Preferably the shield comprises a lock aperture for cooperation with the locking means.

The lock aperture may comprise a shroud to protect the locking means.

Preferably, the shield is positioned such that the lock aperture registers with an engagement aperture in the first locking member to enable a part of the second locking member to locate through the lock aperture and into engagement with the engagement aperture of the first locking member.

The shield may be arranged to extend outwardly from a central position of the wheel to an outermost position within the perimeter of the outer face of the wheel.

Accordingly, the radial extent or reach of the shield is preferably less than the radius of the wheel.

The shield may extend outwardly from a central position of the wheel towards (but preferably not as far as) a rim of the wheel.

Preferably the shield extends across or over the rotational axis of the wheel.

Preferably the lock aperture of the shield is angularly spaced around the axis of the wheel relative to the immobilising arm. The lock aperture and the immobilising arm may be arranged, in use, to be angularly spaced by greater than 90 degrees and preferably less than 270 degrees.

The length of the shield may be less than the diameter of the wheel.

Preferably a greatest dimension of the shield is less than the diameter of the wheel.

The immobilising arm may be arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the shield.

Preferably the immobilising arm extends in a parallel direction to the longitudinal direction of the first locking member and the second locking member. The immobilising arm may extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the wheel.

The immobilising arm may be slidably secured to the shield. Accordingly, the radial position of the immobilising arm may be adjusted and fixed prior to securement of the wheel clamp to the wheel.

The shield may comprise retaining means for retaining the immobilising arm to the shield. The retaining means may comprise a slot for engaging a retaining flange located on an end of the imrnobilising arm.

The immobilising arm may comprise a first portion and a second portion.

Preferably the second portion is secured at an angle relative to the first portion.

The second portion may be secured substantially perpendicular relative to the first portion.

The second portion may extend from the first portion towards the axis of the wheel.

The second portion may extend from the first portion in a direction substantially at a tangent or parallel to a tangent of the wheel.

The second portion may extend from the first portion substantially perpendicular to a radius of the wheel.

The second portion may be adjustably secured to the first portion. The second portion may be slidably secured along the length of the first portion.

Accordingly the separation distance between the second portion and the shield may be set by a user. Preferably the second portion is arranged, in use, to be substantially parallel to the shield.

Preferably rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the wheel clamp until the immobilising arm abuts a part of an underside of the vehicle.

Preferably from the locked position without rotating the wheel clamp, the second portion is not movable in a direction parallel to the axis of the wheel through the opening of the wheel.

Preferably, in order to secure the wheel clamp, the second portion is initially inserted through the opening in the wheel and the wheel clamp is then rotated in order for the second locking member to be engagable with the first locking member.

The first locking member may provide engagement means for engaging with the second locking member.

The first locking member may comprise an engagement passageway. The engagement passageway may comprise a cylindrical engagement passageway.

The cylindrical engagement passageway may comprise a locking groove. The locking groove may comprise an annular locking groove.

The second locking member may comprise a shaft for engagement with the second locking member.

The shaft may include locking elements. The locking elements may comprise ball bearings.

The locking elements may be movable outwardly from an inner unlocked position to an outer locked position.

The second locking member may be freely rotatable relative to the first locking portion in the locked position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a wheel and a wheel clamp, the wheel clamp comprising locking means to lock the clamp to the vehicle, the locking means including a shaft which extends through a mounting aperture of the wheel and secures the wheel clamp to a rotatable hub of the vehicle, the wheel clamp further comprising a shield which extends from the locking means and is arranged, in use, to locate adjacent to a first face of the wheel, the wheel clamp comprising an imrnobilising arm which extends through an opening in the wheel from the first face of the wheel to a second face of the wheel and wherein rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the wheel clamp until the immobilising arm abuts a part of the vehicle.

Accordingly, the radial extent or reach of the shield is less than the radius of the wheel.

Preferably the shield extends across or over the rotational axis of the wheel.

Preferably the lock aperture of the shield is angularly spaced around the axis of the wheel relative to the immobilising arm. The lock aperture and the imrnobilising arm may be arranged, in use, to be angularly spaced by greater than 90 degrees and preferably less than 270 degrees.

The length of the shield may be less than the diameter of the wheel.

Preferably the assembly comprises securement means to secure the wheel to a vehicle.

The securement means may comprise wheel bolts.

The securement means may comprise wheel nuts.

Preferably the shield at least partially conceals the securement means.

The assembly may comprise a tyre fitted around the wheel.

The assembly may include a vehicle to which the wheel clamp is locked and preferably includes a trailer to which the wheel clamp is locked.

The assembly may include a vehicle to which the wheel clamp is locked and wherein the vehicle comprises a caravan.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of securing a wheel clamp to a vehicle comprising moving an immobilising arm of a wheel clamp through an opening in a wheel of the vehicle and locking a shield of the wheel clamp to the wheel wherein the method comprises replacing a mounting element of the wheel with a first locking member in order for the first locking member to be mounted to a rotatable hub of the vehicle, the method comprising securing the shield to the wheel by locking a second locking member to the first locking member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings that follow, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a wheel clamp; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a wheel clamp; Figure 3 is a planned view of a preferred embodiment of a wheel clamp; Figure 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a wheel clamp; Figure 5 is a cross section through section C-C shown in Figure 3 of a preferred embodiment of a wheel clamp; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a wheel clamp secured to a wheel; Figure 7 is a side view of a wheel clamp secured to a wheel; Figure 8 is a side view of a wheel clamp; and Figure 9 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a wheel clamp secured to a wheel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 6, a wheel clamp 10 includes a shield 12 having an immobilising arm 14. The immobilising arm 14 is arranged to locate between the spokes 24 of a wheel 16 through an opening 17 provided within the wheel 16.

The shield 12 locates adjacent to the face of the wheel 16.

The wheel clamp 10 includes locking means in order to lock the shield 12 to the wheel 16. The locking means includes a first locking member 20 and a second locking member 22. The locking means is arranged to lock the shield 12 at the location of a conventional wheel nut or wheel bolt and, in particular, the first locking member 20 also acts as a conventional wheel nut or wheel bolt but also provides engagement means in order for the second locking member 22 to be engaged with and locked to the first locking member 20. The first locking member comprises a replacement wheel nut or wheel bolt.

The wheel clamp 10 is compact and the shield 12 does not extend as far as the tyre 26 fitted to the wheel 16. In addition, the wheel clamp 10 does not require any frame members to locate around the tyre 26 on the wheel 16.

Once installed, the wheel clamp 10 is locked to the wheel 16 and the imniobilising arm 14 passes between the spokes 24 and through the opening 17 provided in the wheel 16. The immobilising arm 14 passes through the opening 17 from a first outer face 60 of the wheel to a second inner face 62 of the wheel 16. If the vehicle is attempted to be moved, then the rotation of the wheel 16 also causes rotation of the wheel clamp 10 which results in the immobilising arm 14 striking or abutting a part of the vehicle, for example, the immobilising arm 14 may strike the brake drum or suspension mechanism of the vehicle. This prevents the vehicle being moved away and prevents the wheel 16 from being further rotated. Whilst the basic operation of the wheel clamp 10 is described above, the preferred embodiment will now be described in further detail.

In the description, the wheel 16 comprises a generally metal wheel to which a tyre 26 is fitted around in order to transport the trailer. The wheel 16 includes a wheel rim 64 around the periphery.

The wheel clamp 10 comprises a shield 12 which is arranged, in use, to locate against the outer face 60 of the wheel 16, as shown in Figure 6. In particular, the shield 12 is secured to the vehicle such that the shield 12 covers part of the outer face 60 of the wheel 16 but does not extend beyond the periphery of the wheel.

The wheel clamp 10 is compact and does not extend beyond the perimeter of the wheel 16 and does not reach the rim 64 of the wheel 16. Accordingly, the shield does not extend as far as the tyre 26. The wheel clamp 10 is, therefore, compact and does not include an elongate frame which must encompass the tyre as in many prior art devices, as shown in Figure 6 to Figure 9.

The shield 12 is secured and locked to the vehicle by a locking member. The locking member comprises a first locking member 20 and a second locking member 22, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5. The first locking member 20 is arranged to replace a conventional wheel nut or wheel bolt of the vehicle.

Accordingly, prior to use, a user simply removes an existing wheel nut or wheel bolt and secures the first locking member 20 in place. Once installed, the first locking member 20 remains in position on the vehicle and acts as a conventional wheel nut or wheel bolt. Therefore, the first locking member 20, along with the other conventional wheel nuts or wheel bolts, secures the wheel 16 to the vehicle in a conventional manner. In the preferred embodiment, the first locking member is shown in a configuration to replace an existing wheel locking bolt.

As in a conventional wheel bolt, the first locking member 20 comprises a head 28 and a shaft 30, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 5. The shaft 30 is threaded and is arranged to register and engage with a corresponding threaded opening provided in a hub of the vehicle. As in a conventional wheel bolt, the shaft 30 is arranged to extend through a wheel bolt aperture 66 or mounting aperture provided on the wheel 16. Similarly, as in conventional wheel bolts, the head 28 comprises an enlarged head which is not able to pass through the wheel bolt apertures 66 but retains the wheel 16 to the hub. Accordingly, once installed, the head 28 of the first locking member 20 is easily accessible.

The first locking member 20 also provides engagement means in order to engage with a corresponding engagement means on the second locking member 22.

In the preferred embodiment, the first locking member 20 comprises a cylindrical opening 32 into which a shaft 34 of the second locking member 20 can be inserted.

The cylindrical opening 32 includes a radial locking groove 36 defined in the internal cylindrical opening 32. The second locking member 22 includes two locking elements 38 which are radially moveable. In particular, in the unlocked position, the locking elements 38 are held or can be freely moved into an inner position which enables the shaft 30 to be freely inserted and extracted from the cylindrical opening 32. In the locked position, the locking elements 38 are urged and moved radially outwardly and are prevented from being moved to the inner unlocked position. In this configuration, the locking elements 38 are retained at least partially in the annular retaining groove 36 and the cylindrical opening 32.

This thereby prevents the second locking member 22 from being removed and separated from the first locking member 20.

In order to locate the locking elements 38 in the outer position or to enable the locking elements 38 to be moveable to the inner position, the second locking member 22 is provided with a key mechanism. The key mechanism is a conventional key locking mechanism and is a tubular or barrel key mechanism.

In the preferred embodiment, the second locking member 22 comprises a head 40 at the end of the shaft 34. The head 40 comprises a recessed end plate 42 which includes a tubular key hole. A tubular key (not shown) is used to lock and unlock the locking elements 38.

The tubular lock includes a central shaft 44 which is rotatable with the tubular key.

The central shaft 44 includes shaped or recessed portions 46 which form seats for the locking elements 38 in the unlocked position. As the shaft 44 is rotated by the tubular key, the locking elements 38 are moved out of the recessed portions 46 and the locking elements are moved outwardly through the locking element apertures 48 into a locked configuration. As explained above, in this locked configuration, the locking elements 38 partially locate within an annular retaining groove 36 defined in the inner surface of the head 28 of the first locking member 20.

In the preferred embodiment, the locking elements 38 are ball bearings. The diameters of the locking element apertures 48 are slightly smaller than the diameters of the ball bearings 38 and are shaped such that the ball bearings 38 cannot pass through the locking element apertures 48 and the ball bearings 38 are retained with the shaft 44 of the second locking member 22.

The first locking member 20 also provides alignment means in order to correctly align the insertion distance of the shaft 44 with the cylindrical passage 32. The alignment means comprises an abutment surface 50 which is arranged to abut the end face of the shaft 34 when the locking elements 38 are registered with the annular retaining groove 36.

The irnmobilising arm 14 comprises a first portion 52 and a second portion 54. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 9, the second portion 54 extends substantially perpendicular to the first portion 52. The second portion 54 includes a securement bracket 70 which enables the position of the second portion 54 to be moved along the length of the first portion 52. This adjusts the separation distance between the second portion 54 and the shield 12.

The second portion 54 extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the shield 12.

Similarly, the wheel 16 and the plane thereof locate between the second portion 54 and the shield 12. -14-

The first portion 52 is secured to the shield 12 in a substantially perpendicular orientation. In particular, an end flange 72 of the first portion 52 locates within an elongate retaining slot 74. The radial position of the immobilising arm 14 can then be adjusted and altered along the shield 12. Accordingly, the wheel clamp 10 can be adjusted to fit different sized wheels.

Once the wheel clamp 1 0 is locked in position on the wheel 16, the orientation of the second portion 54 would prevent the wheel clamp 10 from being easily levered off the wheel 16. For example, the orientation of the second portion 54 is such that if the wheel clamp 10 was moved purely in a direction along the axis of the wheel 16, then the second portion 54 would not fit through the opening 17 between the spokes of the wheel 16.

Prior to use, the wheel clamp 10 is orientated in order for the end of the second portion 54 to be inserted through the opening 17 between the spokes. The wheel clamp 10 is then manipulated in order for the shield 12 to lie adjacent to the outer face 60 of the wheel and for the lock aperture 18 in the shield 12 to register with the first locking member 20. The second locking member 22 is then locked to the first locking member 20 in order to secure the wheel clamp 10. The shield 12 includes a shroud 58 located around the lock aperture 18, as shown in Figure 1 and Figures 3 to 5. The shroud 58 protects the locking means and prevents easy access for tools which may be used to try and break or destroy the locking means in order to release the wheel clamp 10 from the wheel 16.

The wheel clamp 10 is removed by reversing the securement procedure.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wheel clamp for securement to a wheel of a wheeled vehicle, the wheel clamp comprising locking means to lock the clamp to the vehicle, the locking means including a shaft which extends through a mounting aperture of the wheel and secures the wheel clamp to a rotatable hub of the vehicle, the wheel clamp further comprising a shield which extends from the locking means and is arranged, in use, to locate adjacent to a first face of the wheel, the wheel clamp comprising an immobilising arm which extends through an opening in the wheel from the first face of the wheel to a second face of the wheel and wherein rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the wheel clamp until the immobilising arm abuts a part of the vehicle.
2. A wheel clamp according to Claim 1 in which the wheel clamp is arranged to extend radially outwardly from a central position of the wheel to an outermost position within the perimeter of the outer face of the wheel.
3. A wheel clamp according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the shield at least partially conceals a second mounting aperture of the wheel.
4. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the shield prevents or inhibits access to the or each mounting means for the wheel.
5. A wheel clamp according to Claim in which the or each mounting means comprises a wheel nut or a wheel bolt.
6. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the locking means comprises a replacement wheel nut or wheel bolt.
7. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the shield is arranged to extend outwardly from a central position of the wheel to an outermost position within the perimeter of the outer face of the wheel.
8. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the shield extends outwardly from a central position of the wheel towards (but not as far as) a rim of the wheel.
9. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the shield extends across or over the rotational axis of the wheel.
10. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the imrnobilising arm is arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the shield.
11. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the immobilising arm extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the wheel.
12. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which the imniobilising arm comprises a first portion and a second portion.
13. A wheel clamp according to Claim 12 in which the second portion is secured at an angle relative to the first portion.
14. A wheel clamp according to any Claim 13 in which the second portion is secured substantially perpendicular relative to the first portion.
15. A wheel clamp according to any one of Claim 12 to Claim 14 in which the second portion extends from the first portion in a direction substantially at a tangent or parallel to a tangent of the wheel.
16. A wheel clamp according to any one of Claim 12 to Claim 15 in which the second portion is adjustably secured to the first portion.
17. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the wheel clamp until the immobilising arm abuts a part of an underside of the vehicle.
18. A wheel clamp according to any preceding claim in which, in order to secure the wheel clamp, the second portion is initially inserted through the opening in the wheel and the wheel clamp is then rotated in order for the second locking member to be engagable with the first locking member.
19. An assembly comprising a wheel and a wheel clamp, the wheel clamp comprising locking means to lock the clamp to the vehicle, the locking means including a shaft which extends through a mounting aperture of the wheel and secures the wheel clamp to a rotatable hub of the vehicle, the wheel clamp further comprising a shield which extends from the locking means and is arranged, in use, to locate adjacent to a first face of the wheel, the wheel clamp comprising an immobilising arm which extends through an opening in the wheel from the first face of the wheel to a second face of the wheel and wherein rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the wheel clamp until the immobilising arm abuts a part of the vehicle.
20. An assembly according to Claim 19 in which the wheel clamp is arranged to extend radially outwardly from a central position of the wheel to an outermost position within the perimeter of the outer face of the wheel.
21. An assembly according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 in which the shield extends outwardly from a central position of the wheel towards (but not as far as) a rim of the wheel.
22. An assembly according to any one of Claim 19 to Claim 21 in which the assembly comprise a tyre fitted around the wheel.
23. An assembly according to any one of Claim 19 to Claim 22 in which the assembly includes a vehicle to which the wheel clamp is locked.
24. An assembly according to Claim 23 in which the vehicle comprises a caravan.
25. A method of securing a wheel clamp to a vehicle comprising moving an immobilising arm of a wheel clamp through an opening in a wheel of the vehicle and locking a shield of the wheel clamp to the wheel wherein the method comprises replacing a mounting element of the wheel with a first locking member in order for the first locking member to be mounted to a rotatable hub of the vehicle, the method comprising securing the shield to the wheel by locking a second locking member to the first locking member.
26. A wheel clamp for securement to a wheel of a wheeled vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to, and as show in, any of the accompanying drawings.
27. An assembly comprising a wheel and a wheel clamp substantially as herein described with reference to, and as show in, any of the accompanying drawings.
28. A method of securing a wheel clamp to a vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to, and as show in, any of the accompanying drawings.