WO2004018269A1

WO2004018269A1 - Vehicle immobiliser

Info

Publication number: WO2004018269A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/003925
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roy Thomas
Original assignee: Roy Thomas
Priority date: 2001-08-24
Filing date: 2002-08-27
Publication date: 2004-03-04
Also published as: GB0120885D0; AU2002330606A1

Abstract

A vehicle immobiliser incorporated in a support for a trailer, comprises an outer member, an inner member received telescopically within the outer member. One of the members in use is secured to the trailer. There are means for moving the inner member relative to the outer member between retracted and extended positions, and means for locking the inner and outer members together when the support is extended.

Description

VEHICLE LMMOBILISER

The present invention relates to a vehicle immobiliser for inhibiting the theft of trailers, for example caravans or the trailers of goods-carrying articulated vehicles.

The theft of caravans and goods-carrying trailers is a significant problem. A wide variety of vehicle immobilising devices are available to combat theft. The devices range from sophisticated electronic devices to simple mechanical and electro mechanical devices. For example, in the case of non-powered vehicles such as caravans, mechanical devices such as wheel clamps and hitch locks (which are intended to prevent a caravan from being hitched to a vehicle) are widely used in an attempt to prevent a caravan from being towed away. In the case of goods-carrying trailers which are hitched to a tractor by a king-pin, locks are sometimes provided which can be locked onto a trailer king-pin to prevent the king-pin being coupled to a fifth wheel provided on a tractor. However, such conventional mechanical devices are relatively easily circumvented by a determined thief either using readily available tools such as a wrench or a blow torch, or in the case of hitch and king-pin locks attaching the trailer to a towing vehicle using ropes or chains. There is thus a continuing need to improve upon existing immobilisers and to develop new devices which are more difficult to circumvent and thus offer higher levels of security.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new vehicle immobiliser.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle immobiliser incorporated in a support for a trailer, comprising an outer member, an inner member received telescopically within the outer member, one of the members in use being secured to the trailer, means for moving the inner member relative to the outer member between retracted and extended positions, and means for locking the inner and outer members together when the support is extended.

The invention also provides a method of immobilising a trailer incorporating at least one supporting leg on which the trailer is to be supported when the trailer is not coupled to a towing vehicle, the support incorporating an outer member, and inner member received telescopically within the outer member, and means for moving the inner member relative to the outer member between retracted and extended positions, wherein the inner member is moved to an extended position in which the trailer is supported at a height such that it cannot be coupled to a towing vehicle, and the inner and outer members are locked together with the inner member in the extended position to which it has been moved.

The locking means may comprise a pin which is engageable in apertures defined in the inner and outer members. The pin may be received in a housing mounted on the trailer. The pin may have an incision engageable by a key operated lock mounted in the housing. Alternatively the pin may be a part of a key-operated lock or a combination lock. As a further alternative, rather than directly locking the inner and outer members together, they may be locked together indirectly, for example by locking the moving means, providing locking the moving means prevents relative movement between the inner and outer members.

The support may carry a ground engaging wheel. The locking means may lock the ground engaging wheel in a position perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the trailer.

The inner member may comprise a tube. An anti-cut tube may be received within the tubular inner member. The inner and outer members may be movable relative to each other by a screw drive mechanism.

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figs. 1 and 2 are schematic cross-sections (viewed from the side) of an embodiment of the present invention:

Figs. 3 to 5 are views of components of the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 6 illustrates the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5 when in use on a caravan;

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the position of the wheels of the caravan shown in Fig.6;

Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention mounted on a goods-carrying trailer of an articulated vehicle;

Fig 9 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention incorporating an alternative key-operated locking mechanism to that shown in Fig. 3; and Figs 10 to 13 schematically illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention mounted on a goods carrying trailer and incorporating a button-operated combination locking mechanism.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, the illustrated vehicle immobiliser in accordance with the invention comprises a support including an outer tube 1, the lower end of which is open and the upper end of which receives a cap 2. Telescopically received within the tube 1 is an inner tube 3. The lower end of the tube 3 extends beyond the open end of the tube 1. An arm 4 projects from the lower end of tube 3 at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tube 3 and supports a hub 5 of a wheel 6.

The tube 3 is slidably movable relative to the tube 1 by a screw mechanism in the form of a threaded shaft 7 which engages a threaded nut 8 mounted on the upper end of the inner tube 3. The shaft 7 extends through but is retained against axial movement relative to the cap 2. The upper end of the shaft 7 forms a handle 9 for operation by a user. In use a user operates the handle 9, rotation of the handle 9 causing the tube 3 to be moved relative to the tube 1. (With reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the relative position of the tube 3 relative to the tube 1 has been altered in Fig 2 as compared with Fig 1 by the use of the screw mechanism). It will be appreciated that other embodiments of the invention could be envisaged in which the tube 3 would be moved relative to the tube 1 by other means (not shown) such as hydraulic or pneumatic means.

An anti-cutting tube 10 is loosely inserted inside the inner tube 3 to slow/prevent the support from being sawn through (i.e. it will rotate when sawing is attempted).

The locking means comprises a threaded pin 11 having a grip 12 angled to the axis of the pin 11. The pin 11 is received in a threaded bore 13 of a housing 14 (see Fig. 3). The housing 14 is mounted upon a caravan or other trailer chassis 15, retained in position by a plurality of fixing devices 16 extending through apertures in the chassis 15. The fixing devices 16 may comprise coach bolts and shear nuts, for example. The outer tube 1 extends through housing 14 via an opening 17 defined therein. A plurality of apertures 18a (Fig 1) are disposed (spaced at intervals) along the length of the outer tube 1. A plurality of apertures 18b are disposed (spaced at intervals) along the length of the inner tube 3. Depending upon the position of the tube 1 relative to the tube 3 an individual aperture 18a may or may not be in alignment with one of the apertures 18b. When a pair of apertures 18a, 18b are aligned, the pin 11 can be extended to pass through the apertures and thereby to lock the tubes 1 and 3 together.

In routine use, when the chassis 15 is coupled to a towing vehicle, the pin 11 is retracted within the housing 14 and the support is pulled upwards through the housing 14 and then secured in a raised position by screwing the pin 11 into contact with the outer tube 1. On arrival on site, the pin 11 is retracted and the support drops through the housing until the wheel 6 contacts the ground. The pin 11 is then extended into contact with the outer tube 1 and the handle 9 can then be turned to lift the chassis 15 off the tow vehicle in a conventional manner.

If the trailer is to be secured against unauthorised movement, the tube 3 is moved relative to the tube 1 by operation of the handle 9 until an aperture 18a in the tube 1 is lined up with an aperture 18b in the tube 3. Once the desired position of the tube 3 relative to the tube 1 is achieved, the pin 11 is retracted to enable the tube to slide in the housing 14 until the aligned apertures 18a, 18b are themselves aligned with the pin 11. The pin 11 is then screwed along the bore 13 of housing 14 until it extends through the aligned apertures 18a and 18b in tubes 1 and 3. With the pin 11 in this position the relative location of the tube 1 to the tube 3 is fixed: the tube 3 cannot be slidably moved relative to the tube 1 by operation of the handle 9. Alternatively, the pin 11 can be engaged on one of the apertures 18a a so as to lock the tube 1 against movement relative to the housing 14, and the handle 9 can be operated until one of the apertures 18b is aligned with the pin 11. The pin 11 can then be further extended onto the aligned aperture 18b.

The pin 11 is locked in position by a key operated lock 19 received in a bore 20 in the housing 14. The lock 19 is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin 11. The lock 19 comprises a barrel which in use engages an incision 21 in the pin 11. (The incision 21 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pin 11). When so engaged, movement of the pin 11 relative to the housing 14 is prevented. A spigot 22 is slidably associated with the barrel 19. The spigot 22 is retractable by a key 23. In use the spigot 22 engages a recess 24 in the bore 20 thus preventing removal of the barrel 19 from the bore 20 of the housing 14 (and thus from engagement with the incision 21 of the pin 11) without the use of the key 23.

To remove the pin 11 from engagement with the apertures 18a and 18b, the lock 19 is unlocked with the key 23, thus moving the spigot 22 out of engagement with the recess 24. The lock 19 is then removed from the bore 20. The pin 11 may then be screwed along the bore 13 out of engagement with the apertures 18a and 18b.

Figs. 6 and 7 show how in use the apparatus of the invention may be used to prevent a towing fixture from being engaged by a tow bar 25 on a vehicle 26.

Here the tube 3 is fixed relative to the tube 1 such that the towing fixture of the vehicle chassis 15 is arranged higher than that of the vehicle tow bar 25 (usually arranged 350mm above the ground). Thus it is not possible for the towing fixture and the tow bar 25 to be engaged and for the chassis 15 to be towed away.

The apertures 18a and 18b are preferably arranged relative to each other so that when the pin 11 engages an aperture 18a and an aperture 18b the rotation axis of the wheel 6 is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle chassis 14, i.e. the rotational axis of the wheel 6 is perpendicular to a rotation axis of a supporting wheel 27 of the vehicle chassis 15 (see Fig. 7).

Furthermore as the wheel 6 is locked down (and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle chassis) the use of attachment means (such as a rope or chain) to attach the chassis 15 to a vehicle 26 would still not be of assistance in removing the trailer.

It would also be appreciated that even if the arm 4 is severed and the wheel 6 is separated from the tube 3, the tube 3 will still be fixed relative to the tube 1 and the vehicle chassis 15. Thus the tube 3 will still present an aid to preventing vehicle theft as if vehicle chassis 15 is towed, the tube 3 will abut against any road irregularities such as sleeping policemen, thus providing a physical deterrent to towing (and thus theft) that is also visible by passers by.

The vehicle immobiliser in accordance with the invention may be fitted to a caravan trailer chassis as follows: The housing 14 is secured to the caravan chassis 15 using coach bolts 16 which engage pre-existing or purposely drilled apertures (not shown) in the chassis 15.

The chassis is raised sufficiently above the ground surface to allow the insertion of the inner tube 3, which has already been separated from the screw mechanism and the tube 1, into opening 17 from below. The outer tube 1 carrying the handle 9 is then pushed through the opening 17 relative to the housing 14 until the desired relative arrangement is obtained.

The tube 3 is offered to the lower end of the threaded shaft 7 and the handle 9 is operated, moving the tube 3 relative to the tube 1.

For fitment to an existing caravan trailer chassis 15 the pre-existing housing 14 is replaced by the new housing 14 (with the formation of suitable receiving apertures for the coach bolts 16 as required). The same steps as those described for a new vehicle are then followed.

Thus assembled the pin 11 may be screwed into housing 14 as described to fix the tube 3 and the tube 1 into the desired arrangement (as described above).

It will be appreciated that the vehicle immobiliser may be fitted to other vehicles such as the trailers for articulated lorries for example. Fig 8 shows one possible arrangement in which a tractor 28 is shown in front of a trailer 29 that has been elevated by two supports 30 (only one of which is visible in Fig. 8) to a height 31 which is greater that the height 32 of the tractor coupling 33 mounted on the tractor. Thus the trailer cannot be towed away.

Each support 30 comprises a square section outer tube which telescopically receives a square section inner tube 34 comprising a ground engaging foot 35. A locking mechanism 36 enables the inner and outer tubes to be locked together.

Fig. 9 illustrates an alternative arrangement to that illustrated in Fig. 3 for locking the telescopic components together. The same reference numbers are used in Fig.9 for the equivalent components shown in Fig.3. In the arrangement of Fig. 9, a key operated lock supports a bolt which is engaged in aligned apertures in the two telescopically engaged components. Thus the lock is an independent component from the pin 11 which in the embodiment of Fig. 9 is used to adjust the position of the outer tube in normal (unlocked) use. Referring to Figures 10 to 13, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated which is incorporated in the jack legs of a goods-carrying compartment of a trailer having a chassis 37. Each of the jack legs is telescopic having an inner square- section tube 38 received with in an outer square-section tube 39. The outer tube 39 is braced by cross members 40. Each of jack legs incorporates a gear box winch to enable the extension and retraction of the inner tubes 38 relative to the outer tubes 39. One such gearbox winch is shown diagrammatically as indicated by reference numeral 41.

One of the jack legs incorporates a combination locking system including a keypad 42 and a locking bolt 43 which can be extended through the outer tube 39 into engagement with any one of a series of apertures 44 provided in the inner tube 38. As indicated in Figure 10 there may be six apertures 44 in the inner tube 38. In the configuration as illustrated in Figure 10 only the lowermost one of the apertures 44 would normally be visible but the positions of the other apertures 44 are also shown in broken lines to indicate their relative locations. The locking bolt 43 is slidably supported in a steel block 45.

Referring to Figure 11 , this shows the keypad 42 in greater detail. A steel cover 46 has a steel top plate 47 and a steel bottom plate 48 welded to it. The assembly of cover 46 and plates 47, 48 is mounted on a back plate 49 which in turn is welded to the outer tube 39 of the jack leg. Located within this assembly of plates is a combination locking device 50 including shoot bolt 51 which can be either extended or retracted as indicated by arrow 52 in Figure 13 by appropriate manipulation of buttons 53 which are accessible through apertures 54 defined in the steel cover 46, those apertures being labelled in the illustrated example with numerals 1-9.

The combination lock device 50 is operated by inserting an appropriate tool such as a ball point pen 55 or screwdriver 56 through the apertures 54 to depress the underlying buttons 53. The combination lock device 50 is set up so as to enable control of the extension and retraction of the shoot bolt 51 by keying in an appropriate code (for example 2, 4, 6, 8) and then pressing lock release/engage button 57 (Figure 11).

Referring to Figure 13, the shoot bolt 51 is positioned so as to be engageable in a slot 58 in the locking bolt 43. In the position shown in Figure 13, the shoot bolt 51 is engaged in the slot 58, thereby securing the locking bolt 43 in the illustrated position in which it extends through an aperture 59 in the outer tube 39 and one of the apertures 44 in the inner tube 38. If the shoot bolt 51 is then retracted, the bolt 43 can be pulled outwards along the axis indicated by line 60 by pulling on a ring-pull 61. Once the bolt 43 has been retracted from the position shown in Figure 13 it is then possible to move the inner and outer tubes 38, 39 relative to each other.

Although not shown, the bolt 43 may be spring-loaded so as to be normally displaced to a position in which it does not engage in the apertures 59 and 44. appropriate circlips or the like may be provided to retain the locking bolt 43 in the block 45. When it is desired to lock the inner and outer tubes 38, 39 together, the bolt 43 can be pushed in to engage the apertures 44 and 59 and the appropriate code can be keyed into the combination lock device 50 so as to extend the shoot bolt 51. Thus the user has the ability to lock the inner and outer tubes 38, 39 in any of the positions in which one of the apertures 44 (Figure 10) is aligned with the aperture 59 (Figure 13).

When a user of the device wishes to leave a trailer unattended, the jack legs can be extended to a length such that it will not then be possible for a thief to couple a tractor to the trailer. The trailer can only be coupled to tractor by someone with knowledge of the code appropriate to the combination lock device. Unless that code is known, the trailer cannot be lowered to a height at which a tractor can be coupled to it. Either the combination lock device could be permanently programmed with an appropriate code, or the user could be given the ability to re-program the lock device with an appropriate code. For example, a user delivering a trailer to a distribution point could lock the jack legs in a extended condition after re-programming the lock device with a new code. That new code could then be communicated to for example a central control station and an authorised user wishing then to pick up that trailer could be informed of the newly programmed code. A high degree of security can thus be achieved.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 to 13, the inner and outer tubes 38, 39 are directly locked together by the bolt 43. In an alternative embodiment, the tubes 38, 39 could be locked together indirectly, for example by locking the gear box winch 41, providing such locking prevents relative movement between the tubes 38, 39. If as is often the case the winch arrangement includes a rotatable shaft extending between the two leg assemblies, locking of that shaft would prevent movement between the tubes 38, 39.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 10 to 13, the combination lock device 50 is mechanically operated. It would of course be possible to provide an electronic equivalent of the mechanical device illustrated.

It will be appreciated that an extremely robust combination lock assembly may be provided which will be extremely difficult to circumvent. Although no locking device can ever be secure against determined attack the structure illustrated in Figures 10 to 13 will be far more difficult to circumvent than any of the currently available alternative security devices. Movement of a locked trailer with the jack legs fully extended is simply not possible.

Claims

1. A vehicle immobiliser incorporated in a support for a trailer, comprising an outer member, an inner member received telescopically within the outer member, one of the members in use being secured to the trailer, means for moving the inner member relative to the outer member between retracted and extended positions, and means for locking the inner and outer members together when the support is extended.

2. An immobiliser according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a pin which is engageable in apertures defined in the inner and outer members.

3. An immobiliser according to claim 2, wherein the pin is received in a housing mounted on the trailer.

4. An immobiliser according to claim 3, wherein the pin has an incision engageable by a key operated lock mounted in the housing.

5. An immobiliser according to claim 2, wherein the pin is a part of a key operated lock mounted in the housing.

6. An immobiliser according to claim 2, wherein the pin is a part of a combination lock mounted in the housing.

7. An immobiliser according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support carries a ground engaging wheel.

8. An immobiliser according to claim 7, wherein the locking means locks the ground engaging wheel in a position perpendicular to the normal direction of travel of the trailer.

9. An immobiliser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inner member comprises a tube.

10. An immobiliser according to claim 9, wherein an anti-cut tube is received within the tubular inner member.

11. An immobiliser according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner and outer members are movable relative to each other by a screw drive mechanism.

12. A method of immobilising a trailer incorporating at least one supporting leg on which the trailer is to be supported when the trailer is not coupled to a towing vehicle, the support incorporating an outer member, and inner member received telescopically within the outer member, and means for moving the inner member relative to the outer member between retracted and extended positions, wherein the inner member is moved to an extended position in which the trailer is supported at a height such that it cannot be coupled to a towing vehicle, and the inner and outer members are locked together with the inner member in the extended position to which it has been moved.

13. A vehicle immobiliser as herein before described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 or Figs 10 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.