Wheel-locking device for a towable vehicle

Abstract

A wheel-locking device 100 having a pre-fitted mounting fixture accessible through an aperture of a wheel of the vehicle, the aperture being defined between an adjacent pair of spokes and a rim of the

Description

The present invention relates to a wheel-locking device for a towable vehicle (e.g. trailer or caravan). Figures 1A and IB illustrate a towable vehicle security system 10 of a type typically used in caravans in the United Kingdom. Towable vehicle security system 10 comprises a prefitted mounting fixture 20 fixed to a rear part of a brake drum 32 of the suspension system 30 of a towable vehicle (accessible via an aperture 42 in a wheel 40 of the towable vehicle defined between an adjacent pair of spokes 44A, 44B extending from a central wheel hub 48 and a rim 46 of the wheel 40) and a locking device 50 releasably securable to the mounting fixture 20. As illustrated, mounting fixture 20 comprises a receiver 22 mounted on a base plate 24 that is fixed to the rear (non-rotatory part) of brake drum 32 and locking device 50 comprises a two-part rim specific insert 60 configured to be snugly received inside aperture 42 of the wheel 40. Rim specific insert 60 defines a bore 62 for receiving a locking bolt 70 having a threaded section 72 configured to securely engage a threaded bore 22A provided on receiver 22 when the locking bolt 70 is in an installed positioned. Once the locking bolt 70 is in the installed position, a key-operated barrel lock 80 is installed in bore 62 of rim insert 60 to obstruct access to the installed locking bolt 70 and thereby secure the rim insert 60 in position on the wheel 40. Whilst the prior art system is popular and highly secure, installation is hampered by the need for installation tools (locking bolt socket key for installing the locking bolt and associated spanner for driving the socket key) and precise rotational positioning of the wheel 40 relative to the receiver 22 to enable the aperture 62 of the rim specific insert 60 to line up with bore 22A (typically requiring the caravan to be either partially elevated from the ground or very carefully rolled into position). Furthermore, the security of the system relies upon the use of differently shaped inserts for different alloy profiles. The present applicant has identified the need for an improved wheel-locking device that will overcome or alleviate problems associated with the prior art. In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheellocking device for a towable vehicle (e.g. caravan or trailer) having a pre-fitted mounting fixture accessible through an aperture of a wheel of the vehicle, the aperture being defined between an adjacent pair of spokes and a rim of the wheel, the wheel-locking device comprising: an outer shield part comprising: an outer shield body; an elongate locking member coupled to the outer shield body, the elongate locking member being positionable through the aperture of the wheel to engage the mounting fixture (e.g. to restrict or prevent rotation of the wheel relative to the mounting fixture when the wheel-locking device is installed on the wheel), wherein the elongate locking member includes securing means operative to releasably secure the elongate locking member to the mounting fixture; an inner shield part configured to be installed between the outer shield body and the wheel when the wheel-locking device is in a fully installed configuration, the inner shield part comprising: an inner shield body configured to substantially cover the wheel aperture, the inner shield body defining: aperture means configured to be registrable with the pre-fitted mounting fixture (e.g. when the pre-fitted mounting fixture is in a range of positions relative to the wheel) and to receive a leading end of the elongate locking member when the outer shield part is positioned over the inner shield part and the elongate locking member is advanced to engage the mounting fixture; and an inner wheel engaging profile configured to extend into the wheel and be positioned in close proximity to / engage with an inner surface of the wheel when the inner shield part is positioned in use over the wheel, the inner wheel engaging profile being operative to restrict or prevent rotation of the inner shield part relative to the outer shield part when the wheel-locking device is in the fully installed configuration; and a lock mechanism operative to lock the outer shield part to restrict or prevent rotation of the outer shield part relative to the inner shield part. In this way, a wheel-locking device is provided that may be fitted regardless of the precise position of the pre-fitted mounting fixture (assuming the pre-fitted mounting fixture is registered with the aperture of the wheel). Furthermore, the use of a two-part device allows the device to be designed to be fitted without requiring fitting tools since the inner shield part may be a push fit into the wheel and / or the outer shield part may be installed by rotation of the outer shield body about its longitudinal axis. Typically the wheel comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures separated by pairs of adjacent spokes (i.e. the typical form of an alloy wheel). In one embodiment, the mounting fixture is coupled to a (e.g. movable) suspension component of the vehicle (e.g. coupled to a brake drum of the vehicle). Once the wheel locking device is installed, the elongate locking member restricts / prevents rotation of the wheel relative to the suspension component. In one embodiment, the inner shield part is configured to be installed on the wheel prior to installation of the outer shield part on the wheel (e.g. to allow the user to set the position of the inner shield part relative to the wheel / pre-fitted mounting fixture without having to hold or position the outer shield part). In an uninstalled configuration, the inner shield part and outer shield part may be unconnected parts (e.g. separable parts that have no connection when separated) or may be connected parts (e.g. tethered together by means of a flexible connection). In another embodiment, the outer shield part may be mounted to the inner shield part in the uninstalled configuration in a manner that allows adjustment of the position of the outer shield part relative to the aperture means (i.e. the outer shield part is pre-installed on the inner shield part and moved into registration with the pre-fitted mounting fixture once the inner shield is installed on the wheel prior to deployment). In one embodiment, the inner shield body comprises an inner surface configured to be positioned in close proximity to / engage an outer surface of the wheel. In one embodiment, in the fully installed configuration an inner surface of the outer shield body is mounted in close proximity to an outer surface of the inner shield body. In another embodiment, in the fully installed configuration an inner surface of the outer shield body is mounted against an outer surface of the inner shield body and the outer shield part clamps the inner shield body against the wheel. In one embodiment, the aperture means comprises an elongate aperture (e.g. slot). In one embodiment, the elongate aperture is a straight slot (e.g. radially extending slot). In one embodiment, the elongate aperture is a curved slot (e.g. circumferentially extending slot). In one series of embodiments, the inner shield body may be configured to fit at least partially inside the aperture of the wheel and the inner wheel engaging profile is provided by a peripheral surface of the inner shield body that fits inside the aperture of the wheel. In another series of embodiments, the inner shield body is configured (e.g. sized and shaped) to fit over an outer face of the wheel. In one embodiment, the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be positioned in close proximity to / engage an inner surface of the wheel within the aperture. In one embodiment, the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage with a portion of the rim or a spoke of the wheel. In one embodiment, the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be positioned in close proximity to / engage an inner surface of the wheel spaced from the aperture. In one embodiment, the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage with a part of a wheel hub of the wheel. In one embodiment, the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage with a bolt hole of the wheel hub of the wheel. In one embodiment, the inner wheel engaging profile comprises a cylindrical sleeve configured to engage the bolt hole of the wheel hub of the wheel. In one embodiment, the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage with a portion of the rim or a spoke of the wheel associated with a second aperture of the wheel. In one embodiment, the outer shield part is configured to only partially cover the inner shield part (e.g. cover only a region registered with the aperture of the wheel). In one embodiment, the inner shield part further comprises a secondary inner wheel engaging profile configured to extend into the wheel and be located in close proximity to / engage with an inner portion of the wheel (e.g. at a location covered by the outer shield part). In one embodiment, the secondary inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage a spoke of the wheel. In one embodiment, the inner shield body is configured to substantially cover the aperture of the wheel. In one embodiment, the outer shield body is configured to substantially cover the aperture of the wheel. In one embodiment, the mounting fixture includes a bore for receiving an end portion of the elongate locking member and the bore. In one embodiment, the bore and the end portion have corresponding screw-threaded portions. In one embodiment, the mounting fixture comprises a base and a receiver coupled to the base, the receiver defining the bore for receiving the end of the elongate locking member. In one embodiment, the lock mechanism comprises a locking element (e.g. locking pin) configured to be advanced into close proximity to / into engagement with a wall of the aperture means (e.g. wall of the elongate aperture) when the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration. In one embodiment, the outer shield part has handle means (e.g. a handle portion). In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is activatable when the outer shield part is in a lockable position (e.g. lockable rotary position) relative to the inner shield part. In one embodiment, the outer shield part includes a visual indicator operative to indicate that the outer shield part is in the lockable position (e.g. in conjunction with a position indicator provided on the inner shield part). In one embodiment, the handle means forms the visual indicator (with alignment of the handle means with the optional position indictor on the inner shield part indicating that the outer shield part is in the lockable position). In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a towable vehicle (e.g. caravan or trailer) security system comprising a mounting fixture accessible through an aperture of a wheel of the vehicle, the aperture being defined between adjacent spokes and a rim of the wheel and a wheel-locking device in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention (e.g. in accordance with any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention). An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A is an exploded schematic perspective view of a towable vehicle security system in accordance with the prior art in a pre-connected configuration, the towable vehicle security system including a pre-fitted mounting fixture; Figure IB is a schematic perspective view of the towable vehicle security system of Figure 1A in a connected configuration; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a wheel-locking device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figures 3 A and 3B are first schematic perspective views of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2A in uninstalled and installed configurations respectively; Figures 3C and 3D are second schematic perspective views of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2 in uninstalled and installed configurations respectively; Figures 4A-D are schematic views of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2 illustrating installation of the wheel-locking device on a vehicle wheel; Figures 5 A-C are schematic views of a wheel showing three different mounting fixture positions; and Figures 6A-C are schematic views showing the configuration of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2A for each of the three different mounting fixture positions. Figures 2 and 3A-D show a two-part wheel-locking device 100 for a towable vehicle (e.g. caravan or trailer) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention intended for use with a wheel 40 featuring the pre-fitted mounting fixture 20 of Figures 1A-B. As shown in Figure 2, wheel-locking device 100 comprises an outer shield part 110 and an inner shield part 150. Inner shield part 150 is configured to be installed between the outer shield body 110 and the wheel 40 when the wheel-locking device 100 is in a fully installed configuration of the wheel. Wheel-locking device 100 further includes a lock mechanism 200 operative to lock the inner and outer shield parts 150, 110 in the fully installed configuration. As illustrated in Figures 3A-D, outer shield part 110 comprises: a circular outer shield body 120 configured to substantially cover the aperture 42 of the wheel 40, outer shield body 120 defining an inner surface 122 and an outer surface 124; and an elongate locking member 130 coupled to the outer shield body 120. Elongate locking member 130 includes securing means 132 operative to releasably secure the elongate locking member 130 to mounting fixture 20, specifically elongate locking member 130 includes a leading end I30A defining a screw-threaded portion 132A configured to securably engage threaded bore 22A provided on receiver 22. Inner shield part 150 comprises a pyriform inner shield body 160 comprising a first (wider) section 160A configured to substantially cover the wheel aperture 42 and a second (narrower) section 160B configured to extend over a part of the wheel hub 48 of the wheel 40. Inner shield body 160 includes: an inner surface 162; an outer surface 164; an elongate aperture 170 extending through the thickness of the inner shield body 160; a primary inner wheel engaging profile 180; and a secondary inner wheel engaging profile 190 provided between the primary inner wheel engaging profile 180 and the elongate aperture 170. Lock mechanism 200 is provided on outer shield body 120 and comprises a depressible lock activator 210 coupled to a locking pin 220 configured to engage elongate aperture 170 when the wheel-locking device is in the fully installed configuration. In this illustrated embodiment, primary inner wheel engaging profile 180 takes the form of a bolt hole engaging sleeve 182 configured to slidingly engage any of the bolt holes 49 provided on wheel hub 48. In other embodiments, the inner wheel engaging profile may be configured to be located in close proximity to / engage other inner surfaces of the wheel (e.g. inner rim 46 or spoke 44 surfaces or another part of the wheel hub 48). Since outer shield part 110 is configured to only partially cover inner shield part 150 (e.g. cover only a region registered with the aperture 42 of the wheel 40), secondary inner wheel engaging profile 190 is provided to frustrate attempts at cutting through the exposed part of the inner shield body. In this illustrated embodiment, secondary inner wheel engaging profile 190 takes the form of a spoke engaging projection 192 configured to extend into the wheel and be positioned in close proximity to / engage with an inner surface of a spoke 44 adjacent bolt hole 49. Figures 4A-4D illustrate operation of the wheel-locking device 100. With reference to Figures 4A-B, with the towable vehicle parked so that mounting fixture 20 is registered with an aperture 42 of wheel 40, inner shield part 150 is installed onto the wheel 40 by inserting primary inner wheel engaging profile 180 into a bolt hole 49 adjacent the aperture 42 and rotating the inner shield body 160 such that the elongate aperture 170 is registered with mounting fixture 20 (these installation steps may be carried out sequentially in either order or simultaneously at the user’s preference). In this example, elongate aperture 170 is a straight slot but in other embodiments the elongate aperture may take a different form (e.g. circumferentially extending curved slot). The geometry of the elongate aperture is selected to permit the inner shield part to be registrable with receiver 22 of mounting fixture 20 when the mounting fixture 20 is in a range of positions relative to the wheel 40. Elongate aperture 170 is configured to receive leading end 130A of the elongate locking member 130 provided on outer shield part 110 when the outer shield part 110 is positioned over the inner shield part 150 as shown in Figure 4C and allow the elongate locking member 130 to be advanced into the aperture 42 of the wheel 40 to engage the mounting fixture 20. Once elongate locking member 130 is engaged with the mounting fixture 20, outer shield part 110 is moved into the fully installed configuration by the user rotating the outer shield part 110 in a clockwise direction (using depressible lock actuator 210 as a handle) until the inner face 122 of the outer shield body 120 is in close proximity to outer face 164 of the inner shield body 160. In the fully installed configuration, screw-threaded portion 132A of the leading end 130A is securely engaged in threaded bore 22A provided in receiver 22, and inner surface 122 of the outer shield body 120 is mounted closely to outer surface 164 of the inner shield body 160 (potentially depending upon the orientation of the lock mechanism 200 relative to elongate aperture 170, inner surface 122 may be urged against outer surface 164 to clamp the inner shield body 160 against the outer surface of the wheel 40, but otherwise the inner shield body 160 and outer shield body 120 are merely positioned sufficiently close together to present insufficient gap for a prying tool to be inserted between them). Once the wheel-locking device 100 is in the fully installed position, depressible lock activator 210 of lock mechanism 200 is activated by the user. When the user depresses the lock activator 210, locking pin 220 is advanced into the elongate aperture 170 in close proximity to / to engage a wall of the elongate aperture to restrict or prevent rotation of the outer shield part 110 relative to the inner shield part 150. Since the locking pin 220 must be registered with the elongate aperture 170 for the lock mechanism to function, outer shield part 110 must be in a lockable rotary position (i.e. orientated so that the locking pin 220 is registered with the elongate aperture 170). Lock activator 210 additionally operates as a handle for rotating the outer shield part 110 and a visual indicator to indicate that the outer shield part 110 is in the lockable position (e.g. in conjunction with an optional position indicator provided on the inner shield part 150). Since the lock mechanism only needs to restrict rotation of the outer shield part 110 relative to the inner shield part 150, the outer shield part 110 may be permitted a limited range of angular movement whilst still providing the locking function. A key (not shown) required to release the locking pin 200, thereby securing the wheel-locking device 100 on the wheel. Once in the fully installed configuration, primary wheel engaging profile 180 acts to restrict rotation of the inner shield part 150 relative to the outer shield part 110. Depending upon the exact form of the primary wheel engaging profile 180 and the size of the bolt hole 49, some limited amount of rotation of wheel 40 may be possible before the primary wheel engaging profile 180 engages the wheel, but the wheel is essentially locked to protect against theft of the towable vehicle. Potentially secondary wheel engaging profile 190 may act to restrict the limited range of rotation provided by the primary wheel engaging profile 180, but this will depend upon the position of the receiver 22 relative to the aperture 42 of the wheel 40 and is not the primary function of the secondary wheel engaging profile 190. With reference to Figures 5A-C and 6A-C, wheel-locking device 100 is designed to allow installation on a wheel when the receiver 22 is in a range of positions relative to the wheel 40 (e.g. in a left-most registration position, a central registration position, or a right-most registration position as illustrated). In this way, a wheel-locking device is provided that may be fitted regardless of the precise position of the pre-fitted mounting fixture. Furthermore, the use of a two-part device allows the device to be designed to be fitted without requiring fitting tools since the inner shield part may be a push fit into the wheel and / or the outer shield part may be installed by rotation of the outer shield body about its longitudinal axis using depressible lock activator 210 of lock mechanism 200 as a handle.

Claims

1. A wheel-locking device for a towable vehicle having a pre-fitted mounting fixture accessible through an aperture of a wheel of the vehicle, the aperture being defined between an adjacent pair of spokes and a rim of the wheel, the wheel-locking device comprising:an outer shield part comprising:an outer shield body;an elongate locking member coupled to the outer shield body, the elongate locking member being positionable through the aperture of the wheel to engage the mounting fixture, wherein the elongate locking member includes securing means operative to releasably secure the elongate locking member to the mounting fixture;an inner shield part configured to be installed between the outer shield body and the wheel when the wheel-locking device is in a fully installed configuration, the inner shield part comprising:an inner shield body configured to substantially cover the wheel aperture, the inner shield body defining:aperture means configured to be registrable with the pre-fitted mounting fixture when the pre-fitted mounting fixture is in a range of positions relative to the wheel and to receive a leading end of the elongate locking member when the outer shield part is positioned over the inner shield part and the elongate locking member is advanced to engage the mounting fixture; andan inner wheel engaging profile configured to extend into the wheel and be positioned in close proximity to / engage with an inner surface of the wheel when the inner shield part is positioned in use over the wheel, the inner wheel engaging profile being operative to restrict or prevent rotation of the inner shield part relative to the outer shield part when the wheellocking device is in the fully installed configuration; anda lock mechanism operative to lock the outer shield part to restrict or prevent rotation of the outer shield part relative to the inner shield part.

2. A wheel-locking device according to claim 1, wherein the aperture means comprises an elongate aperture.

3. A wheel-locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inner shield bodyis configured to fit over an outer face of the wheel and the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be positioned in close proximity to / engage an inner surface of the wheel spaced from the aperture.

4. A wheel-locking device according to claim 3, wherein the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage with a part of a wheel hub of the wheel.

5. A wheel-locking device according to claim 4, wherein the inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage with a bolt hole of the wheel hub of the wheel.

6. A wheel-locking device according to claim 5, wherein the inner wheel engaging profile comprises a cylindrical sleeve configured to engage the bolt hole of the wheel hub of the wheel.

7. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer shield part is configured to only partially cover the inner shield part and the inner shield part further comprises a secondary inner wheel engaging profile configured to extend into the wheel and be located in close proximity to / engage with an inner portion of the wheel.

8. A wheel-locking device according to claim 7, wherein the secondary inner wheel engaging profile is configured to be located in close proximity to / engage a spoke of the wheel.

9. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting fixture includes a bore for receiving an end portion of the elongate locking member and the bore and the end portion have corresponding screw-threaded portions.

10. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer shield part has handle means.

11. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism is activatable when the outer shield part is in a lockable position relative to the inner shield part and the outer shield part includes a visual indicator operative to indicate that the outer shield part is in the lockable position.s