Wheel-locking device for a towable vehicle

Abstract

A wheel-locking device 100 for a towable vehicle having a pre-fitted mounting fixture (20, figure 1A) accessible through an aperture (42) of a wheel (40) of the vehicle, the aperture being defined bet

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 33 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 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 30 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: a body; an elongate locking member coupled to the body, the elongate locking member being positionable through the aperture of the wheel to engage the mounting fixture (e.g. to 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 extendable arm coupled to the body, the extendable arm having a leading part movable (e.g. relative to a longitudinal axis of the extendable arm) between an extended position and a locking position; a hook member provided on the leading part of the extendable arm; and a lock mechanism operate to lock the leading part of the extendable arm (e.g. lock the extendable arm) in a selected position relative to the body; wherein the hook member comprises a first hook portion (e.g. first wheel engagement portion) configured to extend along (e.g. engage) a front portion (e.g. outer or leading surface) of a spoke (e.g. a first spoke of the adjacent pair of spokes) of the wheel and a transversely extending section configured to extend through a second wheel aperture (e.g. adjacent to the first defined-wheel aperture). 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 prevents rotation of the wheel relative to the suspension component. In one embodiment, the hook member further comprises second hook portion (e.g. second wheel engagement portion) (e.g. extending from the transversely extending section and substantially opposed to the first hook portion) configured to extend along (e.g. engage) a rear portion of the spoke. In one embodiment, the hook member is provided on a leading end of the leading part of the arm. In one embodiment, the body is configured to substantially cover (e.g. conceal) the aperture of the wheel (e.g. without protruding into the aperture itself or, if it does protrude into the aperture, protruding into only a central part of the aperture). In this way, the angular position of the body relative to the mounting fixture is not critical thereby simplifying installation. In one embodiment, the body is configured to sit in close proximity to, but not necessarily touch, an outer surface of the wheel. In another embodiment, the body is configured to engage an outer surface of the wheel (e.g. outer surfaces of the rim and / or one or more outer surfaces spokes of the wheel). In one embodiment, the body defines a rear periphery configured to be positioned in close proximity to / engage outer surfaces of the rim of the wheel and / or outer surfaces of one or more of the adjacent pair of spokes. In one embodiment, the mounting fixture includes a bore for receiving an end portion of the elongate locking member. 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 extendable arm is received in a bore of the body. In one embodiment, the lock mechanism is configured to engage a locking surface (e.g. locking teeth) provided along the extendable arm. In one embodiment, the hook member is movable (e.g. rotatable) between a locking orientation for engaging the spoke (e.g. coming into engagement with the spoke as the wheel attempt to rotate) and a handle orientation in which the hook member is orientated away from the locking orientation to allow a user to grip the hook member to rotate the extendable arm and thereby rotate the body to engage the securing means with the pre-fitted mounting fixture. In one embodiment, the hook member protrudes inwardly relative to the wheel when then in the locking orientation and substantially outwardly relative to the wheel when in the handle orientation. In one embodiment, when in the handle orientation the hook member is rotated by approximately 180 degrees from the locking orientation. In one embodiment, the hook member is moved between the locking orientation and the handle orientation by rotating the extendable arm around its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the extendable arm is slidably and rotatably coupled to the body. In one embodiment, the extendable arm comprises a rigid member (e.g. non-telescoping rigid bar) having a trailing part (e.g. trailing end) movably coupled to (e.g. movably mounted within or to) the body. In one embodiment, the reach of the extendable arm is adjusted by sliding the rigid member relative to the body. In one embodiment, the wheel locking device comprises a second extendable arm coupled to (e g. movably mounted within or on) the body and including a second hook member as previously defined operative to engage a further spoke of the wheel. In one embodiment, the second extendable arm is orientated at an angle to (e.g. substantially perpendicular to) the first-defined extendable arm. 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; Figure IB is a schematic perspective view of the towable vehicle security system of Figure 1A in a connected configuration; Figure 2A is a schematic perspective view of a wheel-locking device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2B is a schematic perspective view of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2 A in axially extended and retracted positions; Figure 2C is a schematic view of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2A illustrating a locking mechanism of the wheel-locking device; Figure 2D is a schematic perspective view of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2A in installed and handle orientations; Figure 3A is an exploded schematic perspective view of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2A in combination with the receiver of the towable vehicle security system of Figure 1A in a pre-connected configuration; and Figure 3B is a schematic perspective view of the wheel-locking device of Figure 2 A in combination with the receiver of the towable vehicle security system of Figure 1A in a connected configuration. Figures 2A-C and 3A-B show a 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 the pre-fitted mounting fixture 20 of Figures 1A-B. Wheel-locking device 100 comprises: a body 110 configured to substantially conceal a first aperture 42A of wheel 40; an elongate locking member 120 rigidly coupled to body 110 and positionable through first aperture 42A of wheel 40 to engage mounting fixture 20; an extendable arm 130 slidably and rotatably mounted within a bore 112 in the body 110; a hook member 140 provided on a leading end BOA of the extendable arm 130; and a key-operated lock mechanism 150 operative to lock the extendable arm 130 in a selected position relative to the body 110. As illustrated, elongate locking member 120 includes securing means 122 operative to releasably secure the elongate locking member 120 to mounting fixture 20, specifically elongate locking member 120 includes a leading end 120A defining a screw-threaded portion 122A configured to securably engage threaded bore 22A provided on receiver 22. Hook member 140 comprises a first hook portion 142 configured to extend along (and, depending upon the wheel profile, potentially engage) a front portion of spoke 44B, a transversely extending section 144 configured to extend through a second wheel aperture 42B of wheel 40 adjacent to first wheel aperture 42A, and a second hook portion 146 substantially opposed to the first hook portion 142 and configured to extend along (and again, depending upon the wheel profile, potentially engage) a rear portion of the spoke 44B, opposed first and second hook portions 142, 146 in combination with transversely extending section 144 defining a recess 148 for receiving a portion of the spoke 44B. Depending upon the extension of the extendable arm 130 / profile of spoke 44B, the transversely extending section 144 may or may not engage a leading surface of the spoke. With reference to Figures 2B-C, extendable arm 130 is slidably received in a bore 112 of body 110 and lock mechanism 150 is configured to engage locking teeth 132 provided along extendable arm 130. Extendable arm is slidable axially relative to body 110 between an extended position (in which hook member 140 is advanced from the body 110 and a trailing end 130B of the extendable arm is withdrawn into the body 110) and a locking position (in which extendable arm 130 moves back into the body 110 to retract hook member 140). As illustrated in Figure 2D, in addition to axial movement of the extendable arm 130, extendable arm 130 is additionally permitted to rotate along its longitudinal axis such that hook member 140 moves between a locking orientation (as shown in Figures 2A-C) and a handle orientation (Figure 2D) in which the hook member is rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of extendable arm 130 by approximately 180°. In the handle orientation hook member 140 protrudes outwardly relative to the wheel 40 to provide a handle for a user to turn body 110 during installation and / or subsequent removal of the wheel-locking device 100. With reference to Figures 3A and 3B, wheel-locking device 100 may be installed with the extendable arm 130 in the extended position and hook member 140 rotated into the handle orientation thereby allowing a user to grip hook member 140 and rotate body 110 relative to receiver 22 to fully engage screw-threaded portion 122A with threaded bore 22A. Once fully engaged, extendable arm 130 is rotated so that the hook member 140 projects through second wheel aperture 42B (i.e. moves into the locking orientation). Once hook member 140 is in the locking orientation, extendable arm 130 is moved into the axially retracted locking position shown in figure 3B whereby spoke 44B is received in recess 148 and locking mechanism 150 is engaged to lock the extendable arm 130 in position relative to body 110. Advantageously, the wheel-locking device 100 of the present invention avoids the need for installation tools as the hook / extendable arm forms a handle / lever combination to assist installation of the elongate locking member 120 into the mounting fixture 20. Furthermore, as the coupling of the wheel-locking device 100 to the wheel 40 is achieved by hook member 140 extending over and under spoke 44B, no precise positioning of the body 110 is required. More particularly, the body 110 is configured to substantially cover an entrance the aperture of the wheel without extending into the aperture itself (sits over not in the aperture). In this way, the angular position of the body 110 relative to the mounting fixture is not critical. Optionally a second extendable arm (not shown) e.g. substantially perpendicular to the first extendable arm) may be provided for enhanced security, the second extendable arm being orientated to engage a further spoke of the wheel. The second extendable arm may be orientated at an angle (e.g. substantially 90° to extendable arm 130).

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:a body;an elongate locking member coupled to the 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 extendable arm coupled to the body, the extendable arm having a leading part movable between an extended position and a locking position;a hook member provided on the leading part of the extendable arm; anda lock mechanism operate to lock the leading part of the extendable arm in a selected position relative to the body;wherein the hook member comprises a first hook portion configured to extend along a front portion of a spoke of the wheel and a transversely extending section configured to extend through a second wheel aperture.

2. A wheel-locking device according to claim 1, wherein the hook member further comprises a second hook portion configured to extend along a rear portion of the spoke.

3. A wheel-locking device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the body is configured to substantially cover the aperture of the wheel.

4. A wheel-locking device according 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.

5. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the extendable arm is received in a bore of the body.

6. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hookmember is movable between a locking orientation for the spoke and a handle orientation in which the hook member is orientated away from the locking orientation to allow a user to grip the hook member to rotate the extendable arm and thereby rotate the body to engage the securing means with the pre-fitted mounting fixture.

7. A wheel-locking device according to claim 6, wherein the hook member protrudes inwardly relative to the wheel when then in the locking orientation and substantially outwardly relative to the wheel when in the handle orientation.

8. A wheel-locking device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the hook member is moved between the locking orientation and the handle orientation by rotating the extendable arm around its longitudinal axis.

9. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the extendable arm comprises a rigid member having a trailing part movably coupled to the body.

10. A wheel-locking device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the wheel locking device comprises a second extendable arm coupled to the body and including a second hook member as previously defined operative to engage a further spoke of the wheel.

11. A wheel-locking device according to claim 10, wherein the second extendable arm is orientated at an angle to the first-defined extendable arm.

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