Vehicle security apparatus

Abstract

The vehicle wheel security apparatus 100 comprises a retaining member (1) secured to a substantially immoveable object; vehicle retaining means to retain part of a vehicle, comprising an indexably rol

Description

[0001] The invention relates to vehicle security apparatus, particularly but not exclusively apparatus for securing the position of any vehicle which has open-wheel construction or mud guards situated distant from the wheel. This security device is principally designed for All Terrain Vehicles, Universal Terrain Vehicles and can be applied to any similar vehicle.

[0002] There are many vehicle security devices on the market for use with ATVs and UTVs. Most devices immobilize the vehicle, these are either mechanical or electrical. These devices are attached to the vehicle and do not directly guard against physical removal of the vehicle.

[0003] Another category of security devices prevents physical removal of a vehicle. This type of mechanical security device falls into two further categories; Devices which secure the vehicle directly to the floor utilizing floor anchors, chains, straps, and locks; and drive-on security devices where the vehicle is secured to the device which in turn is fixed to the floor.

[0004] Mechanical security devices intended to prevent physical removal of a vehicle are defeated by using hand tools or portable power tools. The deterrent effectiveness of a security device is determined by how long it takes to defeat the security device.

[0005] The problem with known drive-on vehicle security devices is that they do not utilise the built environment to enhance security, in that, current devices when positioned in a building must have additional space around the device for personnel access to operate the device. This requirement also allows good access for a thief to use tools to defeat the security device.

[0006] Additionally, the floor area required for personnel access to operate existing drive-on vehicle security devices results in a substantially greater area of valuable workshop space to be allocated in addition to the vehicle footprint.

[0007] Additionally, the open construction of existing drive-on vehicle security devices means the security mechanism can be easily seen and understood. This disclosure is critical when considering how to defeat a security device quickly, this substantially reduces the deterrent effectiveness of current devices.

[0008] Additionally drive-on security devices suffer from buildup of debris fallen from the wheel into the device which then must be regularly cleaned for the device to remain operational.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an operable vehicle security device that can be mounted adjacent to a wall or similar structure to prevent access to the device and the secured wheel, where the wall acts as an additional security barrier.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a device which when being operated requires no more floor space than the footprint of the secured vehicle.

[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which prevents disclosure of the vehicle wheel and construction of the security mechanism.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which requires the minimum periodic cleaning of debris brought into the device by the wheel.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide a device which is easy to clean.

[0014] According to the invention, there is provided a vehicle security apparatus in accordance with the appended claims.

[0015] Advantageously, there may be provided a vehicle security apparatus comprising a retaining member adapted to be fixedly secured to a substantially immoveable object; vehicle retaining means adapted to retain part of a vehicle in order to restrict movement of the vehicle relative to the retaining member; the retaining means adapted to roll indexably between a vehicle non-retaining position and a retaining position; and locking means for locking the retaining means in the retaining position, wherein the vehicle retaining means comprise an indexably rolling securing element engageable about a wheel of a vehicle and the security element and the engaged wheel being rolled to a secure position which is not accessible.

[0016] Advantageously, the retainer supports may comprise four folded support plates each having orifices for the receipt of fixing bolts thereby enabling the apparatus to be securely fixed to a concrete base or the like.

[0017] Conveniently, the vehicle retaining means may comprise a fixed retainer and a wheel retainer peripherally engaged to the fixed retainer adapted to allow the wheel retainer to roll from a wheel receiving position, through an intermediate position to a wheel secured position.

[0018] Ideally, the fixed retainer may have a curved front wall, a first side wall, a second slotted side wall, of a sufficient size to shield a received wheel from access and a locking means for locking the wheel retainer in position.

[0019] Preferably the fixed retainer may be truncated to reduce the device height, leaving an aperture for the top of wheel to protrude.

[0020] Conveniently, the wheel retainer may comprise a first side plate, a second side plate connected by a curved outer wall of a sufficient size to shield a received wheel from access, being engageable with the locking means when in the retaining position.

[0021] Preferably a second locking means may be added on the fixed retainer first side plate.

[0022] Preferably an alternative locking means may be added to the fixed retainer curved front wall.

[0023] Conveniently, a securing means may be provided between the fixed retainer side plates, the securing means being engageable with the wheel retainer curved outer wall in the wheel receiving position.

[0024] Preferably the securing means may comprise a latch pawl and a ramp connected by a pivot shaft engaging the first and second retainer side plates, being engageable with the wheel retainer in the none-retaining position.

[0025] This is an easily operated apparatus for securing ATVS, UTVs, and similar vehicles. The user can drive the vehicle either forwards or reverse onto the vehicle security apparatus. Driving the wheel onto the ramp and into the shoe releases a catch, allowing the shoe and wheel to roll forward together into the receiver to completely encase the wheel. A bullet lock engages in the locking means and the shoe is secured in place rendering the wheel inaccessible. The entire apparatus is bolted to the floor with the fixing bolts arranged to be inaccessible when the vehicle is locked in place.

[0026] Another advantage is the rolling shoe security device can be arranged so no access is needed to operate the device from the outer face, the device can then be positioned against a building wall or similar construction thereby adding an additional impenetrable security barrier to prevent access to the device and create a substantial physical deterrent to a would-be thief.

[0027] Advantageously the rolling shoe device may be situated against a wall and within the footprint of the vehicle saving valuable workshop floorspace.

[0028] The vehicle security apparatus may secure the vehicle in such a way as to encase the vehicle wheel and security device mechanism. This prevents disclosure of the vehicle wheel and security mechanism which cannot be not easily seen and understood by a would-be thief thereby enhancing the deterrent effectiveness of the device.

[0029] Advantageously the device may employ a debris discharge chute to remove debris brought into the device by the wheel to minimize the frequency of cleaning.

[0030] Another advantage is the device may be raised from the securing floor to facilitate ease of debris removal and cleaning.

[0031] These and other aspects of the invention are disclosed in the attached claims which are hereby incorporated into this description.

[0032] The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: • Figure 1 is a perspective view from a rear side and the rear of the security apparatus in the intermediate position; with a wheel of a vehicle within the device. • Figure 2 is a perspective view from the second side and the front of the security apparatus in the closed orientation; • Figure 3 is a perspective view from the rear side of the rear of the security apparatus in an open orientation; • Figure 4 is a perspective view from the rear side and the rear of the security apparatus in the closed orientation. • Figures 5, 6 and 7 are side views of the rear side of the security apparatus illustrating how the vehicle wheel moves onto the rolling shoe security apparatus from the open orientation into the closed orientation; • Figure 8 is a rear side view and cross section of the security apparatus of the security apparatus and figure 8A is a section view, figure 8B is an enlarged sectional detail from 8A showing the internal mechanism of the locking device; • Figures 9 is a perspective part view of the security apparatus showing the securing pawl latch mechanism in the open orientation. • Figure 10 is a perspective view from the second side and the front of the security apparatus in the closed orientation illustrating an alternative the locking mechanism location and an alternative fixed retainer embodiment. • Figure 11 is a perspective view of the device located in a work shop

[0033] Referring to Figure 1 the vehicle security apparatus 100 operates by securely locking in position a wheel 200 of a vehicle. The vehicle security apparatus 100 has two main component parts, a fixed retainer 1 and a rolling indexed connected wheel securing shoe 2. The wheel 200 may be either on the left- or right-hand side front or rear wheel of the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle may be driven or reversed onto the security apparatus 100.

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, 3, 8 and 11 the fixed retainer 1 has four base cross members 12 with a total of five bolt holes by which the retainer can be bolted in a secure location using tamper proof bolts. The retainer 1 has a curved front wall 13, a complete side wall 14, and a notched side wall 15 to facilitate the wheel suspension connecting arms and drive shafts. Rack apertures 10 are cut into the side walls 14 and 15 to indexley engage with shoe engagement teeth 11 formed as part of wheel securing shoe side plates 17 and 18. A locking assembly 3 is attached to the rear side wall 15 to engage with the wheel securing shoe rear side plate 18 through lock receiving aperture 20. It is intended the front face be located against a workshop wall 25 to prevent access and enhance security, if this arrangement is not possible a second wheel securing lock may be used. The second locking assembly 4 is attached to the front side wall 14 to engage with the wheel securing shoe front side plate 17 through lock receiving aperture 19.

[0035] Figures 3,5 and 9 show the rolling wheel support shoe 2 is held by catch pawl 5 in the receiving position, as wheel 200 passes into the wheel support shoe 2, catch pawl 5 is depressed and releases the wheel support shoe 2. The wheel support shoe 2 is indexed to the fixed retainer 1 by a rack 10 which engages with teeth 11 and allows the wheel support shoe 2 to roll from a wheel receiving position as shown in Figures 3 and 5 , through an intermediate position as shown in Figure 6 and 1, to a wheel secured position as shown in Figures 2,4, 7 and 8. The wheel support shoe 2 comprises a curved sheet 16 which connect together side plates 17 and 18. Side plates 17 and 18 are provided with a cutouts 19 and 20 into which slot key operated locks 3 and 4 which are pushed in by the user to secure the wheel support shoe automatically in the retained position.

[0036] Figure 9, shows Latch pawl 5 holds the securing shoe 2 in the receiving position when engaged by the motion transmitted from ramp 7 about pivot 8 as the wheel exits the security apparatus.

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, an angled discharge deflector plate 21, aperture 22 and retainer front curved sheet 13 together form an internal chute through which passes loosened debris from the wheel and discharges out of the device.

[0038] Figure 10, shows an alternative position for the locking mechanism 23 positioned on the curved front wall 13 of the fixed retainer 1.

[0039] Figure 10, shows an alternative embodiment of fixed retainer 1, truncated to reduce the device height to allow wheel 200 to protrude.

[0040] Referring to Figure 11 shows how the security apparatus can be located in a workshop to enhance security and minimize workshop floor space taken. Security apparatus 100 is shown fixed to floor 26, set back a minimum distance from wall 24 to allow access to operate the apparatus securing lock, and set close to adjacent wall 25 which then to acts as an additional impenetrable security barrier. Although not shown for clarity the vehicle and its bodywork shroud the remaining apparatus faces from access by a would-be-thief.

[0041] With locking mechanisms and by virtue of the device being able to be positioned against a wall to form an additional security barrier, the entire apparatus is extremely secure and the wheel is entirely encased with high strength steel to be almost indestructible. Also, as the apparatus operates automatically by driving the wheel into the wheel support shoe which self-releases to roll through the top dead center location and into the final secured position, very little effort is required on the part of the user apart from activating the locking mechanism.

[0042] The design and arrangement of the lock used in the locking mechanism may be varied to suit particular requirements and may not be as shown or as located in the drawings. The locks may be mechanical or electrically operated and may be operated by keys or codes.

[0043] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications are possible without department from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle security apparatus comprising:a retaining member having side walls adapted to be fixedly secured to a substantially immoveable object;a vehicle retaining means being adapted to retain part of a vehicle in order to restrict movement of the vehicle relative to the retaining member, the vehicle retaining means being adapted to roll indexedly between a vehicle retaining position and a non-retaining position, and a locking means for locking the vehicle retaining means in the vehicle retaining position;wherein the vehicle retaining means comprises:an indexably rolling securing element engageable about a wheel of the vehicle, the indexably rolling securing element and an engaged wheel being rolled into the vehicle retaining position which is not accessible,in which a securing means is provided in the retaining member between the side walls, the securing means being engageable with the indexably rolling securing element in the non-retaining position, and being disengaged by the wheel on entry and engaged by the wheel on exiting the apparatus.

2. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the retaining member comprises a base member, the base member comprising a plate having a plurality of orifices for the receipt of fixing bolts thereby enabling the apparatus to be securely fixed to a concrete base or the like.

3. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the retaining member compromises a curved front wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall, of a sufficient size to shield a received wheel from access.

4. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which a locking means is provided on a side wall of the retaining member, the locking means being engageable with the vehicle retaining means.

5. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which a locking means is provided on the curved front wall of the retaining member, the locking means being engageable with the vehicle retaining means.

6. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, in which the vehicle retaining means comprises a first side plate, a second side plate connected by a curved outer wall of a sufficient size to shield a received wheel from access, being engageable with the locking means when in the vehicle retaining position.

7. A vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any one of the claims 3 to 6, in which the retaining member further comprises an internal angled deflector plate connecting the first side wall and the second side wall, and the curved front wall with an aperture, thereby forming a chute enabling debris to be discharged from the vehicle securing apparatus.

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