GB2310840A

GB2310840A - Vehicle security apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2310840A
Application number: GB9622184A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Sinclair Hussey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-10-25
Filing date: 1996-10-25
Publication date: 1997-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-25
Also published as: GB9622184D0; GB2310840B

Description

VEHTCTF SCTTTTY APPARATfTS The invention relates to vehicle security apparatus, particularly but not exclusively to apparatus for securing the position of ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles).

The invention is especially suitable for light agricultural vehicles and "Quads".

Security devices for protecting motor vehicles against theft are well known. These devices include both mechanical and electrical apparatus which may be used either separately or in combination. The electrical apparatus presently available guard against theft by either preventing a vehicle from being driven or by signalling an attempted theft by means of an alarm. Electrical devices generally prevent vehicles from being driven by immobilising means which prevent the correct operation of the ignition system or other electrical system necessary for the control of the engine. The attempted theft of a vehicle is generally signalled by electrical apparatus through the use of sirens and lights mounted on the motor vehicle in question.

The mechanical devices currently available also guard against theft by preventing a motor vehicle from being driven. This is generally achieved through the use of clamps or other similar devices arranged to restrict the movement of the primary controls, such as the steering wheel or the foot pedals.

The problem with these known security devices is that they are all self-contained within the motor vehicle that they protect. The known security devices do not prevent the physical removal of a motor vehicle. Even if fitted with a conventional security device, small motor vehicles such as Quads may be stolen by simply lifting them onto a second vehicle which may be used to transport the stolen vehicle to a desired location. Any fitted security devices may then be removed unnoticed with a suitable tool such as a bolt cropper or a hacksaw.

It is an object of the present invention to provide vehicle security apparatus which prevents the physical removal of motor vehicles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide vehicle security apparatus which cannot be overcome with conventional tools such as a bolt cropper, a hacksaw or a sledgehammer.

A simple but effective way to secure a vehicle to an immoveable object, so that the vehicle cannot be removed, has now been found.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided vehicle security apparatus comprising a base member adapted to be fixedly secured to a substantially immoveable object; a vehicle retaining member adapted to retain part of a vehicle in order to restrict movement of the vehicle relative to the retaining member, the retaining member being attached to the base member so as to be moveable between a vehicle retaining position and a nonretaining position; and locking means for locking the retaining member in the retaining position.

When the retaining member is in the retaining position it may be possible to move the vehicle relative to the retaining member, but it will not be possible to remove the vehicle completely. The retaining means may be arranged to prevent substantially any movement between the retaining member and the vehicle.

Preferably the retaining member is pivotally mounted to the base member whereby the retaining member can pivot between the non-retaining and retaining positions.

More preferably the retaining member is mounted to the base member by means of a hinge.

Desirably the hinge comprises a hinge bar secured to the base member, and the retaining member is pivotally mounted to the hinge bar. whereby the retaining member can be pivoted between the non-retaining and retaining positions.

A washer may be located on the hinge bar between the base member and the retaining member.

The vehicle security apparatus may further comprise a housing which receives the hinge bar, whereby the hinge bar is concealed within the housing.

Preferably the retaining member incorporates at least one hook adapted to cooperate with the vehicle and more preferably the or each hook is adapted to cooperate with a vehicle axle.

Preferably the locking means locks the retaining member to the base member.

Preferably apertures are provided in the base member and the retaining member, and said apertures are aligned when the retaining member is in the retaining position; and the locking means comprises a locking rod which can be passed through said apertures, and can be locked relative to the base member. when the retaining member is in the retaining position.

The vehicle security apparatus may be provided with means to restrict access to a fastener fixedly securing the base member to a substantially immoveable object.

Preferably the means for restricting access to the fastener is a boss surrounding at least part of the fastener. The boss typically is provided with a cylindrical aperture through which part of the fastener extends.

The present invention has the advantage over the prior art of providing a security device which prevents the physical removal of a motor vehicle. The invention has the further advantage of being extremely difficult to significantly damage with conventional hand held tools such as a bolt cropper, a hacksaw or a sledgehammer.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to security fasteners, particularly but not exclusively to nuts cooperable with rawlbolts. The use of nuts and bolts to make a convenient and rigid connection between items is well known. Conventional nuts and bolts are provided with a hexagonal shape or some other means to allow them to be gripped and rotated relative to one another. The means provided for gripping allows a connection made with the nuts and bolts to be tightened, but also allows the connection to be loosened and even broken. Consequently, conventional nuts and bolts do not provide tamper proof connections which may be used to secure items to the ground or any other substantially immoveable object. Such tamper proof connections must be made using alternative techniques, such as welding, which are generally less convenient and more expensive than the use of nuts and bolts.

It is an object of the second aspect of the present invention to provide a fastener which is convenient and inexpensive to use and which is capable of making a tamper proof connection between items.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastener comprising a threaded nut and a threaded bolt, wherein at least one of the nut and bolt is provided with a first portion having an exterior surface which is at least partly curved, and a second portion having an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by a nut or bolt tightening tooi, wherein the second portion is frangibly secured to the first portion, whereby the second portion can shear from the first portion when the nut and bolt are tightened together.

The fastener according to the invention is especially useful in the vehicle security apparatus described above. In particular the fastener can be used to secure the base member to the immoveable object.

The exterior surface of the first portion can have a wide variety of different shapes. The function of the exterior surface is to make it difficult for the nut or bolt tightening tool to get a grip on the surface, so that it is difficult to remove the nut from the bolt after the second portion has been sheared.

Preferably the exterior of the first portion is entirely curved.

Preferably the exterior surface of the first portion is cylindrical, spherical, part-spherical or conical.

The second aspect of the present invention has the advantage over the prior art of being convenient and inexpensive to use whilst providing a connection between items which cannot be easily released.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of vehicle security apparatus according to the invention having a retaining member arranged in a non-retaining position; Figure 2 is a side view of the vehicle security apparatus of Figure 1 having the retaining member arranged in a retaining position; Figure 3 is a rear view of the vehicle security apparatus of Figure 1 having the retaining member arranged in the retaining position; Figure 4 is a side view of a fastener according to the second aspect of the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of the nut of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a bottom view of the nut of Figure 4.

The embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises a base member 2 and a retaining member 4 connected by means of a hinge 6. The base member 2 includes two side plates 8, 10 rigidly attached to a mounting plate 12. The two side plates 8, 10 are attached to the upper surface 13 of the mounting plate 12 and arranged spaced apart from each other. The two side plates 8, 10 extend substantially perpendicularly from the mounting plate 12. Both side plates 8,10 provide a hole 14 for receiving a hinge bar 15. A locking hole 16 is also provided in side plate 8 immediately below the hole 14.

The locking hole 16 forms part of the mechanism for locking the retaining member 4 in a retaining position. This mechanism and its operation will be described further hereinafter. Bolt holes 18 are provided in either end of the mounting plate 12 for receiving a secure fastener (not shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3). Each secure fastener is provided with protection by means of a boss 20 attached to the upper surface 13 of the mounting plate 12. Each boss 20 is located over a bolt hole 18 and provided with a hole 21 for receiving one end of a secure fastener. Each boss 20 has sufficient depth for the end of the respective fastener not to protrude above an upper surface 20A of the boss 20; this will prevent the fastener from being easily tampered with. The boss 20 is welded to the mounting plate 12. The two side plates 8, 10 and the mounting plate 12 are manufactured from a metallic material and are attached to one another by means of welds. However, an alternative embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a base member constructed from plastics or other suitable materials. Alternative methods of attaching the two side plates 8, 10 to the mounting plate 12 may also be used.

For instance, the two side plates 8,10 may be attached using adhesives or may even b pressed from the mounting plate 12.

The retaining member 4 consists of two hook plates 22, 24 rigidly connected to one another by means of a central beam 26. The central beam 26 is extruded hollow box section manufactured from a metallic material. The hook plates 22, 24 are also manufactured from a metallic material and are attached to the ends of the central beam 26 by means of welds. Alternative materials and means of attachment suitable for the construction of the retaining member 4 will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art.

The length of the central beam 26 is such that the retaining member 4 locates between the side plates 8, 10 of the base member 2. Both hook plates 22, 24 are provided with holes 28 through which the hinge bar 15 passes to be received by the holes t in the side plates 8, 10. The hinge bar 15 is made of a metallic material and is held in position by welds located between the ends of the hinge bar 15 and the side plates 8, 10. The location of the holes 28 is such that the hinge bar passes through the central beam 26. The hinge bar 15 is thereby concealed making it difficult for someone to break the hinge bar 15 in order to separate the retaining member t from the base member 2.

The security characteristics of the apparatus are thus enhanced.

These characteristics are degraded if the clearance between adjacent side plates 8, 10 and hook plates 22, 24 is excessive. The length of the central beam 26 is therefore critical, to ensure that the aforementloned clearance is small enough to maintain security and large enough to permit easy movement of the retaining member 4.

The present embodiment incorporates self lubricating washers 30 located between the side plates 8, 10 and the hook plates 22,24. The washers 30 improve the security of the apparatus by protecting the hinge bar 15 and assist in the movement of the retaining member 9. The clearance between the side plates 8,10 and the hook plates 22,24 is sufficiently small in respect of the present embodiment to make it very difficult to use a conventional hand tool, such as a hacksaw, to cut the hinge bar 15. In practice this clearance should be less than 0.5mum If, however, a hacksaw is forced between the side plates 8,10 and the hook plates 22,24, then the hacksaw will come into contact with one of the washers 30 which will rotate under any sawing action, thereby protecting the hinge bar 15 from damage.

A locking hole 32 is provided in hook plate 22.

The locking hole 32 is located so as to be in line with the locking hole 16 when the retaining member 4 is in the retaining position (see Figures 2 and 3).

Attached to side plate 8, so as to cover the locking hole 16 of side plate 8, is one part of a two part locking device 34 known as a shutter lock. The two parts of the locking device 34 are a lock body 36 and a lock rod 38. The lock rod 38 comprises a bar of hardened steel which is capable of resisting damage from tools such as hacksaws and drills. At one end of the lock rod 38 there is a protective shell, made of hardened steel, which houses a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism is activated by means of a key 42. When activated, the lock mechanism projects locking pins (not shown) through holes in the protective shell and into lock body 36. The lock body 36 provides a hole 40 in which the lock rod 38 may be located and securely retained. This retaining function is achieved by activating the lock mechanism. The pins of the lock rod 38 project into holes provided in the lock body 36 thereby securing the lock rod 38 to the lock body 36. The pins remain in position until the lock mechanism is deactivated with the key 42. Even if the lock mechanism is damaged or destroyed with a drill or other tool, the pins will remain in a locking position. The lock body 36 is welded to the side plate 8 so that. when the retaining member 4 is in the retaining position, the lock rod 38 may be located in the locking holes 16, 32 and the hole 40 in the lock body 36.

Each of the hook plates 22, 24 is provided with a handle 42 to assist the user of the apparatus with the movement of the retaining member 9. The ends of the hook plates 22, 24 distant from the hinge rod 15 take the form of a hook. The retaining member 4 is thereby capable of cooperating with an axle of a vehicle when in the retaining position.

When in use, the base member 2 is attached to the surface of a parking bay or to some other substantially immoveable object, such as a building. The attachment is made using the fastener 50 (see Figures 4, 5 and 6).

Movement of a vehicle may be prevented by the present embodiment provided that the vehicle is positioned so the retaining member 4, when in the retaining positioning, hooks over a vehicle axle 44 (see Figure 2). Once a vehicle has been correctly positioned, the vehicle security apparatus is operated by rotating the retaining member 4 from a non-retaining position shown in Figure 1 to the retaining position shown in Figure 2. The retaining member 4 thereby hooks around the vehicle axle 4 and prevents movement of the vehicle. Movement of the retaining member 4 from the retaining position may be prevented by locking the lock rod 38 in the position shown in Figure 3. The vehicle is consequently locked in a position adjacent the apparatus of the present embodiment.

A fastener 50 shown in Figure 4 is an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention The fastener 50 incorporates a bolt 52 and a nut 54, both manufactured from a metallic material. The bolt 52 comprises a threaded shaft 56 and a hexagonal head 58. The nut 54 comprises a first portion 60 which is cylindrical in shape and a second portion 62 which is hexagonal in shape.

A hole 64 is provided in the nut 54 and is threaded in the first portion 60 for reception of the bolt shaft 56. The hole 64 in the second portion 62 is not threaded and is sufficiently large to allow the bolt shaft 56 to be pushed through unhindered.

A V- shaped groove 66 is defined around the circumference of the nut 5 and is located between the first portion 60 and the second portion 62. The groove 66 has an enclosed angle of 600. The groove 66 generates a weakness in the nut 54. The extent of the weakness depends upon the depth of the groove 66.

A fastener 50 may be used to form a tamper proof connection between items as follows. The bolt shaft 56 is passed through bolt holes in the items to be connected and in to the nut 54 as indicated by arrow A. The nut 54 is then screwed on to the bolt shaft 56 and tightened. A rigid connection is thereby formed. Further tightening using spanners (or other suitable tools) engaged with the second portion 62 and bolt head 58 will shear the second portion 62 from the first portion 60 around the groove 66.

The second portion 62 may then be removed and discarded to leave only the first portion 60 attached to the bolt 52.

As the first portion 60 is cylindrical in shape, it will not be easily removed from the bolt shaft 56 with conventional tools such as a spanner. A tamper proor connection is thereby made.

The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment described above. Alternative arrangements and suitable materials will be apparent to a reader skilled in the art. For example, the connection between the base member 2 and the retaining member 4 may be such that both rotational and linear movement of the retaining member 4 relative to the base member 2 is permitted. Furthermore, with regard to the fastener 50, the bolt head 58 may comprise a first portion and a second portion rather than the nut 54.

Claims

CI* IME

1. Vehicle security apparatus comprising a base member adapted to be fixedly secured to a substantially immoveable object; a vehicle retaining member adapted to retain part of a vehicle in order to restrict movement of the vehicle relative to the retaining member, the retaining member being attached to the base member so as to be moveable between a vehicle-retaining position and a nonretaining position; and locking means for locking the retaining member in the retaining position

2. vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining member is pivotally mounted to the base member, whereby the retaining member can pivot between the non-retaining and retaining positions.

3. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retaining member is mounted to the base member by means of a hinge.

4. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge bar secured to the base member, and the retaining member is pivotally mounted to the hinge bar, whereby the retaining member can be pivoted between the non-retaining and retaining positions.

5. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a washer is located on the hinge bar between the base member and the retaining member.

6. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, further comprising a housing which receives the hinge bar, whereby the hinge bar is concealed within the housing.

7. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the housing forms part of the retaining member.

8. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member incorporates at least one hook adapted to cooperate with the vehicle.

9. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each hook is adapted to cooperate with a vehicle axle.

10. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means locks the retaining member to the base member.

11. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein apertures are provided in the base member and the retaining member, and said apertures are aligned when the retaining member is in the retaining position; and wherein the locking means comprises a locking rod which can be passed through said apertures, and can be locked relative to the base member, when the retaining member is in the retaining position.

12. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking means is a shutter lock.

13. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a fastener for fixedly securing the base member to the immoveable object.

14. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein a means is provided to restrict access to the fastener.

15. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means to restrict access to the fastener is a boss surrounding at least part of the fastener.

16. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded nut for securing to a threaded bolt, wherein the nut is provided with a first portion having an exterior surface which is at least partly curved, and a second portion having an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by a nut or bolt tightening tool, wherein the second portion is frangibly secured to the first portion, whereby the second port ion can shear from the first portion when the nut is tightened to the bolt.

17. Vehicle security apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

18. A fastener comprising a threaded nut for securing to a threaded bolt, wherein the nut is provided with a first portion having an exterior surface which is at least partly curved, and a second portion having an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by a nut or bolt tightening tool, wherein the second portion is frangibly secured to the first portion, whereby the second portion can shear from the first portion when the nut is tightened to the bolt.

19. A fastener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. A fastener as claimed in claim 18, wherein the exterior of the first portion is entirely curved.

20. A fastener as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the exterior surface of the first portion is cylindrical, spherical, part spherical or conical.

21. A fastener substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. Vehicle security apparatus comprising a base 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 being pivotally attached to the base member so as to be pivotally moveable between a vehicleretaining position and a non-retaining position; and locking means for locking the retaining means in the retaining position7 wherein the vehicle retaining means comprises a pair of spaced apart hooks secured to the base for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis for hooking over spaced apart structural elements of the vehicle to retain the structural elements between the hooks and the ground.

2. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hook is mounted to the base member by means of a hinge.

3. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hinge comprises a hinge bar secured to the base member, and the hooks are pivotally mounted to the hinge bar.

4. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a washer is located on the hinge bar between the base member and each hook.

5. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising a housing which receives the hinge bar, whereby the hinge bar is concealed within the housing.

6. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing interconnects the hooks.

7. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each hook is adapted to cooperate with a vehicle axle.

8. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means locks the retaining means to the base member.

9. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein apertures are provided in the base member and the retaining means, and said apertures are aligned when the retaining means is in the retaining position; and wherein the locking means comprises a locking rod which can be passed through said apertures, and can be locked relative to the base member, when the retaining means is in the retaining position.

10. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking means is a shutter lock.

11. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a fastener for fixedly securing the base member to the immoveable object.

12. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein means are provided to restrict access to the fastener.

13. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means to restrict access to the fastener is a boss surrounding at least part of the fastener.

14. Vehicle security apparatus as claimed in claim 11 to 13, wherein the fastener comprises a threaded nut for securing to a threaded bolt, wherein the nut is provided with a first portion having an exterior surface which is at least partly curved, and a second portion having an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by a nut or bolt tightening tool, wherein the second portion is frangibly secured to the first portion, whereby the second portion can shear from the first portion when the nut is tightened to the bolt.

15. Vehicle security apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

16. A fastener comprising a threaded nut for securing to a threaded bolt, wherein the nut is provided with a first portion having an exterior surface which is at least partly curved, and a second portion having an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by a nut or bolt tightening tool, wherein the second portion is frangibly secured to the first portion, whereby the second portion can shear from the first portion when the nut is tightened to the bolt.

17. A fastener as claimed in claim 16, wherein the exterior of the first portion is entirely curved.

18. A fastener as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the exterior surface of the first portion is cylindrical, spherical, part spherical or conical.