GB2244247A

GB2244247A - Vehicle restraining device

Info

Publication number: GB2244247A
Application number: GB9007952A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Brooks; Michael Harold Cope
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-04-07
Filing date: 1990-04-07
Publication date: 1991-11-27
Also published as: EP0524255A1; GB9007952D0; WO1991015385A1

Abstract

Apparatus for restraining movement of a wheeled vehicle bar a free standing frame (10) which is positioned next to the vehicle wheel. Lengths of chain (16, 17) are fixed to frame (10) and can be extended around the wheel and brought back and engaged with the frame (10) thereby preventing movement of the wheel. A cover (40) is fitted over the frame (10) to prevent access to the frame (10) and the engagement of the chains (16, 17) with the frame (10) by which unauthorised tampering or removal of the apparatus is prevented. In one embodiment the chains (59, 61, 67, 68) are interlinked with rigid members (62) which prevent movement of the chains beyond a predetermined limit thereby increasing the protection against unauthorised removal of the apparatus. Security against the movement of the chains beyond the predetermined limit is also heightened by use of a cross member of chains (17) or rigid bar (66).

Description

WHEELED VEHICLE RESTRAINING MEANS This invention concerns means for restraining movement of a wheeled vehicle, particularly, though by no means exclusively, a motor car.

Wheel clamps, such as the "Denver Boot" are well known, but such are of many parts requiring substantial fitting time and, more importantly, are such that any attempt to move the vehicle can result in damage thereto, not necessarily immediately apparent, and hazardous to subsequent safe driving.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a restraining means for a wheeled vehicle which is capable of rapid application and which is fully effective without damage to the vehicle even when any attempt to move the vehicle is effected.

According to the present invention, there is provided a means for restraining movement of a wheeled vehicle comprising a free-standing frame member adapted to be postioned adjacent a vehicle wheel, means extendible from the frame member to encompass said wheel and for return to the frame member for engagement therewith, and cover means securable to the frame member to deny access to the engagement of the extendible means therewith.

The extendible means may be chains.

The chains may be engageable with members pivotally connected with the frame member and movable by positioning of the cover means to tension the chains.

The cover means may be securable at a selected one of a possible number of vertical positions suited for the size of wheel to which the restraining means is attached.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of restraining means embodying same.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows an inside view of a frame member forming part of the restraining means; Figure 2 shows an outside view of the frame member of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a cross-section through the frame member on the line III - III of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a side view of a cover member forming another part of the restraining means.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the restraining means is essentially comprised by two parts, a frame member generally indicated at 10 (Figures 1-3) and a cover member generally indicated at 40 (Figure 4).

The frame member 10 comprises a longitudinally extending ground-engaging rail 11 which mounts upright pillars 12 and 13 joined towards their tops by a cross-member 14. Reinforcement pieces 12a, 13a are provided.

From the tops of the pillars 12 and 13 extend lengths of chain 15 and 16 connected by a cross chain 17 a short distance from the pillars 12 and 13. The ends of the chains pass beneath the pieces 12a and 13a respectively.

A bar 18 is rotatably mounted between the pillars 12 and 13 beneath the cross-member 14 and carries a pair of strips 19 and 20 whose lower ends are notched at 21 to receive a link of the chains 15 and 16 respectively.

The upper portions of the strips 19 and 20 are bowed outwardly for a reason which will be apparent hereinafter.

The cover member 40 is in the form of a plate 41 having spaced hook-shaped studs 42 on its lower edge engageable with one pair of a series of vertically spaced pairs of holes 43 in the rail 11 and pillars 12 and 13.

A staple 44 extends outwardly from cross-member 14 to pass through one of a series of vertically spaced apertures 45 in the plate 41 when the cover 40 is fitted to the frame member 10.

In use, the frame member 10 is positioned alongside a vehicle wheel and the chains 15 and 16 are passed over the wheel and back under it to be engaged with the notches 21 on the lower end of the strips 19 and 20.

The cover 40 is fitted to deny access to the chain attachments, and secured by a padlock through the staple 44.

When the cover is fitted the plate 41 bears against the upper portions of strips 19 and 20 to cause rotation of the bar 18 to tension the chains 15 and 16.

A plate, not shown in the interests of clarity may extend between the pillars 12 and 13 on the outer face of the frame member to deny access to the chains when the cover is secured at one of its upper positions.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1 A means for restraining movement of a wheeled vehicle comprising a free standing frame member adapted to be positioned adjacent a vehicle wheel, means extendable from the frame member to encompass said wheel and for return to the frame member for engagement therewith, and cover means securable to the frame member to deny access to the engagement of the extendable means therewith.

2 A means as claimed in claim 1 in which the extendable means comprises chains.

3 A means as claimed in claim 2 in which the chains are engageable with members pivotally connected with the frame member and moveable by positioning of a cover means to tension the chains.

4 A means as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the cover means are securable at a selected one of a possible number of vertical positions suited for the size wheel to which the restraining means is attached.

5 A means for restraining movement of a wheeled vehicle constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.