GB2314581A

GB2314581A - Loop with lockable bracket for securing to a grate

Info

Publication number: GB2314581A
Application number: GB9613375A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Simpson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-06-26
Filing date: 1996-06-26
Publication date: 1998-01-07
Also published as: GB9613375D0

Abstract

A bracket 1 for securing a vehicle to a grate 24 comprises a first elongate member 2 with a hook 6 on one end, a second member 8 slidably mounted on member 2 with an angled portion 12, and a loop 18 attached to the slidable member 8. In use, the elongate member 1 is inserted between bars 28 of the grate 24 and the hook 6 engaged onto the underside of one of the bars 28, the second member 8 is then slid down member 2 to engage the top of the same bar 28 and locked in position by a lock 15 through one of several holes 14 in the members 2 and 8. Alternatively a ratchet system may be used. A chain or rope can then be secured to the loop 18.

Description

8ECURITY BRACKET The present invention relates to a security bracket and, in particular, to a security bracket for securing vehicles, particularly motorcycles and the like, to inhibit theft.

Theft is a major problem for vehicle owners and, particularly in the case of smaller vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, trailers or the like, theft of the vehicle itself is not inhibited by the use of security locks, chains or the like secured to the vehicle to prevent use since many thieves merely lift the vehicle, for example into a van, and remove it to a site where any such security locks are removed with appropriate equipment.

Clearly most small vehicle owners prefer to secure their vehicle to an appropriate frame or rack provided for the purpose or to a nearby fixed object in order to prevent such theft. It can, however, often be a problem locating a suitable fixing object near the desired parking location.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of this problem and in order to provide a device which allows a vehicle to be secured to the ground, in most instances, near the desired parking place.

According to the invention there is provided a bracket for securing a vehicle to a grate comprising first locating means adapted to be located through the grate, said means having a locating member adapted to extend beneath at least part of said grate, second locating means adapted to be located on or adjacent the upper surface of the grate, locking means for releasably securing the first and second locating means in a retaining position in which the bracket is retained on the grate and securing means for securing a vehicle to said bracket. Typically, the grate is a conventional roadside grate lying substantially in the plane of the ground. The dimensions of the bracket may be suitably chosen to correspond to the size of grate to which it is to be secured.

Preferably, the first locating means comprises an elongate member adapted to be located in a grate spacing and having a part which, in use, extends above the upper surface of the grate. The locating member may extend from one end of the elongate member, preferably at substantially a right angle, and may comprise a hook such that in use part of the hook is adapted to extend upwardly into another grate spacing.

Preferably, the second locating means comprises a locating member adapted to be located in a grate spacing and a mounting member for mounting the second locating means on the first locating means. Preferably, the mounting member comprises a tubular member through which the elongate member may extend. Preferably, the second locating means is slidably mounted on the first locating means. Stop means may be provided to prevent disengagement of the first and second locating means.

Such stop means may be releasably mounted on the bracket so that the bracket can be disassembled for storage or transport. A ratchet mechanism may be provided between the first and second locating means to facilitate relative movement therebetween. Preferably, the second locating means is moveable from a first position in which the bracket may be located on the grate and a second position in which the bracket is retained on the grate. The locking means may comprise any suitable mechanism such as an anvil lock or a key operated lock. Preferably, one or more apertures are provided in the first and second locating means such that part of the locking means may be located through aligned apertures on the first and second locating means. Preferably, the locking means, in use, prevents relative movement of the first and second locating means.

The securing means may comprise any suitable means, for example a suitable locking mechanism or a hook adapted to be located over part of the vehicle. The securing means may comprise a rope, chain or the like secured to or integral with the bracket. Preferably, the securing means is provided on the second locating means. Alternatively, the securing means may comprise a loop or the like through which a chain or rope may be passed for securing the vehicle to the bracket. Preferably, the bracket comprises hardened steel or similar material.

According to the invention there is further provided a method of securing a vehicle to a roadside grate comprising locating a bracket around a portion of the grate, locking the bracket in such a position so that the bracket is secured to the grate and securing a vehicle to the bracket.

It will be seen that an advantage of the bracket and method of the invention, is that, once the bracket has been attached to the grate, the vehicle to be secured may be located over the bracket and grate, whether before or after securing to the bracket. This may provide additional security against theft.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is side view of one embodiment of a bracket of the invention in use; and Fig. 2 is side view of a second embodiment of a bracket in use.

Referring to the drawings, the bracket 1 comprises a first elongate member 2 having a straight portion 4 with a hook 6 on one end thereof. A second member 8 comprises a slidable portion 10 slidably mounted on the straight portion 4 of the first member 2. An angled portion 12 extends from one side of the slidable portion 10. As shown in the drawings, the slidable portion 4 may comprise a tubular section of, for example, rectangular or circular cross-section, slidably located over a tubular straight portion 4, typically of similar cross-sectional shape. A plurality of apertures 14 are provided on the straight portion 4 and the slidable portion 10 to facilitate fixing of the slidable portion relative to the straight portion, for example by means of locating a lock through one of the apertures. Alternatively a ratchet system may be used.

Suitable locking means such as an anvil lock 15 or a key lock 16 are provided, typically on the slidable portion, for securing the bracket in the retaining position. A loop 18 or other suitable means is provided on the bracket, typically either on the slidable portion or on the straight portion to facilitate securing a vehicle to the bracket by means of an integral or independent chain, rope or the like. Suitable means, such as a roller pin 20 located through an aperture 22 in the upper end of the straight portion 4, may be provided to prevent the slidable portion sliding off the end of the straight portion. The pin may be removable so that the bracket can be disassembled for storage or transport. Alternatively any suitable stop, whether integral or removable, may be used.

In use, the elongate member 2 is lowered into the grate 24 by orienting the hook 6 parallel to a grate spacing 26. The member 2 is then turned so that the hook 6 extends under a bar 28 of the grate and upwardly into another, typically adjacent, grate spacing 30. The second member 8 is then lowered by sliding the slidable portion 10 along the straight portion 4 until the angled portion 12 abuts or nearly abuts the upper surface of the grate bar 28. Part of the angled portion 12 extends downwardly into the grate spacing 30. The bracket is then secured in this position by a suitable lock, for example by passing a lock member through aligned apertures in the straight portion and the slidable portion or by turning a key in a lock which locates a lock member through the apertures.

The grate is then secured between the first member 2 and the second member 8 of the bracket. The vehicle is then secured to the bracket by passing a conventional lock, chain, rope or the like (not shown) through the loop 18. Such a chain or the like may alternatively be directly secured or fixed to the bracket, for example, by being bolted or welded thereto or integral therewith. In this case the loop 18 may be omitted. The chain is passed through an appropriate anchor point on the vehicle such as a frame, towing loop, motorcycle frame, swinging arm or the like. The chain is locked in such a position.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

For example, any suitable sliding mechanism such as a dovetail section in a corresponding groove may be used.

Claims

1. A bracket for securing a vehicle to a grate comprising first locating means adapted to be located through the grate, said means having a locating member adapted to extend beneath at least part of said grate, second locating means adapted to be located on or adjacent the upper surface of the grate, locking means for releasably securing the first and second locating means in a retaining position in which the bracket is retained on the grate and securing means for securing a vehicle to said bracket.

2. A bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first locating means comprises an elongate member adapted to be located in a grate spacing and having a part which, in use, extends above the upper surface of the grate.

3. A bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locating member extends from one end of the elongate member.

4. A bracket as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locating member extends at substantially a right angle to the elongate member.

5. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locating member 5 comprises a hook such that in use part of the hook is adapted to extend upwardly into another grate spacing.

6. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second locating means comprises a locating member adapted to be located in a grate spacing and a mounting member for mounting the second locating means on the first locating means.

7. A bracket as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mounting member comprises a tubular member through which the elongate member extends.

8. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second locating means is slidably mounted on the first locating means.

9. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising stop means to prevent disengagement of the first and second locating means.

10. A bracket as claimed in any claim 9, wherein said stop means are releasably mounted on the bracket.

11. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a ratchet mechanism is provided between the first and second locating means to facilitate relative movement therebetween.

12. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second locating means is moveable between a first position in which the bracket may be located on the grate and a second position in which the bracket is retained on the grate.

13. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more apertures are provided in the first and second locating means such that part of the locking means may be located through aligned apertures on the first and second locating means.

14. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking means, in use, prevents relative movement of the first and second locating means.

15. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises a locking mechanism or a hook adapted to be located over part of the vehicle.

16. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises a rope, chain or the like secured to or integral with the bracket.

17. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means is provided on the second locating means.

18. A bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the securing means comprises a loop or the like through which a chain or rope may be passed for securing the vehicle to the bracket.

19. A method of securing a vehicle to a roadside grate comprising locating a bracket around a portion of the grate, locking the bracket in such a position so that the bracket is secured to the grate and securing a vehicle to the bracket.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said bracket comprises a bracket as claimed in any preceding claim.

21. A bracket or a method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.