GB2421935A

GB2421935A - Wheel clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2421935A
Application number: GB0513034A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chun-Hsien Wu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-06
Filing date: 2005-06-25
Publication date: 2006-07-12
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-25
Also published as: GB0513034D0; TWM269338U; GB2421935B; JP3113409U

Abstract

A wheel lock includes a fixed arm 1, a lock tube 2, a movable arm 3 and a lock rod 4. The movable arm is pivotally connected to the fixed arm at one end. Both the fixed arm and the movable arm have passages 11, 31 respectively. The lock tube is pivotally connected to the fixed arm. The lock rod is pivotally connected to the movable arm. The lock tube and the lock rod are respectively inserted through the passage of the fixed arm and the movable arm, and have enlarged ends left outside of the passages. By swinging the lock tube and the lock rod to engage together, the wheel lock is locked on an opening of a wheel.

Description

TITLE: TIRE LOCK

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a tire lock, and more particularly to a tire lock using with a fixed arm pivotally connected with a lock tube and a movable arm pivotally connected with a lock rod to lock a tire.

Description of the Prior Art

Car theft has becoming drivers' most nightmares, therefore, all kind of automobile locks have invented to protect their vehicles from theft.

Steer wheel locks and tire locks are two of the most popular locks. The tire lock is one of the popular locks used by consumers due to its simple design and cheap price. A conventional tire lock, as shown in FIG. 5 comprises a fixed arm A and a movable arm B. The fixed arm A has a hollow tube Al at the center portion and a lock means A2 close to the tube Al. The movable arm B comprises a rod Bi to be inserted into the hollow tube Al and secured by the lock means A2. Thus an opening Cl of a tire C is secured by the fixed arm A and the movable arm B to prevent from rolling.

However, because the fixed arm A and the movable arm B are in a separate status when not in use, either one may be misplaced or missing.

Further, to lock a tire, both the fixed arm A and the movable arm B must be aligned with each other to lock the tire. Any misalignment will cause the lock inappropriate or cannot be in a locking position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a tire lock, which is easy to operate.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a tire lock, which is safe in use.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a tire lock, which is secure and easy to store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTiON OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. I is an exploded view of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a side view showing that the present invention is applied to a tire; FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG. 3, partially sectioned, and

FIG. 5 is a top sectional view of a prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODfMENT

As shown in FIGS. I and 2, the present invention comprises a fixed arm 1, a lock tube 2, a movable arm 3 and a lock rod 4.

The fixed arm I has a longitudinal trough 11 at the center inner wall with a pair of connecting holes 12 at the top and bottom, respectively, to receive a fastener 13 therein. The fixed arm I further comprises a connecting section 14 at one end with a pair of connecting holes 15 thereon to receive a fastener 16 therein.

The lock tube 2 is pivotally connected to the trough 11 of the fixed arm 1. The lock tube 2 has an enlarged end 21 with a connecting hole 211 thereon. The outer diameter of the enlarged end 21 is larger than the width of the trough 11. The lock tube 2 is provided with a passage 22 at the other end. A lock means 23 is provided at the end opposing the enlarged end 21.

The movable arm 3 is pivotally connected to the cormecting section 14 of the fixed ann 1. The movable arm 3 has a longitudinal trough 31 at the center inner wall with a pair of connecting holes 32 at the top and bottom, respectively, to receive a fastener 33 therein. The movable arm 3 further comprises a connecting section 34 at one end with a pair of connecting holes 35 thereon.

The lock rod 4 is pivotally connected to the trough 3 I of the movable arm 3. The lock rod 4 has an enlarged end 41 with a connecting hole 41 thereon. The outer diameter of the enlarged end 41 is larger than the width of the trough 31. A series of saw troughs 42 are formed on the other end of the lock rod 4 to be inserted into the passage 22 of the lock tube 2, and secured by the lock means 23.

To assemble the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the lock tube 2 and the lock rod 4 are inserted through the troughs II and 13 of the fixed arm I and the movable arm 3, respectively. Both the lock tube 2 and the lock rod 4 have the enlarged ends 21 and 41 left outside of the troughs 11 and 31. The connecting holes 211 and 411 of the lock tube 2 and the lock rod 4 are aligned with the connecting holes 12 and 32 of the fixed arm I and the movable arm 3, respectively. The fasteners 1 3 and 33 are inserted through the connecting holes 12, 32, 211 and 411 to connect the lock tube 2 and the lock rod 4 to the fixed arm I and the movable arm 3, respectively. The design of the troughs 11 and 31 is in a longitudinal shape, which allows the lock tube 2 and the lock rod 4 to make a slight swing within the troughs 11 and 31. The connecting section 14 of the fixed arm 1 is aligned with the connecting section 34 of the movable arm 3. The fastener 1 6 is inserted into the connecting holes 15 and 35 of the fixed arm 1 and the movable arm 3 in such a maimer that enables the movable arm 3 to swing accordingly.

To operate the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable arm is swung with respect to the fixed arm 1 to open a space. The fixed arm I and the movable arm 3 are respectively inserted through an opening Cl of a tire C, and then the movable arm 3 is swung toward the fixed arm 1. The lock tube 2 amid the lock rod 4 can be slightly adjusted within the troughs 11 and 31, so that the lock rod 4 is quickly inserted into the lock tube 2 and locked by the lock means 23 to secure the tire lock at place, as shown in FIG. 4. When a car thief starts the engine to drive the car, the tire lock will prevent the tire from rolling. Even though the thief breaks the fasteners 13 and 33, the enlarged ends 21 and 41 of the lock tube 2 and the lock rod 4 will prevent the fixed arm 1 and the movable arm 3 from detachment through the troughs 11 and 3 1. The fixed arm 1, the movable arm 3, the lock tube 2 and the lock rod 4 are still in a locked status. Thus the car is still in protection.

I CLAIM: 1. A tire lock comprising: a fixed arm comprising a trough, said fixed arm having one end pivotally connected with a connecting section; a lock tube having an enlarged end, said enlarged end having an outer diameter that is larger than the width of said trough of said fixed arm, said enlarged end being left outside of said trough of said fixed arm to connect with said fixed arm; a movable arm pivotally connected to said connecting section of said fixed arm, said movable arm comprising a trough and a connecting section at one end; a lock rod having an enlarged end, said enlarged end having an outer diameter that is larger than the width of said trough of said movable arm, said enlarged end being left outside of said trough of said movable arm to connect with said movable arm.

2. The tire lock, as recited in claim 1, wherein said troughs of said fixed arm and said movable arm are formed at center inner walls, said fixed arm and said movable arm further comprising a pair of connecting holes at top and bottom walls nearby said through, both said lock tube and said lock rod comprising connecting holes thereon corresponding to said connecting holes of said fixed arm and said movable arni to receive fasteners therein for securing purposes, and said lock tube and said lock rod being able to slightly swing within said troughs of said fixed arm and said movable arm.

3. The tire lock, as recited in claim 1, wherein said lock tube comprises a passage and a lock means at another end opposing said enlarged end, while said lock rod is formed with a series of saw troughs at another end to be inserted into said passage of said lock tube.

Claims

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: CLAIMS

1. A tire lock comprising: a fixed arm having one end pivotally connected with a connecting section, said fixed arm comprising an aperture, an inner wall, and top and bottom walls; a lock tube having a passage, a lock means and an enlarged end, said enlarged end having an outer diameter that is larger than the width of said aperture of said fixed arm, said enlarged end being positioned, in use, outside of said aperture of said fixed arm to connect with said fixed arm; a movable arm pivotally connected to said connecting section of said fixed arm, said movable arm comprising an aperture, a connecting section at one end, an inner wall, and top and bottom walls; a lock rod having an enlarged end, said enlarged end having an outer diameter that is larger than the width of said aperture of said movable arm, said enlarged end in use, remaining outside of said aperture of said movable arm to connect with said movable arm; wherein said apertures of said fixed arm and said movable arm are each formed in a central portion of the inner wall of the fixed ann or the movable arm respectively, said fixed arm and said movable arm each further comprising a pair of connecting holes formed in a central portion of the top and bottom wall, and close to said respective apertures, both said lock tube and said lock rod comprising connecting holes thereon corresponding to said connecting holes of said fixed arm and said movable arm, to receive fasteners therein for securing purposes, and said lock tube and said lock rod being able to slightly swing within said apertures of said fixed arm and said movable arm, the lock rod being insertable into the passage of the lock tube and lockable by the lock means, and the fixed arm and movable arm being respectively insertable into an opening of a tire, in order to prevent the tire from rolling.

2. The tire lock, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said passage and said lock means are positioned at an end of the lock tube opposing said enlarged end, while said lock rod is formed with a series of saw teeth to be inserted into said passage of said lock tube.

3. A tire lock generally as herembefore described with reference to and/or illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. ci