GB2462809A

GB2462809A - Locking device for a wheel of a parked vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2462809A
Application number: GB0814948A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Hammond
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-18
Filing date: 2008-08-18
Publication date: 2010-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-18
Also published as: WO2010020805A1; GB2462809B; GB0814948D0

Abstract

A locking device 10 for a wheel of a parked vehicle, the device comprising a base portion 12 attachable to the ground, a locking element 14 or preferably more than one locking element 14, having a cross member 16 disposed between two side members 18, 20 which may have flange portions 24 containing holes and protecting means, each side member being adapted to engage with the base portion 12, and locking means 30, 32, 34, 36, 76 to lock each side member to the base portion, where, in use, the locking element fits over the lower portion of a wheel to accommodate the lower portion of the wheel between the locking element and the base portion. The locking means may comprise a bolt 30, 32 and a socket 34, 36 which form a locking assembly. Preferably the bolt has a head portion distal to a locking portion of lesser diameter. The locking portion may have a selectively operable locking member to engage with the socket. The locking element may also comprise a fillet member. The base portion 12 may have a horizontal base plate with at least two holes or three holes, the latter preferably defining two outer holes and an inner hole corresponding to the holes in the flange portions 24. The device may have an anchor member 78 preferably connected with truss members 80, 82 and secondary anchor members 84, 86. A method of locking the wheel to the ground with the device is also claimed.

Description

Locking Device The present invention relates to a locking device for anchoring a parked vehicle, particularly but not exclusively a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, to the ground.

Known locking devices for such vehicles comprise a chain and padlock or a so-called D'-lock. Such locking devices are used to secure a wheel of the vehicle to a part of the vehicle to prevent the vehicle from being moved along the ground or to secure the vehicle body and/or a wheel thereof to an imrnoveable structure, such as a lamp post.

However, vehicles locked with these devices can be stolen either by cutting through the chain, padlock or D'-lock with suitable cutting equipment or, where the vehicle is not anchored to the ground, by simply lifting the vehicle and removing it. It is generally the padlock or other locking mechanism which is the most vulnerable part of known locking devices.

Therefore, improvements to locking devices for anchoring a parked vehicle, in particular a two-wheeled vehicle such as a motorcycle, to the ground are required.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a locking device for a wheel of a parked vehicle, the device comprising: -a base portion attachable to the ground; -a locking element having a cross member disposed between two side members, each side member being adapted to engage with the base portion; and -locking means to lock each side member to the base portion; where, in use, the locking element fits over the lower portion of a wheel to accommodate the lower portion of the wheel between the locking element and the base portion.

In use, the lower portion of a wheel is effectively trapped between the locking element and the base portion attached to the ground. A side member is arranged on each side of the lower portion of the wheel and the cross member spans between the side members over the wheel to accommodate the lower portion of the wheel between the locking element and the base portion. Therefore, without unlocking and detaching the locking element from the base portion, the wheel is prevented from being lifted and removed from the device.

Suitably the locking element fits closely with the lower portion of the wheel.

For example, the locking element may be complimentarily shaped with and/or substantially engage with the wheel. The locking element may be curved or may define a U-shape to fit over and accommodate the lower portion of the wheel. Of course, the locking element may have other profiles corresponding to the cross section of the wheel to be secured. A locking element which closely fits the wheel advantageously minimises the gap between the locking element and the wheel and prevents cutting equipment gaining sufficient access to cut through the locking element.

The locking element may clamp down on the lower portion of the wheel.

In addition to providing a secure locking means, the device may also provide a degree of support to a parked vehicle. This may be particularly desirable where the vehicle is a two-wheeled vehicle having no support means, e.g. a motor cycle stand or the like, or where a fixed structural support, such as lamp post or wall, to rest the vehicle against is unavailable.

Preferably the locking means comprise a locking assembly engageable at each side member. Two locking assemblies allow the locking element to be completely detached from the base portion. When securing a wheel to the device, a side member of the locking element can be easily manipulated through the spokes of a wheel and orientated to straddle the lower portion of the wheel. The side members can easily be engaged with the base portion before a locking assembly is engaged at each side member. This conveniently provides a degree of tolerance to a user when manipulating the locking element through a wheel and aligning with the base portion before the locking assemblies are easily engaged with each side member. Having a degree of tolerance allows the locking element to be aligned with the base portion without having to adjust the position of the wheel or parked vehicle. This is particularly desirable where apertures through the wheel are small, such as a wheel having closely spaced spokes.

A locking assembly engaged at each side member on both sides of a wheel provides the device with improved strength and security.

Suitably each locking assembly comprises a locking bolt engageable with a corresponding locking socket attached to the base portion. The locking sockets may be attached to the base portion by using known techniques, such as welding.

Suitably each locking bolt comprises a head portion distal to a locking portion, wherein the locking portion is of reduced diameter relative to the head portion. The head portion may comprise gripping means to aid the insertion of a locking bolt into a locking socket and withdrawal therefrom.

The gripping means may comprise a textured outer surface, such as a knurled outer surface, for example.

The locking portion is suitably adapted to engage with a part of a locking socket to selectively lock the locking bolt therein. Suitably the locking portion comprises at least one selectively operable locking member engageable with a corresponding locking socket thereby to lock the locking bolt therein. Alternatively, the locking socket may comprise at least one selectively operable locking member engageable with the locking portion of a corresponding locking bolt.

Suitably, when in a locking position, the at least one locking member may extend outwardly from the locking portion of a locking bolt to engage with a recess of the locking socket. For example, the locking member may be a pin or the like which is selectively engageable with a shoulder or recess of the locking socket. Alternatively, the locking member may comprise a ball bearing selectively engageable with a recess of the locking socket.

Preferably the side members of the locking element each comprise a flange portion having a hole disposed therein. Suitably each flange portion comprises a substantially flat lower surface to engage with a corresponding upper surface of the base portion.

Suitably a protecting means is attached to an upper surface of each flange portion and arranged around its corresponding hole, the protecting means being adapted to at least partially surround the head portion of a corresponding locking bolt located in the hole. The protecting means may be a continuous annular member such as a collar, the height of the annular member determining the extent of the head portion being surrounded. Alternatively, the protecting means may be intermittent and comprise a plurality of spaced members arranged around the hole.

Suitably the protecting means may comprise an angled outer surface for deflecting an object being maliciously used to impact the locking bolt. The protecting means may cover the head portion of a locking bolt located in the hole. Suitably the protecting means may comprise or be adapted to engage with cover means for covering the head portion of a locking bolt located in the hole. For example, the cover means may comprise a cap which engages with a collar. The cap may be a flexible and resilient material such as rubber, for example. Advantageously, the cap protects the locking assembly from ingress of dirt or water. Suitable cover means may also be used to cover each locking socket when the locking element is not being used, e.g. when a vehicle is not parked over the base portion or where an unobstructed or substantially flat parking surface is required.

Suitably the locking element comprises a fillet member extending from each flange portion to the cross member. A fillet member may be attached to the locking element by known techniques such as welding. A fillet member provides additional strength to the locking element and may be angled to deflect an object being maliciously used to impact the device.

Suitably the base portion comprises a horizontally orientated elongate base plate having at least two holes spaced to correspond with the holes in the flange portions of the locking element. A base plate conveniently provides substantially flat upper surfaces for the flat lower surfaces of the flange portions of the locking element to engage with. A base plate may also be attached flush to the ground to provide a flat parking surface when the locking element is not being used, as described above.

Conveniently the base plate may comprise at least three holes, wherein two of the at least three holes are spaced to correspond with the holes in the flange portions of the locking element. Preferably the at least three holes are aligned along the base plate to define two outer holes and an inner hole disposed between the two outer holes. In use, an outer hole and the inner hole of the base plate may be aligned with corresponding holes in the flange portions of a locking element and locking assemblies engaged therein. Where a larger locking element is required, e.g. to fit over the lower portion of a wheel with a wider cross section, the two outer holes in the base plate may be aligned with corresponding holes in the flange portions of the larger locking element and locking assemblies engaged therein.

Suitably a locking socket is coaxially aligned with its corresponding hole and attached to the underside of the base plate.

Suitably a primary elongate anchor member extends downwardly from the base plate. The primary elongate anchor member may conveniently be used to attach the base plate to the ground. For example, the primary elongate anchor member may be set in concrete to anchor the base plate in the ground and prevent it being maliciously removed therefrom.

Suitably one or more truss members may extend diagonally between the primary anchor member and the base plate. Suitable truss members may include rods for providing additional strength to the base portion and minimise any distortion thereof whilst the primary anchor member is attached to the base plate by welding, for example.

Suitably one or more secondary elongate anchor members extend perpendicularly from the primary anchor member. The secondary elongate anchor members may be bars or rods extending from the primary anchor member and conveniently provide additional anchorage of the base portion in the ground, particularly where the base portion is set in concrete.

Suitably the locking element is at least partially provided with a protective layer of resilient material. At least the underside of the cross member, which may optionally be engageable with the lower portion of a wheel, may comprise the resilient material. Advantageously, such a protective layer will protect the wheel when the locking element is fitted thereover.

This may be particularly desirable where the wheel comprises a chrome, painted or anodised finish, for example. Suitably the resilient material may be rubber, foam or plastic or the like.

Preferably the locking device is mostly formed from a metallic material.

Suitably the device comprises a high strength steel to withstand the impact loads or shear forces of an object being maliciously used to compromise the integrity of the device. Suitably at least the locking element and each locking bolt are manufactured from a case hardened steel. Suitably the device is resistant to corrosion. For example, the device may be painted, powder or plastic coated, comprise a chrome finish or be electro-plated.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, an array of locking devices as described above may be provided. Such an array of locking devices may be provided for use in a large parking area where more than one vehicle requires anchoring to the ground such as a public or office car

park, for example.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of locking a wheel of a vehicle to the ground with a device as described above, the method comprising the steps of: -parking a wheel of the vehicle over the base portion of the device; -passing a side member of the locking element through the wheel; -aligning each side member with a corresponding part of the base portion; -inserting the locking means to lock each side member to the base portion where, in use, the locking element fits over the lower portion of the wheel to accommodate the lower portion of the wheel between the locking element and the base portion.

The method may further comprise any one or more of the following steps: -aligning a hole in a side member with a corresponding hole in the base portion; -inserting a locking bolt into a locking socket attached to the base portion; and -fitting a protective cover over a locking bolt.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: -Figure 1 a shows a first embodiment of the locking device; -Figure 1 b shows a second embodiment of the locking device; -Figure 2 shows the locking element of Figure 1 a and/or 1 b; -Figure 3 shows the base portion of Figure 1 b; -Figure 4 shows the locking bolt of a locking assembly of Figure laandlb;and -Figure 5 shows the locking socket of a locking assembly of Figure la and lb. As shown in Figures 1 a and 1 b, a locking device (10) for a wheel (not shown) of a parked vehicle, comprises a base plate (12) attachable to the ground and a locking element (14) having a cross member (16) disposed between two side members (18, 20). Each side member (18, 20) comprises an upright portion having a horizontal flange portion (22, 24) outwardly extending from an end distal to the cross member (16). Each flange portion (22, 24) provides a suitably flat surface for engagement with the flat upper surface of the base plate (12).

The locking element (14) fits over the lower portion of a wheel to accommodate the lower portion of the wheel between the locking element (14) and the base plate (12). Two locking assemblies (30, 34 & 32, 36), each comprising a locking bolt (30, 32) engageable with a corresponding locking socket (34, 36), are provided at each flange portion (22, 24) to securely lock the locking element (14)to the base plate (12) and trap the wheel therebetween. Therefore, without unlocking and detaching the locking element (14) from the base plate (12), the wheel is prevented from being lifted and removed from the device (10).

The locking element (14) engages closely with the lower portion of the wheel to minimise the gap between the locking element (14) and the wheel. This advantageously prevents suitable cutting equipment gaining sufficient access to maliciously cut through the locking element (14).

An embodiment of a locking bolt (30, 32) and a locking socket (34, 36, 76) are shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively. The locking bolt (30, 32) comprises a head portion (50) and a locking portion (52) which engages with a locking socket (34, 36, 76). The head portion (50) is larger in diameter than the locking portion (52) to provide a shoulder (54) which engages with an upper face (56) of the locking socket (34, 36, 76). The locking bolt (30, 32) comprises a locking member (58) which is selectively operable to engage with a locking socket (34, 36, 76) to lock the locking bolt (30, 32) therein. The locking member (58) may be a pin or the like adapted to selectively engage with a part of the locking socket (34, 36, 76). The head portion (50) may comprise a textured surface (51), such as a knurled surface, to provide a means for gripping the locking bolt (30, 32) during engagement with a corresponding locking socket (34, 36, 76).

Each locking socket (34, 36, 76) is substantially cylindrical and comprises an axial bore (60) having an annular recess (62) suitable for engagement with the locking member (58) of a locking bolt (30, 32). The annular recess (62) provides an annular shoulder (64) which prevents the locking member (58) and locking bolt (30, 32) being removed from the locking socket (34, 36, 76) when the locking member (58) is outwardly deployed in the recess (62). An upper portion (59) of reduced diameter provides a shoulder (61) for engagement with the base plate (12).

As shown in Figure 2, each flange portion (22, 24) of the locking element (14) includes a hole (38, 40) for the locking portion (52) of a locking bolt (30, 32) to be inserted. The diameter of each hole (38, 40) is less than the diameter of the head portion (50) of the locking bolt (30, 32) SO the head portion (50) engages with the flange portion (22, 24). Attached around each hole (38, 40) is a collar (42, 44) which partially surrounds the head portion (50) of a locking bolt (30, 32) located in the hole (38, 40). The collar (42, 44) provides protection to the locking bolt (30, 32) from impact by an object being maliciously used to compromise the integrity of a locking assembly. Each collar (42, 44) may be adapted to receive a cap (not shown) for covering the locking bolt (30, 32) located in its hole (38, 40). The cap may be a flexible and resilient material such as rubber, for example. Advantageously, the cap protects the locking assembly from ingress of dirt or water.

Each side member (18, 20) of the locking element (14) also includes a fillet member (64) extending between the flange portion (22, 24) and its upright portion. The fillet members (64) provide additional strength to the locking element (14) to particularly withstand impact from an object being used maliciously to compromise the integrity of the device (10).

The base plate (12) of Figure la has two holes which align with the corresponding holes in the flange portions (22, 24) of the locking element (14). A locking socket (34, 36) is coaxially aligned with each of the holes in the base plate (12) and attached to the underside of the base plate (12) by known joining techniques, such as welding.

The base plate (12) of Figure 1 b is shown in Figure 3. The base plate (12) has three holes (66, 68, 70), aligned along the base plate (12) to define first and second outer holes (66, 70) and an inner hole (68) disposed between the two outer holes (66, 70) in the vicinity of the second outer hole (70). A locking socket (34, 36, 76) is coaxially aligned with its corresponding hole (66, 68, 70) and attached to the underside of the base plate (12) by known joining techniques, such as welding.

In use, the first outer hole (66) and the inner hole (68) may be aligned with corresponding holes (38, 40) in the flange portions (22, 24) of a locking element (14) before the locking bolts (30, 32) are engaged with corresponding locking sockets (34, 36). Where a larger locking element is required, e.g. to fit over the lower portion of a wheel with a wider cross section, the two outer holes (66, 70) in the base plate (12) may be aligned with corresponding holes in the flange portions of the larger locking element before locking bolts (30, 32) are engaged with corresponding locking sockets (34, 76).

A base plate (12) conveniently provides substantially flat upper surfaces for the flat lower surfaces of the flange portions (22, 24) of the locking element (14)to engage with. A base plate (12) may also be attached flush to the ground to provide a flat parking surface when the device (10) is not being used.

Suitable cover means may be used to cover each locking socket (34, 36, 76) where the locking element (14) is not attached to the base plate (12), i.e. when the device (10) is not being used.

A primary elongate anchor member (78) is attached perpendicularly to the base plate (12)to extend downwardly therefrom. Truss members (80, 82) extend diagonally between the primary anchor member (78) and the base plate (12) to provide additional strength to the device (10) when anchored in the ground and to minimise any distortion thereof whilst attaching the primary anchor member (78) to the base plate (12) by welding, for example. Secondary elongate anchor members (84, 86) extend perpendicularly from or through the primary anchor member (78). The primary elongate anchor member (78) and secondary elongate anchor members (84, 86) conveniently and securely anchor the base plate (12) in the ground, particularly when set in concrete, and prevent it being maliciously removed therefrom.

The locking element (14) may at least partially be provided with a protective layer of resilient material, such as foam, to protect a wheel locked in the device (10) from scratching. The protective material may be mounted to the underside of the cross member (16) engageable with the lower portion of a wheel. This may be particularly desirable where the wheel has a chrome finish, for example. Other suitable protective materials may include rubber or plastic, for example.

The locking device (10) is mostly made from a metallic material. At least the locking element (14) and locking bolts (30, 32) are a high strength steel to withstand the impact loads or shear forces of an object being maliciously used to compromise the integrity of the device (10). Suitable high strength steels include case hardened steels. The device (10) may be painted, powder or plastic coated, comprise a chrome finish or be electra-plated, for example, to be resistant to corrosion. This is particularly desirable where the device (10) is to be used outside, e.g. in an uncovered car park.

To lock a wheel of a vehicle to the ground with a device as described above, a wheel of the vehicle is first parked over the base plate (12) of the device (10). Secondly, a side member (18, 20) of the locking element (14) is passed through the wheel. The holes (38, 40) in each flange portion (22, 24) are then aligned with a corresponding hole (34, 36, 76) of the base plate (12) before the locking bolts (30, 32) are inserted in corresponding locking sockets (34, 36, 76) to lock the locking element (14) to the base plate (12) and securing the wheel to the ground. Protective covers may be optionally fitted over the locking bolts (30, 32) to protect the locking assemblies (26, 28) from ingress of dirt or water.

Claims

Claims 1. A locking device for a wheel of a parked vehicle, the device comprising: -a base portion attachable to the ground; -a locking element having a cross member disposed between two side members, each side member being adapted to engage with the base portion; and -locking means to lock each side member to the base portion; where, in use, the locking element fits over the lower portion of a wheel to accommodate the lower portion of the wheel between the locking element and the base portion.
2. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprise a locking assembly engageable at each side member.
3. A locking device according to claim 2, wherein each locking assembly comprises a locking bolt engageable with a corresponding locking socket attached to the base portion.
4. A locking device according to claim 3, wherein each locking bolt comprises a head portion distal to a locking portion, wherein the locking portion is of reduced diameter relative to the head portion.
5. A locking device according to claim 4, wherein the locking portion comprises at least one selectively operable locking member engageable with a corresponding locking socket thereby to lock the locking bolt therein.
6. A locking device according to any preceding claim, wherein the side members of the locking element each comprise a flange portion having a hole disposed therein.
7. A locking device according to claim 6, wherein a protecting means is attached to an upper surface of each flange portion and arranged around its corresponding hole, the protecting means being adapted to at least partially surround the head portion of a corresponding locking bolt located in the hole.
8. A locking device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the locking element comprises a fillet member extending from each flange portion to the cross member.
9. A locking device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the base portion comprises a horizontally orientated elongate base plate having at least two holes spaced to correspond with the holes in the flange portions of the locking element.
10. A locking device according to claim 9, wherein the base plate comprises at least three holes, wherein two of the at least three holes are spaced to correspond with the holes in the flange portions of the locking element.
11. A locking device according to claim 10, wherein the at least three holes are aligned along the base plate to define two outer holes and an inner hole disposed between the two outer holes.
12. A locking device according to any one of claims 9 or 11, wherein a locking socket is coaxially aligned with its corresponding hole and attached to the underside of the base plate.
13. A locking device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein a primary elongate anchor member extends downwardly from the base plate.
14. A locking device according to claim 13, wherein one or more truss members extend diagonally between the primary anchor member and the base plate.
15. A locking device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein one or more secondary elongate anchor members extend perpendicularly from the primary anchor member.
16. A locking device according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking element is at least partially provided with a protective layer of resilient material.
17. A locking device according to any preceding claim, comprising more than one locking element.
18. An array of locking devices according to any preceding claim.
19. A method of locking a wheel of a vehicle to the ground with a device according to any of claims 1 to 17, comprising the steps of: -parking a wheel of the vehicle over the base portion of the device; -passing a side member of a locking element through the wheel; -aligning each side member with a corresponding part of the base portion; -inserting the locking means to lock each side member to the base portion where, in use, the locking element fits over the lower portion of the wheel to accommodate the same therein.
20. A method of locking a wheel of a vehicle to the ground with a device according to claim 19, further comprising any one or more of the following steps: -aligning a hole in a side member with a corresponding hole in the base portion; -inserting a locking bolt into a locking socket attached to the base portion; and -fitting a protective cover over a locking bolt.