GB2465821A

GB2465821A - Anchoring device for securing caravan or trailer hitch

Info

Publication number: GB2465821A
Application number: GB0822042A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Heather Wilson-Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-03
Filing date: 2008-12-03
Publication date: 2010-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-03
Also published as: GB2465821B; GB0822042D0

Abstract

A device is provided for securing a caravan or trailer by means of a locking system The device comprises diametrically opposite bars 2 on a portion of a tubular base post 1 which may be located underground. It also comprises two covers 9 for enclosing a tow hitch having a socket for a towing ball, whilst also being suitable for, in the same position, protecting mountings for the tow hitch on the chassis of a caravan or trailer. The device includes a sliding tubular base 6 having a location casing (20 see figs 2 & 3) with provision for an upper lock system 8. The device, when fitted to the hitch system of a caravan/trailer can provide a simple means of securing the caravan/trailer preventing theft and providing a deterrent to the would be thief.

Description

DEVICE FOR SECURING CARAVANJTRAILER BY MEANS OF A LOCKING SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an anti theft device for caravans, trailers of any kind by preventing the unauthorised removal from its parked position by ensuring that the entire towing assembly including the bolts that connect the assembly to the chassis frame cannot be tampered with in any way this device is permanently anchored into the ground to prevent it from being towed or dragged away.

Background of the Invention

New and improved security measures and materials therein are needed to combat the rising theft of caravans and trailers, improvements in cutting, burning and other hand held tools that can be carried and used by unauthorised personnel help to speed the process in which a caravan can be removed from site, security measures that may be in place are simply overcome.

There are anti theft devices available that only cover the hitch head and even the manufactures sometimes incorporate a means within the hitch head whereby the socket cannot engage a ball hitch, one of the quickest ways to remove a caravan or trailer with these types of devices is to use a rope or strapping and tie the caravan trailer to a vehicle and pull it away to a more secluded place were the wrong doer is free to remove the security measures or if the wrong doer is confident enough this is quickly done on site by removing the retaining nuts from the hitch head allowing the tow bar to be freed or removing the bolts on the chassis, it is quick and simple to completely remove either the hitch head or the tow bar assembly from the chassis with no more than a spanner with the security measures untouched and replace with another hitch head or the complete tow bar assembly these can be easily purchased over the counter at most caravan trailer service outlets, the embodiment of this invention is to prevent removal of any part of the tow bar assembly and provide anchorage to a permanent site. Prior art which has been identified are as follows: Reference international publication W095/1 5864 having a fixed lug on outer post with an estimated one thirds of its length permanently secured into the ground makes this device lock a towable vehicle on a singular area on its site and has no means of recessing into the ground when not in use it relies on a partly exposed padlock to secure it leaves the tow bar and chassis bolts exposed Reference international publication GB 2236513 leaves the tow bar unprotected leaves the chassis bolts exposed it relies on only one lock if this is compromised both member parts fail.

The complete system can be used to secure small caravan hitches, horse trailer hitches and all functional hitch systems designed with a ball arrangement.

The summary of this invention

The device is produced from high quality stainless steel and high impact polymers. The main support unit is fabricated to create a unit which is permanently fixed into the ground and secured with diametrically opposite cylindrical bars. Within the main support unit is a fabricated profile that can rotate through 360 degrees allowing full access to the system when approached by a vehicle at any angle. At the top of the internal fabricated unit is fitted a secondary system which provides location for the ball hitch common amongst trailers/caravan units. The secondary system has a fabricated protrusion that provides additional location for the fabricated section of the trailer/caravan and provides additional location for the outer casings which will be described in more detail later in this section.

The secondary system is created of several high quality machined parts produced from a high grade stainless steel. The lower part is designed with an internal location profile to which is fitted a series of hardened cased ball bearing which provide a running surface for the upper section. The upper section is fitted with three location features that locate into machined grooves in the outer case. These two component parts are connected by a series of shoulder bolts to which is fitted compression springs. The two parts are maintained at a designated pressure allowing the upper half to act as a locking mechanism. The locking plate is designed with a tn lobal variance location system which provides additional security and prevents unwanted access without the correct equipment.

The complete assembly is designed with location points for the fitting of a moulded two part shell cover. The shell cover is manufactured from a high impact polymer that can resist impacts of 100 -150N. Each cover is symmetrical and designed without features that would allow external scheme's to be fitted to cause damage. The system is also fitted with three locks which can be independently locked to provide a three point locking system. The moulded casings are also designed with 12.7mm roll bars in which locate between the two half's forming a prevention to cutting with a saw blade.

When not in use the device fits flush to the ground and does not remain an obstacle that protrudes from the ground where it can be accidently ran into causing injury or damage to other users of the site unlike certain types already available which remain permanently fixed upright or when folded still constitute a tripping hazard This invention is adapted to be used with the two members to9ether but the post if used on its own can provide an anchorage and security to the tow bar, hitch head and retaining nuts therefore the combination of both members gives parts of the hitch head double protection having separate locking systems in both the first and the second member

Brief Description of the Drawings

A specific embodiment of the design will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an isometric view of the exploded device Figure 2 is a front view of the base Figure 3 is an isometric view of the base Figure 4 is an isometric view of the assembled upper locking system Figure 5 is an exploded view of the assembled upper locking system

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the device exploded showing the main tubular base (1) manufactured from high quality ERW section, to which is fitted eight steel diametrically opposite rods (2) at set pitches along the main tubular base (I). On the upper profile of the main tubular base (1) is a sectional location (3) which allows the location of trailer locator (5) on the sliding tubular base (6). The upper profile of the main tubular base (1) is also fitted with two horseshoe shaped location points (4) which allows the location of the upper handle (7). The assembled upper lock system (8) is shown removed from the sliding tubular base (6), while the two encapsulating covers (9) which are produced from high impact glass filled polymers. The two encapsulating covers (9) locate to each other around the sliding tubular base (6) using the periphery of feature (10) and six tapered location pegs (11) and are secured by two key locks (12) which are positioned in the encapsulating covers (9) at points (13) & (14) respectively. The locks secure the two encapsulating covers (9) with tapered lock plates (15) which secure behind the lock plates (16) that are secured by cap screws at positions (17) & (18) respectively.

Figure 2 is a front view of the base showing the trailer location (5) along with the two location points (19) which fit into the two horseshoe shaped location points (4). The upper part of the sliding tubular base (6) is fitted with a locating casing (20) to locate the assembled upper lock system (8). The trailer location (5) provides a location point for the tow hitch (21) which is a proprietary item and used throughout the industry.

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the base which shows sliding tubular base (6) fitted with the locating casing (20) and the two location points (19) which fit into the two horseshoe shaped location points (4). The locating casing (20) is secured to the sliding tubular base (6) by means of the profile slot (21) and two diametrically opposite fixing bolts (22). The locating casing (20)15 designed with an additional location feature (23) which is provision for the assembled upper lock system (8). The assembled upper lock system (8) engages with the locating casing (20) at points (24) (25) & (26) respectively. The locating casing (20) is also designed with three bayonet lock locators (27)(28) & (29) respectively which operate at 30 degrees to the central axis. The front of the sliding tubular base (6) has the trailer location (5) welded to the main section at 90 degrees to the central axis. The trailer location is made from three profile cut steel plates (30) (31) & (32) respectively. The side steel plate (30) & (32) are profiled with an access radius (33) to allow the hitch additional movement during fitment. The lower steel plate (31) is fitted with an ejection hole (34) which is threaded to allow a screw to be inverted and used to push the hitch of the ball should it become seized after extended use.

Figure 4 shows the upper assembled lock system (8). The upper assembled lock system (8) comprises of an upper securing plate (35) fitted inside an outer case plate (36) to which is fitted a location bar (37) which fits to the profile slot (21) on the casing location (20). The location bar (37) is fitted to the outer case plate (36) by means of two fixing points (38) & (39) respectively.

Figure 5 shows the upper assembled lock system (8) in an exploded state. The upper securing plate (35) is shown with the ball bearings (40) which locate within the outer case plate (36) within a curved feature (41) which runs around the inside of the outer case plate (36) allowing the upper securing plate (35) to rotate through 360 degrees. The upper securing plate (35) is fixed to the outer case plate (36) by means of three shoulder bolts (42) (43) & (44) respectively which secure into the upper securing plate at points (45) (46) & (47).

The three shoulder bolts (42) (43) & (44) have profiled sleeves (48) (49) & (50) placed over the leading edge and secure the lower lock plate (51) at points (52) (53) & (54) respectively.

The three shoulder bolts (42) (43) & (44) are then fitted with three springs (55) (56) & (57) which secure the upper securing plate (35), the outer case plate (36) and the lower lock plate (51) together. The lower lock plate (51) is fitted with three features (58) which locate in three bayonet lock locators (27)(28) & (29) in the location casing (20). The complete upper assembled lock system (8) is fitted with a proprietary lock (59) which locates in the upper secunng plate (35) at the access point (60)

Claims

Claims 1. An anti-theft device for a caravan, trailer or the like of which incorporates a ball bitch towing assembly which is attached to the chassis by bolts or other means the primary system a moulded lockable two part shell cover in which all the tow bar assembly including chassis attachments are completely encapsulated, prohibiting access to the entire assembly, with the use of the secondary system, with diametrically opposite cylindrical bars to secure underground prohibits removal of the entire trailer or caravan.
2.The anti-theft device according to any preceding claim in which the support unit is locked in place over the ball hitch by means of a pressure plate consisting of a tri-lobal variance location system which can be only opened with the correct equipment.
3. An anti -theft device according to claim 2, wherein a pressure plate with an internal location profile is fitted with a series of hardened cased ball bearings to provide a running surface.
4. An anti-theft device according to any proceeding claim, at the upper end of the support unit machined grooves on the outer case hold a profiled part by means of 3 location features.
5. An anti-theft device according to claims 2 to 4, wherein a pressure plate and a seated profiled part are connected by a series of shoulder bolts and compression springs.
6. An anti-theft device according to any preceding claim where in the inner support unit can rotate 360 degrees is non removable.
7. An anti theft device according to claim 2, the support unit when not in use does not protrude from the ground when not in use.
8. An anti theft device according to claim 1, the primary system to be manufactured from high impact polymers and to consist of roll bars that prevent cutting with a saw blade.
9. An anti-theft device according to any proceeding claim which consists of two main systems the support unit and the cover which have separate locking systems and provide double dependant protection.
10. An anti-theft device which according to any proceeding claim in which the support unit has a fabricated protrusion that provides additional protection by housing the hitch head and fabricated to extend past the retaining nuts on the hitch bead.
11. An anti-theft device according to any proceeding claim, a fabricated protrusion from the support unit provides support of the outer moulded shell.