WO1998012083A1

WO1998012083A1 - Motor vehicle security device

Info

Publication number: WO1998012083A1
Application number: PCT/AU1997/000615
Authority: WO
Inventors: Brett Andrew Thomas; Owen Leslie Thomas
Original assignee: Thomas Food & Amusement Hire Service Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Thomas Food & Amusement Hire Service Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1996-09-19
Filing date: 1997-09-19
Publication date: 1998-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 1999-03-19
Also published as: AUPO242896A0

Abstract

This invention provides a device (1) for securing a parked motor vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the device (1) comprises a base unit (2) having a cavity therein which includes an arcuate gate (3). The arcuate gate (3) can pivot between a lowered position which allows passage of a wheel into the cavity and a raised position which retains the wheel in the cavity aided by a locked hydraulic ram (4). Pivoting of the gate (3) is effected by passage of the vehicle wheel over the gate (3).

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE SECURITY DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to motor vehicle security. In particular, the invention relates to a device for securing a parked vehicle to minimise the risk of theft or unauthorised use of the vehicle. BACKGROUND ART

Theft, or unauthorised use, of motor vehicles is an endemic problem. Many thefts occur from public car parks such as commuter, cinema and shopping centre car parks. Even car parks which are security patrolled or have controlled access are not immune to the problem. Furthermore, greater security generates costs which in most cases must be passed on to the car-park user.

While the security of motor vehicles has been improved in recent years, older vehicles are ready targets for theft or unauthorised use. The security of a parked vehicle can be improved by providing barriers in parking bays which, while not preventing forced entry to the vehicle, at least prevent the vehicle being driven from the parking bay. Such barriers range from a mere chain and padlock combination to more elaborate purpose-built devices. These types of barriers are often dependent on existing structures, such as walls, columns or the like, to form a parking bay which can be secured by the barrier. Provision of parking bays may require modification of an existing car park or in some instances may not be practical, such as with an out-door car park. In any case, barriers for parking bays are not always easy to operate, particularly by handicapped people, as components of the barrier have to be handled.

There is thus a need for a device for securing a parked motor vehicle which is not reliant on the provision of a structured parking bay or can be used in out-door car parks. There is also a need for a security device which does not require handling of components of the device when securing a vehicle. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehicle security device which meets at least one of the needs set out in the preceding paragraph, or at least provides the public with a useful choice in security devices for motor vehicles.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a device for securing a parked motor vehicle by retention of a wheel of the vehicle in a depression in the surface on which the vehicle is parked, said device comprising: an accurate gate mounted in said depression, which gate is pivotable between a first position which allows passage of the wheel into the depression and a second position which, when locked therein, prevents passage of the wheel from the depression, wherein said pivoting is effected by passage of the wheel over said gate; and an hydraulic ram for lockingly retaining said gate in said second position. In a second aspect, the invention provides a device for securing a parked motor vehicle, said device comprising: a base unit having a cavity therein for receiving a wheel of the vehicle; an arcuate gate mounted in said cavity, which gate is pivotable between a first position which allows passage of the wheel into the cavity and a second position which, when locked therein, prevents passage of the wheel from the cavity, wherein said pivoting is effected by passage of the wheel over said gate; and an hydraulic ram for lockingly retaining said gate in said second position. The term "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage of the term or terms an exclusive interpretation is required.

It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the term "wheel" as used above denotes a road wheel of a motor vehicle in combination with a tyre. It is of course the tyre which is received in the depression or the base unit cavity but for the sake of simplicity, the wheel and tyre combination is referred to herein as "a wheel".

The principal of operation of the devices according to the invention is that a vehicle is driven over the device so that a wheel runs over the gate and into the depression or cavity. The distal end of the depression or cavity prevents further passage of the wheel (and vehicle). In passing over the gate, the wheel pivots the gate into the second position. Once the hydraulic ram is locked, passage of the wheel back out of the depression or cavity is also prevented. To remove a vehicle from the device, the hydraulic ram is unlocked to allow the gate to revert to the first position with movement of the vehicle over the gate and out of the depression or cavity

With reference to the first aspect of the invention described above, the device is intended for use in either an out-door car park or a covered car park such as a multi-storey parking station. However, a depression has to be formed in the surface of the car park This can conveniently be done by providing a shallow concrete lined hollow in the surface of the car park. Sockets can be provided in walls of the depression, which walls are advantageously vertical or close thereto, for fixing components of the device thereto. For example, sockets can be provided on either side of the depression for receiving ends of an axle about which the arcuate plate pivots; a socket can also be provided for fixing the end of the ram distal the connection to the arcuate plate to a wall of the depression.

The depression formed in a car park surface for receiving a device according to the first aspect of the invention configured for use with a motor car, light truck or recreational four-wheel drive vehicle is typically 500 to 800 mm long by 50 to 200 mm deep. The depression is slightly wider than the maximum width of the arcuate gate which maximum width is typically 300 to 450 mm However, it will be appreciated that a depression which includes a device according to the first aspect can be dimensioned for securing a vehicle having a wheel of any size with an appropriately sized device therein

The device according to the second aspect of the invention includes the key features of the device according to the first aspect: that is, the arcuate gate and the hydraulic ram. However, the gate and hydraulic ram are included in a base unit so that the device is not dependant on a depression in the surface of the car park for installation therein Nevertheless, the device according to the second aspect can be located within a depression in the surface of a car park so that the top of the base unit is level with the car park surface As it is not essential to have a depression in a car park surface for use of the device according to the second aspect of the invention, this device is particularly useful as a "stand alone ' unit which can be used on any car park surface To facilitate this use, the proximal end of the base unit - that is, the end from which the device is approached by a vehicle to be secured by the device - can include a ramp leading up to the edge of the cavity in the base unit The ramp angle is typically of the order of 5 to 15°.

The base unit of the device according to the second aspect is typically fabricated from a metals matenal such as steel or aluminum. A preferred form of the base unit is a metal casting having a weight which discourages unauthorised relocation of the device when not being used to secure a vehicle. However, apertures can be provided in the sides of the base unit for receiving bolts, hooks or the like These apertures facilitate legitimate relocation of the device using equipment such as a crane of a forklift.

Sides of the base unit are preferably sloped and edges rounded, particularly when the device is used as a stand alone unit on the surface of the car park The base unit when fabricated as a metal casting typically has a weight of 200 to 500 kg. The base unit can also be fabricated from a plastics material such as a thermoplastic polymer or a thermosetting resin To prevent unauthorised removal of a device having a base unit fabricated from a plastics material, tabs or apertures are provided, typically at the edges of the cavity in the base unit, by which the device can be secured to the car park surface. Devices having a plastics material base unit are typically 30 to 40 kg in weight. It will be appreciated that an hydraulic pump is not required as extension and retraction of the ram is effected by movement of the vehicle which pivots the gate. However, an hydraulic fluid reservoir is provided to compensate for volume changes in the ram The reservoir is typically located within the depression or base unit and is linked to the ram by an hydraulic line

Locking of the ram is typically by a valve or solenoid in the hydraulic line A solenoid is preferred, DC powered. A solar cell can be provided to trickle-charge a wet cell battery

The locking mechanism is key controlled to afford user security over the device The key control can be by a mechanical lock and key or an electronic keypad.

In the case of an electronic keypad, a personnel identification number (PIN) is entered which activates the lock. The PIN must be re-entered to unlock the mechanism. Locks can also be linked to coin acceptors so that payment is required to activate the locking mechanism. Devices according to the invention can be configured for use with left-hand drive or right-hand drive vehicles.

Having broadly described the invention, a security device will now be exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings briefly described hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an elevational view in cross-section of the device shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 1 with a vehicle secured therein.

Figures 4a to 4c are elevational views in cross-section of a device similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 but which includes a variation in the mounting of the arcuate plate. BEST MODE AND OTHER MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the figures to be referred to hereafter, a single item number is used for a particular feature that appears in more than one drawing.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown security device 1 configured for use with a motor car, light truck or recreational type four-wheel drive vehicle. Device 1 includes base unit 2, arcuate gate 3 and hydraulic ram 4. Gate 3 is shown in the second, raised, position. The gate in the first, lowered, position is shown in phantom at 5 of Figure 2. Portions of gate 3 and ram 4 contained within base unit 2 are shown using broken lines in Figure 2. Base unit 2 includes a ramped end 6 and a recess 7 distal ramp 6. Recess 7 also includes an internal end wall 8. Gate 3 is pivotably mounted in recess 7 via axle 9 (see Figure 2). Ram 4 is mounted to a side of the gate via a projecting pin generally in the area of 10. A pin is also provided at the other end of the ram for pivotal mounting to the base unit.

Base unit 2 includes tabs, one of which can be seen at 11 , with apertures therein via which the device can be secured to a car park surface. The device also includes a control box 12 which contains a microprocessor, display and electronic keypad associated with a coin acceptor. Control box 12 stands above the base unit 2 on post 13 to place the control box at a convenient height for an operator.

It can be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2 that the base unit 2 has sloping sides. This can be particularly appreciated from Figure 2 at item 14. It can also be appreciated from Figures 1 and 2 that the distal end of base unit 2 is higher than the upper end of ramp 6. This results in end wall 8 more effectively retaining a wheel in cavity 7. The device shown in the figures has overall dimensions of about 1700 mm long, by about 780 mm wide by about 140 mm high. Ramp 6 reaches a maximum height of about 75 mm. With gate 3 in the second, raised, position, a typical vehicle has to be raised about 550 mm for the wheel retained within the device to clear the gate. This minimises the risk of a vehicle being jacked or lifted clear of a secured device. The base unit is fabricated from plastic or steel to give a device with an overall weight of about 35 kg for a device with a plastic base unit or about 200 kg for a device with a steel base unit.

Other features of the exemplified device not shown in the drawing are an hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to ram 4 by an hydraulic line and DC powered solenoid operative on the hydraulic line to retain the ram in full extension. The hydraulic fluid reservoir is located in the base unit, advantageously in a cavity within the area indicated at 15 of Figure 2. The hydraulic system has a fluid capacity of about 500 ml. Access to cavity 15 is via a panel 16 in base unit 2 (see Figure 1).

A description of the operation of the exemplified device follows. The driver of a vehicle wishing to secure the parked vehicle approaches the device as shown in the figures from ramp end 6. A single device is adequate to secure a vehicle although two devices can be used, one for each front wheel for example. A device will normally be approached with the vehicle moving forward for ease of aligning the vehicle with the device aided by post 13 as a visual guide. However, a vehicle can also be reversed onto a device. As the vehicle wheel passes over the arcuate gate, item 3 of the figure, the curvature of the gate follows the contour of the wheel so that it is pivoted into position behind the wheel. Continued forward movement of the wheel is prevented by internal end wall 8 of cavity 7. The movement of the gate extends hydraulic ram 4 with hydraulic fluid drawn from the reservoir.

A fee is then deposited into the coin acceptor which prompts the operator for a four digit PIN to be entered via the keypad. The microprocessor stores the PIN and activates the solenoid so that return of fluid to reserve is prevented. The gate is then locked in the raised position preventing removal of the vehicle.

When legitimate removal of the vehicle is desired, the operator enters the same PIN and this is compared with the number stored in memory. If there is a match, a signal is sent to the solenoid so that the hydraulic ram and gate are unlocked. Reversal of the vehicle lowers the gate to the first position, 5 of Figure 1 , so that the vehicle can be removed from the device.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the security device as exemplified is a completely stand alone item and ail mechanical movement is achieved through the motion of the vehicle as it is driven onto the device. Figure 3 shows a motor car secured within the device of Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 3, portion of motor car 17 can be seen with the wheel 18 thereof in the cavity of device 1. Arcuate gate 3 can be seen to lie between wheel 18 and wheel arch 19.

Device 1 is configured for use under the right-hand side of a vehicle, the right-hand side in this context being from the viewpoint of the driver. It will be appreciated that a device configured for use under the left-hand side of a vehicle will be a mirror image of the device as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

Figures 4a to 4b show a variant of the device shown in the previous figures. In the device 20 of Figure 4, the axle 21 of arcuate plate 22 is located in slots in the walls of cavity 23 in base unit 24. One such slot is indicated at 25. This variant gives a smoother passage of wheel 26, shown in phantom, over the arcuate plate as will be explained in the following paragraph. Figure 4a shows arcuate plate 22 in the first, lowered position. Axle 21 is at the upper end of slot 25. As the wheel moves into the device such as shown in Figure 4b, axle 21 moves to the lower end of slot 25 in which position it remains with wheel 26 fully in the base unit cavity 27. As reversal of the wheel out of the cavity, axle 21 moves to the upper end of slot 25 as a consequence of which upper edge 28 of gate 22 is closer to the surface supporting the device. A lower ramp angle is thus required in this instance.

It will be appreciated that the control features of the device the subject of Figures 1 and 2 can be applied to the device according to the first aspect of the invention. Similarly, the variant the subject of the Figure 4 device can be applied to the device according to the first aspect.

It will also be appreciated that many changes can be made to the devices exemplified above without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for securing a parked motor vehicle by retention of a wheel of the vehicle in a depression in the surface on which the vehicle is parked, said device comprising: an accurate gate mounted in said depression, which gate is pivotable between a first position which allows passage of the wheel into the depression and a second position which, when locked therein, prevents passage of the wheel from the depression , wherein said pivoting is effected by passage of the wheel over said gate; and an hydraulic ram for lockingly retaining said gate in said second position.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said locking of said ram is by way of a valve or solenoid in a line between said ram and a reservoir for hydraulic fluid.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said locking of said ram is key controlled.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said key control is a mechanical lock and key or an electronic keypad.

5. A device for securing a parked motor vehicle, said device comprising: a base unit having a cavity therein for receiving a wheel of the vehicle; an arcuate gate mounted in said cavity, which gate is pivotable between a first position which allows passage of the wheel into the cavity and a second position which, when locked therein, prevents passage of the wheel from the cavity, wherein said pivoting is effected by passage of the wheel over said gate; and an hydraulic ram for lockingly retaining said gate in said second position.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the distal end of said base unit is elevated with respect to the proximal end to increase the height of the rear wall of said cavity.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the proximal end of said base unit includes a ramp up to the edge of said cavity.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein said locking of said ram is by way of a valve or solenoid in a line between said ram and a reservoir for hydraulic fluid.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said solenoid is battery powered.

10. The device according to claim 9 which further includes a solar cell for recharging said battery.

11. The device according to claim 5, wherein said locking of said ram is key controlled.

12. The device according to claim 11 , wherein said key control is a mechanical lock and key or an electronic keypad.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said electronic keypad is housed in a box supported by a post extending from said base unit.

14. The device according to claim 5, wherein said base unit includes tabs or apertures via which said base unit can be secured to a surface supporting said device.