WO1998024663A1

WO1998024663A1 - Wheel clamp

Info

Publication number: WO1998024663A1
Application number: PCT/NL1997/000656
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Smeitink
Original assignee: MITCHICO INTERNATIONAL BV
Current assignee: MITCHICO INTERNATIONAL BV
Priority date: 1996-12-03
Filing date: 1997-12-01
Publication date: 1998-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1999-06-03
Also published as: NL1004680C1; AU5416398A

Abstract

Wheel clamp for immobilizing a vehicle, comprising an attachment member (6), three rigid arms (2, 20), which are intended to engage around a wheel (4) of the vehicle and, for that purpose, are bent substantially in the shape of a U at one end, a securing element (9) which, in a securing position, with the wheel clamp arranged around a wheel (4), extends in the direction of the wheel axis (14) into the wheel rim (12) of the wheel (4), it being possible to connect and lock together with the attachment member (6), the three arms (2, 20) and the securing element (9), the wheel clamp, in the securing position, covering at least one wheel nut (10). In this case, at least part of the securing element (9) lies on the pitch circle (13) between the wheel nuts (10) and thus, in the securing position, limits rotation of the wheel (4) with respect to the wheel clamp.

Description

Short title: Wheel clamp

The invention relates to a wheel clamp for immobilizing a vehicle, comprising an attachment member, three rigid arms, which are intended to engage around a wheel of the vehicle and, for that purpose, are bent sub- stantially in the shape of a U at one end, a securing element which, in a securing position with the wheel clamp arranged around a wheel, extends in the direction of the wheel axis into the wheel rim of the wheel, it being possible to connect and lock together with the attachment member, the three arms and the securing element, the wheel clamp, in the securing position, covering at least one wheel nut .

A wheel clamp of this kind is known from US-A- 5,437,171. In this known three-armed wheel clamp, an elongate attachment member extends over the entire diameter of the wheel. Two arms, which are fixedly connected to the attachment member, are formed at the two ends of the attachment member. A third arm is arranged pivotably on top of the attachment member. The third arm can pivot between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the third arm can be locked on the attachment member with the aid of a padlock. Furthermore, this known wheel clamp has as its securing element a bowl-like covering element which is intended, in the securing position, to cover all the wheel nuts of the wheel. The bowl-like covering element is provided with two pins which, in the closed position of the third arm, are clamped fixedly between the attachment member and two notches in the underside of the third arm. The known wheel clamp is furthermore equipped with an anti-rotation means which ensures that the three arms are, as it were, pulled into the tyre if any illegal attempt is made to drive the vehicle. This results in an inflexible connection between the wheel clamp and the wheel, i.e. the wheel can then no longer be rotated with respect to the wheel clamp. To this end, the attachment member is designed, in the region of one arm end, in the form of two parts which can pivot through a limited angle with respect to one another. Since the anti-rotation means is based on the principle of lever action, one of the two pivotable parts is provided with an extension which extends beyond the relevant arm end. For the anti-rotation means to function correctly, this extension, in the securing position, has to rest on the ground .

A drawback of the known wheel clamp is that the anti-rotation means only comes into action if the arm end with the extension is supported directly on the ground. Furthermore, the anti-rotation means only acts in one direction of travel of the vehicle, namely in that direction in which the extension is situated. As a result, it is still possible to move the vehicle illegally, despite the fact that the known wheel clamp has been attached to one of the wheels.

The object of the present invention is to provide a wheel clamp in which these drawbacks are eliminated.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a wheel clamp in accordance with the preamble which is characterized in that at least part of the securing element lies on the pitch circle between the wheel nuts and thus, in the position in which the wheel clamp has been attached, limits rotation of the wheel with respect to the wheel clamp. Unauthorised rotation of the wheel with respect to the wheel clamp is now prevented at all times, because that part of the securing element which lies on the pitch circle between the wheel nuts will be stopped by one of the wheel nuts in the event of any rotation taking place. The invention thus provides a very inexpensive, simple and effective means of preventing unauthorised rotation of the wheel with respect to the wheel clamp. The limits within which the wheel can still be rotated with respect to the wheel clamp are determined by the distance between two adjacent wheel nuts and the shape of the securing element .

In a preferred embodiment, the securing element is a pin-like securing element, one end of which, in the securing position, lies on the pitch circle between the wheel nuts, while the attachment member covers at least one wheel nut. Since the pin-like securing element limits the rotation of the wheel, the attachment member can advantageously be made very small, since it only has to cover one wheel nut. This prevents the unauthorised removal of a wheel, given that at least one wheel nut cannot be unscrewed. In this way, it is possible to produce a very compact wheel clamp.

In another embodiment, the securing element is a pin-like securing element which has a recess at one end, which recess, in the securing position, encloses one wheel nut. Since the securing element encloses one wheel nut, there is no need for any other part of the wheel clamp to cover one or more wheel nuts. Thus, in this way it is also possible to produce a very compact wheel clamp.

In yet another embodiment, the securing element is formed by a bowl -like covering element which, in the securing position, encloses all the wheel nuts of the wheel. The covering element has a partition on the inside of the bowl shape, the partition, in the securing position, lying on the pitch circle between the wheel nuts. Thus all the wheel nuts are covered and surrounded in an advantageous manner and an effective and simple anti- rotation means is provided. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the claims and in the following description.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a wheel clamp according to the invention attached to a wheel;

Fig. 2 is a view in section along line II-II in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front view of a variant embodiment of the securing element shown in Fig. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in section along line IV- IV in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, showing a different variant embodiment of the securing element; Fig. 6 is a rear view of a variant of the covering element of the securing element shown in Fig. 5 ;

Fig. 7 is a side view of a variant of the spacer of the securing element shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a front view of a variant of the covering element shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a view in section along line IX-IX in Fig. 8.

The wheel clamp according to the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2 comprises two pivotable arms 2, which engage around a wheel 4 of a vehicle and are arranged pivotably on an attachment member 6 of the wheel clamp. Vehicle is intended here to mean, for example, a car, trailer, caravan, lorry, etc. Instead of two pivotable arms, it is also possible to use one pivotable arm and one fixed arm. At the end which faces away from the attachment member, the arms 2 are bent substantially in the shape of a U and at their free end extend as far as over the rear side of the wheel rim 12, so that unauthorised removal of the wheel clamp in the axial direction, that is to say in the direction of the wheel axis 14, is impossible, even after letting the air out of the tyre. The two pivotable arms 2 are supported on the ground on either side of the wheel 4. Due to the friction between the ground and the arms, the assembly formed by the two arms 2 and the attachment member 6 can automatically remain standing in various positions on the ground.

The attachment member 6 substantially comprises a front wall 6a and a rear wall 6b, which are connected to one another and between which a lock member 7 is accommodated. In this case, the rear wall 6b extends higher than the top face of the front wall 6a and the top face of the lock member 7. In this raised part of the rear wall 6b, there is arranged a through-opening 8 through which a pin-like securing element 9 projects. The pin-like securing element 9 comprises, at its one end, a stop in the form of a thicker head 9a and, at its other end, a groove 9b, in which is situated a securing ring 15. The securing ring 15 makes it impossible for the securing element 9 to be pulled out of the opening 8 inadvertently. The end of the securing element 9 which faces away from the attachment member 6 extends as far as into the wheel rim 12 and lies on the pitch circle 13 between the wheel nuts 10 of the wheel 4. The pitch circle 13 on which all the wheel nuts 10 of the wheel 4 lie is indicated in Fig. 1 by a dot-dashed line. Thus, the securing element 9, which is eccentric with respect to the wheel axis 14 and projects into the wheel rim 12, prevents unauthorised rotation of the wheel 4 with respect to the wheel clamp, because if the wheel 4 were to be rotated, a wheel nut 10 of the wheel 4 would be stopped by the securing element 9. The opening 8 is preferably sufficiently wide for the securing element 9 to be able to rotate freely therein. As a result, it will not be possible for a saw to get a grip on the securing element 9. Instead of the freely rotatable securing element, it is also possible to slide a cylindrical sleeve (not shown) over the securing element with ample clearance. The head 9a of the securing element 9 is held between the rear wall 6b of the attachment member 6 and a rear wall part of the third arm 20, which is still to be described in more detail.

At its end which faces towards the attachment member 6, the third arm 20 is provided with a solid block 17. Two lock pins 18, which are intended to engage in the lock member 7, are arranged fixedly on the underside of the block 17. In the position illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2, the third arm 20 still has to be moved sufficiently far downwards for the lock-pins 18 to engage in the lock member 7. In this case, the lock member 7 is preferably designed in such a manner that the lock pins 18 are automatically locked therein by being pushed in. It is advantageous here for the underside of the block 17 of the third arm 20 to come to bear against the top of the front wall 6a of the attachment member 6, so that it is impossible to push a foreign object between these two faces. It is possible to counteract still further any attempt to push a crowbar, for example, between the third arm 20 and the attachment member 6 by making the join between the two components inaccessible from the outside, in particular by providing an upright rim around the outside of the upper edge of the attachment member, the block 17 of the third arm coming to rest ^"behind this rim. The keyhole of the lock member 7 is preferably situated on the underside of the latter, thus making it more difficult to gain access to the keyhole, for example with a drill. A slot 19, which serves to accommodate the head 9a of the securing element 9, is arranged in the rear wall of the block 17. In a variant design, the head 9a can also come to lie in a recessed manner in the rear wall of the attachment member, in which case the slot 9 is superfluous.

The wheel clamp according to the invention shown in Fig. 1 and 2 can be attached to a wheel as follows. The pivotable arms 2 are rotated with respect to one another in such a manner that they are directly in line with one another. This assembly comprising aligned arms 2 and attachment member 6, without the third arm 20, is then pushed along the ground to fit around the wheel 4. In order to make this possible, the free ends of the two arms have to leave sufficient space for them to be able to slide, on either side, past that part of the wheel 4 which is resting on the ground. The securing element 9 is pulled out of the attachment member 6, with its head 9a at the front, until the securing ring 15 bears against the rear wall 6b. The securing element 9 can now serve as a handle. The attachment member 6 is then lifted up along the wheel 4 until the securing element 9 is in line with the pitch circle 13 of the wheel nuts 10. At that moment, the securing element 9 can be pressed inwards, so that its free end comes to lie on the pitch circle 13 between the wheel nuts 10. The third arm 20 is then hung around the wheel 4 from above and locked into the lock member 7 by means of its lock-pins 18.

The wheel clamp advantageously comprises only two separate parts and, in the unattached state of the wheel clamp, can easily be changed back to a small, handy package. This is because the two arms which are attached pivotably to the attachment member can be rotated with respect to one another in such a manner that they come to lie next to one another. Furthermore, the third arm can be detached from the attachment member and laid on the other two arms. In this case, the third arm is in particular designed to be of the same length as the other two arms. This is possible because the lock-pins 18 are situated on the underside of the third arm 20. The wheel clamp is easy to attach, as described above, and is moreover very theftproof . Naturally, many other lock means which are known per se can be used instead of the lock means 7 described.

Fig. 3 and 4 illustrate a variant of the securing element 9 shown in Fig. 1 and 2. At its end which faces away from the attachment member, the securing element 103, which is also shaped like a pin, is designed in the form of a cap. The cap-like end is provided with a recess 102, which is intended to be positioned over one wheel nut. Furthermore, a large part of the securing element 103 is provided with an external screw thread. The attachment member 115 comprises a through-bore 116, which is provided with an internal screw thread, for accommodating the securing element 103. Flats 104 are made on diametrically opposite sides in that part of the securing element 103 which is provided with a screw thread. The separate third arm 111 now comprises on its underside not only two lock pins 112 but also two locking projections 114 which are intended to act on the flats 104 of the securing element 103. The securing element 103 can thus no longer be rotated in the locked position of the third arm 111. As a result, the distance between the wheel rim 117 and the attachment member 115 is fixed. In the non-locked position of the third arm 111, the length "1" by which the securing element 103 projects out of the attachment member 115 can be adjusted as desired by rotating the securing element 103. This has the advantage that the wheel clamp can be arranged on a wheel virtually without any clearance, which makes unauthorised removal even more difficult. When attaching the wheel clamp, it is then important to tighten the securing element 103 sufficiently far for the front of the securing element 103 to bear against the front of the wheel rim 117, while the free ends of the arms of the wheel clamp bear against the rear of the wheel rim 117. The wheel clamp can thus easily be adapted to different widths of wheel. Instead of the screw thread part, the securing element may also be provided with a plurality of notches which are intended to interact with blocking projections. The distance can then be adjusted by moving the securing element in the through-bore in the attachment member when in the non-locked state. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the securing element is formed by a bowl-like covering element 203 and a pin-like spacer 204 which is connected thereto. The bowl-like covering element 203 encloses all the wheel nuts 10 of the wheel. A recess 205, into which a narrowed portion 204a of the pin-like spacer 204 projects, is arranged in the front wall of the bowl -like covering element 203. In order to prevent the wheel from rotating with respect to the wheel clamp, a partition 206 is arranged inside the bowl-like covering element 203, which partition lies on the pitch circle 13 between two wheel nuts 10. In the embodiment shown, the pin-like spacer 204 is not fixedly connected to the bowl-like spacer 203.

Fig. 6 and 7 show particular embodiments of the bowl-like covering element and the pin-like spacer. These particular embodiments again serve to make the distance between the front of the bowl -like covering element and the front of the wheel rim adjustable. Three recesses A, B and C of different diameters or cross-sections are arranged in the covering element 303. The pin-like spacer 304 correspondingly comprises three stepped sections A, B and C. By inserting the pin-like spacer 304 as desired into the recess A, B or C of the covering element 303 when attaching the wheel clamp, a specific distance is obtained. Thus the wheel clamp can be adapted to different widths of wheel. Both in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 2 and in tKe embodiment shown in Fig. 5-7, it is also possible to obtain a specific desired distance by using a plurality of exchangeable lock pins and/or pin- like spacers of increasing length, which components are to be supplied with the wheel clamp.

In Fig. 8 and 9, the bowl -like covering element shown in Fig. 5-7 is designed as a solid, half-moon-shaped covering element 403. Particularly in a deep rim of, for example, a lorry, it can be arranged between the wheel axle and the rim edge. A recess 405 serves to accommodate the free end of a pin-like spacer. Two recesses 406 for enclosing two wheel nuts are also arranged in the solid covering element 403, thus preventing the covering element 403 from being able to rotate in a wheel rim around the wheel axis, which would make the wheel nuts accessible one by one .

A user can also attach the wheel clamp according to the invention around a wheel without using the securing element. The securing element provides extra protection and thus extra security against unauthorised removal of the wheel clamp according to the invention.

However, it should be noted that in particular the wheel clamp illustrated clearly in Fig. 1 and 2 also provides a very user-friendly wheel clamp if the securing element is omitted. The fact that the third arm locks directly onto the assembly comprising the attachment member and the other two arms by pushing the lock pins into the lock member results in a wheel clamp which is very easy to attach, comprises only two separate parts, can be of very lightweight design, is inexpensive to produce and, moreover, in the unattached state can be reduced to a very compact and handy package.

Claims

1. Wheel clamp for immobilizing a vehicle, comprising an attachment member (6), three rigid arms (2,20), which are intended to engage around a wheel (4) of the vehicle and, for that purpose, are bent substantially in the shape of a U at the end which faces away from the attachment member, a securing element (9) which, in a securing position with the wheel clamp arranged around a wheel (4) , extends in the direction of the wheel axis (14) into the wheel rim (12) of the wheel (4) , it being possible to connect and lock together with the attachment member (6) , the three arms (2,20) and the securing element (9), the wheel clamp, in the securing position, covering at least one wheel nut (10) , characterized in that at least part of the securing element (9) lies on the pitch circle (13) between the wheel nuts (10) and thus, in the securing position, limits rotation of the wheel (4) with respect to the wheel clamp.

2. Wheel clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing element is a pin-like securing element (9) , one end of which, in the securing position, lies on the pitch circle (13) between the wheel nuts (10), while the attachment member (6) covers at least one wheel nut (10) .

3. Wheel clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing element is a pin-like securing element

(103) which has a recess (102) at one end, which recess (102), in the securing position, encloses one wheel nut.

4. Wheel clamp according to claim 1, the securing element comprising a bowl-like covering element (203, 303) which, in the securing position, encloses all the wheel nuts of the wheel, characterized in that the covering element (203,303) has a partition (206) on the inside of the bowl shape, the partition (206) , in the securing position, lying on the pitch circle between the wheel nuts.

5. Wheel clamp according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two arms (2) are connected to the attachment member (6) undetachably and such that they can pivot with respect to one another, and the third arm (20) can be completely detached from the attachment member (6) and can be locked to the attachment member (6) with the aid of lock means (7,18) .

6. Wheel clamp according to claim 5, characterized in that the lock means comprise a lock member (7) and at least one lock-pin (18) which can be locked therein by being pushed in, one of the above being fixedly connected to the attachment member (6) and the other being fixedly connected to the third arm (20) .

7. Wheel clamp according to claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that the securing element (9) is secured on the attachment member (6) by locking the third arm (20) .

8. Wheel clamp according to claim 7, characterized in that the securing element (9) has a stop at one end, and in that the attachment member (6) has a throughopening (8) , through which the securing element (9) is pushed when the wheel clamp is being attached, the securing element (9) , in the securing position, extending through the opening (8) in the attachment member (6) and being held with its stop between a wall part (6b) of the attachment member (6) and a wall part (19) of the locked third arm (20) .