Abstract:
A two-piece vehicle immobilizing device adapted for removable interconnection to a vehicle wheel assembly. The vehicle immobilizing device utilizes an outer arm, an inner arm with inner and outer indexing stops, an engagement dome, and a securing mechanism that provides engagement to the vehicle wheel assembly to prevent unauthorized removal.

Description:
[0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/745,160, filed Apr. 19, 2006, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,865,048, 6,032,497, D489,597 and D385,525 issued Feb. 2, 1999, Mar. 7, 2000, May 11, 2004 and Oct. 28, 1997, respectively, which are all incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a device and method for selectively immobilizing wheeled vehicles to inhibit theft or the unauthorized movement thereof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of immobilizers to prevent the unauthorized movement of automobiles and other wheeled vehicles is well known. Immobilizers are designed to prevent theft or to insure the payment of parking fines. Vehicle immobilizers are widely used by law enforcement personnel, parking attendants, city governments, and individuals concerned with the theft of vehicles. Unfortunately, the vehicle immobilizing devices currently known in the art are difficult to install, may cause vehicle damage, are prone to being removed by unauthorized personnel, and are not versatile for use on a variety of vehicles and wheel assemblies. 
         [0004]    One problem associated with many vehicle immobilizer designs is the ease of which they can be removed by irate vehicle owners or thieves. This ease of removal is often attributed to inadequate contact between the immobilizer and the vehicle wheel assembly. As used herein, the term “vehicle wheel assembly” is generally defined as a vehicle wheel with or without a hubcap, an interconnected tire, a brake mechanism, a wheel rim, and in some vehicle designs, tie rods that are employed for support and/or steering purposes. The brake mechanism may further include a drum or disk brake with, or without, a brake backing plate. Without adequate points of contact, the vehicle immobilizer may be pried, cut and/or pulled off the vehicle. For example, immobilizer disengagement may be achieved by a release of tire pressure, thereby altering the wheel assembly/immobilizer interface and allowing the device to be removed from the wheel assembly. Vehicle immobilizers disclosed in U.S. Patent No. RE024,712 to Marugg and U.S. Pat. No. 2,960,857 to Winter both employ only three points of engagement on the vehicle wheel assembly, which is generally insufficient to prevent unauthorized removal. 
         [0005]    Another problem associated with many types ofvehicle immobilizers is the difficulty associated with installation and removal. This is generally due to the immobilizer&#39;s weight and the fact that the inner and outer arm assemblies that engage the wheel assembly must be precisely positioned in a very limited space. Thus, proper installation of the wheel immobilizer is time consuming and often performed improperly, resulting in vehicle wheel assembly damage or easier unauthorized removal. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,048, to Beavers et al, teaches a wheel immobilizer that includes an inner arm and stopping member that are adapted to selectively interconnect to a wheel and a brake backing plate. In order to ensure proper placement, a user must physically reach in between the wheel and the brake backing plate to feel where a wheel lip is located in order to properly align the stopping member prior to the final installation step of tightening a locking bolt. 
         [0006]    Yet another problem associated with many types of vehicle immobilizers is damage to the vehicle inner wheel, outer wheel, wheel rims, hubcaps and/or braking mechanisms that may occur during installation. The damage to the hubcap and or outer wheel rim is the result of force and associated abrasion from a rigid metallic plate or arm assembly that is pressed against the hubcap or outer wheel. Any prying or movement of the arm assembly that may often occur during installation or attempts to forcibly remove the immobilizer from the vehicle will permanently scratch and/or dent the hubcap or outer wheel. The outer and inner wheel rims may also be damaged by many types of vehicle immobilizing devices as a result of the rigid, non-moving rim jaws that engage the inner or outer rim, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,960,857 to Winter. Any prying of the vehicle immobilizer may result in the rims becoming bent or scratched. Furthermore, since rim jaws are not capable of moving in a longitudinal and/or horizontal direction, the vehicle immobilizer cannot be properly fitted to numerous types and sizes of wheel assemblies, thus resulting in inadequate installation. 
         [0007]    A final problem associated with many vehicle immobilizing devices is a lack of versatility for use on a variety of models of wheel assemblies and automobiles. More specifically, even for a certain size or model of vehicle, many immobilizers cannot be used interchangeably on both vehicle sides. Thus, installers must have numerous models of immobilizers in stock for a variety of vehicles rather than utilize a versatile, universal immobilizer capable of use on a variety of vehicles and wheel assemblies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One embodiment of the present invention is a two-piece vehicle immobilization device that incorporates one or more of the following aspects. A first half of the two-piece device serves to immobilize a vehicle wheel assembly and a second half of the two-piece device serves to prevent separation of the first half from the vehicle wheel. The first half of the immobilizer engages an inner portion and an outer portion of a rim of the wheel rim assembly. The second half utilizes a dome to cover the outer face of the wheel serving to prevent the removal of the wheel when the immobilization device is installed. The dome may be deep dished to prevent contact with vehicle wheel assembly components other than those engaged by an edge of the dome. Further, the edge of the dome may be cushioned to reduce possible damage to the exterior face of the wheel. In addition, the dome may be adjustable by at least one of a hinged connection and a telescoping feature so that it may be properly positioned on the outer face of the vehicle wheel thereby securing lug nuts that interconnect the wheel to an axle of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the second half is associated to the first half by a stud connection located in a housing. In order to prevent access to the stand connection a cover may be selectively secured to the housing, preferably with a pad lock. Due to the orientation of the installed immobilizer, the pad lock may be partially hidden, adding to the difficulty of unauthorized removal of the immobilizer. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the present invention also utilize a wide welded steel base and tightening bolt to enable attachment to various vehicle wheel assemblies. The base may also be equipped with a pair of loops that can operate either as a stand when the immobilization device is installed or as carrying handle for the device. 
         [0010]    Although steel construction has been briefly mentioned, other strong and durable materials may be employed to obtain the desired balance of cost, weight and strength of the immobilizer. 
         [0011]    Thus it is one aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a two-piece vehicle immobilizer that includes: 
         [0012]    a first half that includes:
       a base,   an outer arm having a first end and a second end, said first end interconnected to said base,   an inner arm having a first end and a second end, said first end hingedly interconnected to said base, and   an indexing loop interconnected to said second end of said inner arm for engagement with the wheel;   a securing member selectively interconnected to said base that engages said first end of said inner arm, thereby preventing said second end of said inner arm from moving outwardly from said second end of said outer arm; and   a second half for selective interconnection to said first half that includes:   a dome for engagement to the wheel interconnected to said outer arm second end of said first half.       
 
         [0020]    It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a method of immobilizing a vehicle comprising: 
         [0021]    providing a base assembly with an inner arm rotatably associated with an outer arm, which has a threaded stud protruding therefrom, and a securing member that selectively prevents said inner arm from moving outwardly from said outer arm; 
         [0022]    interconnecting said inner arm to an inner portion of the wheel rim; 
         [0023]    interconnected said outer arm to an outer portion of the wheel rim; 
         [0024]    tightening said securing member, thereby fastening said base assembly to the vehicle wheel assembly; 
         [0025]    providing a dome assembly with a plate with an aperture therein interconnected to a beam, wherein said beam is also slidingly engaged to a sleeve that is rotatably interconnected to a dome; 
         [0026]    positioning said dome over the wheel; 
         [0027]    selectively adjusting said sleeve to position said stud through said aperture; 
         [0028]    tightening a nut onto said stud to interconnect said base assembly to said dome assembly. 
         [0029]    This Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a first half of a vehicle immobilizer; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a right elevation view of the first half of the vehicle immobilizer shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of a second half of the vehicle immobilizer; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a left elevation view of the second half of the vehicle immobilizer shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a two-piece vehicle immobilizer; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the two-piece vehicle immobilizer; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is a left elevation view of the two-piece vehicle immobilizer; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of the two-piece vehicle immobilizer; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is a right elevation view of the two-piece vehicle immobilizer; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is a detailed view of  FIG. 9 , wherein an inner arm of the first half has been removed for clarity; 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of the first half of the vehicle immobilizer interconnected to a vehicle wheel; and 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the two-piece vehicle immobilizer interconnected to a vehicle wheel. 
       
    
    
       [0043]    To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 3 
                 Vehicle immobilizer first half 
               
               
                 6 
                 Vehicle immobilizer second half 
               
               
                 9 
                 Inner arm 
               
               
                 12 
                 Tire 
               
               
                 15 
                 Inner index stop 
               
               
                 18 
                 Wheel 
               
               
                 21 
                 Outer index stop 
               
               
                 24 
                 Wheel rim 
               
               
                 27 
                 Pad 
               
               
                 30 
                 Outer arm 
               
               
                 33 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 36 
                 Bolt 
               
               
                 39 
                 Stud 
               
               
                 42 
                 Plate 
               
               
                 45 
                 Adjustment slot 
               
               
                 48 
                 Housing 
               
               
                 51 
                 Nut 
               
               
                 54 
                 Cover 
               
               
                 57 
                 Padlock 
               
               
                 60 
                 Vehicle immobilization device 
               
               
                 63 
                 Dome 
               
               
                 66 
                 Lug nuts 
               
               
                 69 
                 Base 
               
               
                 72 
                 Hinge 
               
               
                 75 
                 Cylinder 
               
               
                 78 
                 Stand 
               
               
                 81 
                 Beam 
               
               
                 84 
                 Cushioned edge 
               
               
                 87 
                 Sleeve 
               
               
                 90 
                 Channel 
               
               
                 93 
                 Lanyard 
               
               
                 96 
                 Protrusion 
               
               
                 99 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0044]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-13 , one embodiment of the present invention that includes a vehicle immobilizer first half  3  for interconnection to a vehicle immobilizer second half  6  is provided. More specifically, in operation, an inner arm  9  of the vehicle immobilizer first half  3  is engaged to the inner sidewall of a tire  12  wherein an inner index stop  15  is engaged to the inner diameter of the wheel  18  and an outer index stop  21  is engaged to the outer diameter of an inner wheel rim  24  adjacent the inner sidewall of the tire  12 . In addition, a pad  27  integrated onto the outer arm  30  of the vehicle immobilizer first half  3  is engaged to an outer edge of the outer wheel rim  24 . A spring  33  positioned between the inner arm  9  and the outer arm  30  tends to bias the ends of the inner arm  9  and the outer arm  30  onto the wheel  18 . In order to ensure that the inner arm  9  is not transitioned outwardly, thereby allowing disengagement of the vehicle immobilizer first half  3 , a tightening bolt  36  is provided that when rotated clockwise, pushes on a second end of the inner arm  9  to force the first end of the inner arm  9  tightly onto the wheel  18 . 
         [0046]    Next, the vehicle immobilizer second half  6  is interconnected to the vehicle immobilizer first half  3  via a stud  39  provided on the outer arm  30  of the vehicle immobilizer first half  3 . The vehicle immobilizer second half  6  also includes a plate  42  that hides the tightening bolt  36  such that an individual cannot easily gain access thereto. The stud  39  of the outer arm  30  of the vehicle immobilizer first half  3  is slid through an adjustment slot  45  provided on the vehicle immobilizer second half  6 . This adjustment slot  45  is located within a housing  48  incorporated onto the vehicle immobilizer second half  6 . A nut  51  is then threaded onto the stud  39 , thereby interconnecting the two halves together. Finally, a cover  54  is locked to the housing with a padlock  57  to securely affix the vehicle immobilization device  60  to the vehicle. The vehicle immobilizer second half  6  also includes a dome  63  that engages the exterior face of the wheel  18  and/or hub cap of the vehicle to prevent an individual from removing the lug nuts  66  of the wheel  18 . 
         [0047]    Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the immobilizer first half  3  of one embodiment includes a base  69  with an outer arm  30 , which is preferably rigidly connected thereto, and a hingedly connected inner arm  9 . The outer arm  30  extends from the base  69  at an angle sufficient to clear the width of the tire and culminates in a pad  27  that engages the outer edge of the outer wheel rim  24  without damaging its surface. Further, the outer arm  30  has a stud  39  extending outwardly for interfacing with immobilizer second half. The first end of the inner arm  9  has a first portion that engages the inner surface of the tire sidewall and a second portion that engages the wheel. A second portion of the inner arm  9  has an outer index stop  21  that engages the inner diameter of the wheel and an outer index stop  21  that engages the outer diameter of the inner wheel rim adjacent the inner sidewall of the tire. Combined with the pad  27 , the inner  15  and outer  21  index stops interconnect the immobilizer first half  3  to the vehicle wheel and tire. A spring  33  attached to the first end of the inner arm  9  and to the base  69  providing torque about a hinge  72  that tends to bring the inner  9  and outer  30  arms together against the vehicle wheel and tire. The base  69  includes a bolt  36  housed by a cylinder  75 . Upon clockwise rotation, the bolt  36  provides pressure on the end of the inner arm  9  that is positioned near the base  69  to prevent the inner index stop  15  from rotating in a direction away from the outer arm  30 . Further, an embodiment of the base is equipped with a stand  78  that positions the base  69  away from the ground and which acts as a handle to facilitate installation. 
         [0048]    Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the immobilizer second half  6  is provided that includes a dome  63  connected to a plate  42  via a beam  81 . In one embodiment, the dome  63  is of a diameter sufficient to cover the lug nuts  66  securing the wheel, thereby preventing the wheel from being removed from the vehicle while the vehicle immobilization device  60  is attached. Further, the dome  63  may be equipped with a cushioned edge  84  so that damage to the exterior face of the wheel  18  is avoided. An additional embodiment of the dome  63  includes a hinged connection to a sleeve  87  to aid in placement and integration of the dome  63  over the wheel. Further, the sleeve  87  may be slidingly interconnected to the beam  81 , thereby providing axial adjustment. The plate  42  is equipped with a housing  48  and a channel  90  located adjacent to the housing  48 . The housing  48  preferably includes a removable cover  54  that is equipped with a lanyard  93  attached to the plate  42  to prevent the cover  54  from being lost. Further, the plate  42  may be equipped with a protrusion  96  that fits inside the channel  90  when the cover  54  is placed over the housing  48  to help ensure proper cover alignment. An adjustment slot  45  adapted for securing the stud  39  is located on the plate  42  behind the housing  48 . This adjustment slot  45  is larger at one end to permit the insertion of the stud  39  with a nut  51  already attached and is accessible only upon removal of the housing cover  54 . 
         [0049]    Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 5-10 , the vehicle immobilization device  60  comprises the union of the vehicle immobilizer first half  3  and the vehicle immobilizer second half  6 . The plate  42  of the immobilizer second half  6  fits substantially over the outer arm  30  of the immobilizer first half  3 . Upon assembly, the plate  42  of the immobilizer second half  6  completely covers the cylinder  75  and adjustment bolt  36  of the immobilizer first half  3 . Further, the stud  39  on the immobilizer first half  3  is inserted through the adjustment slot  45  on the immobilizer second half  6 . In one embodiment, the stand  78  comprises at least one, preferably two, u-shaped loops extending from the bottom of the base downward and to each side. The loops provide a stable platform for the immobilizer and prevent the base  69  from resting on the ground. Further, the u-shaped loops provide handholds for aiding the movement and adjustment of the vehicle immobilization device  60 . 
         [0050]    In operation, the immobilizer first half  3  and immobilizer second half  6  are joined together via the stud  39 . The stud  39  is inserted through the adjustment slot  45  in the plate  42  of the immobilizer second half  6  and secured by the nut  51 . The length of the adjustment slot  45  permits axial adjustments of the vehicle immobilization device  60 . The channel  90  and the protrusion  96  on the cover  54  include matching apertures  99  for the attachment of a padlock  57  that prevents removal of the cover. 
         [0051]    Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the vehicle immobilization device  60  is attached by first positioning the vehicle immobilizer first half  3  in front of or behind one of the vehicle tires  12 . The inner arm  9  is separated from the outer arm  30  by a distance exceeding the width of the tire  12  and wheel  18 . Then the pad  27  on the outer arm  30  is positioned on the outer edge of the outer wheel rim  24  and the inner arm  9  engages the inner tire  12  sidewall. Further, the outer index stop  21  is engaged to the outer diameter of the inner wheel rim  24  adjacent the inner sidewall of the tire  12  and the inner index stop  15  is engaged to the inner diameter of the wheel  18 . After the immobilizer first half  3  is positioned, the bolt  36  located inside the cylinder  75  is turned clockwise until it applies pressure on the end of the inner arm  9  that is hingedly interconnected to the base  69  thus prohibiting movement of the inner index stop  15  of the inner arm  9  away from the outer arm  30  which prevents disengagement of the vehicle immobilizer device  60  from the tire  12  and wheel  18 . 
         [0052]    The immobilizer second half  6  is used to prevent the removal of the immobilizer first half  3 . The second half  6  is positioned with the plate  42  of the second half  6  substantially covering the outer arm  30  of the first half  3  wherein the stud  39  of the first half  3  is aligned with the adjustment slot  45  of the second half  6 . The telescoping feature of the beam  81  and sleeve  87  and the hinged connection between the dome  63  and the sleeve  87  are utilized to position the dome  63  securely over all of the lug nuts  66  of the wheel  18 , which prevents the removal of the wheel  18  with the vehicle immobilization device  60  in place. When the dome  63  is in position, the nut  51  is attached to the stud  39  to secure the immobilizer second half  6  to the immobilizer first half  3 . Finally, the housing cover  54  is placed over the housing  48  wherein the protrusion  96  extends into the channel  90  to ensure the proper alignment of the cover  54 . A padlock  57  is then inserted through the matching apertures  99  in the channel  90  and protrusion  96  that line up when the cover  54  is properly placed to effectively secure the vehicle immobilization device  60 . 
         [0053]    Embodiments of the present invention are constructed of steel, however, other materials such as aluminum, plastic, or composite materials may be utilized depending on the requisite strength, weight, and cost factors. Further, the size and thickness of the various components of the immobilizer are variable depending on the above factors. 
         [0054]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of these embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and sphere of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.