Abstract:
Tire theft prevention device and methods. At least some of example embodiments include a tire removal prevention device comprising: an elongate member having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends defining an elongate axis; a collar member coupled to the elongate member, the collar defining an interior cavity, a first aperture, and a second aperture opposite the first aperture, the second aperture having an area smaller than the first aperture; and a riser member coupled to the elongate member, the riser defining a third aperture having an area larger than the second aperture.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Tire and wheel theft prevention devices are used to prevent unauthorized removal or theft of automobile wheels and tires. These devices may prevent removal of tire lug nuts without a proper key or tool thus making removal of an automobile wheel more difficult and offering some level of protection against theft of a wheel and/or tire. Some existing systems can be compromised by a bad actor determined to steal a wheel and/or the tire mounted on the wheel. As one example, locking lug nuts which are designed to be removable only using a specialized key or tool may be compromised by cutting, hammering, or by use of tools designed to grip and turn locking nuts by application of external torque without the key. Also, locking lug nuts do not prevent theft of tires by deflation and unmounting of the tire from the wheel. For at least these reasons, any advancement which provide better protection against tire and/or wheel theft would be advantageous. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0002]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
           [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a wheel and tire theft prevention device in accordance with at least some embodiments mounted on a front wheel of a heavy duty truck; 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a wheel and tire theft prevention device in accordance with at least some embodiments; 
           [0005]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section al elevation view of a wheel and tire theft prevention device mounted on a vehicle wheel in accordance with at least some embodiments; 
           [0006]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a wheel and tire theft prevention device mounted on the rear wheel of a heavy duty truck in accordance with at least some embodiments; 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a wheel and tire theft prevention device in accordance with at least some embodiments; 
           [0008]      FIG. 6  shows cross-sectional elevation view of a lug extension mounted on a vehicle wheel in accordance with at least some embodiments; 
           [0009]      FIG. 7  shows cross-sectional elevation view of a wheel and tire theft prevention device mounted on a vehicle wheel in accordance with at least some embodiments; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 8  shows a flow chart of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE 
       [0011]    Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different companies may refer to a component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components that differ in name but not function. 
         [0012]    In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. 
         [0013]    “Wheel” shall mean a vehicle wheel on which a vehicle tire may be mounted. 
         [0014]    “Tire” shall mean a vehicle tire, mountable on a vehicle wheel. 
         [0015]    “Inflexible” shall mean that a device cannot be deflected more than two inches by human force applied directly to the device, or by human force applied to the device using a mechanical lever shorter than four feet in length. For purposes of defining “inflexible”, deflection shall be measured at a distal tip of the device, and the deflection shall be measured relative to a rest orientation of the device. 
         [0016]    “Locking” shall mean coupling using a mechanism configured to prevent decoupling without the use of a tool keyed to the mechanism. 
         [0017]    “About” shall mean within plus or minus five percent (+/−5%) of a recited value 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of the invention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used, as limiting the scope of the disclosure or the claims. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application, and the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure or the claims, is limited to that embodiment. 
         [0019]    Various embodiments are directed to tire and wheel theft prevention devices that reduce the chances of theft of a wheel and tire, or set of wheels and tires, on which the devices are installed. More particularly, various embodiments are directed to devices and systems that may be installed on vehicle wheels (e.g., truck wheels) to prevent theft of tires and wheels, for example when the vehicles are parked in sales lots or in storage. Even more particularly, various embodiments are directed to devices providing protection against tire and wheel theft while not compromising the ability of a vehicle to be driven with the device installed on one or more wheels. Various embodiments are directed to devices for protection of large and typically expensive heavy industrial tires from theft. Additional embodiments are directed to methods for protecting tires and wheels from theft. The specification first turns to two exemplary embodiments, then discusses methods for preventing theft. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an example wheel and tire assembly  100  in accordance with at least some embodiments. Tire  104  is mounted on wheel  108  which is coupled to the axle of a vehicle (not pictured) by a set of lug nuts  112  configured to fit on lug bolts  116 . A theft prevention device  120  is mounted on the wheel  108  and extends across the wheel from one side of the tire&#39;s rim  110  to another side and further extends across portions of the tire  104  on two sides of the rim. The theft prevention device  120  is locked to the wheel by a lock  124  coupled to one of the lug bolts  116 . The lock  124  is surrounded by a protective collar  126  which guards the lock against unauthorized removal (e.g., by rotation of the locking device without a key or key socket). The collar may be coupled to the theft prevention device  120  by a first riser  127  to position the theft prevention device  120  so as not to contact the tire  104 . The theft prevention device  120  is also coupled to the wheel at a second location by a second riser  128 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the second riser  128  rests against the wheel in an area adjacent to and surrounding one of the lug nuts  112 . In some embodiments the second riser  128  may be secured against the wheel  108  by one of the lug nuts  112 , or the second riser  128  may comprise a circular cutout area  132  sized to fit around the perimeter of a lug nut  112 . The second riser  128  provides a second point or area of contact for the theft prevention device  120 , holding the device away from the surface of the tire  104 . Riser  128  and may also prevent rotation of the theft prevention device  120  relative to the wheel  108 , thus keeping the theft prevention device in position to prevent tire removal. The length of the theft prevention device  120  may be selected so that the theft prevention device extends far enough past the rim  110  of the wheel  108  that it becomes difficult to remove the tire from the wheel with the theft prevention device  120  locked to the wheel, but short enough that the ends of the theft prevention device  120  will not contact the ground when the tire  104  is compressed during movement of the vehicle. 
         [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the theft prevention device  120  of  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the device may be comprised of an elongate strip of steel  204  extending the length of the device. The strip  204  may comprise a series of bends forming risers  127  and  128 . In other embodiments, the device may be comprised of channel iron and risers  127  and  128  could be welded in place. Riser  128  comprises a cutout area  132  to accommodate placement of the theft prevention device  120  with riser  128  resting against a wheel on the area surrounding one of the lug nuts  112 . Riser  127  comprises a cutout area  208  to accommodate a lug bolt  116  disposed through the cutout area and extending into the interior area defined by the collar  126 . The theft prevention device  120  may also comprise stiffening ribs  212  welded to the strip  204  to add rigidity to the theft prevention device  120 , and to prevent flexing of the theft prevention device along the theft prevention device&#39;s length. In embodiments where the device is comprised of channel iron rather than of a strip of steel, the sides of the channel iron would serve as integral ribs. 
         [0022]    In some example embodiments, the strip  204  may be a four-inch-wide strip of  10  gauge steel, and the stiffening ribs  212  may each be ¼ inch thick, one-inch-wide ribs welded to the strip  204  and extending the entire length of the theft prevention device  120 . Collar  126  may be a 2% inch Schedule 10 steel pipe 4 inches long. In some embodiments, the tire theft prevention device may be 35% inches in length and risers  127 ,  128  may extend 2% inches away from the portions of the strip  204  coupled to the stiffening ribs  112 . In some embodiments, cutout area  132  may have a diameter of 2¼ inches and cutout area  208  may have a diameter of one inch. The centers of cutouts  132 ,  208  may be separated by a distance of 11¼ inches. The measurements above are given by way of example only. In various embodiments the dimensions and configuration given above may be altered depending on the particular application. For example, the dimensions of the theft prevention device may depend on various factors including: the bolt pattern of the wheel on which the device will be used; the diameters of lug bolts used to couple the wheel to the vehicle; the size of lug nuts for a particular wheel; the profile of the vehicle tire the device is to be used with; or on the particular locking device to be used with the device. Furthermore, the various components discussed above may take any of a multitude of forms depending on various factors. As one example, the theft prevention device may be constructed out of an I-beam, channel iron, or other structural beam rather than out of sheet steel as discussed above. The theft prevention device may also be constructed out of any suitable material in addition to those materials discussed above. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of theft prevention device  120  taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 3 . In the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , the theft prevention device  120  is shown locked to a wheel  108  with a mounted tire  104 . The wheel  108  and tire  104  of  FIG. 1  are also depicted in the cross-section for purposes of illustration. As can be seen in the example embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the theft prevention device is coupled to the wheel by locking device  124  which is surrounded by collar  126 . The collar  126  protects the locking device  124  from being removed (e.g., by application of torque to the exterior diameter of the locking device) without a key or key socket. The theft prevention device is held away from the tire  104  by risers  127 ,  128 . The riser  127  is coupled to the collar  126 , and comprises cutout area  208  through which a lug bolt  116  extends. Locking device  124  is coupled to the lug bolt  116  extending through cutout area  208 . Riser  128  comprises a cutout area  132  configured to fit around a lug bolt  112 . Riser  128  acts as a second point of support for the theft prevention device  120 , and also prevents rotation of the theft prevention device  120  relative to the wheel  108 . In some embodiments, stiffening ribs  212  may be coupled to the theft prevention device  120  to make the theft prevention device  120  inflexible about the theft prevention device&#39;s elongate axis so as to prevent cutout area  132  from being forced away from the wheel  108  and over the lug nut  112  and lug bolt  116  the cutout area  132  surrounds. 
         [0024]    In the example embodiment of  FIG. 3 , even if tire  104  is deflated or even partially un-mounted from wheel  108 , the tire  104  cannot be completely removed from the wheel  108  with the locking device  120  in place. Furthermore, compromise of the locking device  124  is made more difficult by the locking device  124  being surrounded by a collar  126 . The collar both protects the locking device from being removed (e.g., by application of external torque), and helps protect the locking device against compromise by sawing or cutting. Furthermore, if the length of the theft prevention device  120  is selected so as to not project beyond the diameter of the tire  104  when compressed by the weight of a vehicle, the theft prevention device  120  need not be removed from a wheel in order to move a vehicle, especially at low speeds. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an example rear truck wheel (e.g., a dual wheel) and tire assembly  400  in accordance with at least some embodiments. Tire  404  is mounted on wheel  408  which is coupled to the axle of a vehicle (not pictured) by a set of lug nuts  112  configured to fit on lug bolts  116 . A theft prevention device  420  is mounted on the wheel  408  and extends across the wheel from one side of the tire&#39;s rim  410  to another side and further extends across portions of the tire  404  on two sides of the rim. The theft prevention device  420  is locked to the wheel by a locking device  124  coupled to one of the lug bolts  116  by a lug extension (not visible in  FIG. 4 ). The lug extension serves as a first point of contact for the theft prevention device  420  and holds the theft prevention device  420  away from the tire  404 . The lock  124  is surrounded by a protective collar  426  which guards the lock against unauthorized removal (e.g., by rotation of the locking device without a key or key socket). The theft prevention device  420  may also comprise a first riser  427  to serve as a protective housing for a lug extension. In some embodiments the first riser  427  is comprised of a section of cylindrical pipe. The theft prevention device  420  is also coupled to the wheel at a second point by a second riser  428  which contacts the wheel  408  at a second location. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the second riser  428  rests against the wheel  408  in an area adjacent to and surrounding one of the lug nuts  112 . In some embodiments, the riser is comprised of a section of cylindrical pipe sized to fit around the perimeter of a lug nut  112 . The second riser  428  provides a second point of contact for the theft prevention device, holding the device away from the surface of the tire  404 . Riser  428  and may also prevent rotation of the theft prevention device  420  relative to the wheel  408  thus keeping the theft prevention device  420  in position to prevent tire removal. The length of the theft prevention device  420  may be selected so that the theft prevention device extends far enough past the rim  410  of the wheel  408  that it becomes difficult to remove the tire from the wheel with the device  120  locked to the wheel, but short enough that the ends of the theft prevention device  420  will not contact the ground when the tire  404  is compressed during movement of the vehicle. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the theft prevention device  420  of  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments the device may be comprised of an elongate strip of steel  504  extending the length of the device. In other embodiments the device may be comprised of another structural material (e.g., channel iron). The strip  504  may be coupled to risers  427 ,  428 . Riser  428  comprises a cylindrical pipe having a diameter selected to accommodate placement of the theft prevention device  420  with riser  428  resting against a wheel on the area surrounding one of the lug nuts  112 . Riser  427  comprises a cylindrical pipe having a diameter selected to accommodate a lug extension. Strip  504  also comprises a cutout area  508  to accommodate a lug extension (not pictured) disposed through the cutout area and extending into the interior area defined by the collar  426 . The theft prevention device  420  may also comprise stiffening ribs  512  coupled to the strip  504  to add rigidity to the theft prevention device  420 , and to prevent flexing of the theft prevention device  420  along the theft prevention device&#39;s length. In embodiments where the device is comprised of channel iron rather than of a strip of steel, the sides of the channel iron may serve as integral ribs. 
         [0027]    In some example embodiments, the strip  504  may be a 3% inch-wide strip of 10 gauge steel, and the stiffening ribs  512  may each be ¼ inch thick, 1% inch-wide ribs welded to the strip  504  and extending the entire length of the theft prevention device  420 . Collar  426  may be a 2% inch Schedule 10 steel pipe 4 inches long. In some embodiments, the tire theft prevention device may be 32¼ inches in length. Riser  427  may be a 2-inch Schedule 10 pipe 9% inches in length and riser  428  may be a 2-inch Schedule 10 pipe 11 inches in length. In some embodiments, cutout area  508  may have a diameter of one inch. The centers of risers  427 ,  428  may be separated by a distance of 11 ¼ inches. The measurements above are given by way of example only. In various embodiments the dimensions and configuration may be altered depending on the particular application. For example, the dimensions of the theft prevention device may depend on various factors including: the bolt pattern of the wheel on which the device will be used; the diameters of lug bolts used to couple the wheel to the vehicle; the size of lug nuts for a particular wheel; the profile of the vehicle tire the device is to be used with; or on the particular locking device to be used with the device. Furthermore, the various components discussed above may take any of a multitude of forms depending on various factors. As one example, the theft prevention device may be constructed out of an I-beam, channel iron, or other structural beam rather than out of sheet steel as discussed above. The theft prevention device may also be constructed out of any suitable material in addition to those materials discussed above. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the tire and wheel assembly of  FIG. 4  taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 . In the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6 , a lug extension  604  is coupled to one of the lug bolts  116 . The lug extension allows for use of a locking device with the theft prevention device  420  of  FIG. 4  designed to fit on “dually” truck wheels or on other wheels having lug bolts that are deeply recessed relative to the rim of the wheel. In some embodiments the lug extension  604  may be coupled to a lug bolt on top of a lug nut as is depicted in  FIG. 6 , while in other embodiments, one of the lug nuts may be removed prior to installation of the lug extension  604 . In some embodiments, the lug extension  604  may have a threaded female portion  606  and threaded male portion  608  each having thread specifications matching that of the lug bolt  116 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of theft prevention device  420  taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 . In the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7 , the theft prevention device  420  is shown locked (via lug extension  604 ) to a wheel  408  with a mounted tire  404 . The wheel  408  and tire  404  of  FIG. 4  are also depicted in cross-section for purposes of illustration. As can be seen in the example embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the theft prevention device is coupled to the wheel by locking device  124  coupled to a lug extension  604 . The locking device  124  is surrounded by collar  426  which protects the locking device  124  from being removed (e.g., by application of torque to the exterior diameter of the locking device) without a key or key socket. The theft prevention device is held away from the tire  404  by riser  428  and by lug extension  604 . The riser  427  is coupled to the metal strip  504 , and functions to protect the lug extension  604  from tampering (e.g., by cutting, hammering, or removal from the lug bolt  116  the lug extension  604  is coupled to). Metal strip  504  also comprises a cutout area  508  through which the male threaded portion  608  extends. Locking device  124  is coupled to the threaded male portion  608  of the lug extension  604  extending through cutout area  508 . Riser  428  is configured to fit around a lug bolt  112 . Riser  428  acts as a second point of support for the theft prevention device  120 , and also prevents rotation of the theft prevention device  420  relative to the wheel  408 . In some embodiments, stiffening ribs  512  may be configured to make the theft prevention device  520  inflexible about the theft prevention device&#39;s elongate axis so as to prevent riser  428  from being forced away from the wheel  108  and over the lug nut  112  and lug bolt  116  the riser  428  surrounds. 
         [0030]    In the example embodiment of  FIG. 7 , even if tire  404  is deflated or even partially un-mounted from the wheel  408 , the tire  404  cannot be completely be removed with the locking device  420  in place. Furthermore, compromise of the locking device  124  is made more difficult by the locking device  124  being surrounded by a collar  426 . The collar  426 , for example, protects the locking device from being removed by application of external torque, and also offers protection of the locking device against compromise by hammering, sawing, or cutting. Furthermore, if the length of the theft prevention device  420  is selected so as to not project beyond the diameter of the tire  404  when compressed by the weight of a vehicle, the theft prevention device  420  need not be removed from a wheel in order to move a vehicle, especially at low speeds. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  shows a method in accordance with further embodiments. In particular, the method starts (block  800 ), and comprises: placing a blocking member across the central aperture of a vehicle tire, the blocking member extending beyond the rim of a vehicle wheel on which the tire is mounted in at least two places but not extending outside the diameter of the tire (block  802 ); locking the blocking member to a lug bolt of the vehicle wheel (block  804 ); and coupling the blocking member to the wheel in an additional location (block  806 ). In some embodiments the method may further comprise driving a vehicle with the blocking member in place (block  808 ). Thereafter, the method ends (block  810 ). 
         [0032]    In some embodiments the method comprises coupling the blocking member to an additional location where the additional location comprises an area disposed around a second lug bolt. In other embodiments the method comprises placing the blocking member to prevent tire removal. In further embodiments the locking step further comprises coupling an extension member to the lug bolt. In some embodiments the locking member may be coupled to the extension member, while in other embodiments a locking member may be coupled to a lug bolt without using an extension member. 
         [0033]    References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a particular embodiment”, and “some embodiments” indicate that a particular element or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Although the phrases “in one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a particular embodiment”, and “some embodiments” may appear in various places, these do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0034]    The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.