Abstract:
This is a universally locking device that both immobilizes the vehicle from “push of” theft and also prevents thefts of tires and wheels. With small adaptations this device could also be used on motorcycles and small trailers.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The problem of “push-off” theft of All Terrain Vehicles (hereafter ATVs) as well as other small vehicles and trailers has become increasingly more profound. Another serious problem is theft of expensive ATV wheels and tires.  
         [0002]     There are numerous known locking devices to immobilize small vehicles such as ATVs. Most rely on the wheels to have spokes or slots in them and the devices themselves are often complicated and clumsy to use.  
         [0003]     Gary A. Thering, U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,839 granted on Mar. 10, 1998 references other patents. These are:  
                                           584017   June 1897   Sewell       1401971   January 1922   Faison       1443009   January 1923   Davis       148893   April 1924   Plouffe       1504220   August 1924   Degen       2844954   July 1958   Marugg       3245239   April 1966   Zaidener       4768359   September 1988   Wade       4833442   May 1989   Von Heck       5247815   September 1993   Caldwell       5259081   November 1993   Henderson       5265449   November 1993   Rashleigh       5271636   December 1993   Morhman, et. Al.       5372018   December 1994   Smith       5460021   October 1995   Taylor       5520034   May 1996   Edmondson       5628212   May 1997   Fritzler                  
 
       Foreign Patent Documents  
       [0004]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  506328 
                 August 1920 
                 FR 
               
               
                   
                  16991 
                 July 1909 
                 GB 
               
               
                   
                 2106058 
                 April 1983 
                 GB 
               
               
                   
                 WO86/05150 
                 September 1986 
                 WO 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0005]     Carl W. Pierce, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,108 granted on Jul. 27, 1999 also references other patents. These are:  
                                           14488893   April 1924   Plouffe       4768359   September 1988   Wade       4819462   April 1989   Apsell       5134868   August 1992   Bethards       5315848   May 1994   Beyer       5333477   August 1994   Davis       5372018   December 1994   Smith       5375442   December 1994   Hammer       5437171   August 1995   Owen       5520034   May 1996   Edmonson       5582044   December 1996   Bolich       5613385   March 1997   Yamabe       5628212   May 1997   Fritzler       5639001   June 1997   Brady       5673574   October 1997   Bertram       5689981   November 1997   DeLuca, et. Al.       5724839   March 1998   Thering       5778706   July 1998   Testa                  
 
       Foreign Patent Documents  
       [0006]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 2106058 
                 April 1983 
                 GB 
               
               
                   
                 86/05150 
                 September 1986 
                 WO 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0007]     Both Thering&#39;s and Pierce&#39;s devices are mechanically complicated with numerous individual parts and functions. Thering&#39;s device utilizes flat stock, which can be cut and/or distorted to the point that the device can be easily removed from the vehicle. Pierce&#39;s device utilizes lightweight tubular stock which can be similarly compromised.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     Sheet 1 of 2:  
         [0009]     The upper figure shows the locking devise in it&#39;s assembled condition. The two “J”-shaped hooks over and around the outer surfaces of either the front or back set of wheels (or both) of the ATV. The lower figure shows more detail of the three essential parts of the locking device.  
         [0010]     Sheet 2 of 2:  
         [0011]     The upper left figure shows the dimensions of the two “J”-shaped hooks. The upper right figure shows the dimensions of the adjustable center bar. The lower two figures show the differences between the two “J”-shaped hooks.  
         [0012]     Both of the above noted sheets have a legend of explanation.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     Sheet 1 of 2:  
         [0014]     The upper figure shows the locking device as noted previously.  
         [0015]     The lower figure shows the locking device with the five integral parts: 
    1. Part A: “J”-shaped hook with right-hand male threads made of ⅝″ solid round stock.     2. Part B: “J”-shaped hook with left-hand male threads made of ⅝″ solid round stock.     3. Part C: Center adjustable bar with right-hand and left-hand female threads made of ⅞″ solid round stock.     4. Part D: 5″× 5/16″ slot through center of Part C.     5. Part E: Three 5/16″ holes through center of threaded part of Part A.    
 
         [0021]     Sheet 2 of 2:  
         [0022]     The upper left figure shows the “J”-shaped hook with the inside diameter legs of 4″, 8″, and 18½″ respectively with 8½″ of the longest leg threaded with national coarse male threads (Parts A and B of sheet 1 of 2).  
         [0023]     The upper right figure shows the adjustable center bar (Part C) that is 20″ long with 9″ of national coarse female threads at either end and a 5″× 5/16″ slot machined through center and ½″ from the bottom of the threads (Part D of Sheet 1 of 2).  
         [0024]     The two lower figures show the differences between the two “J”-shaped hooks in that one hook has 5/5″-11NC right-hand threads (Part A of Sheet 1 of 2) with three 5/16″ holes drilled through center while the opposite “J”-shaped hook has ⅝″-11NC left-hand threads (Part B of Sheet 1 of 2) with no holes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     It is the object of this invention to supply means to both immobilize an ATV (or other small vehicles) and to prevent theft of expensive wheels and tires. It is also the object of this invention to simplify and thus improve upon previous ATV locking devices, most notably those of Thering and Pierce as mentioned earlier. This new device is much less complicated (essentially only one moving part) and thus easier to use and less prone to being compromised. This device would be manufactured out of solid, quality grade stainless steel, which is extremely hard to cut or distort by mechanical methods and is both durable and anti-corrosive.