Abstract:
A security apparatus for substantially immobilizing a work object rested on a substantially immovable surface, the security apparatus having a body member; arms mounted on the body member disposed in spaced, substantially facing relation to each other and adapted to be positioned in fixed position on opposite sides of the work object; a lock assembly for releasably locking the arms in the fixed position so as to be substantially unitary with the work object; and a disabling member mounted on the body member substantially on the opposite side thereof from the arms whereby any attempt to move the work object is prevented by the disabling member engaging the immovable surface.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to a security apparatus and, more particularly, to a security apparatus which is operable to prevent the theft or other unauthorized movement of an automotive vehicle. 
         [0005]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    The prior art is replete with various devices designed to render an automotive vehicle unusable as a security measure and without damage, or easily repairable damage, to the vehicle. A variety of environments exist in which such devices are used. One such environment is, of course, where the owner of the automotive vehicle uses such a device in an effort to prevent the vehicle from being stolen, where for example the vehicle to be parked on a city street. 
         [0007]    Another environment of use is when law enforcement authorities wish to disable an automotive vehicle which has been, or will be impounded. In other instances the owner of the vehicle, for example, may have been cited for driving violations on numerous occasions and has not paid the resulting tickets. Seizing the vehicle or immobilizing it in such a way, may exert enough pressure on the individual to cause such tickets to be paid. 
         [0008]    In any case, it is known to attempt to lock a vehicle in position from the exterior without having to get access to the interior of the vehicle. A variety of types of devices have been designed to be attached to one of the wheels of the vehicle to prevent movement. Such devices grasp the wheel and tire thereon and lock them in position. Typically they are cumbersome and difficult to install and to remove. Other types of prior art devices operate to damage the vehicle if movement is attempted. Still other types of devices will not fit all but a minimum number of sizes of tires and wheels. In addition, prior art devices can be defeated by breaking the operative part of the locks which are typically fully or partly exposed. In some instances, thieves inject a cryogenic liquid into the lock. This renders the metal brittle and subject to breakage when struck, for example, with a hammer or the like. In all of these devices and others there are significant problems with their use. These problems may result in the devices ultimately not being used. 
         [0009]    Therefore, it has long been known that it would be desirable to have a security apparatus which was not cumbersome but rather was readily maneuvered during use; which was light weight and easily installed; which was not subject to means for defeating its purpose and effectiveness in use; which would fit a wide variety of sizes of wheels; which could not be pried off or otherwise defeated by unauthorized people; and which was otherwise successful in achieving its operational objectives. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved security apparatus. 
         [0011]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which can be operated rapidly and dependable to immobilize an automotive vehicle and the like. 
         [0012]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which is not cumbersome in use, but rather is readily installed with little or no instruction or strain. 
         [0013]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which is readily adjustable to fit most tires and wheels of automotive vehicles. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which is substantially impervious to techniques which have been used by unauthorized persons in an effort to steal an automotive vehicle. 
         [0015]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which is not susceptible to the use of cryogenic substances to permit breaking of the locking mechanism thereof. 
         [0016]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which is operable to disable a vehicle by several different methods all of which are dependable in use. 
         [0017]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which can be manufactured and sold at relatively low cost so as to be of wide application and use. 
         [0018]    Another object is to provide such a security apparatus which can be stored in a confined area so as to be readily available for use when desired. 
         [0019]    Further objects and advantages are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is dependable, economical, durable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0020]    These and other objects and advantages are achieved, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a security apparatus for substantially immobilizing a work object rested on a substantially immovable surface, the security apparatus having a body member; arms mounted on the body member disposed in a spaced, substantially facing relation to each other and adapted to be positioned in fixed position on opposite sides of the work object so as to be substantially unitary with the work object; and a disabling member mounted on the body member substantially on the opposite side thereof from the arms whereby any attempt to move the work object is prevented by the disabling member engaging the immovable surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary side elevation of an automotive vehicle with the security apparatus or the present invention installed thereon in a typical operational environment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary section taken on line  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1  and also showing one of the arms of the security apparatus in phantom lines in an extended position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the security apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the security apparatus with one of the arms thereof shown in a second operative position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a somewhat enlarged, transverse vertical section taken on line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a somewhat enlarged, horizontal section taken on line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    Referring more particularly to the drawings, the security apparatus of the present invention in generally indicated by the numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0028]    The security apparatus  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  in a typical operative environment in use on an automotive vehicle  20 . The automotive vehicle, for reference purposes, can be viewed as having a rearward portion  21  and has a rear wheel well  22  visible in  FIG. 1 . A roadway is generally indicated at  23 . 
         [0029]    The vehicle  20  has a right rear wheel  30 . A portion of the right rear wheel is shown in cross section in  FIG. 2 . The wheel has a circular rim  31  having a peripheral member  32 . Externally, the peripheral member defines a tire channel  33 . The wheel has an interior  34  in which a plurality of spoke members extend radially to the peripheral member  32 . The spoke members radially extend from a hub  36  which is mounted on the axle, not shown, of the wheel. 
         [0030]    A tire  45  is mounted on the wheel  30  in the conventional manner. The tire has annular mounting portions  46  which are received in the tire channel  33  of the peripheral member  32 , a best shown in  FIG. 2 , and extend thereabout in mounted relation. The tire has opposite sidewalls  47  and a tread portion  48 . The tire channel  33 , sidewalls  47  and tread portion  48  bound an air chamber  49  which is, as shown and described herein, pressurized with air. 
         [0031]    The security apparatus  10  of the present invention is, perhaps shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . The security apparatus has a first cylinder  60  having a substantially cylindrical external surface  61  and substantially cylindrical internal surface  62 . As best shown in  FIG. 2  the first cylinder has an interior end portion  63  and an opposite exterior end portion  64 . The words “interior” and “exterior” refer to the relative positions of the end portions  63  and  64  when the security apparatus is installed as shown in  FIG. 2  and as hereinafter described. As shown therein, the inside surface of the wheel is on the left and the outside surface is on the right. 
         [0032]    A stop member or metal tubular extension  70  is mounted, as by welding, on the external surface  61  of the first cylinder extending to the left, as viewed in  FIG. 6 . The tubular extension  70  has a terminal end portion  71  in which is mounted a stop  72 . A handle grip  73  is mounted on and extends about the tubular extension  70 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0033]    The security apparatus  10  has a puncturing assembly  74  best shown in  FIG. 5 . The puncturing assembly is mounted, as by welding, or using setscrews, on the external surface  61  of the first cylinder  60  of the security apparatus. The puncturing assembly is mounted on the opposite side of the first cylinder  60  from the tubular extension  70 . The puncturing assembly has a body portion  75  from which extend two puncturing prongs  76 . The puncturing prongs are disposed at an angle relative to each other, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The reason for this and the operation thereof will subsequently be discussed in greater detail. 
         [0034]    A first arm assembly  90  is mounted, as by welding, on the interior end portion  63  of the first cylinder. The first arm assembly has a mounting end portion  91  which is mounted on the interior end portion  63 . The first arm assembly has an opposite terminal end portion  92 . The first arm assembly, between the mounting end portion and the terminal end portion, is curved inwardly as best shown in  FIG. 2 . This forms the curved portion  93  extending therebetween. The first arm assembly has a screwthreadably mounted prong  94  which faces inwardly in the direction of the second arm assembly hereinafter to be described. The prong  94  is operable to puncture the sidewall of the tire if a person attempts laterally to pull the apparatus from the wheel  45 . In the event it is not desired that this eventually be possible, the prong  94  can simply be screwthreadably removed from the first arm assembly before use. The terminal end portion  92  and a portion of the curved portion  93  is rubber or plastic coated end portion  95 . 
         [0035]    A second arm assembly  110  is mounted on the first cylinder  60  of the security apparatus  10 , as is hereinafter described. The second arm assembly is mounted for movement about an axis of reference  111  relative to the first arm assembly and the first cylinder  60  under the conditions hereinafter set forth. Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second arm assembly has a mounting end portion  112  and an opposite terminal end portion  113 . Intermediate the mounting end portion and the terminal end portion is a curved portion  114 . The terminal end portion has a rubber or plastic coated end portion  115 . 
         [0036]    The first arm assembly  90  and the second arm assembly  110  are mounted for movement relative to each other and the axis of reference  111  by an interlocking assembly generally indicated by the numeral  130 . The interlocking assembly is best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  and includes a second cylinder  131  having an external surface  132  and an internal surface  133 . The external surface  132  of the second cylinder  131  is of slightly smaller diameter than the interior surface  62  of the first cylinder. The second cylinder is slidably received in the first cylinder. 
         [0037]    The second cylinder has in interior end portion  134  and an exterior end portion  135 . The words “interior” and “exterior” refer to the positions of the end portions  134  and  135  when the security apparatus is installed as shown in  FIG. 2  and as hereinafter described. As shown therein, the inside surface of the wheel is on the left as viewed therein and the outside surface is on the right. The second cylinder is mounted on the mounting end portion  112 , as by welding, and is substantially concentric to the axis of reference  111 . 
         [0038]    The external surface  132  of the second cylinder  131  has a recessed track  140  thereon as best shown in  FIG. 7 . The recessed track has an accurate segment  141  and a longitudinal segment  142  which are interconnected. A track follower or pin  143  is mounted on and extends inwardly from the internal surface  62  of the first cylinder  60 . The track pin is dimensioned to be received in the recessed track  140  of the second cylinder and smoothly to follow the accurate segment  141  and the longitudinal segment  142 , as will hereinafter be described. More specifically, the first cylinder and second cylinder are moveable toward and from each other substantially concentric to the axis of reference and as controlled by the engagement of the track pin in the recessed track  140 . 
         [0039]    The interlocking assembly  130  has an internal latch mechanism generally indicated by the numeral  144  in  FIG. 7 . Since  FIG. 7  is an exploded view for illustrative convenience, the portions of the latch mechanism appear therein to be separated from each other to a substantial degree. In reality, the components of the interlocking assembly  130 , in operational form, are in interconnected juxtaposition, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0040]    The internal latch mechanism  144  is composed of a male assembly  145  and an opposite female assembly  146 . An opening extends through the mounting end portion  112  of the second arm assembly  110  in a predetermined location. 
         [0041]    The assembly  145  has a lock  160  which, in turn has a key slot  161  adapted to receive a key, not shown, for operating the lock. The lock is circumscribed by screwthreads  162 . A lock arm  163  is mounted on the lock and extends inwardly therefrom, as best shown in  FIG. 7 . The lock arm has a plurality of catches or slots  164  extending along the upper surface of the lock arm and disposed in predetermined spaced relation to each other. The male assembly extends into the opening  150  and is mounted in position by a lock nut  165  having internal screwthreads  166 . The lock nut  165  securely mounts the male assembly in place by the internal screwthreads thereof screwthreadably engaging the external screwthreads about the lock  160  and being tightened into position. 
         [0042]    The second arm assembly  110  has a downwardly tapered circular recess  167  substantially concentric to the lock  160  in the above-identified locked position, as best shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As shown therein, all of the lock is recessed substantially at the apex of an inwardly tapered surface. The dimensions of the recess are such that the lock cannot be struck with a conventional hammer or other such object which could otherwise be used to break the lock. 
         [0043]    The female assembly  146  has a mounting sleeve  180  which is mounted in and extends outwardly from the mounting end portion  91  of the first arm assembly  90 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The mounting sleeve is itself mounted in the position described by any suitable means such as by welding. The female assembly has a mounting shaft  181  which is slidably received in the mounting sleeve  180  and mounts a spring housing  182  on the terminal end thereof. The spring housing  182  has an entrance opening  183  adapted to receive the lock arm  163  of the male assembly  145  therewithin. A spring loaded clip  184  is mounted on the spring housing  182  and operable to engage the slots  164  of the lock arm  163  of the male assembly  145  to lock the first arm assembly  90  and the second arm assembly  110  in a selected position relative to each other. The lock arm  163  and mounting shaft  181  are lockably held in that position by the lock  160  from which it is releasably operable only by means of the correct key, not shown. 
         [0044]    A coil compression spring  190  is resiliently capture within the first cylinder  60  and second cylinder  131  to urge the first arm assembly  90  and the second arm assembly  110  apart when the lock  160  is released. 
       OPERATION 
       [0045]    The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. 
         [0046]    The security apparatus  10  is mounted in position for use in the position and attitude shown in  FIG. 1 . Such mounting of the apparatus is achieved by unlocking the lock  160  using the key, not shown. This permits the lock arm  163  of the male assembly  145  to be rotated so that the spring loaded clip  184  of the female assembly  146  to be freed from the slots  164  of the lock arm  163 . 
         [0047]    This frees the first arm assembly  90  and second arm assembly  110  to be separated from each other, as shown phantom lines in  FIG. 2 , or pivoted relative to each other, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or both. In this manner the first and second arm assemblies can be positioned about the right rear wheel  30  and tire  45 , or any of the other wheels in the same. The security apparatus is then positioned as shown in full lines in  FIG. 2 . The lock  160  is employed to lock the first and second arm assemblies in the selected position using the lock&#39;s key, not shown. The slots  164  of the lock arm  163  are thereby caused to be engaged by the spring loaded clip  184  to achieve the locked condition. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , this locked position positions the stop prong  94  adjacent to the sidewall  47  of the tire  45 ; the first and second arm assemblies in surrounding engagement with the wheel  30  and tire  45  with the second arm assembly  110  extending through the spoke members  35 ; the rubber coated end portions of the first and second arm assemblies in protective prongs  76  into contact with the tread portion  48  of the tire; and the tubular extension into contact with the roadway  23 , all as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0049]    As can, perhaps, best be visualized in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the puncturing prongs  76  bear a unique relationship to the tabular extension  70 . The puncturing prongs  76  diverge from each other substantially radially relative to the first and second cylinders  60  and  131  respectively. The tubular extension  70  on the other hand extends radially from the first and second cylinders, but in a direction opposite to the puncturing prongs  76 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 1 , when the end of the tubular extension  70  engages the roadway  23 , the puncturing prongs engage the tread portion  48  of the tire at opposite slightly oblique angles. 
         [0050]    Once installed as described, the security apparatus  10  has several safety effects preventing theft, or achieving impoundment of the vehicle. The tubular extension  70 , when installed as shown in  FIG. 1 , prevents the automotive vehicle from being driven forwardly because of the interference of the roadway and/or of the real wheel well  22 . 
         [0051]    Because of the relationship heretofore described of the puncturing prongs  76  and the tubular extension  70 , attempted movement of the automotive vehicle forwardly causes the upper puncturing prong to impale the tire. Conversely, attempted movement in a rearward direction causes the lower puncturing prong to impale the tire. Referring to  FIG. 2 , pulling of the security apparatus form the side of the tire will cause the prong  94  to impale the tire. 
         [0052]    Since the lock  160  is recessed as heretofore described, breaking of the lock by striking it, with or without the attempted use of cryogenic material cannot be achieved. 
         [0053]    Notwithstanding the foregoing, placement of the security apparatus  10  on the wheel, or removal of it from the wheel will not damage the wheel or tire because of the foregoing construction as well as because of the rubber or plastic coated end portions  95  and  115  providing protective contact with the wheel and tire. 
         [0054]    Therefore, the security apparatus of the present invention is not cumbersome but rather is readily maneuverable during use; is light weight and easily installed; is not subject to means for defeating its purpose and effectiveness in use; fits a wide variety of sizes of wheels; cannot be pried off or otherwise defeated by unauthorized people; and is otherwise fully successful in achieving its operational objectives. 
         [0055]    Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.