Patent Application
20050252258
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.
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.
Gary A. Thering, U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,839 granted on Mar. 10, 1998 references other patents. These are:
Carl W. Pierce, U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,108 granted on Jul. 27, 1999 also references other patents. These are:
Both Thering's and Pierce's devices are mechanically complicated with numerous individual parts and functions. Thering'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's device utilizes lightweight tubular stock which can be similarly compromised.
Sheet 1 of 2:
The upper figure shows the locking devise in it'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.
Sheet 2 of 2:
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.
Both of the above noted sheets have a legend of explanation.
Sheet 1 of 2:
The upper figure shows the locking device as noted previously.
The lower figure shows the locking device with the five integral parts:
Sheet 2 of 2:
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).
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).
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.
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.
