Abstract: An accessory mounting fixture for a vehicle is provided. The accessory mounting fixture includes a fixture body connectable to a vehicle surface and having a substantially U-shape defining a frontal opening and adapted to receive an accessory portion. The accessory mounting fixture also includes a locking assembly adapted to selectively secure the accessory portion within the frontal opening. The locking assembly has a first lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on a first side of the frontal opening and a second lock member pivotally connected to the fixture body on the second side of the frontal opening. The first and second locking members are operable between a closed position for confining the accessory portion within the frontal opening, and an open configuration. Positioning the first and second lock members in the closed position secures the accessory portion within the frontal opening.

Abstract: A transverse trough coil car includes a plurality of transverse troughs, a pair of trucks, a center sill supported on the trucks, a pair of side walls extending the length of the car coupled to the center sill, and a plurality of trough forming assemblies. At least one trough includes integrated manually operated adjustable coil stops configured to prevent lateral shifting of coils carried within the trough. At least one trough includes a vertically adjustable trough height. An upper surface of the troughs are coplanar for selective receipt of slabs, and at least one trough includes integrated fixed side stanchions which includes width adjustment members thereon.

Abstract: A locking device for preferred securement to the locking bars located on the doors of shipping container. The device includes a main frame and two preferably J-shaped plates. The a hub portion along with a first plate define an first securement area for the locking device to a first locking bar and a movable member along with a second plate define a second securement area for the second locking bar. A lock having a main shaft is inserted into the main frame and prevents the plates from being pulled outward. The lock is maintain in positioned by a solenoid which is disposed within a portion of the main frame in a closed/locked position preventing the lock and main shaft from being pulled out of the main frame. Upon receipt of an authorized remote command or password the solenoid is caused to be retracted allowing the main shaft to be move and freeing the two plates so that they can be pulled outwards allowing the locking device to be removed from the locking bars.

Abstract: A locking system for a storage container comprises a housing mounted by a bracket within a cavity formed in at least one end wall of the container. The housing receives a padlock having a shackle movable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the latch arms of a latch mounted to the lid of the container, and a guard is connected to the front wall of the container and to the bracket in position to block access to at least that portion of the shackle which captures the latch arms of the latch.

Abstract: A universal electronics lock and lock kit has an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. The outer cylinder slidingly fits over the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder is equipped with a lock cylinder that has an movable latch. When the latch is in one position, it clears an inwardly-directed ridge defined within the inner cylinder. The lock is then in the “unlocked” position. When the latch is in a second position when rotated by a turning of a key, the latch is disposed behind a portion of the ridge and the lock is in the “locked” position. The universal electronics lock of the present invention allows rotation of the cylinders about a fastener, thus making the lock difficult to cut or saw through. In the lock kit, a plurality of fasteners and spacers are provided to adjust for use with electronics from different manufacturers.

Abstract: Safety devices for vehicle tire carriers including safety features that protect against the tire being dropped upon a failure in a cable system that supports the tire in a stowed condition. In one implementation the tire carrier has a support shaft at least partially housed within a longitudinal sleeve having a window. A pivotable arm has a first feature that engages with a portion of the support shaft to limit downward movement of the support shaft within the longitudinal sleeve when the pivotable arm is in a first rotational position and upon a failure in the cable system to properly support the tire in the stowed condition. The pivotable arm may also have a second feature that engages with the longitudinal sleeve to inhibit the arm from pivoting away from the first rotational position upon a failure in the cable system to properly support the tire in the stowed condition.

Abstract: Helmet mount apparatus provides a secure helmet holder for mounting a fireman helmet in a fire truck or other emergency vehicle. Three brim brackets, one of which is slidable on a base plate against a spring bias force, clamp the brim of the helmet between the brim brackets. The helmet can be mounted by positioning the brim into the slidable brim bracket and sliding the brim bracket far enough to allow inserting the brim also into the other two brim brackets, and then releasing the helmet to allow the spring bias to clamp the helmet onto the mount apparatus.

Abstract: A novel and improved automobile spare tire anti-theft device and method is disclosed. In an embodiment, the spare tire anti-theft device can include a rigid arm member having a proximal end, an arm body, and a distal end. The proximal end can be configured to be removably secured to an automobile. The arm body is configured such that at least a portion of the arm body is positioned adjacent an exposed portion of a sidewall of a tire of a spare tire secured to the automobile when the proximal end is secured to the automobile.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing a spare tire is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a hoisting device mountable to the underside of a vehicle. A tether is provided having a first portion and a second portion coupled to the hoisting device so that the first and second portions of the tether depend from the hosting device when it is mounted to the underside of a vehicle. A coupling member attached to the first portion of the tether permits an operator to attach the tether to the tire. A removable guard lays over at least part of the hub-facing wheel portion to cover one or more of the plurality of lug apertures such that the second portion of the tether cannot enter the plurality of lug apertures when the hosting device raises the spare tire.

Abstract: A device for preventing theft of a spare tire and rim comprising, a first cylinder having a length, an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a second cylinder having a length, an inner diameter and an outer diameter, a spring and a cable. The cylinders prevent access to a cable holding the spare tire and rim in place for storage. The cylinders protect the cable from being severed whereby the tire and rim would be released from storage and could be stolen.

Abstract: A novel and improved automobile spare tire securement and anti-theft system having a cable a yoke and a sheath covering the cable from the underside surface of the automobile to the yoke. The sheath provided in several example embodiments, including a unitary piece, separate pieces, adjustable height, and combinations of the same. The current invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and accomplishes the surprising result of effective anti-theft protection, ease of access to the tire, reliable access to the tire, in an uncomplicated and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for a vehicle may structurally entail a base, a mounting flange extending from the base, a vertical support post extending from the base, a light support post attached to the vertical support post, a threaded stud that engages a front surface of the base to support a spare tire. A tether, which may be secured to the base with a fastener, may lie largely concealed within the base and have additional studs or bolts which may protrude through a front surface of the base and further support a spare tire. A plurality of strength ribs may join the mounting flange and the base, while the base, the first mounting flange, vertical support post extending from the base, and plurality of strength ribs may be a single cast magnesium part. The tether may be of another high strength material.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a device for securing a tire to a vehicle so as to reduce the accidental or unauthorized removal of the tire from the vehicle. The device is particularly suitable for preventing the theft of a spare tire from a vehicle. More specifically, the device prevents an unauthorized user from gaining access to an opening in the vehicle which is used to lower and remove the spare. As a result, the device may save an individual hundreds of dollars and the annoyance of not having a spare tire when needed. The device is easily installed in many vehicles in around one minute.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus in a vehicle, a user designates a validating route, which is stored in a memory device. A control unit invalidates a predetermined function of the navigation apparatus at a start-up, which is for the first time after an in-vehicle battery is connected or which results from turning on of a power source. Use of the navigation apparatus by the user is thereby disturbed. When the control unit determines that a route, which the vehicle has traveled through, is included in the previously designated validating route stored in the memory device, the control unit re-validates the invalidated predetermined function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a security device for securing a spare tire and rim, retained by a winch mechanism, to the underside of an automobile. More specifically, the device includes a securing element that engages the rim and encloses a yoke of the winch mechanism to prevent a thief from severing the yoke and gaining access to the spare tire and rim. In a use position, the yoke extends through the primary opening in the rim and a fastener extends through a hole in the securing element and a secondary opening in the rim to connect the securing element to the rim, whereby the yoke is enclosed between the rim and the securing element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a security device to protect the spare tire on a vehicle from possible theft. The spare tire, especially in sport utility vehicles, is located on the rear underside of the vehicle and is secured by a cable and yoke. The security device comprises a plate or disk which is attached to the spare tire rim and prevents unauthorized access to cable and yoke, thereby minimizing the possibility of theft.

Abstract: A lug wrench and spare tire locking assembly that is attached to a motor vehicle or trailer which includes a hollow wrench carrier body (20) having four open-ended slots (22) at right angles to each other that are configured to interface with a four-way lug-wrench (56). The body has a pair of opposed short legs (24) formed between two adjacent slots, and another pair of opposed long legs (26) formed between each remaining slot. The body also includes a shackle lock pin (28) that extends beyond the legs. A slotted flange (38) is joined to a vehicle bracket (44) and threaded shaft (36) connects the body to the flange. A spare wheel is fastened to the vehicle bracket on top of the flange and a four-way lug-wrench (56) is placed over the wheel interfacing with the slots in the body.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire of a motor vehicle includes a tire carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire, a winch assembly operably connected to the tire carrier to raise and lower the tire carrier between a stowed position wherein the tire is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the tire is accessible, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes at least one latch member and an actuator adapted to selectively move the latch member between a locking position wherein the latch member prevents movement of the tire carrier from the stowed position to the deployed position and an unlocking position wherein the latch member permits movement of the tire carrier from the stowed position to the deployed position. The actuator includes a push-pull cable and a pull handle such that the operator manually pulls the cable to move the latch member from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Abstract: A spare tire lock and lug wrench placement device designed to be attached to a motor vehicle or trailer. The device includes a hollow wrench carrier body (20) having an extended shackle lock pin (24) with the body removably connected to a round threaded shaft (32). The shaft attaches to a slotted flange assembly (34) which in turn mounts directly to a spare wheel carrier (40) to accommodate various widths of spare tires. A shackle-less padlock (64) is permanently mounted in a locking cover (60) that slips over the body and captivates a four way lug wrench (54) using open ended slots (22) and (62) in the body and cover. The wrench is locked in place on the outside of the wheel and a emblem plate (56) covers the body and padlock which prevents theft of both the tire and wrench. A second embodiment replaces the locking cover with a conventional lock (70), having the U-shaped shackle permanently installed in a round body, (66) eliminating the use of a cover or emblem plate while functioning in the same manner.

Abstract: A four way lug wrench carrier attached to a motor vehicle or trailer which includes a hollow wrench carrier body (20) having an extended shackle lock pin (24) with the body connected to a round shaft (32). The shaft has an adjustable flanged sleeve (36) that connects directly to a spare wheel carrier (40) to accommodate various widths of spare tires. Securement means in the form of a flat washer (46) is held in place on the end of the shaft thus providing secondary protection for the carrier. A shackle-less padlock (64) is permanently mounted in a locking cover (60) that slips over the body and captivates a four way lug wrench (54) using open ended slots (22) and (62) in the body and cover. The wrench is locked in place on the outside of the wheel to prevent theft of both the tire/wheel and wrench.