Rotation Blocking Patents (Class 70/226)
  • Patent number: 5557956
    Abstract: The invention is an automobile visual theft deterrent device, for use on an automobile having a steering wheel, comprising a tubular member, a middle housing, and an elongated rod member. The tubular member has a first wheel rim hook and the elongated rod member has a second wheel rim hook. The middle housing is attached to the tubular member. A central bore extends through the middle housing. The elongated rod member extending into the central bore for adjusting the relative distance between the first and second wheel rim hooks. The middle housing has an insert disk having a slot. The insert disk is silver colored to resemble a lock, but is not a functioning lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventor: Carl F. Merz
  • Patent number: 5555754
    Abstract: A security device for a vehicle type steering wheel which includes a multi-section rim protection arrangement having a circumferential skirt portion, which may be of concave cross section, to shield the rim of the steering wheel. An elongated member is attached to one of the rim protection sections for placement across the steering wheel rim, with an extension out from the rim which is long enough to limit rotation of the steering wheel. The security device is locked into position by locking fixtures that have an unlocked state for permitting the relative movement or rotation of the rim protection sections for placement on the steering wheel rim, and a locked state in which the security device is fixed in place on the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Louis Ferrante
  • Patent number: 5555753
    Abstract: An anti-theft locking system surrounds and immobilizes vehicle steering wheels to immunize vehicles against theft and vandalism. The locking system preferably comprises a rigid, circular pan that surmounts the steering wheel and overlies the steering column. In this manner the vehicle air-bag compartment is protected. The pan has a rigid, peripheral rim that coaxially surrounds and ensconces the steering wheel ring. The steering wheel is thus rendered inaccessible to hack saws or cutting tools that are normally used by thieves to remove conventional steering wheel locks. An elongated locking assembly mounted on top of the pan is activated by a removable, elongated, rod that penetrates the locking assembly to fasten the pan on the steering wheel. The locking assembly is protected on top by a substantially tubular, protective shroud, and the lock bottom is protected by a compartment welded to the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Wayne Matlock
  • Patent number: 5548983
    Abstract: A lock for limiting movement of a vehicle steering wheel. The inventive device includes a lower receiver for engaging a lower portion of a rim of a steering wheel. Lateral receivers are pivotally mounted to the lower receiver and operate to receive lateral portions of the rim. A lock assembly extends between the lateral receivers and projects beyond one of the receivers to limit rotation of the steering wheel to preclude theft of an associated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Lemuel R. Hart
  • Patent number: 5540067
    Abstract: A device for deterring theft of a steering wheel mounted airbag and an automobile comprises a cover configured to generally cover a substantial portion of a steering wheel so as to inhibit access to an airbag mounted within the steering wheel, and also so as to inhibit use of the steering wheel. A lock inhibits removal of the cover when the lock is in the locked configuration thereof and facilitates removal of the cover when the lock is in the unlocked configuration thereof. Thus, the device deters theft of the airbag by preventing a thief from having access thereto and deters theft of the automobile by preventing the thief from driving the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Ki I. Kim
  • Patent number: 5537847
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for use in combination with the steering wheel of a motor vehicle comprising a cover member sized to completely cover the top of a motor vehicle steering wheel, said cover member further defining a slot therein said slot commencing at an edge of said cover. The device is further provided with a first hook member fixed to said cover member adjacent to the edge thereof said hook oriented and adapted to engage said wheel from the inside thereof; and an elongated member having a first outer end and a second inner end, said second end being adapted to be slideably engaged by said cover member slot. The elongated member further comprises a second hook member fixed to said elongated member at a point intermediate to said first and second end, said second hook member oriented and adapted to engage said wheel from the inside thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventors: Michael Dalton, Michael Iannotta
  • Patent number: 5530427
    Abstract: An alarm lock comprises an alarm wiring and a locking apparatus in which the alarm wiring is disposed. The alarm wiring is composed of a microswitch, a first battery charger, a second battery charger, a triggering circuit, a comparing circuit, an oscillating circuit, and a loud speaker. The locking apparatus is made up of a main body, a lock core, an alarm device, and a connection member. The main body is intended to receive therein a motorcycle disk brake. The lock core has a body mounted slidably in the main body, a lock bolt driven by the body, a retaining member and a retaining portion for locating the lock core, and a driving portion disposed on the lock bolt. The alarm device is housed in the main body. The connection member is disposed in the main body such that the connection member is located between the driving portion and the alarm device, and that the connection member can be actuated by the driving portion to start or shut off the alarm device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Jin-Ren Shieh
  • Patent number: 5520034
    Abstract: A wheel-locking device has a nut shield (13) with a wheel-bolt orifice (17) on an attachment-plate (18) end of the nut shield. The nut shield is positioned on a wheel bolt (14) between a wheel (5) and a wheel nut (15) that is tightened onto the wheel bolt. Walls (37, 39) of the nut shield have lock-rod keyholes (12, 51) that are sized and shaped to receive a keyhole shaft (11) having lock extensions (19, 40, 49, 50) positioned in line with keyhole bays (20) in the lock-rod keyholes. Then a lock rod (6) can be rotated to a locking position in which the lock extensions are not in line with the lock bays of the lock-rod keyholes. In this locking position, the lock rod is then locked onto a wheel clamp (1) that hooks over a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Jack M. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 5517837
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a disc brake locking assembly. Specifically, a lock is employed to control the up-down movement of a controlling cotter, and the disc brake locking assembly is placed in the locked position by causing the catch on the front of the controlling cotter to bind to the catch section of a locking rod. Said disc brake locking assembly possesses a moving piece. The top of said moving piece is equipped with a protruding pin, and the bottom of said moving piece is equipped with a slot A into which a spring is to be inserted. Said moving piece also possesses another slot B. A pin is installed into the main body in such a manner that allows one end of said pin to penetrate through said main body and join with the slot B in the moving piece. The restitution action of the spring allows said moving piece to move back and forth axially within a specified range. The left side of said moving piece is also equipped with a round slot into which a spring and locking rod are inserted in said order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Teng-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 5515947
    Abstract: A motorcycle disk brake lock comprises a main body, a lock bolt and a locking member. The main body has a base portion, a first arm, a second arm, and an insertion slot formed between the first arm and the second arm for receiving therein a motorcycle disk brake. The lock bolt is disposed on the first arm such that the lock bolt can be moved back and forth in a direction parallel to an open end of the insertion slot. The lock bolt has a retaining portion corresponding in location to the open end of the insertion slot. The lock bolt is provided along the edge thereof with at least one first locating portion. The locking member has a second locating portion capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the lock bolt to engage the first locating portion. The distance between the retaining portion and the insertion slot of the main body can be adjusted so as to disable the motorcycle disk brakes of various outer diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Inventor: Jin-Ren Shieh
  • Patent number: 5499518
    Abstract: A motorcycle disk brake lock comprises a main body, a locking member, a firs stopping member, a second stopping member, and a third stopping member. The main body is composed of a slot, a receiving space, and a through hole located between the slot and the receiving space in which the locking member is disposed. The locking member is provided with a press portion and a locating rod capable of moving along with the press portion. The first stopping member is located on the locking member. The second stopping portion is located on the inner edge of the receiving space such that the second stopping portion is capable making contact with the first stopping portion so as to prevent the locking member from being driven to move outwards. The third stopping portion is located on the inner edge of the receiving space such that the third stopping portion is parallel to the second stopping portion and is also able to prevent the locking member from being driven to move outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Inventor: Jin-Ren Shieh
  • Patent number: 5491990
    Abstract: A disabling device is designed for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle, which consists of an elongated rod. Components which utilize conventional padlocks are provided for locking the elongated rod onto the steering wheel, to prevent a would-be thief from turning the steering wheel when attempting to steal the motor vehicle. Three embodiments of the instant invention foil a thief because they are just to large and bulky to permit the steering wheel to be operated when locked in place, while an alternative fourth embodiment provides security by actually disabling both the steering wheel and brake pedal simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Shone M. Von-Lambert
  • Patent number: 5479794
    Abstract: A wheel lock device including a shoe. The shoe has sides, a top with a central aperture wherethrough a wheel strut may extend. The shoe has a generally planar bottom with an anti-slide portion that precludes the wheel lock device from sliding along the supporting surface. The shoe has dimensions such that a strut-mounted wheel assembly of a vehicle may be enclosed therein. The shoe is separated vertically into two equal hingedly connected parts which allow it to be opened for receiving the wheel assembly, or closed for encasing the wheel assembly, whereby precluding free rotation along the supporting surface. Included is a lock that allows the two parts of the shoe to be releasably secured in the closed position. Locking the two parts prevents removal of the shoe from the wheel assembly. Removably connected to the lock is a key. The key is rotated in the lock by a user for release of the lock to permit the shoe to be opened for removal from the wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Terry R. Rains
  • Patent number: 5471855
    Abstract: A folding collapsible steering lock including a retainer bar having a fork at one end for stopping against the steering wheel at one side and a coupling portion at an opposite end, a stop bar having one end pivotably connected to the coupling portion of the retainer bar by a hinge and an opposite end covered with a cap for stopping against the inside of the motor vehicle, and a lock bar moved between a locking position to hold the retainer bar and said stop bar longitudinally aligned and an unlocking position to let the retainer bar and the stop bar be folded up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Shwu-Huey Wu
  • Patent number: 5469135
    Abstract: A vehicle anti-theft device and alarm includes a U-shaped rod for attachment to a vehicle steering wheel in a position overlying the vehicle dash board. An alarm is positioned in said U-shaped rod, whereby said alarm is firmly secured to a vehicle and inaccessible for tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: WOLO Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph E. Solow
  • Patent number: 5463885
    Abstract: A cover plate with a center cap is placed over a wheel installed on a truck trailer. A tang on the cover plate, located on the side facing the wheel, passes through a slot in the wheel. The plate is then rotated until the tang touches a wheel spoke, and a projection on the tang extends under the wheel spoke holding the tang to the wheel. A slot on the opposite side of the cover plate overlaps another slot in the wheel. A flange attached to a chain is passed up through the wheel slot and the slot in the cover plate. The chain flange is then secured in place by a padlock attached through an eyehole in the chain flange. An identical installation is made on the tandem wheel using another cover plate and the flange on the other end of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Jerry D. Warren, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5460021
    Abstract: Golf car locking apparatuses having a restraining member (1) positioned on a seat (2) of a golf car (3) to prevent access to power-storage batteries (4) and extended from a seat upright member (5) behind the seat (2) and an attached member (7) extending from the seat restraining member (1) to a locking position on a steering wheel (8). Wheel-locking structure is provided optionally in addition with a wheel-lock clamp (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Inventor: Martin B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5457972
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for locking up the steering wheel of an automobile; the device has a locking rod, of which one end is welded to the center of a symmetrical locking hook, while the other end thereof is inserted into a lock rod groove of a casing portion. The casing position has a locking assembly to prevent the locking rod from moving unintentionally. One side of the casing portion is fastened with a L-shaped locking plate facing the locking hook. The symmetrical locking hooks is used to hold the spoke of a steering wheel. The L-shaped locking plate can be moved by pushing the casing portion until holding the grip wheel of a steering wheel so as to prevent a car from being stolen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Tzung-I Lo
  • Patent number: 5454243
    Abstract: A trailer locking system configured to be utilized with a variety of wheeled vehicles. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches a system configured to be utilized in conjunction with a boat, vehicle, or utility trailer, the system contemplating a locking member configured to be easily installed to most such trailers. In operation, the locking member of the present invention is pivoted relative the trailer frame, until a gripping member physically engages with a tire on the trailer, to the point of preventing rotation of the tire, thereby preventing theft of the trailer. Further, the tire engaged by the gripping member is immobilized so as to prevent removal of same, while the locking member itself is secured to the trailer in such a manner as to prevent undesired removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Frank Impastato
  • Patent number: 5454242
    Abstract: A locking device for a steering wheel of a car includes a main body and a locking assembly. The main body has first and second ends, the second end thereof having an extending bar disposed thereon, a channel for receiving a rim of the steering wheel being defined transversely in the main body and communicating with a passage, both of which being accessible via an under side of the main body. The locking assembly is disposed to the main body and includes a clamping element having a lock disposed therein for being secured within the main body so as to restrain the rim of the steering wheel from disengaging from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Wen-Chyun Su
  • Patent number: 5454240
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for attachment to a steering wheel of an automobile, has a continuous metal shield, having a shield body which is accurately shaped to completely cover the top surface of the steering wheel and a shield body's side apron which is accurately shaped to completely surround the outer periphery of the steering wheel. The metal shield is configured to encase an elongate rigid security rod in diametrically opposed hump housings located on the face of the shield body. A pair of opposing hooks engage the rim of the steering wheel when the elongate rigid security rod is telescopically extended. Hook flanges extending from the underside of the shield body's apron engage the two hooks. A keyed lock secures the device to the steering wheel. Access to the keyed lock is provided by an access opening in the center of the shield body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Timothy E. Whitney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5454241
    Abstract: A device, lockable onto the rim of a vehicle steering wheel, includes a portion in the form of a bar (1) projecting away from the wheel to obstruct steering. The device has a hook member (2) shaped to extend from one end to the other of a segment of a steering wheel rim via a path passing through the wheel with the member hooked over the wheel rim at one end of the segment. The device has a catch (10) movable relative to the hook member (2) and engageable with the steering wheel rim for locking the device to the wheel so that the hook member (2) is engaged about the rim at one end of the segment and the shank (3) of the hook member (2) is secured against the wheel rim at the other end of the segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Metro Products (Accessories & Leisure) Limited
    Inventor: David M. Elam
  • Patent number: 5452597
    Abstract: An automobile steering lock has a housing including a lock base and a plate base, an elongate stop rod, a slidable curved stop plate, a lock and a locking pin assembly combined together. The slidable plate fits in and is slidable in and out of a plate hole of the plate base and is provided with a recess fitted with a plurality of engaging blocks each having a vertical face and an inclined face to be engaged by a bottom end of a locking pin of the locking pin assembly. The locking pin slides over when the slidable plate is pushed inward but prevents the plate from being pulled outward. The housing has a lateral wheel opening for a portion of a steering wheel. The slidable plate is pushed inward in the plate hole to close over a lower side of the steering wheel with the lock in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: Hsien-Paul Chen
  • Patent number: 5450736
    Abstract: A steering wheel gripper for preventing unauthorized steering of a motor vehicle, generally including and a flexible, multi-link member circumscribing the rim of a steering wheel along substantially the entire perimeter of the rim, formed of separate hollow links having an arcuate cross-section corresponding to the rim cross-section, made of a rigid, hard-to-sever material and pivotally connected in series to one another and, an elongate member fixedly connected to a middle link tangentially thereto and extending in the longitudinal direction of the middle link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Inventor: Nathan Volkmar
  • Patent number: 5442942
    Abstract: A steering wheel having a built-in, anti-theft protection means is disclosed. The steering wheel is provided with two positions; a standard position used for the normal steering of the vehicle and an anti-theft position, wherein the lower and upper sections of the steering wheel are almost completely separated from each other thereby substantially rendering the steering wheel inoperative. The lower section has a first end with a releasable unit housed therein and a second end with a lockable unit housed therein. The upper section has a first end with a cavity for receiving the releasable unit and a second end with a head member for receiving the lockable unit. The second end of the upper section also has a device used for capturing the second end of the lower section while still allowing rotation therebetween when the locking unit is not in its locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Bruce T. Geisler
  • Patent number: 5440907
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel lock assembly includes a body having a base extending therefrom, a first hook member securely attached to a first side of the body, and a second hook member partially received in a second side of the body. A cylinder is removably received in the base. A lock piece is slidably received in the body and actuatable by the cylinder. The second hook member is releasably engageable with the lock piece and is movable in two directions of away from and toward the first hook member when the cylinder is in an unlocked position and is movable in only one of the two directions when the cylinder is in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Chao C. Shen
  • Patent number: 5440906
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel lock includes a body having a cylinder mounted therein, a first hook member securely attached to a first end of the body, and a second hook member movably attached to a second end of the body. The first end of the body includes a hole therein and an annular groove in an outer periphery thereof. The first hook member includes an engaging end with a second annular groove defined in an outer periphery thereof. A sleeve is mounted to the first end of the body and has a longitudinal bore, a first end securely mounted in the first annular groove, and a second end mounted to the end edge of the first end of the body. An elastic retainer ring has an inner diameter slightly less than that of the bore of the sleeve. The retainer ring is mounted between an end edge of the first end of the body and the second end of the sleeve and is received in the second annular groove in the first hook member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Chao C. Shen
  • Patent number: 5440908
    Abstract: A security device for a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a body having an, extension portion protruding from a longitudinal direction thereof for abutting on an instrument panel, an arcuate shell mounted on an underside of the body and having an opening defined in an underside thereof for receiving the steering wheel therein, an elongated passage defined in a longitudinal direction of the body for communicating with the opening, a linking rod slidably received in the passage, a spring biased between a first end of the linking rod and a closed end of the passage, a control member for controlling the linking rod to reciprocate in the passage, a substantially L-shaped pawl member mounted in the opening and pivotally engaged with the body, the pawl member halving a first stop end engaged with the linking rod and a second stop end releasably engaged with the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Shu-Hwa Lin
  • Patent number: 5437171
    Abstract: A wheel securing device, comprises L-shaped and U-shaped hooks extending from an articulated central platform positioned across the full diameter of the tire and wheel, wherein: (i) base legs of a pair of L-shaped hooks attach to and extend from the central platform into contact with the tread of the tire and (ii) radial legs of the L-shaped hooks contact the interior side wall of the tire. An U-shaped hook is also attached to the platform via a planar arm, and includes longer and shorter legs contacting opposite side walls of the tire, and a base leg in contact with the tire tread. Since the planar arm is pivotally attached to the top wall of the platform, movement of the arm carries the U-shaped hook into and out of contact with the tread of the tire to provide convenient attachment and removal of the securing device relative to the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph L. Owen
  • Patent number: 5435158
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a lock having a tube and a casing fixed on the tube, a catch received in the casing, a shank engaged the tube, an opening formed in the shank for engaging with the catch, two sleeves fixed on the shank and rotated in concert with the shank, two hooks fixed on the tube and two hooks fixed on the sleeves for engaging with the steering wheel. The hooks form two loops for engaging with the steering wheel such that the anti-theft device can be solidly secured to the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Inventor: Hsieh Ta-Yung
  • Patent number: 5433095
    Abstract: A basketball-hoop lock has a hoop restriction with a pin-lockable vertical hook on one end and at least one horizontal hook on an opposite end. The vertical hook can be positioned vertically on a portion of a rim of a basketball hoop when an opposite end of the hoop restriction is hooked horizontally on one or more opposing portions of the basketball rim. Positioning a lock pin, a padlock rod or a suitable line through one or more orifices in the vertical hook locks all hooks on the hoop restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventors: Thomas M. Mitchell, Louis Thomas, Lydia M. Jones, Michael Thomas
  • Patent number: 5432412
    Abstract: A security device for a cart wheel utilizing a housing which is mounted to the cart in the vicinity of the wheel. A locking element supported to the housing and is selectively movable into positions engaging the cart wheel or being disengaged from the cart wheel. A motor is employed to move the element in such reciprocal motion and is operated by a controller. The controller includes a counter to determine the number of revolutions completed by the wheel, and a trigger for starting the motor upon receipt of a signal from the counter representing a preselected number of revolutions completed by the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: David Fulton
    Inventors: Charles D. Harris, David Fulton
  • Patent number: 5428976
    Abstract: A steering lock, which includes a casing for mounting on an inner periphery of a steering wheel, having a front track and a rear track separated by an arched mounting hole, a lock cylinder at the front, and a steel ball supported on a spring in a hole within the rear truck. A constraint bar is fixed to the casing for abutting the instrument panel of an automobile. A slide block is adapted to slide between the front and rear tracks and guided by a guide screw on the casing. The slide block has a recessed hole which receives the latch bolt of the lock cylinder when the steering lock is locked or the steel ball when the steering lock is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Inventors: Tien-Tsair Weng, Yang-Hui Cheng
  • Patent number: 5426960
    Abstract: An antitheft device for mounting on a steering wheel of an automobile either diametrically across the rim or the steering wheel or extending radially outwardly towards the windshield of the automobile from an engagement with the rim and having an extended portion adapted to block complete rotation of the steering wheel. The device has a locking capability which simplifies and reduces the amount of manual manipulation required to mount and remove the steering wheel lock. A locking mechanism is provided to engage and lock the rim of the steering wheel and a hook extends radially with respect to the rim either diametrically for an engagement with the rim or outwardly towards the windshield of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Shwu-Meei Jan
  • Patent number: 5419408
    Abstract: This is a self-retaining, adjustable, spring tension vehicle anti-theft tire puncturing and deflating assembly with a removable part for the vehicle's key, requiring no special tools for installation and operation. It is constructed of a color similar to a tire, to a size and configuration to fit inconspicuously across and within any portion of an air inflated vehicle tire tread and come into contact with the road surface thus pushing upward, puncturing and permitting relatively rapid escape of the air from the tire through a passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventors: Richard C. Ellrodt, Robert Greco
  • Patent number: 5415018
    Abstract: A security device for an automobile type steering wheel includes a two-section rim protection arrangement having a circumferential skirt portion, which may be of concave cross-section, to shield the rim of the steering wheel. The rim protection sections are attached to two elongated beam members which are placed across the steering wheel rim, with an extension out from the rim which is long enough to limit rotation of the steering wheel. The two beam members are locked in position by locking fixtures which have an unlocked state permitting relative movement or rotation of the two rim protection sections for placement on the steering wheel rim and a locked state in which the security device is fixed in place on the steering wheel. Other embodiments include a unitary, central locking security device having locking fixtures which extend under a steering wheel rim and are locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Inventor: Louis A. Ferrante
  • Patent number: 5410897
    Abstract: A wheel-block lock has a chock on a chock end of a lock rod that is lockable in a lock sleeve. The lock sleeve is attached to a lug-cover shaft with a lug cover that is lockable onto a locking foot that is attached to a wheel with a lug nut. A single lock is employed to lock all parts of each lock unit together centrally. The wheel chock in select forms is positioned to be supported against a tire on the wheel to prevent rotation of the wheel. Two lock sleeves can be used on the same lock rod for attachment to two lug bolts. Either a padlock or a tumbler lock can be used for locking one or two wheel-block locks onto a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Inventor: Jack M. Edmondson
  • Patent number: 5409077
    Abstract: A vehicular steering wheel anti-theft apparatus comprising a steering wheel having a handle, a hub adapted to be coupled to a steering column of a vehicle, a pair of spokes symmetrically disposed about the hub and aligned about a common central axis with each spoke coupled between the hub and handle, a bore formed through the spokes and hub with the bore having a sealed end and an open end extended through the handle; a spring mechanism disposed within the bore; and a plunging rod having a head end slidably disposed within the bore abutted against the spring mechanism and a tip end extended from the bore, the plunging rod having an extended orientation for enabling the tip end to be abutted against a portion of a vehicle and thereby prevent the steering wheel from being rotated and a retracted orientation for precluding such abutment and thereby allow the steering wheel to be rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventor: J. M. Ball
  • Patent number: 5406813
    Abstract: An extendable lock for a steering wheel including a locking tube with a channel therein. A locking housing is disposed at a suitable position on the locking tube. The locking tube includes a hook. A locking rod is received by the channel of the locking tube. A plurality of ratchet slots are disposed at suitable positions on the locking rod. A hook is provided on the locking rod. An actuating mechanism is placed within the locking housing for facilitating an easy pull-out of the locking rod when the actuating mechanism is at a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: Tsung-I Lo
  • Patent number: 5400627
    Abstract: An automobile steering lock includes a lock body having a spring plate at the top, a substantially U-shaped mounting frame having one side hinged to the lock body and a second side made with two spaced through holes, a locating bar having two parallel lock bolts perpendicularly extended from a coupling end thereof and respectively inserted through the through holes on the mounting frame and locked in two lock holes on the lock body permitting the spring plate of the lock body and the mounting frame to be stopped against an automobile's steering wheel at two opposite sides to lock it in position as the locating bar is stopped between the instrument panel and windshield of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Inventor: Hsiu-Yun Liao
  • Patent number: 5394712
    Abstract: A motorcycle lock is provided which includes a lock body consisting of a metal casing and a lock unit fitted into the metal casing. The lock unit includes two locking plates at the top and a lock cylinder at the bottom, and a shackle having two annular grooves around two opposite ends thereof and respectively inserted into a respective hole on the metal casing and locked by the locking plates. Turning the lock cylinder in one direction causes the locking plates to move in the reverse directions for permitting the shackle to be removed from the lock body. Turning the lock cylinder in the reverse direction causes the stop blocks of the left and right locking plates to engage the annular groove on opposing ends of the shackle for holding down the shackle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Nigostar Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Patrick Chou
  • Patent number: 5388436
    Abstract: A motorcycle disk brake lock comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a lock main body. A gap is located between the first and the second arms. A lock bolt is provided with a straight leg portion and a curved portion. The straight leg portion is disposed slidably in the first arm while the curved portion of the lock bolt extends toward the second arm and across the gap. A lock bolt fastening pin is disposed in a base portion of the lock main body such that the lock bolt fastening pin can be moved between a first position and a second position, and that the lock bolt fastening pin restrains the lock bolt when located at the first position. A lock having a lock cylinder and a lock core is disposed in the base portion of the lock main body such that the lock core of the lock is coupled with the lock bolt fastening pin, which can be caused to move to the first position from the second position when the lock core is located at a locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Inventor: Jin-Ren Shieh
  • Patent number: 5385038
    Abstract: A wheel clamp assembly to be applied on a road wheel of a vehicle to prevent unauthorized operation of the vehicle. The assembly includes a first elongate arm member and a catch member at one end of the first arm member projecting transversely of the first arm member. The first arm member and a second elongate arm member are each joined at their bottom ends to an elongate body member. The body member supports the arm members in spaced apart relationship so that the width of the road wheel can be accommodated between the arm members. The second arm member is movable relative to the first arm member between an inoperative position spaced from the first arm member an amount sufficient to permit the catch member to be located into and out of the wheel well opening, and an operative position wherein the second arm member is substantially parallel to the first arm member and extends transversely of the front face of the wheel. A key-operated locking mechanism retains the second arm member in the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: John A. Malabre
    Inventor: James A. Walker
  • Patent number: 5381680
    Abstract: A retractable wheel lock assembly for permanent mounting to a vehicle having a pair of proximately spaced tandem wheels. The wheel lock assembly includes a security tube including two tubular members disposed for relative axial movement. Structure is provided for moving the second tubular member from a first, retracted position to a second, extended position relative to the first tubular member. A wedge-like brake member having two angularly spaced surfaces is carried by the second tubular member for movement therewith. Structure is provided for mounting the wheel lock assembly to the frame of the vehicle so that an axial center line of the security tube is generally vertical and the wedge-like brake member is disposed between the tandem wheels of the vehicle such that the angularly spaced surfaces engage a portion of the tread surface of each wheel when the second tubular member is in the second, extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Joseph J. Rauch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5381679
    Abstract: An anti-theft device (40) for attachment to a vehicle steering wheel having an elongated tubular member (451), a sleeve (45) slidable along the member (41) and an arm (51) telescopically received in the member (41) and coupled to the sleeve (45). The sleeve (45) carries a locking device (47) which engages apertures (43) to lock the sleeve (45) to the member (41) in a position where the arm (51) extends from the member (41). The member (41) and sleeve (45) carry hooks (42) and (49) to engage the rim of a steering wheel and the arm (51) limits rotation of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Ian G. Cummins
  • Patent number: 5375441
    Abstract: A locking device for locking a steering wheel of a vehicle includes a stick having a frame fixed on the middle portion for engaging with the steering wheel of the vehicle, a notch is formed in the frame, and a block is slidably engaged on the stick and has a catch engageable with the stick so as to lock the stick in place, the block includes an extension engaged with the notch of the frame so as to lock the steering wheel in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Gaieter Liou
  • Patent number: 5375442
    Abstract: A clamp assembly to effectively lock and or prevent a wheel on a trailer or like wheeled vehicle from rotating to in turn prevent the unauthorized movement or theft of the trailer including two clamp members movable towards and away from one another and wherein each clamp member is disposed in overlying and or confronting engagement with either the front face or rear face of the wheel. The two clamp members may be positioned and locked into an operative position such that the various components of the two clamp members adapted to collectively surround a peripheral or tread portion of the wheel are positioned such that rotation of the wheel is impossible due to the fact that the clamp assembly will eventually come into contact with the undercarriage of the vehicle upon attempted rotation of the wheel through unauthorized movement of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventor: Robert N. Hammer
  • Patent number: 5372018
    Abstract: A wheel lock is disclosed for securing to the wheel of a vehicle to impede rotation of the wheel to prevent theft of the vehicle. The wheel lock comprises a clamp having opposed arms which are movably coupled together. Each arm carries a projection extending inwardly with respect to the other projection to form an opening therebetween. The projections being carried by the arms can be moved apart to a first position in which the opening is sufficient to be received over the tire and rim of the wheel and the projections can thereafter be moved inwardly to a second position in which the opening between the projections of the opposed arms prevents the clamp from being disengaged from the wheel. The wheel lock further comprises position locking structure for selectively releasably locking the projections of the clamp in the second position to prevent the wheel lock from being disengaged from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Ronald Z. Smith
  • Patent number: 5372019
    Abstract: An automobile steering lock consisted of a lock body received in an inner casing covered by an outer casing, a shackle having two opposite ends inserted into holes on the outer and inner casings and holes on the lock body and locked in place by two opposite stop plates, a lock cylinder disposed perpendicular to the shackle and having a bevel gear coupled to the plug thereof, a switch control gear meshed with the bevel gear and having two keys respectively engaged into a respective lock notch either stop plate, a microswitch, a light emitting diode and a burglar alarm respectively connected to the microswitch, whereby the microswitch is switched on as the shackle is inserted into position; turning the plug of the lock cylinder causes the bevel gear to turn the switch control gear in moving the stop plates toward each other, and therefore the shackle is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Hsiao
  • Patent number: 5365758
    Abstract: A lock for incapacitating a motorcycle disk brake has a lock body containing a locking bolt, a braking bolt, and a locking and unlocking device. The lock body is provided with a slot to receive a disk brake piece of a motorcycle. The locking and unlocking device has a rotatable core capable of turning between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the rotatable core is situated at the locking position, the braking bolt is at the third position so as to confine the locking bolt to the second position. When locking bolt is situated at the second position, the slot of the lock body is sealed off so as to cause the lock body to fasten securely to the motorcycle disk brake, which is then disabled. When the rotatable core is at an unlocking position, the braking bolt moves from the third position to the fourth position so as to cause the locking bolt to move from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Jin-Ren Shieh