US3713668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective device for trailers and like vehicles
Assignee: HOSTELLEY W
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Filing: 1971-11-15
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A protective device for preventing theft of vehicles, and particularly trailer-type vehicles, having an eye bolt adapted to be screwed in threaded engagement with a wheel member of the vehicle, a linking member which is looped through the eye of the eye bolt and around an accessible structural member of the vehicle, and a coupling element such as a lock for securing the linking member in a closed loop. The linking member is secured in the loop with sufficiently little slack that the eye bolt cannot be unthreaded from its engagement with the wheel, and so that the wheel can be rotated no more than a fraction of a revolution before being restrained from further rotation by the linking member.
Inventors
- 👤 W Flindt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:52
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/09; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5611; Y10T70/5836; Y10T70/5841; Y10T70/5845; Y10T70/5889; Y10T70/5982; Y10T70/5987
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A protective device for preventing theft of a vehicle by constraining movement of one wheel thereof, said vehicle having a secure structural member adjacent said one wheel, comprising: a. a threaded member having a threaded portion and a receiving opening, in threaded engagement with said wheel; b. a linking member, in linking engagement through said opening and with said structural member; and c. a coupling element, holding said linking member in a closed loop so as to prevent any substantial rotation of said wheel, said coupling element securing said linking member at respective portions thereof to adapt the length of said loop so that said linking member has sufficiently little slack that said threaded member cannot be taken out of threaded engagement with said wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A protective device for preventing theft of a vehicle by constraining movement of one wheel thereof, said vehicle having a secure structural member adjacent said one wheel, comprising: a. a threaded member having a threaded portion and a receiving opening, in threaded engagement with said wheel; b. a linking member, in linking engagement through said opening and with said structural member; and c. a coupling element, holding said linking member in a closed loop so as to prevent any substantial rotation of said wheel, said coupling element securing said linking member at respective portions thereof to adapt the length of said loop so that said linking member has sufficiently little slack that said threaded member cannot be taken out of threaded engagement with said wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
A protective device for preventing theft of a vehicle by constraining movement of one wheel thereof, said vehicle having a secure structural member adjacent said one wheel, comprising: a. a threaded member having a threaded portion and a receiving opening, in threaded engagement with said wheel; b. a linking member, in linking engagement through said opening and with said structural member; and c. a coupling element, holding said linking member in a closed loop so as to prevent any substantial rotation of said wheel, said coupling element securing said linking member at respective portions thereof to adapt the length of said loop so that said linking member has sufficiently little slack that said threaded member cannot be taken out of threaded engagement with said wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
A protective device for preventing theft of a vehicle by constraining movement of one wheel thereof, said vehicle having a secure structural member adjacent said one wheel, comprising: a. a threaded member having a threaded portion and a receiving opening, in threaded engagement with said wheel; b. a linking member, in linking engagement through said opening and with said structural member; and c. a coupling element, holding said linking member in a closed loop so as to prevent any substantial rotation of said wheel, said coupling element securing said linking member at respective portions thereof to adapt the length of said loop so that said linking member has sufficiently little slack that said threaded member cannot be taken out of threaded engagement with said wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as described in claim 1, wherein said threaded member is an eye bolt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as described in claim 2, wherein said threaded portion of said eye bolt has external threads, and is of a thread size to be threadedly received in said wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device as described in claim 2, wherein said threaded portion of said eye bolt has internal threads, and is of a thread size to threadedly engage said wheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as described in claim 1 wherein said linking member is a chain, and said coupling member is a lock, said lock holding said chain in a tightly closed loop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device as described in claim 2, wherein said eye bolt is adapted to be permanently installed on said wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device as described in claim 2, wherein said eye bolt is engaged in said wheel through at least several revolutions.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of securing a theft prevention device to a vehicle, said vehicle having at least one wheel and an adjacent structural member, comprising: a. threading an eye bolt into said wheel by turning same at least several turns; b. looping a chain through said eye bolt and around said structural member; and c. securing said chain into a tightly closed loop, whereby said wheel is constrained from rotation by said chain and said eye bolt, and said eye bolt cannot be unthreaded from said wheel.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of securing a theft prevention device to a vehicle, said vehicle having at least one wheel and an adjacent structural member, comprising: a. threading an eye bolt into said wheel by turning same at least several turns; b. looping a chain through said eye bolt and around said structural member; and c. securing said chain into a tightly closed loop, whereby said wheel is constrained from rotation by said chain and said eye bolt, and said eye bolt cannot be unthreaded from said wheel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |