Wheel securing means

Abstract

A wheel securing means ( 10 ) for securing a wheel ( 12 ) comprising a rim ( 14 ) and a tire ( 16 ). The wheel securing means ( 10 ) comprises first and second arm members ( 18,20 ). Each of the first and second arm members ( 18,20 ) has a first end arranged to engage with the rim ( 14 ) on a first side thereof and extends from the first end to a second end adjacent a point on the outer circumference of the tire ( 16 ). A locking means ( 28 ) is provided to secure the second end of the first arm member ( 18 ) to the second end of the second arm member ( 20 ) and the first and second arm members ( 18,20 ) are shaped to engage with the outer surface of the tire ( 16 ) in use such that rotation of the wheel ( 12 ) causes rotation of the wheel securing means ( 10 ).

1 . A wheel securing means for securing a wheel comprising a rim and a tire, the wheel securing means comprising: 
 a first arm member having a first end arranged to engage with the rim on a first side thereof and to extend from the first end to a second end adjacent a point on the outer circumference of the tire;    a second arm member having a first end arranged to engage with the rim on a second side thereof and to extend from the first end to a second end adjacent said point on the outer circumference of the tire; and    a locking means arranged to secure the second end of the first arm member to the second end of the second arm member;    wherein the first and second arm members are shaped to engage with the outer surface of the tire in use such that rotation of the wheel causes rotation of the wheel securing means.    
   
   
       2 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the first and second arm members are generally arcuate between the first and second ends thereof such that the first and second arm members generally conform to the outer surface of the tire in the engaged position.  
   
   
       3 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arm members each include an engaging portion adjacent the first end thereof, the engaging portion extending generally parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel from the respective arm member adjacent the circumference of and inside the wheel rim when the first and second arm members are in the engaged position such that the engaging portions engage with the rim.  
   
   
       4 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arm members extend generally radially from adjacent the rim to said point on the outer circumference of the tire.  
   
   
       5 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arm members are pivotally connected adjacent second ends thereof, the locking means preventing said pivotal movement when the locking means secures the second end of the first arm member to the second end of the second arm member.  
   
   
       6 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the first and second arm members are slidably connected adjacent second ends thereof, the locking means preventing said slidable movement when the locking means secures the second end of the first arm member to the second end of the second arm member.  
   
   
       7 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein second ends of the first and second arm members are each provided with a connecting portion having a slot therein and a pin provided through the slots such that the first and second arm members are pivotable and slidable about each other.  
   
   
       8 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the connecting portions each comprise a plate member such that when the plate member of the first arm member is arranged on top of and in the same orientation as the plate member of the second arm member, the first and second arm members are engaged with the wheel and the slots on the plate members are generally parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel.  
   
   
       9 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 8 , characterized in that the plate members comprise generally rectangular plates and each respective arm member extends from a corner of said rectangular plate.  
   
   
       10 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the connecting portions of the first and second arm members each include an aperture, the apertures being aligned when the first and second arm members are in the engaged position such that that locking means is received within the aligned apertures to prevent relative movement of the first and second arm members.  
   
   
       11 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein the locking means comprises a padlock.  
   
   
       12 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first and second arm members are securable to a chock when in the engaged position.  
   
   
       13 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the chock includes a tab and the first and second arm members include openings adjacent the seconds thereof, the openings being aligned when the first and second arm members are in the engaged position such that the tab is received in the openings to secure the chock to the first and second arm members.  
   
   
       14 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the tab includes a hole for receiving a second locking means when the tab is received in the holes to secure the chock to the first and second arm members.  
   
   
       15 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the second locking means is a padlock.  
   
   
       16 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the chock comprises a first portion arranged to rest on the ground and engage a first side of the tire, a second portion arranged to rest on the ground and engage with a second opposite side of the tire and a connecting member arranged to extend along the side of the tire in use between the first and second portions.  
   
   
       17 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the first and second portions comprise parallel first and second cylindrical members.  
   
   
       18 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 17  wherein the second cylindrical member is rotatably mounted about an axis parallel to and offset from the longitudinal axis of the second cylindrical member such that rotation of the second cylindrical member allows the second cylindrical member to be moved toward and away from the tire.  
   
   
       19 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the length of the connecting member is adjustable such that the first and second cylindrical members may be moved toward or away from each other to allow the first and second cylindrical members to be engaged against the tire in use.  
   
   
       20 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the connecting member comprises a telescoping tube.  
   
   
       21 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the telescoping tube is provided with a tensioning means arranged to provide a force that tends to pull the first and second cylindrical members toward each other.  
   
   
       22 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein each of the first and second cylindrical members are provided with a plurality of transverse plates along the length thereof.  
   
   
       23 . A wheel securing means in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein each of the transverse plates are circular in shape and a flexible tongue member extends between the transverse plate members on a side adjacent the tire, the flexible tongue member having an upper surface angled such that the upper surface engages with the tire generally tangentially.