Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Device

Abstract

A catalytic converter anti-theft device is provided. The device may include a first tube structure attachable to a vehicle frame and a second tube structure attachable to the vehicle frame. There may be a first wire rope encased within the first tube structure and a second wire rope encased within the second tube structure. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the first tube structure and the second tube structure are configured to surround at least a portion of a catalytic converter to prevent removal from the vehicle frame.

1 . A protection device comprising:
 a tube structure shaped to engage at least a portion of a device to be protected; and   a wire rope encased within the tube structure; and   wherein the tube structure hides the wire rope from view.   
     
     
         2 . The protection device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube structure includes one or more curvatures to surround at least a portion of the device to be protected. 
     
     
         3 . The protection device of  claim 2 , wherein the tube structure includes one or more attachment plates to attach the tube structure to a mounting structure. 
     
     
         4 . The protection device of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more curvatures of the tube structure are configured to prevent removal of the device to be protected when the one or more attachment plates are attached to the mounting structure. 
     
     
         5 . The protection device of  claim 4 , wherein the device to be protected is a catalytic converter and the mounting structure is a portion of a vehicle frame, wherein the one or more curvatures of the tube structure are configured to surround the catalytic converter to prevent removal when the one or more attachment plates are mounted to the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         6 . The protection device of  claim 1 , wherein the tube structure is a metal tube of approximately 0.75 inch diameter and wherein the wire rope comprises a 6×37 class with approximately 0.5 inch diameter. 
     
     
         7 . A catalytic converter anti-theft device comprising:
 a first tube structure attachable to a vehicle frame;   a second tube structure attachable to the vehicle frame;   a first wire rope encased within the first tube structure;   a second wire rope encased within the second tube structure; and   wherein at least a portion of the first tube structure and the second tube structure are configured to surround at least a portion of a catalytic converter.   
     
     
         8 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 7 , wherein the first tube structure has a U shape. 
     
     
         9 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 8 , wherein the second tube structure has a U shape. 
     
     
         10 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 9 , where the first tube structure has a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, wherein the second leg extends transversely from the first leg and the third leg. 
     
     
         11 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 10 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the first leg and a longitudinal axis of the third leg are approximately parallel. 
     
     
         12 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 11 , wherein the first leg includes a first attachment plate configured to mount the first leg to the vehicle frame and the third leg includes an attachment plate configured to mount the third leg to the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         13 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 12 , wherein the first leg includes a curved portion with a curvature corresponding substantially with a surface contour of the catalytic converter adjacent the first leg, and wherein the third leg includes a curved portion with a curvature corresponding substantially with a surface contour of the catalytic converter adjacent the third leg. 
     
     
         14 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 13 , wherein the second tube structure has a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg, wherein the second leg of the second tube structure extends transversely from the first leg and the third leg of the second tube structure. 
     
     
         15 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 14 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the first leg of the second tube structure and a longitudinal axis of the third leg of the second tube structure are approximately parallel. 
     
     
         16 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 15 , wherein the first leg of the second tube structure includes a first attachment plate configured to mount the first leg of the second tube structure to the vehicle frame and the third leg of the second tube structure includes an attachment plate configured to mount the third leg of the second tube structure to the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         17 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 16 , wherein the first leg of the second tube structure includes a curved portion with a curvature corresponding substantially with a surface contour of the catalytic converter adjacent the first leg of the second tube structure, and wherein the third leg of the second tube structure includes a curved portion with a curvature corresponding substantially with a surface contour of the catalytic converter adjacent the third leg of the second tube structure. 
     
     
         18 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 17 , wherein the second leg of the first tube structure and the second leg of the second tube structure are approximately parallel with respect to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 18 , wherein the first leg of the first tube structure and the first leg of the second tube structure are approximately parallel with respect to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The catalytic converter anti-theft device of  claim 19 , wherein the first leg of the first tube structure and the first leg of the second tube structure are connected together.