초록 ▼

An immobilization apparatus for a vehicle having a wheel with a tire. The apparatus comprises first and second elongated members having inner ends and outer ends. The inner ends are connected together and the outer ends are angularly spaced apart. There is an L-shaped clasp at each of the outer ends

An immobilization apparatus for a vehicle having a wheel with a tire. The apparatus comprises first and second elongated members having inner ends and outer ends. The inner ends are connected together and the outer ends are angularly spaced apart. There is an L-shaped clasp at each of the outer ends for grasping the tire. The clasps are rotatable about the outer ends. A third elongated member has an inner portion and an outer portion and is angularly spaced-apart from the first and second members. The inner portion is tubular and the outer portion of the third elongated member is telescopically received therein. The outer portion has an L-shaped clasp, and the outer portion is rotatable with respect to the inner portion. A locking mechanism secures the outer portion at a fixed telescopic position with respect to the inner portion of the third elongated member.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An immobilization apparatus for a vehicle having a wheel with a tire, the apparatus comprising: a. a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each said elongated member being tubular, having an inner end, an outer end and a recess located at the outer end thereof

What is claimed is: 1. An immobilization apparatus for a vehicle having a wheel with a tire, the apparatus comprising: a. a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each said elongated member being tubular, having an inner end, an outer end and a recess located at the outer end thereof, the inner end of the first elongated member and the inner end of the second elongated member being connected together and the outer ends thereof being angularly spaced apart, said each elongated member having an L-shaped clasp at the outer end thereof for grasping the tire, each said clasp being rotatable about the outer end of one of said elongated members to permit said elongated members to lie flat when the apparatus is stored; b. a third elongated member having an inner portion and an outer portion, the third elongated member extending outwardly from the inner ends of the first and second elongated members and the third elongated member being angularly spaced-apart from the first and second elongated members, the inner portion of the third elongated member being tubular and the outer portion of the third elongated member being telescopically received therein, the outer portion of the third elongated member having an outer end with an L-shaped clasp, and the outer portion of the third elongated member being rotatable with respect to the inner portion of the third elongated member to permit the third elongated member to lie flat when the apparatus is stored; and c. a locking mechanism for securing the outer portion of the third elongated member at a fixed telescopic position with respect to the inner portion of the third elongated member; d. a first detent mechanism affixed to the outer end of the first elongated member, and a second detent mechanism affixed to the outer end of the second elongated member; e. a first cylindrical member having an inner end, an annular groove near the inner end with indentations spaced-apart along each said annular groove, and an outer end, the outer end of the first cylindrical member being located adjacent the outer end of the first elongated member and affixed to the L-shaped clasp of the first elongated member, and the inner end of the first cylindrical member being inserted rotatably into the recess of the first elongated member such that the first detent mechanism engages the annular groove of the first cylindrical member; and f. a second cylindrical member having an inner end, an annular groove near the inner end with indentations spaced-apart along said annular groove, and an outer end, the outer end of the second cylindrical member being located adjacent the outer end of the second elongated member and affixed to the L-shaped clasp of the second elongated member, and the inner end of the second cylindrical member being inserted rotatably into the recess of the second elongated member such that the second detent mechanism engages the annular groove of the second cylindrical member. 2. The immobilization apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said detent mechanism comprises: a. a tube that is interiorly threaded; and b. a screw with a protuberant end, the screw being threadedly received in the tube with the protuberant end extending beyond the tube; wherein the tube of the first detent mechanism protrudes inwardly into the first elongated member and engages the annular groove of the first cylindrical member such that the first cylindrical member cannot be removed from the first elongated member, the first cylindrical member and L-shaped clasp of the first elongated member being selectively prevented from rotating by threading the screw of the first detent mechanism inwardly such that the protuberant end of the screw of the first detent mechanism engages one of the indentations in the annular groove of the first cylindrical member, and wherein the tube of the second detent mechanism protrudes inwardly into the second elongated member and engages the annular groove of the second cylindrical member such that the second cylindrical member cannot be removed from the second elongated member, the second cylindrical member and L-shaped clasp of the second elongated member being selectively prevented from rotating by threading the screw of the second detent mechanism inwardly such that the protuberant end of the screw of the second detent mechanism engages one of the indentations in the annular groove of the second cylindrical member. 3. The immobilization apparatus of claim 2 wherein each said tube has a cross sectional extent and each said protuberant end has a cross sectional extent, the cross sectional extent of said each tube being smaller than the cross sectional extent of said each protuberant end whereby said protuberant ends cannot be threaded through said tubes. 4. The immobilization apparatus of claim 2 wherein a slot extends from each said annular groove to the inner end of one of said cylindrical members along a portion of a perimeter of said annular groove such that one of said tubes can pass through the slot, for removing one of said cylindrical member from the elongated member. 5. An immobilization apparatus for a vehicle having a wheel with a tire, the apparatus comprising: a. a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each said elongated member having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end of the first elongated member and the inner end of the second elongated member being connected together and the outer ends thereof being angularly spaced apart, said each elongated member having an L-shaped clasp at the outer end thereof for grasping the tire, each said clasp being rotatable about the outer end of one of said elongated members to permit said elongated members to lie flat when the apparatus is stored; b. a third elongated member having an inner portion and an outer portion, the third elongated member extending outwardly from the inner ends of the first and second elongated members and the third elongated member being angularly spaced-apart from the first and second elongated members, the inner portion of the third elongated member being tubular and the outer portion of the third elongated member being telescopically received therein, the outer portion of the third elongated member having an outer end with an L-shaped clasp, and the outer portion of the third elongated member being rotatable with respect to the inner portion of the third elongated member to permit the third elongated member to lie flat when the apparatus is stored; c. a locking mechanism for securing the outer portion of the third elongated member at a fixed telescopic position with respect to the inner portion of the third elongated member; d. a wheel fastener cover comprising a disc with a flange and a projection mounted on the disc and said projection extending in a direction opposite the flange, the wheel fastener cover being operable to prevent access to a wheel fastener by a tool, and the wheel fastener cover being adjustably connected to the first and second elongated members adjacent to the inner ends thereof for fitting different size wheels; and e. a slot in the third elongated member that engages the projection of the wheel fastener cover. 6. The immobilization apparatus of claim 5 wherein the projection is mounted off-center with respect to the disc, providing adjustable spacing between the disc and the inner ends of the first and second elongated members when the disc is rotated to two different rotational positions relative to the first and second members. 7. The immobilization, apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a spacer with an inner end and an outer end, the inner end engaging the projection and the outer end engaging the slot of the third elongated member to accommodate different size wheels. 8. The immobilization apparatus of claim 7 wherein the spacer is a sleeve. 9. The immobilization apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a flexible member attaching the spacer to the disc. 10. An immobilization apparatus for a vehicle having a wheel with a tire, the apparatus comprising: a. a first elongated member and a second elongated member, each said elongated member having an inner end and an outer end, the inner end of the first elongated member and the inner end of the second elongated member being connected together and the outer ends thereof being angularly spaced apart, said each elongated member having an L-shaped clasp at the outer end thereof for grasping the tire, each said clasp being rotatable about the outer end of one of said elongated members to permit said elongated members to lie flat when the apparatus is stored wherein the L-shaped, clasp of the first elongated member is rotatable about an axis of rotation That is parallel to the first elongated member, and the L-shaped clasp of the second elongated member is rotatable about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the second elongated member; b. a third elongated member having an inner portion and an outer portion, the third elongated member extending outwardly from the inner ends of the first and second elongated members and the third elongated member being angularly spaced-apart from the first and second elongated members, the inner portion of the third elongated member being tubular and the outer portion of the third elongated member being telescopically received therein, the outer portion of the third elongated member having an outer end with an L-shaped clasp, and the outer portion of the third elongated member being rotatable with respect to the inner portion of the third elongated member to permit the third elongated member to lie flat when the apparatus is stored; and c. a locking mechanism for securing the outer portion of the third elongated member at a fixed telescopic position with respect to the inner portion of the third elongated member.