Locks – Special application – For automotive vehicles
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-07-10
Gall, Lloyd A. (Department: 3627)
Locks
Special application
For automotive vehicles
C070S056000, C070S260000, C070S417000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257032
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a rear mounted spare tire lock and more particularly pertains to preventing the theft of a spare tire that is mounted on the back of a vehicle.
The use of vehicle anti-theft devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, vehicle anti-theft devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of preventing theft are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,963 to Tafoya discloses a spare tire locking device capable of being inserted through the spare tire access hole and being secured with a padlock. U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,995 to Austin discloses a spare tire lock comprised of a bracket assembly allowing the shackle of a padlock to pass through a slot in the bracket. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,060,912 to Guarr and 5,718,411 to Baughan disclose additional anti-theft device for vehicle spare tires.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a rear mounted spare tire lock for preventing the theft of a spare tire that is mounted on the back of a vehicle.
In this respect, the rear mounted spare tire lock according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of preventing the theft of a spare tire that is mounted on the back of a vehicle.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock which can be used for preventing the theft of a spare tire that is mounted on the back of a vehicle. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of vehicle anti-theft devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved rear mounted spare tire lock. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises an angle iron positionable over the mounting aperture of the spare tire. The angle iron has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines an interior of an angle. The outer surface defines an exterior of an angle. The angle iron is positionable with the inner surface facing the mounting aperture of the spare tire. A padlock is coupled with respect to the angle iron. The padlock includes a shackle portion and a locking portion. The shackle portion has an inverted U-shaped configuration defined by a pair of vertical segments and an arched upper segment. The pair of vertical segments each have lower ends. The lower end of a first vertical segment is fixedly coupled to the locking portion. The lower end of a second vertical segment is removably coupled with the locking portion. The first vertical segment is secured to the inner surface of the angle iron. The padlock is extendable through the mounting aperture of the spare tire with the second vertical segment extending through the aperture of the mounting bracket for securing to the mounting bracket in a locked orientation.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock which has all the advantages of the prior art vehicle anti-theft devices and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock which is of durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a rear mounted spare tire lock economically available to the buying public.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock for preventing the theft of a spare tire that is mounted on the back of a vehicle.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved rear mounted spare tire lock including an angle iron positionable over the mounting aperture of the spare tire. A padlock is coupled with respect to the angle iron. The padlock includes a shackle portion and a locking portion. The padlock is extendable through the mounting aperture of the spare tire and extending through the aperture of the mounting bracket for securing to the mounting bracket in a locked orientation.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1384982 (1921-07-01), Walker
patent: 1423194 (1922-07-01), Corbett
patent: 1425817 (1922-08-01), Wasserfallen
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patent: 1570477 (1926-01-01), Godshalk
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patent: 1635711 (1927-07-01), Fraim
patent: 4282995 (1981-08-01), Austin
patent: 4526021 (1985-07-01), Princell
patent: 4751833 (1988-06-01), Stumpf, Jr.
patent: 4878366 (1989-11-01), Cox
patent: 4998422 (1991-03-01), Borgmann et al.
patent: 5060912 (1991-10-01), Guarr
patent: 5303569 (1994-04-01), Wright
patent: 5426963 (1995-06-01), Tafoya et al.
patent: 5718411 (1998-02-01), Baughan et al.
patent: 969993 (1975-06-01), None
patent: 515977 (1921-04-01), None
patent: 1254523 (1971-11-01), None
Gall Lloyd A.
Goldstein Law Offices P.C.
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