Vehicle lock

• US 7,467,530 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2006
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: New Hampton Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: New Hampton Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Xavier, Adam, Xavier, Eric, Torrado, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): BARRETT, SUZANNE LALE DINO
• Application Number:
  US11/350,573
• Publication Number:
  US 20070022791A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 70225-228, 702/37, 702/33, 702/09, 70 32- 34, 70/2, 70/56, 188/265
• US Class Current: 70/33
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/141 by means of sliding bolts removable B62H5/145
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/18 acting on a braking device locking cycle brake actuating mechanisms B62L3/06
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/36 Padlocks with closing means other than shackles ; Removable locks, the lock body itself being the locking element; Padlocks consisting of two separable halves or cooperating with a stud
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/441 Housing extension and cooperating detent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/498 Shields or canopies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5765 Rotary or swinging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5845 Spoke gap traversing type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5872 For cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles

Abstract

The vehicle brake-rotor lock includes a mounting bracket, and a lock mechanism, including at least one deadbolt shaft, which is preferably made of steel, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, boron, or any other dense metal, used to mechanically immobilize the vehicle. The bracket is preferably permanently attached to the protected vehicle. In a locked state, the deadbolt shaft extends through a cross-drilled ventilation hole or slot on the brake rotor of the vehicle, thereby preventing rotation of the brake rotor and the wheel. The lock mechanism preferably prevents any forward or rearward movement of the vehicle when engaged to allow for a heightened security for any vehicle using a disc braking system. In one embodiment, the lock mechanism is mechanically actuated. In another embodiment, the lock mechanism is electronically actuated.

Claims

1. A vehicle lock for a vehicle having at least one wheel or track having a brake rotor with a plurality of ventilation holes or slots, the vehicle lock comprising:

a lock body mounted to the vehicle in both a locked state and an unlocked state, the lock body comprising a locking pin; and

a brake bolt comprising a brake bolt body and at least one deadbolt shaft, the brake bolt body is adapted to circumferentially receive the locking pin and mounted in the lock body in the locked state;

wherein in the unlocked state the brake bolt is removed from the lock body for operation of the vehicle;

wherein in the locked state the deadbolt shaft is biased to extend into at least one of the plurality of ventilation holes or slots, thereby preventing rotation of the brake rotor and the wheel or track;

wherein the brake bolt is rotatable and unremoveable while the locking pin is extended to be circumferentially received in the brake bolt body.

2. The vehicle lock of claim 1, wherein the lock body is permanently mounted to the vehicle.

3. The vehicle lock of claim 1, wherein the lock body replaces a caliper housing or a caliper mounting bracket of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle lock of claim 1, wherein the brake bolt further comprises:

a brake bolt body have a central bore; and

a deadbolt spring located in the central bore and biasing the deadbolt shaft outward from the brake bolt body;

wherein the deadbolt shaft extends from the central bore.

5. The vehicle lock of claim 4, wherein the brake bolt further comprises a keychain loop mounted to the brake bolt body.

6. The vehicle lock of claim 4 further comprising said locking pin located in the lock body is biased toward the brake bolt body by a locking pin spring.

7. The vehicle lock of claim 6 further comprising a lock cylinder actuated between a lock position and an unlock position by a key such that in the lock position, the lock cylinder allows the locking pin to extend to lock the brake bolt in the brake bolt body.

8. The vehicle lock of claim 4, wherein the lock body flanks both sides of at least a part of the brake rotor such that in the locked state the deadbolt shaft extends from the brake bolt body through the at least one ventilation hole or slot and into a recess in the brake body.

9. The vehicle lock of claim 8, wherein the deadbolt shaft extends through a first bushing at the end of the brake bolt and in the locked state the deadbolt shaft extends into a second bushing in the recess.

10. The vehicle lock of claim 1, wherein the deadbolt shaft is sized such that in the locked state all fore and aft movement of the wheel or track is prevented.

11. The vehicle lock of claim 1, wherein the vehicle lock is mechanically actuated by a key.

12. The vehicle lock of claim 1, wherein the deadbolt shaft is made of a material selected from the group consisting of:

a) steel;

b) hardened steel;

c) stainless steel;

d) tungsten;

e) titanium, and

f) boron.

13. The vehicle of lock of claim 1 further comprising at least one light-emitting diode mounted to the vehicle lock for indicating whether the lock is in the locked state or the unlocked state.

14. A method of providing a vehicle lock for a vehicle having at least one wheel or track with a caliper mounting bracket or caliper housing and a brake rotor having a plurality of ventilation holes or slots, the method comprising the steps of:

a) mounting a lock body to the vehicle in both a locked state and an unlocked state, the lock body comprising a locking pin; and

b) removing a brake bolt from the lock body to place the vehicle lock in the unlocked state for operation of the vehicle;

wherein the brake bolt comprises a brake bolt body and at least one deadbolt shaft, the brake bolt body adapted to circumferentially receive a locking pin such that the brake bolt is rotatable and unremoveable while the locking pin is extended; and

wherein the deadbolt shaft is biased to extend into at least one of the plurality of ventilation holes or slots to lock the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of inserting a brake bolt into the lock body to place the vehicle lock in the locked state.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of operating the vehicle in an unlocked state with the brake bolt removed from the lock body.