Immobilizer History & Rhino’s Role
Wheel Immobilizers, (wheel
clamps) arrived on the scene with the advent of the introduction of the
automobile in the early 1900’s. The first immobilizers (auto boots) were
introduced to the market early on in the 20th Century, and were specifically
designed for private use as anti-theft or vehicle security devices for spoked
wheel automobiles. Virtually all automobiles in those days had large diameter
wooden spoked or wire wheels, like horse drawn carriages, which preceded
them. The first immobilizers or auto boots, were designed like ice tongs
and had protruding ends or rods that passed through the spokes of the automobile’s
wheels and locked in place. These devices were initially effective as vehicles
in those days were easy to start without keys and could not be locked as
most were of open carriage type design and easily stolen. Due to wheel
design changes over time, progression to solid rim designs, and the fact
that one could simply remove the wheel as the lug nuts were exposed on the
these first pincher or clamp style immobilizers whit the immobilizer in
place on the wheel, the early clamp style immobilizers soon disappeared from
the market place prior to WWII.
Wheel Immobilizer (Auto
Boot) Revival, switch from anit-theft to primary use as Enforcement devices.
The wheel immobilizer was revived shortly after World War II in Europe.
It was redesigned to incorporate either wheel chocks or wheel cover plates,
or both in some cases, such as the wheel lock device of today, and to prevent
removal of lug nuts and the wheel when the device was affixed to a wheel
of a vehicle, thus solving some of the inadequacies of the original pre-war
models and since at that time wheels had evolved to solid rim design with
no holes to use for attachment purposes, and as tires and wheels then were
also much wider in width and smaller in diameter. The original attachment
means of passing immobilizer end tips or rods through the wheel as in earlier
days designs, now obsolete, were changed, making the immobilizer a viable
product once again. The first new, after War, models were further outfitted
with jaw type wheel clamping jaws (jaw to jaw) which clamped onto the rim
of the wheel, at the outer edge of the wheels rim, and on both inside and
outside edges of the wheel. Theses devices were a hit for European Law
Enforcement Officials as parking problems and roadway congestion had created
a need for the device.
Rhino’s
Part in the USA Immobilizers History
Resurgence of the immobilizer
in the USA: Due to the success the Immobilizer had overseas, the concept
and idea originally started in the USA, with the advent and introduction
of the automobile, came full circle, and the immobilizer was reintroduced
to the US market in the early 1950’s in Denver Colorado by the Denver Boot
Company. At first, the immobilizer available in the USA was a lease only
product, available only to Municipalities, wherein the device was deployed
for Parking and Law Enforcement purposes and applications only. Shortly thereafter
competitors, Rhino being the first and having spun off of the Denver Boot
Company, opened up the market, and made the product available to everyone
who had a legitimate need for the device without requiring a lease for the
product. Rhino’s role was substantial in helping to evolve the immobilizer,
over time, to see ever-increasing deployment throughout all industries and
for all sorts of applications. Other companies and immobilizer products that
have come into existence over time (many out of business) are: Auto Kuff
by Hersey Products Inc., Palma Auto-Boot by Palma Inc., Double Helix, The
Duncan Boot, The Universal Boot by Sabodoin Manufacturing Inc., Spider Lock,
Rocol, Autoclamp, KarTek Auto Boot, Pit Bull Tire Locks, Denver Boot, Alpha
Lock and Wheelok. We are happy to report that the Rhino Vehicle Immobilizer
product by MITI Manufacturing Inc. is utilized today by US Military, Governmental
Agencies, Municipalities, Parking Facilities both Private and Commercial,
Shopping Centers, Factories, Schools, Colleges, Universities, Towing and
Recovery Companies, and again more than ever before for Security, and Anti-Theft,
Deterrent Applications. The list goes on and on and is ever expanding.
Rhino’s Commitment
Today, as in the past,
design is as important, if not more so than it ever! It all starts with
the wheel and tire, and its design, composition of material and style or
profile. Years of experience have gone into the development of the Rhino
Immobilizer line of products, which today offers more Series and Models
to select from, than any other immobilizer (boot) manufacturer today. No
matter what anyone tells you, no one immobilizer will fit any and all wheels
or applications! There are other considerations to make when purchasing
an immobilizer as well, such as, quality, ease of use, safety concerns, reparability,
strength, strength versus need, weight, long term durability, manufacturer’s
history and performance rating in the Industry/marketplace and services
provided and/or available. Also percentage of vehicle types and wheels the
immobilizer will fit and last but not least, cost versus effectiveness.
Rhino offers it all in one place with ongoing support, service, and vast
knowledge gained over time through providing proven product with proven
performance.
MITI since 1958 has continued development and evolved the Rhino Immobilizer
product line. We’ve introduced more patented products and innovations
than any other immobilizer manufacturer to date. All to insure that today’s
Rhino offering is the best product of its kind available in the market
place today. MITI Manufacturing Co., Inc. provides Vehicle Wheel Immobilizers
for virtually anything on wheels and for Security, Recovery, Anti-Theft,
Anti-Terrorism, Air Craft Security and Enforcement use and applications.
Truly “Immobilizers
for Anything on wheels!”
Don’t accept any substitute
“Insist on Rhino!”
US Patents: 6,032,497, 5,865,048, DES. 385,525
Other US & Foreign Patents Pending
© MITI Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Rhino
Home Page
|
