US Patent 7392674 Lug nut locking device

A lug nut locking device is provided to prevent theft of vehicle wheels. The locking device includes a collar adapted to fit over the lug nut. A tube fits within the collar and has a threaded first end to threadably mount onto the lug bolt. The second end of the tube has an opening to receive a tool to tighten the tube onto the lug bolt. A lock cylinder slides into the tube and has a tab extendable by a key into a recess within the tube to lock the cylinder in the tube. A decorative cap frictionally fits over the collar to cover the lock cylinder. The collar and cap spin freely about the lug nut, to prevent use of a wrench while the lock device is mounted on the lug nut and bolt assembly.