Wheel Clamps

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Wheel clamps, otherwise known as wheel boots or Denver boots, are clamps used to secure the wheels and prevent a vehicle from moving. The wheel clamp is designed in such a way that the clamp cannot be removed, neither can the wheel. There is usually a cover that goes over the center of the wheel, where the bolts are located, preventing the owner, or anyone, from just removing the wheel along with the clamp and replacing it with a spare tire.

The wheel clamp has a couple of purposes. One is to secure a caravan, or trailer, to prevent it from being stolen by a criminal or moving by its self. This is also used in cars to prevent car napping or simply by dads who do not want their children to get away with the car, especially if they have spare keys or know how to hot wire their car.

The second purpose is more on the legal side. It is used to help prevent illegal parking in the city. Wheel clamps are installed on illegally parked cars so that the owner cannot get away until the authorities arrive; usually bringing with them a hefty fine. Removing or damaging the wheel clamps in any way is considered a criminal offense. It is considered damaging public property which results in more fines.

The wheel clamp, originally called the auto immobilizer, was created in 1944 by Frank Marugg. It was also patented in 1958. Mr. Marugg was a friend of politicians and cops in Denver. The police station was facing a growing problem of parking enforcement. The city used to tow away almost all of the parking violators to the city pound. Unfortunately they were often vandalized there by jokers lurking around. So naturally the vehicle owners sued the city for damages. A policeman, Dan Stills, thought that immobilizing the vehicle and coming back for the owner later would be more cost efficient and time saving. It would not damage the vehicle in any way. He approached Marugg with this idea, and Marugg designed the clamps.

Since the wheel clamp is available to the general public, there are often controversies caused by this. Property owners sometimes clamped vehicles who parked in their property and asking the vehicle owner for fines to remove the clamp. This is a form of extortion and is not allowed in many places, but still people are doing it resulting in other forms of trouble.