Folding anti-theft device

1. An antitheft device comprising a plurality of interlinked arm members, each of which exhibits a cross sectional distance of 8 mm or more;

at least one pair of opposing, saddle washers between at least one interconnection of two arm members;

at least one security washer exhibiting opposing countersink portions therein that receive a saddle washer on each side thereof, wherein each security washer exhibits a shaped profile edge comprising counter-sloping sections that meet in an acute or obtuse angle at substantially a vertical mid-point of said security washer.

2. An antitheft device according to claim 1 wherein each of said arm members exhibits a hardness within the range of HRC 30-68.

3. An antitheft device according to claim 1 further comprising a lock secured to one of the arm members and exhibiting an opening into which a second arm member can be inserted and secured therein.

4. An antitheft device according to claim 1 wherein each saddle washer exhibits a hardness at least as high as HRC 30.

5. An antitheft device according to claim 1 further comprising a rivet exhibiting a hardness of at least HRC 30, said rivet connecting a pair of said arm members.

6. An antitheft device according to claim 1 wherein the arm member include:

(a) a plurality of first rod members exhibiting a transverse hole at each end of said rod member;

(b) a plurality of saddle washers exhibiting a curved concave side that fits over ends of said first rod members, a planar side opposite said curved side, and a transverse opening through said planar side and said curved side and dimensioned to allow a rivet to pass therethrough and connect said first rod members in a pivotable joint on a plane where planar sides of opposing saddle washers meet;

(c) a second rod member exhibiting a transverse hole at each end of said second rod member, wherein a first end of said second rod member is connected to an end of a first rod member by a rivet and said saddle washers in a planar, pivotable joint,

(d) a third rod member exhibiting a transverse hole at each end of said third rod member, wherein a first end of said third rod member is connected to an end of a first rod member by a rivet and said saddle washers in a planar, pivotable joint,

wherein each of the rivets is dimensioned to pass through the holes at each end of two rod members as well as the saddle washers located between the rod members, and wherein each rivet is deformed in place so as to permanently connect the ends of said first two rod members in a planar, pivotable joint; and

(e) a locking device that is permanently secured to a second end of the third rod member through said transverse hole in said second end, said locking device exhibiting a lateral opening dimensioned to receive and lockably secure a second end of said second rod member,

wherein each of the rod members, saddle washers, and rivets exhibits a hardness of at least 30 HRC.

7. An antitheft device according to claim 6 wherein all rod members exhibit a circular cross section profile and have a diameter of at least 10 mm.

8. An antitheft device comprising:

a plurality of interlinked arm members, each of which exhibits a cross sectional distance of 8 mm or more;

at least one pair of opposing, saddle washers between at least one interconnection of two arm members,

at least one security washer exhibiting opposing countersink portions therein that receive a saddle washer on each side thereof; and

a lock secured to one of the arm members and exhibiting an opening into which a second arm member can be inserted and secured therein.

9. An antitheft device according to claim 8 wherein the arm member include:

(a) a plurality of first rod members exhibiting a transverse hole at each end of said rod member;

(b) a plurality of saddle washers exhibiting a curved concave side that fits over ends of said first rod members, a planar side opposite said curved side, and a transverse opening through said planar side and said curved side and dimensioned to allow a rivet to pass therethrough and connect said first rod members in a pivotable joint on a plane where planar sides of opposing saddle washers meet;

(c) a second rod member exhibiting a transverse hole at each end of said second rod member, wherein a first end of said second rod member is connected to an end of a first rod member by a rivet through said saddle washers in a planar, pivotable joint,

(d) a third rod member exhibiting a transverse hole at each end of said third rod member, wherein a first end of said third rod member is connected to an end of a first rod member by a rivet through said saddle washers in a planar, pivotable joint,

wherein each of said rivets is dimensioned to pass through holes at each end of two rod members as well as saddle washers located between rod members, and each rivet has been deformed in place so as to permanently connect ends of rod members in a planar, pivotable joint; and

(e) wherein the lock includes a locking device that is permanently secured to a second end of the third rod member through said transverse hole in said second end, said locking device exhibiting a lateral opening dimensioned to receive and lockably secure a second end of said second rod member,

wherein each of the rod members, saddle washers, and rivets exhibits a hardness of at least 30 HRC.

10. An antitheft device according to claim 9 wherein all rod members exhibit a circular cross section profile and have a diameter of at least 10 mm.