Coupler locking device and method
AssigneeCequent Trailer Products, Inc.
InventorTim Vander Koy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for closing the socket of a trailer hitch, generally called a coupler lock, generally comprises a locking bar and a base having a plug member, a locking bar-receiving aperture, and an integral locking means for lockingly engaging the locking bar within aperture. When the coupler lock is attached to a trailer coupler, the trailer hitch socket is not accessible without removing the coupler lock with the appropriate key. Thus, theft of an unattended trailer is deterred due to the difficulty in attempting to remove the locking device. Providing a coupler lock having an integral locking mechanism better deters the tampering with or removal of the locking mechanism to remove the coupler lock from the trailer hitch as is possible in the art.
Claims18
A device for closing the socket of a trailer hitch, said device comprising:
- a locking bar wherein at least a portion thereof rests on top of the trailer hitch socket;
- and
- a base comprising a plug member for receipt within said trailer hitch socket, a locking bar-receiving aperture, and an integral locking means for lockingly engaging said locking bar within said aperture.
A device for closing the socket of a trailer hitch, said device comprising:
- a locking bar wherein at least a portion thereof rests on top of the trailer hitch socket;
- and
- a base comprising a plug member for receipt within said trailer hitch socket, a locking bar-receiving aperture, and an integral lock for lockingly engaging said locking bar within said aperture.
A device for closing the socket of a trailer hitch member, said device comprising:
- a locking bar having a pair of arms, wherein at least a portion of said locking bar rests on top of the trailer hitch socket;
- a base comprising a plug member for receipt within the trailer hitch socket, a pair of arm-receiving apertures, and an integral lock for lockingly engaging a first said arm within a corresponding said arm-receiving aperture.
A device for closing the socket of a trailer hitch member, said device comprising:
- an inverted U-shaped locking bar having a pair of arms, wherein at least a portion of said locking bar rests on top of the trailer hitch socket;
- a base comprising a pair of arm-receiving apertures located therein, a plug member for receipt within the trailer hitch socket located intermediate said apertures, and an integral lock for lockingly engaging a first said arm within a corresponding said arm-receiving aperture.
A method for closing the socket of a trailer hitch member, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a locking bar;
- providing a base comprising a plug member, a locking bar-receiving aperture, and an integral lock;
- inserting said plug member into the trailer hitch socket;
- inserting a portion of said locking bar into said locking bar-receiving aperture, wherein a least a portion of said locking bar rests on top of said trailer hitch socket;
- and
- locking said locking bar within said locking bar-receiving aperture.
A method for closing the socket of a trailer hitch member, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting a plug member into a trailer hitch socket, said plug member being attached to a base having a pair of arm receiving apertures extending therethrough and an integral lock;
- providing an inverted, U-shaped locking bar having a pair of arms;
- inserting said pair of arms into said pair of arm receiving apertures, wherein a portion of said locking bar rests on top of said trailer hitch socket;
- and
- locking at least one said arm within at least one said aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.