Trailer locking system
AssigneeProductSource LLC
InventorsMark Gilbertson, Edward Raleigh, Charles Russell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer hitch locking system is provided for securing a trailer while hitched to a vehicle or protecting the trailer from theft while unhitched. The locking system includes a hitch lock, a ball lock, and a receiver pin lock.
Claims12
A trailer socket lock for a trailer hitch, the trailer hitch having:
- i. a ball socket defined within a socket cover,
- ii. a clamping member movable in the socket to restrain a hitch ball in the socket, and
- iii. a lift catch outside the socket cover actuatable by a user to move the clamping member within the socket, the lift catch having a locking passageway wherein a locking pin may be inserted to prevent its actuation, the socket lock comprising:
- a. an elongated locking pin having a head and an opposing locking end;
- b. a locking mechanism having a receiving aperture wherein the locking end of the locking pin may be selectively fixed;
- c. an L-shaped body which first extends from the locking mechanism, and then extends toward the locking mechanism to terminate in a tongue which extends towards the locking pin when the locking pin is fixed within the receiving aperture of the locking mechanism;
- wherein the socket lock may be situated in a locked state with:
- (1) its locking pin extending through the locking passageway of the lift catch and being fixed within the receiving aperture of the locking mechanism, and
- (2) its locking mechanism and body situated adjacent one side of the lift catch with the body:
- (a) in a blocking state extending alongside the socket cover with its tongue situated within the ball socket, or
- (b) in a non-blocking state extending atop the socket cover, with the socket cover situated between the body and the ball socket.
The trailer socket lock of claim 1 wherein the body first extends away from the locking mechanism in a direction at least substantially perpendicular to the length of the locking pin when the locking pin is secured within the receiving aperture of the locking mechanism.
- 6.The trailer socket lock of claim 5 wherein the body then extends for a parallel length spaced from, and oriented at least substantially parallel to, the length of the locking pin when the locking pin is secured within the receiving aperture of the locking mechanism.
The trailer socket lock of claim 6 wherein the tongue then extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the parallel length of the body.
A trailer socket lock for a trailer hitch, the trailer hitch having:
- i. a ball socket defined within a socket cover,
- ii. a clamping member movable in the socket to restrain a hitch ball in the socket, and
- iii. a lift catch outside the socket cover actuatable by a user to move the clamping member within the socket, the lift catch having a locking passageway wherein a locking pin may be fit to prevent its actuation,
- the trailer socket lock comprising;
- a. an elongated locking pin having a head and an opposing locking end,
- b. a locking mechanism having a receiving aperture wherein the locking end may be selectively fixed,
- c. a body extending from the locking mechanism, and
- d. a lower leg spaced from the locking mechanism and extending from the body,
- wherein the locking pin may be fit within the locking passageway with its locking end fixed to the locking mechanism, with the locking mechanism and body situated on one side of the lift catch opposite the head, with the body being selectively located to extend adjacent and outside the socket cover:
- (1) with the lower leg positioned adjacent to the ball socket and blocking the insertion of a hitch ball therein, or
- (2) with the lower leg positioned adjacent to the socket cover, with the socket cover situated between the lower leg and the ball socket,
- and wherein the lower leg is restrained from moving between these positions without removal of the locking pin due to interference with the socket cover.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.