CA2561428A1 - Hitch lock - Google Patents
Hitch lock Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2561428A1 CA2561428A1 CA 2561428 CA2561428A CA2561428A1 CA 2561428 A1 CA2561428 A1 CA 2561428A1 CA 2561428 CA2561428 CA 2561428 CA 2561428 A CA2561428 A CA 2561428A CA 2561428 A1 CA2561428 A1 CA 2561428A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hitch
- base component
- lock
- component
- locking means
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60D—VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
- B60D1/00—Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices
- B60D1/58—Auxiliary devices
- B60D1/60—Covers, caps or guards, e.g. comprising anti-theft devices
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
A hitch lock has a base component and a cover component overlapping the base component.
The base component is mechanically fastened to the tow bar in a permanent fashion or can even extend integrally therefrom. A locking means passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component. The locking means being in the guise of a pin passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component. The pin being configured and sized at one end so as to not pass through the holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock the pin in place.
The base component is mechanically fastened to the tow bar in a permanent fashion or can even extend integrally therefrom. A locking means passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component. The locking means being in the guise of a pin passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component. The pin being configured and sized at one end so as to not pass through the holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock the pin in place.
Description
Hitch lo.ck F~õp OF THE,,~IVEIr[T_1CIN
[001] The invention relates generally to hitching devices but more particularly to a Iocking cover to protect against tampering of a ball hitch and the hitch attached to it.
~ACKGROUND OF THE IfWIEpIT_LON
[001] The invention relates generally to hitching devices but more particularly to a Iocking cover to protect against tampering of a ball hitch and the hitch attached to it.
~ACKGROUND OF THE IfWIEpIT_LON
(002) There are many cases of trailer theft and the simple lock placed on existing tow bars is insufficient_ Therefore many boxlike devices have been developed over the years to protect the locking means of a tow bar ].Q which sits atop a ball hi#ch.
[0031 The problem with most of those devices is that they use standard padlocks which can be disabled or there are easy ways of ripping off the covers to gain access to the hitch. Since a lot of thefts occur when the trailer is not hitched to the towing vehicle, some thieves simply use the 1S safety chains and attach them to their hitch so that even if the hitch is not attached to the hitch ball, they can do a quick escape with the trailer and then, at a later time, use a welding tomh to remove the protective box.
[004] There is therefore a need for a better anti theft device for trailers.
SUMMARY OF rtyVENõT_LaN_ 5[005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:
[0061 To have detachable chains with attachments located inside the protective box.
[007] To have a locking device that cannot be cut because it is integrated within the box.
[008] To have a box that protects the hitch against tampering.
15[009] To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a base component 2and a cover component overlapping the base component.
The base component is mechanically fastened to the tow bar in a permanent fashion or can even extend integralty #herefrom. A locking means passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component_ The locking means being in the guise of a pin passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component_ The pin being configured and sixed at one end so as to not pass through the holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock the pin in place.
5[0O1.01 There has thus been outlined, rather brnadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated_ There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto_ [00111 In this respect, befbre explaining at least one embodiment of the inverrtion in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0012.1 As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disdosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0013] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and fnrming a part of this discfosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific Qbjects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
I3RIEF DESCRfPTION QY THE DBAWIMGS
15[0014] Fig. I Perspective view of the hitch lock over a tow bar_ [0015] Fig. 2 Perspective view showing only the lower component on a tow bar.
(0016] Fig. 3abc Top, frant, and side views of the hitch lock over a tow bar, respectively.
sc ohi [00J.7:1 A hitch lock (10) used for covering a tow bar (11), more specifically the hitch (13) area, has a base component (12) and a cover component (14) overlapping the base component (12). The base component (12) is 5 mechanically attached to the tow bar (11) in a permannet fashion, while the cover component (14) is either fully nemovable (as shown here) or hingedly attached (not shown) to either the base component (12) or the tow bar (11). The base cornponent (12), besides being welded to the tow bar (11) could be mechnically fastened to the tow bar (11) by mechanical fasteners such as nuts and bolts (19) as illustrated in fig. 3b for example_ A locking means (16) in the guise of a pin (15) passes through holes (22) (only one shown) made into both the base component (12) and the cover component (14), thus locking them together, A J n bend (17) at one end of the pin (16) blocks it from passing through, and a lock (18), at the opposite end locks the pin (16) and prevents its withdrawaL With the pin (16) inserted and locked, ;the cover component (14) is no longer removable and the locking means (13) cannot be tampered with. Besides the a J bend, it should be obvious that other means such as a head at the end of the rod could save the same purpose, the R JD being shown here as an example_ [00.181 The pin (16) and the lock (18) are known in the art and are currently used as replacement to a retaining pin (not shown) for locking a ball hitch (not shown) to the rest of a vehicle's hitching device (not shown).
But when used with this hitch lock (10), the winglets(20) cover the lock (18) and the a J bend (17) so as to make it inaccessible to hacksaws, cutters, welding torches, and any other means that could tamper with the lock (18).
l00191 The tow bar (11) can have at least one releasable attachment means (24) welded or otherwise mechanically attached to it and which allows passage for chains (26), These chains (26) are well known in the art and are used as safety backup. They are usually welded to the two bar (11).
By thus making the chains (26) releasably attached from inside the hftch lock (10), they can be removed and stowed away but more importantly, a thief cannot attach chains to the releasable attachment means (24) when the cover component (14) is locked.
r00201 A typical method of use would be for a user to park his trailer (not shown), unlock= the hitch lock (10), move the cover component (14), remove the chains (26) from both the releasable attachment means (24) and the vehicle's hitching device (not shown), disengage the hitch (13) and move the tow bar (11) away, reinstall the cover component (14) and lor,k it. The chains (26), still a#kached to the vehicle's hitching device (not shown) can then be removed and stowed away for later use.
[0031 The problem with most of those devices is that they use standard padlocks which can be disabled or there are easy ways of ripping off the covers to gain access to the hitch. Since a lot of thefts occur when the trailer is not hitched to the towing vehicle, some thieves simply use the 1S safety chains and attach them to their hitch so that even if the hitch is not attached to the hitch ball, they can do a quick escape with the trailer and then, at a later time, use a welding tomh to remove the protective box.
[004] There is therefore a need for a better anti theft device for trailers.
SUMMARY OF rtyVENõT_LaN_ 5[005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are:
[0061 To have detachable chains with attachments located inside the protective box.
[007] To have a locking device that cannot be cut because it is integrated within the box.
[008] To have a box that protects the hitch against tampering.
15[009] To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a base component 2and a cover component overlapping the base component.
The base component is mechanically fastened to the tow bar in a permanent fashion or can even extend integralty #herefrom. A locking means passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component_ The locking means being in the guise of a pin passing through holes made into both the base component and the cover component_ The pin being configured and sixed at one end so as to not pass through the holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock the pin in place.
5[0O1.01 There has thus been outlined, rather brnadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated_ There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto_ [00111 In this respect, befbre explaining at least one embodiment of the inverrtion in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0012.1 As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disdosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0013] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and fnrming a part of this discfosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific Qbjects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
I3RIEF DESCRfPTION QY THE DBAWIMGS
15[0014] Fig. I Perspective view of the hitch lock over a tow bar_ [0015] Fig. 2 Perspective view showing only the lower component on a tow bar.
(0016] Fig. 3abc Top, frant, and side views of the hitch lock over a tow bar, respectively.
sc ohi [00J.7:1 A hitch lock (10) used for covering a tow bar (11), more specifically the hitch (13) area, has a base component (12) and a cover component (14) overlapping the base component (12). The base component (12) is 5 mechanically attached to the tow bar (11) in a permannet fashion, while the cover component (14) is either fully nemovable (as shown here) or hingedly attached (not shown) to either the base component (12) or the tow bar (11). The base cornponent (12), besides being welded to the tow bar (11) could be mechnically fastened to the tow bar (11) by mechanical fasteners such as nuts and bolts (19) as illustrated in fig. 3b for example_ A locking means (16) in the guise of a pin (15) passes through holes (22) (only one shown) made into both the base component (12) and the cover component (14), thus locking them together, A J n bend (17) at one end of the pin (16) blocks it from passing through, and a lock (18), at the opposite end locks the pin (16) and prevents its withdrawaL With the pin (16) inserted and locked, ;the cover component (14) is no longer removable and the locking means (13) cannot be tampered with. Besides the a J bend, it should be obvious that other means such as a head at the end of the rod could save the same purpose, the R JD being shown here as an example_ [00.181 The pin (16) and the lock (18) are known in the art and are currently used as replacement to a retaining pin (not shown) for locking a ball hitch (not shown) to the rest of a vehicle's hitching device (not shown).
But when used with this hitch lock (10), the winglets(20) cover the lock (18) and the a J bend (17) so as to make it inaccessible to hacksaws, cutters, welding torches, and any other means that could tamper with the lock (18).
l00191 The tow bar (11) can have at least one releasable attachment means (24) welded or otherwise mechanically attached to it and which allows passage for chains (26), These chains (26) are well known in the art and are used as safety backup. They are usually welded to the two bar (11).
By thus making the chains (26) releasably attached from inside the hftch lock (10), they can be removed and stowed away but more importantly, a thief cannot attach chains to the releasable attachment means (24) when the cover component (14) is locked.
r00201 A typical method of use would be for a user to park his trailer (not shown), unlock= the hitch lock (10), move the cover component (14), remove the chains (26) from both the releasable attachment means (24) and the vehicle's hitching device (not shown), disengage the hitch (13) and move the tow bar (11) away, reinstall the cover component (14) and lor,k it. The chains (26), still a#kached to the vehicle's hitching device (not shown) can then be removed and stowed away for later use.
[00211 As to a further discussion of ttte manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above descripfion. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
f0022] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the ar#, and aFt equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifir.ation are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0023] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
f0022] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the ar#, and aFt equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifir.ation are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0023] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims (8)
1. A hitch lock used for covering the locking means of a tow bar comprising:
a base component and a cover component overlapping said base component;
a locking means passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component
a base component and a cover component overlapping said base component;
a locking means passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component
2. A hitch lock as in claim 1 wherein:
said base component is mechanically attached to said tow bar in a permannet fashion.
said base component is mechanically attached to said tow bar in a permannet fashion.
3. A hitch lock as in claim 1 wherein:
said locking means being in the guise of a pin passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component.
said locking means being in the guise of a pin passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component.
4. A hitch lock as in claim 3 wherein:
said pin being configured and sized at one end so as to not pass through said holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock said pin in place.
said pin being configured and sized at one end so as to not pass through said holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock said pin in place.
5. A hitch lock as in claim 1 wherein, at least one releasable attachment means welded or otherwise mechanically attached to said tow bar at a location within said hitch lock and which allows for releasable attachment of at least one chain.
6. A hitch lock used for covering the locking means of a tow bar comprising:
a base component and a cover component overlapping said base component;
a locking means passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component;
said base component is mechanically attached to said tow bar in a permannet fashion;
said locking means being in line guise of a pin passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component;said pin being configured and sized at one end so as to not pass through said holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock said pin in place;
at least one releasable attachment means welded or otherwise mechanically attached to said tow bar at a location within said hitch lock and which allows for releasable attachment of at least one chain.
a base component and a cover component overlapping said base component;
a locking means passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component;
said base component is mechanically attached to said tow bar in a permannet fashion;
said locking means being in line guise of a pin passing through holes made into both said base component and said cover component;said pin being configured and sized at one end so as to not pass through said holes and configured at its opposite end so as to receive a locking means to lock said pin in place;
at least one releasable attachment means welded or otherwise mechanically attached to said tow bar at a location within said hitch lock and which allows for releasable attachment of at least one chain.
7. A hitch lock as in claim 1 having the following method of use:
parking a trailer, unlocking said hitch lock, moving said cover component;
disengaging said hitch and moving said tow bar away;
reinstalling said cover component and locking it.
parking a trailer, unlocking said hitch lock, moving said cover component;
disengaging said hitch and moving said tow bar away;
reinstalling said cover component and locking it.
8. A hitch lock as in claim 6 having the following method of use:
parking a trailer, unlocking said hitch lock, moving said cover component, removing chains from both said releasable attachment means and users vehicle's hitching device; disengaging said hitch and moving said tow bar away; reinstalling said cover component and locking it.
parking a trailer, unlocking said hitch lock, moving said cover component, removing chains from both said releasable attachment means and users vehicle's hitching device; disengaging said hitch and moving said tow bar away; reinstalling said cover component and locking it.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2561428 CA2561428A1 (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2006-09-20 | Hitch lock |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2561428 CA2561428A1 (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2006-09-20 | Hitch lock |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2561428A1 true CA2561428A1 (en) | 2008-03-20 |
Family
ID=39190405
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2561428 Abandoned CA2561428A1 (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2006-09-20 | Hitch lock |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2561428A1 (en) |
-
2006
- 2006-09-20 CA CA 2561428 patent/CA2561428A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |