GB1222681A - Trailer hitch lock - Google Patents

Abstract

1,222,681. Hitch socket locks; ball-and-socket couplings. E. R. LONGENECKER. 4 March, 1968, No. 10283/68. Headings B7J and B7T. [Also in Division E2] A lock arrangement to prevent unauthorized use of a hitch socket 15 formed with fixed and movable portions 16, 18 respectively, comprises a substitute ball 10 insertable into the socket and retained therein by a set screw 34 operable by a key 36 from a recess 40, said recess being adapted to be filled by a key operated lock body 42 to prevent access to the set screw. A stud 48 extending from the lock body is adapted to engage in a hole in the base of recess 40 and a hole in the body 42 will be engaged by a notched bar 50. In an alternative method of fitting the lock body when the portion 18 of the socket is raised by means of a lever 22, a pivoted dog 32 is used in conjunction with the ball 10 to occupy the socket. The set screw 34 then occupies the first part 38 of the threaded aperture in which it moves and bears on the dog which in turn bears on a face 13. In a modification, Fig. 8, the lock fits around the socket. A lug 66 on the lock base 64 extends into the socket and with the set screw in the position shown the lock is retained on the socket. A lock body 74 is used to prevent access to the set screw. In Fig. 10, a towing ring is maintained against unauthorized use by retaining together by a set screw 90 two annular discs, one on either side of the ring. The screw is reached through a recess 100 which in use of the lock is filled by a lock body 102.