GB2289247A

GB2289247A - Hitch coupling security device

Info

Publication number: GB2289247A
Application number: GB9509717A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martyn James Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-13
Filing date: 1995-05-12
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Also published as: GB9509717D0; GB9409605D0

Abstract

A security device 21 for a hitch coupling having a hand brake lever 12 includes a tube 22 having an aperture 26 for receipt of the lever 12, a key-operated lock 23 adjustably securing a part 24 in the tube 22. Device 21 includes a cover 25 for hitch bolts 16. Spacers 30 prevent removal of cover 25 and removal of part 22 from lever 12 until lock 23 is released. The parts 22, 23, 24 can be used with a lockable hitch cover. <IMAGE>

Description

SECURITY DEVICES THIS INVENTION relates to security devices.

According to this invention a security device for a hitch coupling comprises means releasably co-operable with a hand brake lever of the coupling for holding the hand brake in the applied condition.

The means may comprise a part which can receive the hand brake lever, and adjustable means co-operable with the part and the coupling, and lock means for holding the adjusting means in a selected position of adjustment.

The adjustable means may include a portion which, in the selected position, covers hitch bolts of the coupling.

The device may include structure secured to a hitch head of the coupling for resisting movement of the device which would enable the hand brake to move or be moved to a position in which the brake is not applied.

The releasably co-operable means may be attached to a lockable hitch cover. Preferably the hitch cover can be locked both when the coupling is hitched and when the coupling is unhitched.

The invention may be performed in various ways and one specific embodiment with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying somewhat diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a hitch coupling; Fig. 2 is a side view similar to Fig. 1 with security device; and Fig. 3 is a side view of part of a modification.

The drawings show a hitch coupling 10 for example attached to the front of a mobile caravan 11 and comprising hand brake lever 12, and a hitch head 13 for removably attaching the coupling to a tow bar at the rear of a towing vehicle for example a car. The head 13 may for example have a recess 14 in its underface for receipt of a ball towing part of the tow bar. A hitch fairing or decorative cover 15 is provided and hitch bolts 16 connect a front hitch part 17 to a rear hitch part 18. A lifting handle 19 is secured to part 17. A rubber cover or gaiter 20 is provided.

In the present case, a security device 21 is provided for resisting removal or towing of the caravan 11.

The device 21 is designed releasably to hold the hand brake lever 12 in a position in which the hand brake is applied and effective.

The device 21 comprises a first elongate hollow tubular part 22 including an aperture 26 allowing the part 22 to be slid downwards over the hand brake lever 12. The part 22 carries a keyoperated security dead lock 23 which can co-operate with a lock part on an L-shaped bar 24 attached to a cover 25. As the device 21 is lowered, the cover 25, which extends on both sides of the head 13, embraces the gaiter 20. Spacers 30 indicated schematically are held in place by bolts 16 which are first released to allow the spacers to be inserted, and then re-tightened. The bar 24 telescopes in the tube 22 and the bar 24 and cover 25 are slid outwards over the hitch head until the cover 25 is over the bolts 16 and spacers and the lock 23 can be engaged. Engagement of the cover 25 with the spacers 30 prevents the device 21 being raised or moved to the right from the Fig. 2 poSition. In the locked position the cover 25 prevents access to the bolts 16. In this position the hand brake is applied and cannot be released except by unlocking the lock 23 and moving the bar 24 into the tube 22 and raising the device 21, the cover 25 moving out of engagement with spacers 30, whereupon the device 21 can be moved off the lever 12.

Fig. 3 shows a modification in which part 21 is fixed to a hitch cover 40 having a top 41 and spaced side plates 42 for embracing a hitch coupling and including a plate 43 removably supported on inner plates on the side plates. The plate 43 can be locked in the cover 40 by a spindle extending through tube on the plate 43 and aligned apertures 44 in the plates 42 and receiving a key-operated spindle lock (not shown) to hold the plate 43 in place beneath the coupling.

The lockable cover 40 can be used either with the coupling connected to the tow ball, in which case the plate 43 is in one position with an aperture 45 at one end permitting access of the ball to a socket in the coupling; and also with the coupling unhitched, In which case the plate 43 is removed and reversed and re-inserted in cover 40 so that access to the hitch socket is blocked by part of the plate 43. The cover 40 can thus be locked in position on the hitch coupling and locked in relation to the hand brake.

The coupling can be secured to articles other than a caravan e.g. a trailer.

Claims

1. A security device for a hitch coupling comprising means releasably co-operable with a hand brake lever of the coupling for holding the hand brake in the applied condition.

2. A security device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the means comprises a part which can receive the hand brake lever, and adjustable means co-operable with the part and the coupling, and lock means for holding the adjusting means in a selected position of adjustment.

3. A security device as claimed in Claim 2, in which the adjustable means includes a portion which, in the selected position, covers hitch bolts of the coupling.

4. A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, including structure secured to a hitch head of the coupling for resisting movement of the device which would enable the hand brake to move or be moved to a position in which the brake is not applied.

5. A security device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the releasably co-operable means is attached to a lockable hitch cover.

6. A security device as claimed in Claim 5, in which the hitch cover can be locked both when the coupling is hitched and when the coupling is unhitched.

7. A security device for a hitch coupling substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.