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WO1996005989A1 - Dispositif de securite pour remorque de vehicule - Google Patents

Dispositif de securite pour remorque de vehicule Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1996005989A1
WO1996005989A1 PCT/AU1994/000497 AU9400497W WO9605989A1 WO 1996005989 A1 WO1996005989 A1 WO 1996005989A1 AU 9400497 W AU9400497 W AU 9400497W WO 9605989 A1 WO9605989 A1 WO 9605989A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
locking device
hitch
jaw
trailer
shaft
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1994/000497
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Smith
Original Assignee
Richard Smith
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU59001/94A external-priority patent/AU668806B2/en
Application filed by Richard Smith filed Critical Richard Smith
Priority to PCT/AU1994/000497 priority Critical patent/WO1996005989A1/fr
Priority to US08/793,361 priority patent/US5873271A/en
Publication of WO1996005989A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996005989A1/fr

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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to devices for securing trailers and more particularly to devices for attachment to the hitch portion of a trailer.
  • trailer locking devices have been proposed which either prevent unauthorised removal from a vehicle or attachment to a vehicle, ie they lock the trailer on the vehicle or off the vehicle.
  • existing devices are not able to lock the trailer on and off the vehicle.
  • some trailer locks are not particularly secure.
  • the present invention provides a trailer lock which may, in preferred embodiments, lock the trailer when connected and disconnected from a tow vehicle.
  • the invention is a locking device for a trailer hitch of the ball and socket type, the locking device comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw; shaft means interconnecting the two jaws together for reciprocal movement relative to each other; and, locking means for securing the two jaws at a selected distance apart wherein, in use, the jaws are lockable about the socket portion of the hitch to prevent unauthorised removal of the trailer.
  • the locking device is lockable on the hitch when the trailer is both mounted on and dismounted from a tow bar on a tow vehicle.
  • the locking device further includes an auxiliary locking member movable between first and second operative positions, whereby, in the first operative position, the device may be locked on to a hitch when attached to a tow bar, and in the second operative position, when locked to an unattached trailer hitch, the auxiliary locking member extends into the socket of the hitch.
  • an auxiliary locking member movable between first and second operative positions, whereby, in the first operative position, the device may be locked on to a hitch when attached to a tow bar, and in the second operative position, when locked to an unattached trailer hitch, the auxiliary locking member extends into the socket of the hitch.
  • the auxiliary locking member in the second operative position is received in a recess or aperture in the lower jaw and extends toward the upper jaw.
  • the recess or aperture is sized to receive a tow ball shaft and/or nut when the auxiliary locking member is in the first operative position.
  • the invention provides a locking device for a trailer having first and second operative modes, in the first operative mode, the device being adapted to lock onto an unattached trailer hitch and prevent mounting of the hitch to a tow bar; and in the second operative mode the device being adapted to lock onto a trailer hitch/tow bar when the trailer hitch is mounted on the tow bar and prevent removal of the hitch from the tow bar.
  • the device in the first operative mode has an auxiliary member adapted to extend into the socket of the hitch.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 2 shows a partial cross-section of the embodiment of Fig. 1 when in a configuration used to lock a trailer mounted on a tow vehicle's tow bar.
  • Fig. 3 shows a partial cross-section of the embodiment of Fig. 1 when in a configuration used to lock a trailer not attached to a tow vehicle.
  • the locking device 10 comprises a lower jaw 11 and an upper jaw 12.
  • the lower jaw 11 has a generally planar upper surface 13. Extending upwardly from and substantially normally to the upper surface 13 there is provided a barbed shaft 14, preferably of a hardened steel.
  • the shaft 14 is received in a blind bore 16 in the lower jaw 11 and is secured thereto by any conventional means. This may be by way of a grub screw or lock pin 18, soldering, brazing or other known methods. Preferably, the shaft 14 is a press fit in bore 16 and is secured by a press fitted lock pin received in bore 17.
  • the upper jaw 12 is generally u-shaped with parallel planar upper and lower surfaces 20, 22 respectively.
  • a bore 24 passes through the jaw normal to the upper and lower surfaces 20, 22.
  • the free end of the shaft 14 is slidably received in this bore such that the two jaws, 11, 12 may be slid toward or away from each other.
  • a cylindrical cover member 26 Securely mounted on the upper surface 20 and coaxial with the bore 24 there is provided a cylindrical cover member 26.
  • the cover member 26 is closed at its free end 28 and is of a sufficient diameter and length to receive the portion of the shaft 14 which extends through the upper jaw 12.
  • the cover member 28 prevents ingress of dirt and other contaminants into the bore 24 but is mainly to prevent tampering with the locking mechanism. Accordingly, it is preferably a steel cylindrical member. However, if tamper resistance is not required, it may be a rigid plastics or flexible rubber membrane.
  • the upper jaw 12 is provided with a keyed locking
  • a mechanism comprises a keyed barrel rotatable between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position a ball is urged toward the "scallops" 31 in the shaft 14 by means of a finger or cam mounted on the lock barrel, thereby preventing movement of the upper jaw 12 relative to the shaft and lower jaw 11.
  • the upper jaw is u-shaped and has a central aperture 34.
  • the aperture is shaped to receive the tow-ball receiving portion of the trailer hitch, best seen in Figs. 2 and 3.
  • the lower portion of the aperture 34 is generally half circular in cross-section, with a narrow opening 35 into the upper surface 20. The narrow opening is to accommodate the normal ball securing mechanisms of the hitch which extend from the hitch housing.
  • the lower jaw 11 is provided with an opening 36 in its upper surface 20 which preferably extends through the jaw.
  • the opening 36 is provided with a large diameter bore 38 extending downwards from the upper surface.
  • the bore 38 is of a sufficient depth and diameter to receive the tow ball nut 40.
  • the opening 36 may comprise the bore 38 alone, preferably it comprises the bore 38 and a smaller diameter bore 42 sized smaller than the nut 40 but larger than the tow ball shaft 44.
  • the shaft may extend through the jaw 11, as seen in Fig. 2. It will be
  • the lower jaw 11 is also provided with a "dummy ball" 46.
  • the dummy ball 46 is preferably a hollow steel casting but may be a solid machined item, if desired.
  • the ball 46 is pivotably attached to the jaw 11 by an arm 48 which is preferably integral with the ball 46.
  • the lower jaw 11 is provided with a slot 49 in which the free end of the arm 48 is journalled.
  • the arm 48 is mounted in the slot 49 such that in one position, as in Fig. 1, the ball 46 is to one side of the jaw 11 and is mainly below the plane of the upper surface 13.
  • the ball 46 may be pivoted 180 degrees, as in Fig. 3, such that it is engaged in bore 38 and mainly extends above the upper surface 13 toward the upper jaw 12.
  • the ball is provided with a free end portion 52 of an outer diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of bore 38, so that the free end is snugly received in the bore.
  • the remainder of the ball is of larger
  • the arm 48 is not essential and other ways of moving/securing the dummy ball 46 may be utilised.
  • the locking device has two operative modes. In the first mode the dummy ball is rotated to the side of the jaw 11, as in Fig. 1. In this first mode the device may lock a trailer to a tow bar as in Fig. 2. In the second mode the dummy ball 46 is positioned in and coaxial with the bore 38 and the device may lock an unattached trailer.
  • the trailer hitch 15 is attached to the tow vehicle's tow ball, the tow ball 54 being secured in the part spherical opening 53 of the hitch 15.
  • the device is unlocked and the two jaws 11, 12 are moved apart sufficiently that they may pass above and below the hitch and tow bar 55.
  • the jaws must be separated sufficiently to allow the lower jaw to clear the tow bar, tow ball shaft 44 and nut 40.
  • the lower jaw is positioned to receive the tow ball shaft 44 and nut 40 and moved upwards to bear on the lower surface of the tow bar 55.
  • the upper jaw 12 is moved towards the lower jaw until the hitch is received in the opening 34 between the two legs of the upper jaw.
  • the lock 30 is then locked, securing the two jaws in position. It will be appreciated that once the two jaws are secured in position, the hitch cannot be removed from the tow ball 46. Thus the trailer cannot be disconnected from the tow vehicle. It will also be appreciated that removal of the tow ball nut 40 will not allow removal either, since the lower jaw bears on the tow bar 55. Further, the device cannot be shifted sideways off the hitch, since the tow ball shaft 44 will prevent this, even if the nut 40 is removed.
  • the dummy ball 46 is positioned in the bore 38 and the lower jaw 11 and ball 46 positioned underneath the hitch.
  • the jaw is raised upwards so the dummy ball 46 enters the ball receiving cavity 53 of the hitch.
  • the upper jaw 12 is then moved downwards to again bear on the upper surfaces of the hitch 15.
  • the locking mechanism 30 is then locked to secure the two jaws in position. In this position the device cannot be moved sideways because of the dummy ball 46 in the hitch cavity 53. Thus the trailer cannot be mounted on a tow bar and so cannot be towed away.
  • the device is also provided with optional security measures to prevent tampering with the locking shaft 14.
  • the upper jaw has two downwardly extending tongues 60, 62, which serve to limit access to the bore in the upper jaw. If necessary the tongues may have cut-aways 64 to

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit un dispositif de verrouillage (10) destiné à une remorque et un crochet d'attelage du type à assemblage à rotule et logement de rotule. Ce dispositif de verrouillage comprend une mâchoire supérieure (12) et une mâchoire inférieure (11) reliées par un axe (14) qui permet leur mouvement réciproque et relatif. Un système de verrouillage (30) maintient ces deux mâchoires (11, 12) séparées à des distances fixes sur une partie crénelée (31) de l'axe (14). Pendant l'utilisation, les deux mâchoires (11, 12) sont verrouillées autour de l'embase du crochet d'attelage (15) pour prévenir le retrait illicite de la remorque. Quand celle-ci est attachée à un tracteur, l'écrou de rotule trouve place dans une ouverture (36) de la mâchoire inférieure (11). Quand la remorque n'est pas attachée, une fausse rotule (46) vient se placer dans l'embase du crochet d'attelage. Dans les deux positions, cette embase trouve place dans une ouverture (34) de la mâchoire supérieure (12).
PCT/AU1994/000497 1993-08-02 1994-08-24 Dispositif de securite pour remorque de vehicule WO1996005989A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/AU1994/000497 WO1996005989A1 (fr) 1993-08-02 1994-08-24 Dispositif de securite pour remorque de vehicule
US08/793,361 US5873271A (en) 1994-08-24 1994-08-24 Trailer vehicle security device

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPM026693 1993-08-02
AU59001/94A AU668806B2 (en) 1993-08-02 1994-03-23 Trailer vehicle security device
PCT/AU1994/000497 WO1996005989A1 (fr) 1993-08-02 1994-08-24 Dispositif de securite pour remorque de vehicule

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996005989A1 true WO1996005989A1 (fr) 1996-02-29

Family

ID=27155215

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1994/000497 WO1996005989A1 (fr) 1993-08-02 1994-08-24 Dispositif de securite pour remorque de vehicule

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1996005989A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1101635A1 (fr) 1999-11-17 2001-05-23 Remorques Hubiere S.A Dispositif antivol à double action pour véhicules aptes à être attelés et remorques pourvues d'un tel dispositif
RU2170799C1 (ru) * 2000-06-14 2001-07-20 Открытое акционерное общество "АВТОВАЗ" Замок
EP1211105A3 (fr) * 2000-11-29 2002-11-27 Lex Elzo Westera Dispositif de protection antivol pour attelage de remorque

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3479057A (en) * 1967-05-04 1969-11-18 Bangor Punta Operations Inc Trailer hitch safety device
GB1350086A (en) * 1971-03-24 1974-04-18 Hall R A Anti-theft device
GB1392833A (en) * 1972-09-07 1975-04-30 Carnall R Carnall Co R D Anti-theft devices for trailer vehicles
US4032171A (en) * 1976-05-17 1977-06-28 Allen Cloy L Trailer hitch locking device
US4208065A (en) * 1977-09-19 1980-06-17 Walter C. Avrea Coupling guard
US4571964A (en) * 1984-09-25 1986-02-25 Bratzler William R Trailer hitch lock
US4577884A (en) * 1984-04-30 1986-03-25 Harris Joe L Trailer hitch
FR2570991A1 (fr) * 1984-10-01 1986-04-04 Afflard Marcel Dispositif d'attache pour la traction de tout vehicule routier
US4730841A (en) * 1987-06-22 1988-03-15 Ponder Joe L Trailer hitch locking device
FR2611622A1 (fr) * 1987-02-23 1988-09-09 Koehl Jean Marie Dispositif antivol universel pour attaches a boule
US4836570A (en) * 1988-04-07 1989-06-06 Lopez Alfred G Trailer hitch
US5087064A (en) * 1990-07-27 1992-02-11 Guhlin Kjall G Anti-theft and safety device for a ball and socket trailer hitch

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3479057A (en) * 1967-05-04 1969-11-18 Bangor Punta Operations Inc Trailer hitch safety device
GB1350086A (en) * 1971-03-24 1974-04-18 Hall R A Anti-theft device
GB1392833A (en) * 1972-09-07 1975-04-30 Carnall R Carnall Co R D Anti-theft devices for trailer vehicles
US4032171A (en) * 1976-05-17 1977-06-28 Allen Cloy L Trailer hitch locking device
US4208065A (en) * 1977-09-19 1980-06-17 Walter C. Avrea Coupling guard
US4577884A (en) * 1984-04-30 1986-03-25 Harris Joe L Trailer hitch
US4571964A (en) * 1984-09-25 1986-02-25 Bratzler William R Trailer hitch lock
FR2570991A1 (fr) * 1984-10-01 1986-04-04 Afflard Marcel Dispositif d'attache pour la traction de tout vehicule routier
FR2611622A1 (fr) * 1987-02-23 1988-09-09 Koehl Jean Marie Dispositif antivol universel pour attaches a boule
US4730841A (en) * 1987-06-22 1988-03-15 Ponder Joe L Trailer hitch locking device
US4836570A (en) * 1988-04-07 1989-06-06 Lopez Alfred G Trailer hitch
US5087064A (en) * 1990-07-27 1992-02-11 Guhlin Kjall G Anti-theft and safety device for a ball and socket trailer hitch

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1101635A1 (fr) 1999-11-17 2001-05-23 Remorques Hubiere S.A Dispositif antivol à double action pour véhicules aptes à être attelés et remorques pourvues d'un tel dispositif
RU2170799C1 (ru) * 2000-06-14 2001-07-20 Открытое акционерное общество "АВТОВАЗ" Замок
EP1211105A3 (fr) * 2000-11-29 2002-11-27 Lex Elzo Westera Dispositif de protection antivol pour attelage de remorque

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