Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-03
2001-06-12
Swann, J. J. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C070S058000, C070SDIG002
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244614
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Trailers such as boat trailers are often left unattended in remote locations. As a consequence they are often stolen, and often locking devices in place are cut away. Locking devices in use are usually apparatus that occupies the hitch socket and have shrouds, that prevent their removal, secured by padlocks. With simple prior preparation, modern tools can cut the lock bolt rather quickly. Unless the hitch lock is apparently secure against violation, efforts to remove it can disable the lock, rendering the trailer temporarily useless to the legitimate user.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A plate is welded to a ball to be secured in the ball socket of the hitch. A box-like shroud, shaped to enclose the exposed end of the hitch tongue is then slipped over the plate. A tang, with a transverse eye, extending from the plate protrudes into a cylindrical recess on the box. A tumbler type lock with a shot bolt that is movable with a key in the tumbler is inserted into the recess and actuated with the key to insert the bolt through the eye. With the key removed and the lock Imbedded in the recess no part of the security system is accessible to the known available lock cutting tools. A combination lock can replace the keyed tumbler lock.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4032171 (1977-06-01), Allen et al.
patent: 4141569 (1979-02-01), Dilk
patent: 4291557 (1981-09-01), Bulle et al.
patent: 4459832 (1984-07-01), Avrea et al.
patent: 4571964 (1986-02-01), Bratzler
patent: 5087064 (1992-02-01), Guhlin
patent: 5147096 (1992-09-01), Rogers
patent: 5322316 (1994-06-01), Wheeler
patent: 5700024 (1997-12-01), Upchurch
patent: 5752398 (1998-05-01), Villalon, Jr.
patent: 5775139 (1998-07-01), Sellers
patent: 5794961 (1998-08-01), Niswanger
patent: 5873271 (1999-02-01), Smith
patent: 5937679 (1999-08-01), Villalon, Jr.
patent: 6070441 (2000-06-01), Bernstrom
Bonvillain Gary J
Stanley Herbert P
Jeter John D.
Swann J. J.
Zeender F.
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