Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-04
2001-03-20
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S511000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203050
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hitch balls for use with trailer hitches and, more specifically to hitch balls having lock assemblies.
2. Description of the Related Art
What are known as ball type hitches are now commonly used for the towing of various types of vehicles, trailers and the like (collectively “vehicle”). Such ball type hitches are usually mounted onto the rear of a towing vehicle via a plate. A mating socket type device is then mounted onto the front of the towed vehicle. When it is desired to tow the vehicle, the socket device is received onto the ball hitch.
The ball hitch usually includes a bolt onto which is coupled a spherical ball member. The bolt extends through a hole in the plate and is secured onto the plate by a nut.
However, the conventional ball hitches can be easily removed from the towing vehicle, and this is not desirable. In view of this, various ball hitches have been developed that are capable of being locked in order to deter or attempt to prevent removal. Unfortunately, even the prior art lockable ball type hitches can be removed by cutting the locks in some manner.
It is thus desirable to have a ball type hitch that is difficult to remove in any manner.
It is also desirable to have a ball type hitch that is lockable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In keeping with the above, the present invention is a hitch ball and lock assembly. In one form, a ball member is connected to the top of a threaded shaft or bolt, the lower end of which is received within a notch of a lock mechanism. A locking pin within the lock mechanism extends from one side of the notch, through a bore in the shaft and into the other side of the notch. The shaft also has two opposing flat surfaces each of which coacts with a respective side of the notch.
The locking pin may include a key lock mechanism that retains the pin, but allows the removal thereof from the shaft bore. This allows the ball member and associated bolt to be removed from the notch. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft bore intersects the opposing flat surfaces. The lock mechanism also allows the ball and shaft to rotate thereabout or pivot about the pin in an arc of greater than 180°.
In one form thereof, the flat surfaces are separated by a distance less than the diameter of the shaft, enabling the lower end of the shaft to be snugly received within the notch such that each flat surface interfaces with a respective side of the notch. In this manner, the round portion or threads of the shaft above the flat surfaces blocks the insertion of a cutting device between either one of the flat surfaces and the sides defining the notch, thereby preventing the locking pin from being cut.
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patent: 2195 967 (1988-04-01), None
B.C. Cure, Inc.
Fischer Andrew J.
Hurley Kevin
Taylor & Aust P.C.
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