AU690600B2

AU690600B2 - A mobile trailer portable security lock

Info

Publication number: AU690600B2
Application number: AU10208/95A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Benedict James Hogan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-01-17
Filing date: 1995-01-16
Publication date: 1998-04-30
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-16
Also published as: AU1020895A

Description

_I P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 1/.

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990.

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT INVENTION TITLE. A Mobile Trailer" Portable Security Lock THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION, INCLUDING THE BEST METHOD OF PERFORMING IT KNOWN TO ME:a 5 The present invention relates to a mobile trailer, being secured against theft by means of a portable security locking device, installed to a quick release type trailer pull.

It is common knowledge that almost all thefts of mobile trailers have been carried e out by means of a prime moving vehicle that is connected to a mobile trailer pull, by means of connecting pull and transported away.

10 It is the intention of the present invention to reduce the possibility of theft of the said mobile trailer whilst the said portable security lock is installed thereon a quick release trailer connecting pull.

The said mobile trailer, incorporates a quick release type trailer connecting pull mechanism, suitable to inhouse a 50mm connecting ball, with the quick release mechanism being that of one that has a loop shaped pull handle, connected to a release shait that positions a 50mm ball into position for interconnection, of the trailer connecting pull housing, to the said 50mm ball that is secured to the toe pull of a vehicle.

'L I I IRII_ L I I~ E This invention relates to a portable security locking device, which can be used to secure and prevent theft of a trailer having a quick release type pull.

It is appreciated that prime moving vehicles are often used to assist in the theft of a mobile trailer. The tow pull of the prime moving vehicle is reversed up to the trailer pull and the trailer pull is then connected to the tow pull of the prime moving vehicle and the trailer is towed away.

In an endeavor to overcome this problem, chains or the like are often used to secure the trailer to a tree or post. Unfortunately, thieves are not deterred by said Schains and simply cut through a link of the chain with suitable cutters to free the 10 trailer.

There are various components of a quick release type pull that are required 0i 00 to interact with one another, and/or the tow pull of a vehicle in order for a trailer to i be hitched and towed away.

For example, firstly, the tow ball of a vehicle needs to be able to be inserted 15 into the trailer pull of the trailer, and, secondly, the quick release pull handle needs 0. :to be pulled in an upwards direction to release the release pin that positions the tow ball in position for interconnection of the trailer pull to the tow pull.

It is therefore desirable to produce a portable security locking device which o prevents unwanted entry into the trailer pull of the trailer whilst the trailer is not in use.

It is also desirable to produce a portable security locking device which prevents unwanted upward movement of the pull handle.

It is also desirable to produce a portable security locking device which is not able to be cut or broken to free the trailer for theft purposes.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable security locking device for use with a trailer fitted with a quick release type trailer connecting pull mechanism including a pull housing for receiving a tow ball, said device including:a restricting member having a first end adapted to be inserted into the pull housing and a second end; KLM:NP M2988.SI 7 Janul 198 ~-~sla~lasl-~ -c Cll~g PIIIIClr"- IIII 3 a restraining member having a first end shaped to restrain a pull handle and a second end; a receiving member for receiving the second end of the restricting member and the second end of the restraining member; wherein a longitudinal position of at least one of the restricting member or restraining member is adjustable; and locking means for locking one of the restricting members or restraining members into a locked position.

wherein in use the first end of the restricting member is inserted into the pull housing and the first end of the restraining member is positioned to cause said restraining means to restrain the pull handle and the locking means is locked to prevent unauthorized removal of said device.

In the preferred form of the invention the restraining member is adapted to interact with and restrain the pull handle of a quick release type pull. Such restraint prevents movement of the pull handle in an upward direction, therefore preventing release of the quick release shaft which allows the tow ball to position for interconnection.

In the preferred form of the invention the portable security locking device can also be used to restrict entry or part thereof of a tow ball into the trailer pull housing recess of the trailer while said trailer is detached from the tow pull of a vehicle.

Such restriction is achieved by entry of the restricting member into the trailer pull housing recess whilst the trailer is not in use.

In a further form of the invention the portable security locking device may also be used to secure a trailer on to a vehicle.. In this form of the invention the restricting member may be inserted into an anchor point located on the trailer.

It is preferred that the anchor point is in the form of a block with a recess or aperture adapted to receive the restricting member.

In the preferred form of the invention the second end of the restricting member and the restraining member each terminate with a shaft, both shafts being adapted to be received within the receiving means.

KLMHNP tPU9&.RS1 7 Januwrm 193 I~ i I IC~i I~ In the preferred form of the invention there is at least one set of opposing apertures in the receiving member and at least one aperture in one end shaft of the restricting or restraining member which apertures are able to be locked in position.

To enable relative movement of the restricting and restraining members it is preferred that at least one of the second ends of the restricting and restraining members is threaded, and at least one end of the receiving member has a threaded nut located thereon to receive the threaded restraining or restricting member.

In use, the distance between and the direction of the first ends of the restricting and restraining members may be adjusted by rotation of the threaded end.

Once the threaded end has been rotated to its desired position, when the restraining and restricting members are at the desired distance apart, a second nut may be tightened on the threaded end to lock the threaded end from turning once the portable security locking device is installed onto the trailer.

iIn a further form of the invention one end shaft is connected to a further 15 shaft, which further shaft is received by a further receiving member, where said

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connection is preferably by means of at least -one pin at each end of the shafts thereof. When installing or removing the portable security locking device the shafts may be moved relative to one another in their respective receiving members until .one of the connecting pins abuts one of the ends of the second receiving member which prevents further movement thereof.

In the preferred form of the invention the portable security locking device is secured by means of a padlock which when in its open position the padlock shackle is passed through the apertures located in the first receiving member and one end shaft.

In the preferred form of the invention there is a housing located around the aperture located on the first receiving member, where said housing is preferably open on one side thereof. The housing protects a portion of the shackle of the padlock from being cut with bolt cutters or the like. In the event that a different portion of the shackle of the padlock was cut, due to the nature of the shackle of a padlock, the padlock would not be able to be extracted from the said aperture to release the KLM:NP SZG97n S1 7 Januar 1998 q---apl PI~-eBCIDb I portable security locking device.

In a further form of the invention there may be more that one set of opposing apertures located on the first receiving sleeve.

In a still further form of the invention the locking means may be in the form of a key operated lock and barrel system.

In a still further form of the invention the components of the portable security locking device may be coated in various ways, for example, powder coating, paint, chrome, galvanized, cadium plating, plastic or zinc coating.

In a further form of the invention the portable security locking device may 10 be made of any suitably material, such as metal.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- •Figure 1 is an elevation view of a said portable security locking device; ~Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the said portable security locking device shown in Figure 1 with a padlock attached thereto; Figure 3 is an axonometric view of the said portable security locking device shown in Figure 2 attached to quick release tailer connecting pull; and Figure 4 is an isometric view of the said added anchor point.

In Figure 1 the restricting member 1 has a u-shaped first end 23 adapted to eat be located in a receiver (not shown), whilst the second end of the restricting member 1 terminates with an end shaft 2. The first end of a hollow receiving member 3 is adapted to receive and house end shaft 2 and located at the other end of the receiving member 3 is a threaded nut 6.

The restraining member 4 has a first end 24 shaped to restrain the pull handle (not shown) of a trailer, whilst the other end of the restraining member 4 terminates with a threaded portion 5 which is adapted to be threaded into the threaded nut 6.

Once the restraining member is rotated to its desired position a second nut 7 is tightened on threaded position 5 to prevent unwanted movement of the restraining member 4.

A second receiving member 12 is connected to the first receiving member 3 KLM:NP #Z998.RS1 7 January 1993 L- I I 6 and a second shaft 8 is connected parallel to the first shaft 2 by means of pins 9 and Longitudinal movement of the first shaft 2 and second shaft 8 inside their respective receiving members 3 and 12, is limited by the pins 9 and 10 abutting the ends 25 and 26 of the second receiving member 12.

An aperture 27 is located through the first shaft 2 and a set of opposing apertures 11 are located through the first receiving sleeve 3, so that when the apertures dn 27 and 27 are lined up with one another a padlock (not shown) is able to pass therethrough to secure the portable security locking device 18. Located around aperture 11 is a housing 21.

S, In Figure 2, the shafts 2 and 8 are moved longitudinally into their respective receiving members until pin 9 abuts end 25 of the receiving member 12. Apertures 11 and 27 are lined up so that a padlock shackle 14 of padlock 13 is passed through the apertures 11 and 27 and locked into padlock 13.

~Figure 3 shows a portable security locking device 18 in use on a trailer which is unattached to a vehicle (not shown). The threaded portion 5 of restraining means 4 is rotated in nut 6 until the desired distance between the restraining means and the restricting means is achieved. The pull handle 16 is restrained by restraining means 4. Shafts 2 and 8 are moved longitudinally along in their respective receiving members 3 and 12 until pin 9 abuts end wall 25 of second receiving member 12 and the first end 23 restricting means 1 is inserted into pull housing recess 17.

Padlock shackle 14 is then passed through apertures 11 and 27 and locked into padlock 13 to secure portable security locking device 18.

When the trailer is connected to a vehicle, an alternative receiver may be used to receive the first end 23 of the restricting member 1. Located on the underside of trailer 20 is an anchor 19 which as shown in Figure 4 is in the form of a block with a recess 22 adapted to receive the restricting member.

I. lMiNP 42<188.RSl 7 lMUV7 1998 -Y I L ~L b

Claims

1. A r "able security locking device for use with a trailer fitted with a quick rel,., type trailer connecting pull mechanism including a pull housing for receiving a tow ball, said device including:- a restricting member having a first end adapted to be inserted into the pull housing and a second end; a restraining member having a first-fend shaped to restrain a pull handle and a second end; a receiving member for receiving the second end of the restricting member and the second end of the restraining member; wherein a longitudinal position of at least one of the restricting members or restraining members is adjustable; and locking means for locking one of the restricting members or restraining members into a locked position. wherein in use the first end of the restricting member is inserted into :the pull housing and the first end of the restraining member is positioned to

4. cause said restraining means to restrain the pull handle and the locking means is locked to prevent unauthorized removal of said device. 2. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the restricting member includes an end shaft terminating at the second end, the end shaft being adapted to be received within the receiving means. 3. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the restraining member includes an end shaft terminating at the second end, the end shaft being adapted to be received within the receiving means. 4. A portable security locking device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one of the second ends of the restricting or restraining members is threaded. A portable security locking device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the locking means includes at least one set of opposing apertures in the receiving member and at least one aperture in the end shaft of the KI(bl:NP WM.88RS11 7 Jatnuu7'1998 I ~h I 0 *00 0 .0 00 00 o restricting or restraining member, which apertures are able to be locked in position by placing said at least one aperture into substantial alignment with said at least one set of opposing apertures and passing locking means through said apertures.

6. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the portable security locking device is locked in position by a shackle of a padlock being passed through the apertures and then locked into a padlock body.

7. A portable security locking device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said pull housing includes an anchor point, and the first end of the 0 restricting member is adapted to be inserted into the anchor point.

8. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 7 where the anchor point is in the form of a block which has a recess located therein adapted to receive the restricting member.

9. A portable security locking device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the receiving member has a threaded nut on at least one of its terminating ends.

10. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the relative distance between, and the direction of, the first end of the restricting member and the first end of the restraining member may be adjusted by rotation of the 0 threaded shaft in the threaded nut.

11. A portable security locking device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a further shaft where at least one of the end shafts is connected to the further shaft where said further shaft is received by a second receiving member and where connection of said end shaft to said further shaft limits relative longitudinal movement of the said end shaft.

12. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 11 where said at least one end shaft and the frther shaft are connected by means of at least one pin at each end of the said end shaft and the further shaft thereof.

13. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 12 wherein the relative 0 movement distance the restricting member longitudinally moved within the 0i 00 S S S 55 S-: 34 KLM:NP #26988.RS2 i UJ -Q T 0 27 Fcbnrmy 1998 I a first receiving member is limited by one of the said pins abutting an end of the second receiving member.

14. A portable security locking device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further including a second nut located on the threaded portion, where when said second nut is tightened with respect to the threaded portion, the threaded portion is prevented from turning. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 14 further including a housing located around at least one of the apertures of the first receiving member.

16. A portable security locking device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the housing is open on one side thereof.

17. A portable security locking device as claimed in any of the preceding claims substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 27 February 1998 CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: BENEDICT JAMES HOGAN a 27 Februari 1998 Cia is -r r 4 0 ABSTRACT. Refer to fig 2, 3, and 4. "A Mobile Trailer, Portable Security Lock" (18) is disclosed. The device (18) consists of an embodiment containing receiving members 12) respectively, into which a restricting member and an assisting shaft slide longitudinally within there perimeter. Whilst at the other end of the embodiment a restraining member is threaded into receiving member by way of a nut This forms the basis of the release and instalment mechanism of the device (18) "To assist in locking the device (18) in a retracted position, receiving member and shaft respectively have a drilling (11) through them into which a padlock (13) is installed and locked. A housing (21) is positioned captively surrounding a portion of padlock shackle (14) to prevent possible extraction" "The device can be used when trailer (20) is detached from the vehicle ,o either by installing restraining member within the loop shaped pull handle (16) and restricting member placed in pull housing recess (17) or placed in anchor point drilling or whilst vehicle is interlocked to trailer restraining member is installed within the loop shaped pull handle (16) and restricting member is placed in anchor point drilling (22) rendering quick release 9 •mechanism inoperative, or pull housing recess inoperative respectively i i I ~e