IL294531A - A trailer coupler securement device - Google Patents

Description

44417/ - 1 - A TRAILER COUPLER SECUREMENT DEVICE Field of the invention The present invention is in the field of towing safety apparatus. More specifically, the invention relates to a trailer coupler securement device. Background of the invention Towing equipment includes devices and accessories fitted on a towing vehicle and on a trailer such as a camper, caravan, etc., that assist in attaching the trailer to the towing vehicle. Towing equipment includes fifth wheels, hitches, gooseneck hitches, and wiring harnesses for drawbars, ball mounts, ball mounts, and other towing accessories such as chains, straps, hitch locks, hitch covers, etc. A conventional arrangement for coupling a towing car and a trailer comprises a tow ball mounted (or molded together) with a ball mount which is affixed to the rear of a towing vehicle, and a trailer coupler which is generally configured with a socket having a downwardly opening ball receiving cavity and with a locking mechanism for coupling to the tow ball (also called a 'hitch ball'), so that the coupler will remain in place while the trailer is being towed. While the coupler's socket clamps down on the hitch ball, vertical movement of the socket is inhibited but swinging or rotating movement in a substantially horizontal direction is not. The trailer is accordingly able to move along a turn and absorb some of the shocks that are prevalent during a towing operation. However, as occasionally occurs, if the towing vehicle and/or trailer is subjected to a jarring action that causes a relative pivotal motion between the towing vehicle and trailer about a horizontal axis, increased forces may be transmitted between the coupler and tow ball, causing wearing of the coupler. The wearing may further be accelerated with the infiltration of sand or mud into the coupler mechanism. Furthermore, mistaken selection of a tow ball smaller than the size of the coupler's 44417/ - 2 - socket with which it is intended to be coupled, may also cause coupler-tow ball decoupling. Whereas the abovementioned decoupling occurs during driving may cause hazardous traffic accidents. While various coupler securement means are offered in the market, in many cases users thereof do not apply those existing means due to multiple bothersome operations required for applying those securement means, thus being exposed to the hazard risk of decoupling. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a trailer coupler securement device that prevents the decoupling of a coupler from a tow ball even if the coupler's socket is severely worn or the tow ball size was incorrectly selected. It is another object of the present invention to provide a trailer coupler securement device that is simply applied, thus increasing the chances of being routinely applied. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to a trailer coupler securement device, comprising a spring loaded arrangement of a securement member, rotatably connected by a hinge to a base which is mounted to a towing ball mount, wherein the securement member and the base are configured to releasably engage together in two or more affixed states by the spring load, while enabling the disengagement of said securement member and base, and the rotation of said securement member within said base between said two or more affixed states, by three or less one-hand operations, and wherein at least one of said two or more affixed states is a secured 44417/ - 3 - state, where the securement member secures a trailer coupler which clamps a towing ball of said towing ball mount. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the securement member comprises one or more protrusions that correspond to one or more depressions in the base.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more protrusions are shaped as a cogged wheel. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more depressions are adapted with inclinations for enabling a ratchet rotation when shifting said securement member into a secured state, performed by a single one-hand operation.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base which is mounted to the towing ball mount by connecting to a clamp.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the clamp and the towing ball mount are integrated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the securement member is shaped in the form of a shackle.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base comprises a channeled portion and the securement member comprises annular portions at its ends, through which the hinge is threaded, wherein said securement member and said hinge are wider than the channeled portion of said base and the spring is positioned between one of said two annular portions and said channeled portion of said base. 44417/ - 4 - According to an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge is adapted with a lock, utilized to prevent the disengagement of the securement member and the base. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprises a padding element, utilized to absorb dynamic loads at the interface between the securement member and the coupler.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the padding element comprises one or more dye pockets adapted to break under a predetermined threshold load, thereby spreading the dye. Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limitative detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein: - Figs. 1A-1B schematically illustrate a trailer coupler securement device securing a trailer coupler clamped onto a towing ball, according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Figs. 2A-2D schematically illustrate an exemplary shifting of securement member of a trailer coupler securement device from an unsecured to a secured state, according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an exploded view of a trailer coupler securement device, according to an embodiment of the present invention - Fig. 4A illustrates an enlarged side view of the base of a trailer coupler securement device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; - Fig. 4B shows an enlarged detail view of the base of Fig. 4A; - Figs. 5A-5B illustrate a lockable hinge of a trailer coupler securement device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 44417/ - 5 - - Figs. 6A-6B illustrate a lockable hinge assembled with an affixing bar, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and - Fig. 7 illustrates an alternate securement member adapted with additional annular portions, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention The present invention relates to a trailer coupler securement device, adapted to enable a simple one-handed securement (i.e., or un-securement) of a trailers coupler clamping a towing ball of the towing vehicle, for preventing undesired decoupling of the trailer coupler from the towing ball. The proposed device comprises a spring loaded arrangement of a securement member, rotatably connected by a hinge to a base which is mounted to a towing ball mount. The securement member and the base are configured to releasably engage together in two or more affixed states by the spring load, while enabling the disengagement of the securement member and base, and the rotation of the securement member with respect to the base, by three or less one-hand operations. The abovementioned affixed states includes a secured state, in which the securement member secures a trailer coupler which clamps a towing ball attached to the towing ball mount. In the following detailed description, references are made to several embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The figures depict an embodiment of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that the described embodiments may be combined, alternative embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention described herein. 44417/ - 6 - The terms, "for example", "e.g.", "optionally", as used herein, are intended to be used to introduce non-limiting examples. While certain references are made to certain example system components or services, other components and services can be used and/or the example components can be combined into fewer components and/or divided into further components. Figs. 1A-1B schematically illustrate a trailer coupler securement device 100 securing a trailer coupler 1 clamped onto a towing ball 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 100 comprises a rotatable securement member 1designed with a shackle shape, a base 120 having an internal cylindrical channel (shown in Fig. 3A), and a hinge 130 which is threaded through annular portions 1and 112 at the ends of securement member 110 (Fig. 1B) and through the internal cylindrical channel of base 120, thus rotatably connecting securement member 1and base 120. Securement member 110 is wider than portion 120a of base 120 to an extent that forms a gap 121, while the length of hinge 130 is adapted to the width of securement member 110, where a spring 131 (shown in Fig. 3A) is threaded on hinge 130, and positioned between annular portion 112 of securement member 110 and portion 120a of base 120, so as to force annular portion 112 apart from portion 120a, thus portion 111 is forced to engage with portion 120a (i.e., an exemplary engagement arrangement is described to details in Fig. 3A). Base 120 is adapted to connect to a clamp 140 by fasteners (not shown) threaded through attachment holes 120b, and thereby being simply mounted onto a ball mount 2a (i.e., onto which towing ball 2 is attached), where ball mount 2a is anchored to a towing vehicle (e.g., by utilizing attachment holes 2b). This configuration provides a simple retrofit of device 100 to various sizes and shapes of ball mount 2a. It should be understood, however, that the size and shape of any component of device 100, are not limited to those illustrated herein, and one skilled in the art will readily realize alternate attachment means of base 120 to alternate 44417/ - 7 - designs of tow ball mounts (e.g., lower/higher ball mounts, rounded ball arms, etc.), by applying minor modifications to base 120 and/or to clamp 140. Furthermore, device 100 may be provided with alternate designs of base 120, for instance, having a higher profile, compatible with the higher coupling position of coupler 1 and tow ball 2 with respect to the mounting position of base 120 to ball mount 2a. Moreover, while clamp 140 is illustrated in Figs. 1A-1B as a separate component, clamp 140 (i.e., or a similar clamping means) and ball mount 2a may be integrated, for instance, being molded as a single unit. This configuration provides a firm attachment of base 120 and ball mount 2a, while enabling a simple replacement of a kit comprising base 120, securement member 110, and hinge 130 where needed. Further shown in Fig. 1A, is a padding element in the form of a padding sleeve 110a, utilized to absorb dynamic loads at the interface between securement member 1and coupler 1. According to an embodiment of the present invention, padding sleeve 110a comprises dye pockets 110b that are designed to break under a predetermined threshold load, thus the dye therein spreads and paints securement member 1and coupler 1, thereby providing an indication that a significant shock was applied thereon, and hence, that coupler 1 should be examined and possibly replaced. Padding sleeve 110a may also comprise a longitudinal perforated grove for enabling effortless replacement thereof. Securement member 110 is adapted to be shifted between two or more affixed states with respect to a base 120, by engaging and disengaging with base 120 as further described in Figs. 2-3. Figs. 2A-2D schematically illustrate an exemplary shifting of securement member 110 between unsecured and secured states, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first step is pulling securement member 110 (indicated by the 44417/ - 8 - letter 'P'), thereby disengaging annular portion 111 of securement member 110 from portion 120a (i.e., releasing an affixing arrangement 201 further described in Fig. 3A). Following the disengagement step, securement member 110 can now be rotated to a desired extent, so as to rest on top of the trailer coupler of Fig. 1A (indicated by the letters 'Ro'). As soon as securement member 110 is rotated to a desired extent, it is released, thus spring 131 forces portion 112 of securement member 110 to depart portion 120a (indicated with the letters 'Re'), and correspondingly the re-engagement of portion 111 with portion 120a (i.e., through affixing arrangement 201). Fig. 3 schematically illustrates an exploded view of a trailer coupler securement device 300, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Coupler securement device 300 comprises securement member 110, and base 120, wherein the affixing arrangement 201 (of Fig. 2B) comprises a cogged wheel shaped protrusion 311a in portion 111 of securement member 110, and a correspondingly cogged wheel shaped depression 321a in portion 120a of base 120. Further shown in Fig. 3A is an internal cylindrical channel 221 of base 120 through which hinge 130 is threaded (i.e., as well as through annular portions 111 and 112 of securement member 110), thus rotatably connecting securement member 110 and base 120. According to an embodiment of the present invention, hinge 130 is adapted with two ends 130a, at least one of which comprises external threads (not shown) and is threaded into hinge 130 (i.e., which comprises corresponding internal threads), such as by utilizing cross screwdriver slot 130b. Accordingly, the assembly of device 3begins with the mounting of base 120 onto ball mount 2a by fastening base 120 and clamp 140 around ball mount 2a followed by positioning securement member 1with protrusion 311a engaged into depression 321a of base 120. The next step is holding spring 131 in the formed gap 121 (Fig. 1B) and inserting hinge 130 (i.e., having one of ends 130a unthreaded) through annular portion 112, spring 131, channel 321, and annular portion 111. Finally, the unthreaded end 130a is threaded, thus completing the attachment of device 300. 44417/ - 9 - Spring 131 is selected with suitable spring rate and dimensions for being stably threaded on hinge 130, and for providing sufficient resistance for enforcing the engagement of protrusion 311a and depression 321a, while allowing the pulling of securement member 110 (as illustrated in Fig. 2B) with a sensible pulling force applied by the user of device 300. Fig. 4A illustrates an enlarged side view of base 420 of a trailer coupler securement device 400 and Fig. 4B shows an enlarged detail view (indicated with the letter 'D') thereof, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Device 400 is configured with a ratchet enhancement as further described hereinafter. Cog shaped depressions 401 of depression 421a comprise inclined ramps 401a (i.e., as indicated by arrow 402 of Fig. 4B), where optionally, a modified securement member 110 (not shown) is provided with modified protrusion 311a having corresponding inclined cog shaped portions. The abovementioned inclined ramps 401a (i.e., and optionally, corresponding inclinations in the modified protrusion 311a) are added only on those sides of cog shaped depressions 401 directed towards the securement rotation direction (illustrated by the indication 'Ro' of Fig. 2C). Whereas a rotation moment is applied on securement member 110 (i.e., for rotating securement member 110 as is shown in Fig. 2C), while depression 421a and protrusion 311a are engaged, the rotation moment results in a force between cog shaped depressions 401 and the corresponding cog portions of protrusion 311a. This force, being applied on inclined ramps 401a has a lateral component, which can overcome the resistance of spring 131 (i.e., spring 131 is selected with a suitable spring rate to allow this operation while applying sensible rotation moment by the user), thus to disengage securement member 110 and base 420, allowing rotation of securement member 110 until the cogs of protrusion 311a realign with cog shaped depressions 401, resulting in a ratchet rotation between securement member 1and base 420. 44417/ - 10 - It can be noted in Fig. 1-3, that following the assembly of the proposed device 100 or device 300, annular portions 111 and 112 protrude above attachment holes 120b, thus blocking access to disassemble fasteners (not shown) installed therein. This advantage is utilized together with further means disclosed hereinafter for preventing unauthorized disassembly of the proposed device. Further configurations of hinge 130 are discussed hereinafter, utilized as an antitheft measure for locking securement member 110 engaged with base 120, thus preventing its release from securing coupler 1, and thereby unauthorized decoupling of a trailer from a towing vehicle. Figs. 5A-5B illustrate a lockable hinge 530, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hinge 530 comprises two cylindrical sections 530a and 530b, threaded together with an internal overlap 530c, for example, section 530a may have a reduced end adapted with external threads while section 530b has corresponding internal threads on its end for threading the end of section 5therein. Section 530b has a hollow cylindrical profile, in which a lock 531 is attached (e.g., by corresponding threads in section 530b and lock 531). Within the boundaries of overlap 530c a vertical slit 530d crosses both sections 530a and 530b. Slit 530d is positioned so as to be aligned with a locking tab 531b of lock 531. Whereas a user of the proposed device inserts a paired key to keyhole 531a of lock 531, and rotates the lock to a locked state, locking tab 531b extends through slit 530d into a corresponding internal groove in base 120 or base 420 (not shown), thus preventing sideway movement (such as illustrated in Fig. 2B) of hinge 530 and securement member 110, locking it at its securement position of coupler 1. 44417/ - 11 - It should be understood that locking lock 531 further prevents unthreading of sections 530a and 530b since locking tab 531b crosses through both sections and anchors both to the corresponding groove of base 120 or 420. The internal groove in base 120 or base 420 may be formed in various methods such as during the molding thereof. Hinge 530 may be held in an un-rotatable state with respect to base 120 (i.e., for enabling locking/unlocking of lock 531 without causing the rotation of hinge 5with respect to base 120) by various affixing means, such as tight fitness to channel 321, or alternate shape (i.e., rather than cylindrical) of the interfacing portions of hinge 530 (or 130) and base 120 (i.e., or 420), releasable adhesion means, or additional affixing members as illustrated in Figs. 6A-6B. Figs. 6A-6B illustrate a lockable hinge 630 assembled with an affixing bar 601, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Affixing bar 601 may be a detachable bar which its lower portion is inserted into a corresponding groove 602 in section 530a, while its protruding portion 601b is configured to slide through a corresponding groove along channel 321 (Fig. 3). Although embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be understood that the invention may be carried out with many variations, modifications, and adaptations, without exceeding the scope of the claims. For example, Fig. 7 illustrates an alternate securement member 710 (i.e., in lieu of securement member 110) adapted with additional annular portions, such as two annular portions 712 (i.e., rather than a single annular portion 112) and correspondingly, annular portions 713 (not shown), according to an embodiment of the present invention, thereby enabling rotatable connection of securement member 710 with base 120 or 420 at alternate positions (i.e., lower/higher), suitable 44417/ - 12 - for securing a higher/lower coupler-to-towing-ball coupling position, as well as couplers of various dimensions.

Claims (11)

1./ - 13 - Claims 1. A trailer coupler securement device, comprising a spring loaded arrangement of a securement member, rotatably connected by a hinge to a base which is mounted to a towing ball mount, wherein the securement member and the base are configured to releasably engage together in two or more affixed states by the spring load, while enabling the disengagement of said securement member and base, and the rotation of said securement member within said base between said two or more affixed states, by three or less one-hand operations, and wherein at least one of said two or more affixed states is a secured state, where the securement member secures a trailer coupler which clamps a towing ball of said towing ball mount.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the securement member comprises one or more protrusions that correspond to one or more depressions in the base.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the one or more protrusions are shaped as a cogged wheel.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the one or more depressions are adapted with inclinations for enabling a ratchet rotation when shifting said securement member into a secured state, performed by a single one-hand operation.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base which is mounted to the towing ball mount by connecting to a clamp.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the clamp and the towing ball mount are integrated. 44417/ - 14 -

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the securement member is shaped in the form of a shackle.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the base comprises a channeled portion and the securement member comprises annular portions at its ends, through which the hinge is threaded, wherein said securement member and said hinge are wider than the channeled portion of said base and the spring is positioned between one of said two annular portions and said channeled portion of said base.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is adapted with a lock, utilized to prevent the disengagement of the securement member and the base.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprises a padding element, utilized to absorb dynamic loads at the interface between the securement member and the coupler.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the padding element comprises one or more dye pockets adapted to break under a predetermined threshold load, thereby spreading the dye.