Locking device

Claim 2

A locking device for securing the ball of a ball-type coupling to a base comprising: a. A hollow receiving cylinder attached to said base and adapted to receive said ball in the hollow portion thereof; b. At least one lock means for securing said ball, said lock means being movably mounted in the wall of said hollow receiving cylinder; c. A hollow securing cylinder having an inside bottom diameter larger than the inside top diameter thereof and adapted to encircle said hollow receiving cylinder in concentric relationship and engage said lock means whereby pressure is exerted on said lock means and whereby when said hollow securing cylinder is slidably displaced upwards with respect to said hollow receiving disengages said lock means and essentially relieves said pressure exertion thereon to allow removal of said ball from said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder; and d. At least one arm attached to said hollow securing cylinder in movable relationship, said arm having a free end and an end hingedly connected to said base whereby when said free end of said arm is lifted, said hollow securing cylinder is displaced upwards and removal of said ball from said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder is permitted.

Claim 3

A locking device for securing the ball of a ball-type coupling to a base comprising: a. A hollow receiving cylinder fixedly attached to said base and having a top wall of lesser thickness than the bottom wall, the hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder having an essentially constant diameter and being adapted to receive said ball; b. a plurality of metal spheres movably mounted in spaced relationship in said top wall of said hollow receiving cylinder at points substantially equidistant from the top periphery of said top wall, whereby essentially horizontal and rotatable movement of said metal spheres in said top wall is permitted; c. a hollow securing cylinder having an inside bottom diameter which is larger than the inside top diameter thereof and adapted to slidably encircle said hollow receiving cylinder in concentric relationship to engage and exert pressure on said metal spheres, whereby when said ball is placed in said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder and said hollow securing cylinder is made to slidably encircle said hollow receiving cylinder, a portion of each of said metal spheres is projected into said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder at points in said top wall above said ball and said ball is securely locked in said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder; and d. a pair of essentially parallel arms, each having a free end and an end hingedly connected to said base, the approximate midpoint of said arms being attached to and spaced apart by said hollow securing cylinder in movable relationship, whereby when said free end of said arms is lifted vertically, said hollow securing cylinder is slidably displaced upwards with respect to said hollow receiving cylinder and is essentially disengaged from said plurality of metal spheres to release said pressure thereon and permit removal of said ball from said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder.

Claim 4

A locking device for securing the ball of a ball-type coupling to a base comprising: a. A hollow receiving cylinder fixedly attached to said base and having a top wall of lesser thickness than the bottom wall, the hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder having an essentially constant diameter and being adapted to receive said ball; b. a plurality of metal spheres movably mounted in spaced relationship in said top wall of said hollow receiving cylinder at points substantially equidistant from the top periphery of said top wall, whereby essentially horizontal and rotatable movement of said metal spheres in said top wall is permitted; c. a hollow securing cylinder having an inside bottom diameter which is larger than the inside top diameter thereof and adapted to slidably encircle said hollow receiving cylinder in concentric relationship to engage and exert pressure on said metal spheres, whereby when said ball is placed in said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder and said hollow securing cylinder is made to slidably encircle said hollow receiving cylinder, a portion of each of said metal spheres is projected into said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder at points in said top wall above said ball and said ball is securely locked in said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder; and d. a pair of essentially parallel arms, each having a free end and an end hingedly connected to said base, the approximate midpoint of said arms being attached to and spaced apart by said hollow securing cylinder in movable relationship, whereby when said free end of said arms is lifted vertically, said hollow securing cylinder is slidably displaced upwards with respect to said hollow receiving cylinder and is essentially disengaged from said plurality of metal spheres to release said pressure thereon and permit removal of said ball from said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder.

Claim 5

The locking device of claim 2 wherein: a. said hollow receiving cylinder contains a wear plate adapted to fit in the hollow portion thereof whereby said base is protected from excessive wear; and b. said free end of said pair of essentially parallel arms is releasably affixed to said base when said hollow securing cylinder is concentrically placed upon said hollow receiving cylinder and said ball is securely locked in said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder.

Claim 6

The locking device of claim 2, wherein said base, said hollow receiving cylinder, said hollow securing cylinder, and said pair of essentially parallel arms are enclosed in a housing having a hinged cover and fitted with means for connecting electrical conduits and the like, said housing being adapted to fit in the bed of a truck whereby when said ball is not attached to said hollow receiving cylinder and said hinged cover is closed, said housing fits essentially flush with said bed.

Claim 7

The locking device of claim 2, wherein said base, said hollow receiving cylinder, said hollow securing cylinder, and said pair of essentially parallel arms are mounted on a trailer or the like for securing said trailer or the like to a ball-type coupling on a vehicle.

Claim 8

A locking device for securing the ball of a ball-type coupling to a base comprising: a. a hollow receiving cylinder attached to said base and adapted to receive said ball in the hollow portion thereof; b. at least one lock means for securing said ball, said lock means being movably mounted in the wall of said hollow receiving cylinder; and c. means for positioning said lock means whereby when said ball is placed in said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder, it is prevented from exiting said hollow portion but is allowed substantial rotatable movement therein; and e. said hollow receiving cylinder, said lock means, and said means for positioning said lock means are enclosed in a housing having a removable cover, said base defining the bottom of said housing.

Claim 9

A locking device for securing the ball of a ball-type coupling to a base comprising: a. a hollow receiving cylinder attached to said base and adapted to receive said ball in the hollow portion thereof; b. at least one lock means for securing said ball, said lock means being movably mounted in the wall of said hollow receiving cylinder; and c. means for positioning said lock means whereby when said ball is placed in said hollow portion of said hollow receiving cylinder, it is prevented from exiting said hollow portion but is allowed substantial rotatable movement therein; and e. said hollow receiving cylinder, said lock means, and said means for positioning said lock means are enclosed in a housing having a removable cover, said base defining the bottom of said housing.