Theft prevention device for trailers

Claim 2

In a theft prevention device for the coupling pin of a trailer wherein said coupling pin has an annularly recessed portion defining a shoulder, the improvement comprising: an outer housing, locking means within said housing, said locking means including an actuator, a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking members disposed within the housing for movement in a plane spaced from the actuator into and out of locking engagement with the coupling pin, and control means operatively interconnecting the actuator and each one of the locking members whereby the actuator will effect movement of said locking members between a locking position with said coupling pin and an unlocked position away from the coupling pin.

Claim 3

In a theft prevention device of the type having a housing adapted to be fitted onto the coupling pin of a trailer, said coupling pin having an annularly recessed portion defining a shoulder, the improvement comprising a lock assembly, a pivotal control plate operatively attached to said lock assembly whereby actuation of said lock will cause said control plate to pivot, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced control assemblies having pivotal lock members, said control assemblies further including control members operatively connected to said control plate whereby pivotal movement of said control plate will effect pivotal movement of said lock members in a plane spaced from said control plate between a locking position wherein they overlie said shoulder on the coupling pin and a release position wherein they do not overlie the shoulder so that the housing can be freely fitted onto or removed from the trailer coupling pin.

Claim 4

In a theft prevention device of the type having a housing adapted to be fitted onto the coupling pin of a trailer, said coupling pin having an annularly recessed portion defining a shoulder, the improvement comprising a lock assembly, a pivotal control plate operatively attached to said lock assembly whereby actuation of said lock will cause said control plate to pivot, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced control assemblies having pivotal lock members, said control assemblies further including control members operatively connected to said control plate whereby pivotal movement of said control plate will effect pivotal movement of said lock members in a plane spaced from said control plate between a locking position wherein they overlie said shoulder on the coupling pin and a release position wherein they do not overlie the shoulder so that the housing can be freely fitted onto or removed from the trailer coupling pin.

Claim 5

In the theft prevention device of claim 2, said control assemblies having a pivot pin mounted within the housing for pivotal movement, and wherein said lock members and said control members are secured to said pivot pin for unitary pivotal movement therewith.

Claim 6

In the theft prevention device of claim 3, said lock members comprising flattened bars having an opening therein for receiving said pivot pin.

Claim 7

In the theft prevention device of claim 4, said control plate being pivotal about a vertical axis and having a plurality of actuating pins adapted to cooperate with said control members such that pivotal movement of the control plate effects predetermined pivotal movement of the control members and consequently the lock members.

Claim 8

In the theft prevention device of claim 5, said control members comprising bars having an elongated slot therein defining a camming surface along which one of said actuating pins can move to effect pivotal movement of the control members.

Claim 9

In the theft prevention device of claim 6, said control members further including an opening for receiving said pivot pin in a manner such that said pivot pin will be caused to pivot in unison with said control members.

Claim 10

A theft prevention device for attachment to a trailer coupling pin having a generally cylindrical body with an annular shoulder, said device comprising in combination a housing, the housing comprising a shroud for the coupling pin with one open end, a neck portion of the housing at said open end adapted to receive and guide the coupling pin in the interior of the housing, an enlarged body portion of the housing, a control mechanism mounted within the body portion of the housing so as to be concealed by the housing, said control mechanism including a control plate mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, upstanding actuating pins, a plurality of circumferentially spaced control assemblies, said control assemblies having pivot pins pivotally mounted in said housing in radially spaced relation from said control plate, a control arm fixedly mounteD on each pivot pin so as to pivot in unison therewith, said control arm having an elongated cam slot therein for receiving one of said pivot pins of said control plate in a manner such that pivotal movement of said control plate will effect predetermined pivotal movement of said control arms and consequently said pivot pins, a lock bar fixedly mounted on each of said pivot pins in upwardly spaced relation to said control arms so as to pivot in unison with said control arms and being at a preselected elevation within said housing such that when a trailer coupling pin is disposed within the chamber means the lock bars can be pivoted into overlying relationship with said shoulder on the coupling pin, and a key operable tumbler lock assembly fixedly mounted in said housing so as to be operable from the outside of the housing, said lock assembly having an operating shaft fixedly attached to the control plate so that the control plate will pivot with the operating shaft, said operating shaft being pivotal upon actuation of the lock by a key such that actuation of the lock will effect pivotal movement of the lock bars between a locking position overlying the shoulder on the coupling pin and a release position outwardly of the shoulder wherein the coupling pin may be freely inserted into the housing or removed therefrom.

Claim 11

A theft prevention device for attachment to a trailer coupling pin having a generally cylindrical body with an annular shoulder, said device comprising in combination a housing, the housing comprising a shroud for the coupling pin with one open end, a neck portion of the housing at said open end adapted to receive and guide the coupling pin in the interior of the housing, an enlarged body portion of the housing, a control mechanism mounted within the body portion of the housing so as to be concealed by the housing, said control mechanism including a control plate mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, upstanding actuating pins, a plurality of circumferentially spaced control assemblies, said control assemblies having pivot pins pivotally mounted in said housing in radially spaced relation from said control plate, a control arm fixedly mounteD on each pivot pin so as to pivot in unison therewith, said control arm having an elongated cam slot therein for receiving one of said pivot pins of said control plate in a manner such that pivotal movement of said control plate will effect predetermined pivotal movement of said control arms and consequently said pivot pins, a lock bar fixedly mounted on each of said pivot pins in upwardly spaced relation to said control arms so as to pivot in unison with said control arms and being at a preselected elevation within said housing such that when a trailer coupling pin is disposed within the chamber means the lock bars can be pivoted into overlying relationship with said shoulder on the coupling pin, and a key operable tumbler lock assembly fixedly mounted in said housing so as to be operable from the outside of the housing, said lock assembly having an operating shaft fixedly attached to the control plate so that the control plate will pivot with the operating shaft, said operating shaft being pivotal upon actuation of the lock by a key such that actuation of the lock will effect pivotal movement of the lock bars between a locking position overlying the shoulder on the coupling pin and a release position outwardly of the shoulder wherein the coupling pin may be freely inserted into the housing or removed therefrom.