Patent US3792432A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3792432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety trailer coupling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-27
•
Granted: 1974-02-12
•
Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract In a trailer hitch assembly having a ball member and a socket member, a safety locking device for preventing the coming out of the socket member from the ball member in case of the accidental loosening of the socket member. The locking device comprises a first element fixed to the attachment plate connecting the ball member to towing vehicle, and a second element fitted to the first element and horizontally displaceable with regard to the first element. The second element is displaced to its locking position by resilient means and retracted to its unlocking position by manual means. Stud means are provided for firmly maintaining, the second element in its displaced positions without the necessity of using a hand. Electrical switch means are removably connected to the second element and are displaceable therewith. They provide the warning of the conductor of the towing vehicle of any defect happening to the hitch assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ellis
- 👤 C Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/58; B60D1/583; B60D1/01; B60D1/06; B60D1/065; B60D1/24; B60D1/28; B60D1/36; B60D1/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
336 words
A safety locking device for a trailer hitch assembly, the hitch assembly comprising a ball member fixed to an attachment plate connected to the rear of a towing vehicle, and a socket member connected to the towed vehicle, the socket member having a socket head adapted to be coupled with the ball member, the socket head being provided with a flange disposed around the periphery of its opening, the locking device comprising: a. a first element fixed to said attachment plate; b. a second element fit to said first element and horizontally displaceable with respect to said first element, said second element having a flange facing said socket head, said flange overhanging the flange of said socket head when the locking device is in its locking position; c. a plunger protruding from said second element, said plunger being provided with a fork member having two prongs, said prongs being positioned above two corresponding holes provided on top of said second element; d. a stud means positioned inside a vertical cavity in said first element and provided with a pin head coming out of one of said holes under the downwardly pushing action of one of said prongs and after being displaced entering the second hole under the influence of a spring located inside said vertical cavity provided in said first element, said pin head when inside one of said holes providing the firm connection of said second element with said first element, and when out of one of said holes providing the disconnection of said first and second elements; e. resilient means for providing the displacement of said second element towards said socket head whEn said stud means is in such a position as to provide the disconnection of said second element from said first element, and f. manual means for providing the displacement of said second element away from said socket head when said stud means is again in such a position as to provide the disconnection of said second element from said first element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
336 words
A safety locking device for a trailer hitch assembly, the hitch assembly comprising a ball member fixed to an attachment plate connected to the rear of a towing vehicle, and a socket member connected to the towed vehicle, the socket member having a socket head adapted to be coupled with the ball member, the socket head being provided with a flange disposed around the periphery of its opening, the locking device comprising: a. a first element fixed to said attachment plate; b. a second element fit to said first element and horizontally displaceable with respect to said first element, said second element having a flange facing said socket head, said flange overhanging the flange of said socket head when the locking device is in its locking position; c. a plunger protruding from said second element, said plunger being provided with a fork member having two prongs, said prongs being positioned above two corresponding holes provided on top of said second element; d. a stud means positioned inside a vertical cavity in said first element and provided with a pin head coming out of one of said holes under the downwardly pushing action of one of said prongs and after being displaced entering the second hole under the influence of a spring located inside said vertical cavity provided in said first element, said pin head when inside one of said holes providing the firm connection of said second element with said first element, and when out of one of said holes providing the disconnection of said first and second elements; e. resilient means for providing the displacement of said second element towards said socket head whEn said stud means is in such a position as to provide the disconnection of said second element from said first element, and f. manual means for providing the displacement of said second element away from said socket head when said stud means is again in such a position as to provide the disconnection of said second element from said first element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
A safety locking device according to claim 1, further comprising: a switch forming part of a warning device, said switch being removably connected to said second element and being displaceable with said second element, said switch having a finger member positioned slightly below said flange of the second element, said finger member overhanging said flange of the socket head when the locking device is in its locking position; when the locking device is in its locking position and when the socket head is loosened from the ball member, said flange of said socket head coming into contact with said finger member and also with said flange of said second element, said contact with said finger member operating the warming device and said contact with said flange of said second element preventing the complete disengagement of said socket member from said ball member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A safety device according to claim 1, wherein said manual means is formed by a cover located on the rear part of the top of said second element and forming an integral part thereof, said cover enclosing the prongs of the plunger and forming a support for facilitating the gripping of said second element and displacing it away from said socket head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A safety device according to claim 1, wherein said resilient means for providing the displacement of said second element towards said socket head comprises two springs located inside horizontal lateral openings provided in said first element, one of the ends of said springs abuting against a front wall of said second element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A safety device according to claim 1, wherein said resilient means for providing the displacement of said second element towards said socket head comprises a spring located inside a horizontal central opening provided in said first element, one end of said spring abuting against a front wall of said second element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A safety locking device according to claim 2, wherein said finger member is flexible.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |