Lock for trailer hitch coupler nut

Claim 2

An antitheft nut assembly for attaching to a bolt member including an outer housing, an inner housing rotatably mounted inside said outer housing, means on said inner housing defining an opening threadable onto said bolt, lock dog means carried by said inner housing and movable from a locking position wherein said lock dog means protrudes outside said inner housing to an unlocking position, means engageable by said lock dog means to prevent rotating said lock dog means and inner housing with respect to said bolt a substantial amount with the lock dog means in said locking position, and complemental drive means on said inner and outer housings positioned to be drivably engaged with respect to each other when lock dog means is moved to its unlocking position and disengaged with the lock dog means protruding outside said inner housing.

Claim 3

The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said lock dog means comprises pin means slidable mounted in said second member along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the bolt, said pin means protruding out beyond the bottom surface of said inner housing, a retainer means mounted below said second member, and means to hold said washer means from rotation with respect to said bolt, said retainer means having a plurality of openings therein to receive said pins when said pins are in said locking position.

Claim 4

The combination as specified in claim 2 and cam operated lock meAns mounted on said outer housing and movable to and from positions wherein said cam lock means moves said pins between said locking and unlocking positions.

Claim 5

The combination as specified in claim 3 and spring means urging said pins to their unlocking position.

Claim 6

The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said pins include head portions projecting outwardly from the main part of the pins, and receptacle means defined in portions of said outer housing, said portions of said pins engaging said receptacle means to effect said driving connection when said pins are in said unlocking position.

Claim 7

A theft preventive nut assembly for use on a trailer coupler having a bolt used for attaching the coupler to a towing vehicle including an outer housing, an inner housing retained within said outer housing and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, said inner housing being exposed only on one surface and having an opening defined therein threaded to threadably receive said bolt, first and second means mounted on said inner housing and said coupler movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, said first and second means engaging in lock position to prevent substantial rotation of said inner housing with respect to said bolt, third and fourth means on said inner housing and said outer housing, said third and fourth means being relatively movable from an unlocked position where the inner and outer housings are not drivably engaged to an unlocked position to effect a rotational drive connection between said inner and outer housings, and lock means to substantially simultaneously move one of said first and second means and one of said third and fourth means to their respective locked positions.

Claim 8

A theft preventive nut assembly for use on a trailer coupler having a bolt used for attaching the coupler to a towing vehicle including an outer housing, an inner housing retained within said outer housing and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, said inner housing being exposed only on one surface and having an opening defined therein threaded to threadably receive said bolt, first and second means mounted on said inner housing and said coupler movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, said first and second means engaging in lock position to prevent substantial rotation of said inner housing with respect to said bolt, third and fourth means on said inner housing and said outer housing, said third and fourth means being relatively movable from an unlocked position where the inner and outer housings are not drivably engaged to an unlocked position to effect a rotational drive connection between said inner and outer housings, and lock means to substantially simultaneously move one of said first and second means and one of said third and fourth means to their respective locked positions.

Claim 9

The combination as specified in claim 6 wherein said first means comprises at least one pin slidably mounted in said inner housing, an end portion of said pin protruding from said inner housing in the locked position, and said second means comprising a receptacle defined in a member that does not rotate with respect to said bolt, said receptacle being positioned to receive the end portion of said pin when the inner housing is threaded onto said bolt.

Claim 10

The combination as specified in claim 7 wherein said third and fourth means comprise interlocking projection and receptacle means, one of said third and fourth means being defined on said pin and the other of said third and fourth means being defined on said outer housing.

Claim 11

The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein said pin is slidably mounted in said inner housing and spring means urging said pin toward said unlocked position.