Patent ID: 9358850
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: B60D

Claim Text:
1. A security device for a coupler for a trailer, which coupler comprises (i) a rearward portion connected to a tongue of the trailer, (ii) a forward portion that includes a socket structurally arranged for receiving a hitch ball, (iii) a ball clamp coupled to the forward portion and movable between a clamped structural arrangement and an unclamped structural arrangement, and (iv) a clamp lever coupled to the ball clamp and movable between an engaged structural arrangement and a disengaged structural arrangement, wherein (v) in the engaged structural arrangement the clamp lever holds the ball clamp in a clamped structural arrangement and in the disengaged structural arrangement the clamp lever permits movement of the ball clamp into an unclamped structural arrangement, and (vi) in the unclamped structural arrangement the ball clamp permits movement of a hitch ball into and out of the socket, in the clamped structural arrangement the ball clamp retains within the socket a hitch ball received within the socket and thereby prevents movement of the retained hitch ball out of the socket, and in the clamped structural arrangement the ball clamp prevents movement of a hitch ball into the socket, the security device comprising a bracket, a clamp lever cover, and a cover lock, wherein: (a) the bracket is structurally arranged to be connected to the rearward portion of the coupler of the trailer; (b) the clamp lever cover is engaged with the bracket and movable between a secured structural arrangement and an unsecured structural arrangement, wherein (i) in the secured structural arrangement the cover prevents movement of the clamp lever from the engaged structural arrangement to the disengaged structural arrangement and (ii) in the unsecured structural arrangement the cover permits movement of the clamp lever from the engaged structural arrangement to the disengaged structural arrangement; (c) the cover lock is coupled to the clamp lever cover and movable between an unlocked structural arrangement and a locked structural arrangement, wherein (i) in the unlocked structural arrangement the cover lock permits movement of the clamp lever cover from the secured structural arrangement to the unsecured structural arrangement and (ii) in the locked structural arrangement the cover lock engages the bracket or the rearward portion so as to retain the clamp lever cover in the secured structural arrangement and prevent movement of the clamp lever cover from the secured structural arrangement into the unsecured structural arrangement; (d) the clamp lever cover and the bracket are engaged by a longitudinal ridge protruding from the bracket that is received in a longitudinal slot in the clamp lever cover, which ridge has a dovetailed or T-shaped transverse cross-section; (e) the ridge and slot are structurally arranged so as to permit relative longitudinal movement of the bracket and the engaged clamp lever cover between the secured and unsecured structural arrangements when the cover lock is in the unlocked structural arrangement; and (f) the ridge and slot are structurally arranged so as to retain the clamp lever cover in the secured structural arrangement when the cover lock is in the locked structural arrangement.