Abstract:
An integrated pin and clip for securing vehicle trailer components. The integrated pin and clip includes a shaft member and a clip member. The clip member is movable between a locked and an unlocked position. The unlocked position allows for the integrated pin and clip to be inserted and withdrawn from a receiving aperture in a vehicle trailer component, such as a receiver. The locked position does not allow the integrated pin and clip to be inserted and withdrawn from the aperture. The integrated pin and clip also includes retention means that secures the clip in either the locked position or the unlocked position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/481,045 filed Jun. 30, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    Many vehicles today are equipped to provide for towing trailers, campers, boats, or the like. Most vehicles are equipped with a receiver-type trailer hitch, wherein the trailer attaches to a hitch ball secured to a ball mount located on the back of the vehicle. Most vehicles do not have an integral hitch ball, but instead have a means for receiving a hitch ball onto the ball mount. Typically, these vehicles have a receiver or a tube that receives a draw-bar that has an integral or attachable hitch ball. The vehicle trailer receiver and draw bar have corresponding holes that align when the draw bar is fully attached. Once these holes are aligned, a coupler pin can be placed through the corresponding holes, thereby securing the draw bar to the vehicle. The coupler pin may include a clip that can be moved such as to prevent withdrawal of the coupler pin. The non-inserted end of the coupler pin is designed to prevent further insertion of the coupler pin into the corresponding holes. This can be achieved by enlarging the non-inserted end, placing a larger portion on the non-inserted end, or bending the non-inserted end such that it cannot be inserted into the corresponding holes.  
           [0003]    In the past, coupler pins have provided for a locking, or securing, means that prevents movement back to the position wherein the coupler pin can be removed. However, such coupler pins do not provide any other locking, or securing, means. As a consequence the installer must align the coupler clip with the holes and make sure that it does not move while the coupler pin is inserted into the trailer receiver. As such, there exists a need for an improved coupler pin that provides for easy application and removal of the coupler pin and can be secured in position once inserted into the trailer.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention relates to an integrated pin and clip for securing a ball mount to a receiver. The integrated pin and clip includes a locking member that can secured in two different positions, a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member is in the unlocked position when generally coaxial to the shaft of the integrated pin and clip and in the locked position when generally perpendicular to the shaft of the integrated pin and clip. The locking member is secured in each of those positions by a retention means, which requires force or movement in order to allow the clip to move to and from the locked and unlocked positions. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    The present invention may be more readily understood by reference to the following drawings. While certain embodiments are shown as illustrative examples of the invention, the scope of this application should not be construed as limited to these illustrative examples.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an integrated pin and clip shown in the unlocked position.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 1 shown in the locked position.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an integrated pin and clip shown in the unlocked position.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 3 shown in the locked position.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 1 shown with a sleeve adapter.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 3 shown with a sleeve adapter.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an integrated pin and clip shown in the unlocked position.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 is a view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 7 shown in the locked position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an integrated pin and clip shown in the unlocked position.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 10 is a view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 9 shown in the locked position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an integrated pin and clip shown in the unlocked position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 12 is a view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 11 shown in the locked position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an integrated pin and clip shown in the unlocked position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 14 is a view of the integrated pin and clip of FIG. 13 shown in the locked position.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 15 illustrates an integrated pin and clip in a locked position and inserted through a receiver.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 16 illustrates a pin and clip assembly used in conjunction with a coupler. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]    The present invention is an integrated pin and clip, generally referred to as  10 . The integrated pin and clip  10  includes locking means, generally referred to as  20 , and a shaft member  25 . The locking means  20  is designed to have two distinct positions, a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking means  20  is in the unlocked position, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 3,  5 ,  7 ,  9 ,  11 , and  13 , the locking means is generally parallel to the shaft member  25  and allows insertion of the integrated pin and clip  10  into a hole in a receiver  30 . When the locking means  20  is in the locked position, such as shown in FIGS. 2, 4,  6 ,  8 ,  10 , and  12 , the locking means is generally perpendicular to the shaft member  25  and does not allow the integrated pin and clip  10  to be removed from the receiver  30 . FIG. 15 illustrated an embodiment of the integrated pin and clip  10  in the locked position on a receiver.  
         [0023]    Each of the locked and unlocked positions include a retaining means that maintain the locking means  20  in the respective locked and unlocked, or neutral, positions. The retaining means can include a number of mechanisms and is best described in the illustrative embodiments below. These embodiments are not meant to be limiting, but merely examples of illustrating the inventive concept described herein. Generally, the retaining means requires some additional force or movement of the locking means in order to move the locking means from the locked or unlocked position. As such, the pin will remain so positioned until the user provides for such force or movement, thereby avoiding accidental movement and allowing easy application of the integrated pin and clip.  
         [0024]    The details of the present invention will now be described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention should not be limited to any of the particular embodiments disclosed herein, as modifications and combinations of the disclosed embodiments are contemplated by this application.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the first embodiment of the integrated pin and clip  10 . The integrated pin and clip  10  is an angled piece of bar stock forming a shaft member  25  and a angled member  35 , with a cutout portion  40  at the opposite end as the angled member. The cutout portion  40  generally includes three cut outs, located 90 degrees apart, in the general shape to receive the locking member  20 . In this embodiment, the locking member is a clip  20   a  that is a cylindrical piece that can include indented regions  42  towards the middle of the clip to assist in gripping. The clip is spring-loaded to securely hold the clip against the shaft member  25 . To operate the integrated pin and clip  10 , the user pulls the spring-loaded locking clip into coaxial alignment with the shaft  25  and allows the locking clip to lock into engagement with the cut-out portion  40  located on the end  44  of the shaft  25 . This position is shown in FIG. 1. The user can then insert the integrated pin and clip  10  into the vehicle receiver, coupler or other device and the clip  20   a  will maintain coaxial alignment with the shaft member  25 . The integrated pin and clip  10  is inserted through the receiver until the clip  20   a  is received through the opposite side of the receiver, as shown in FIG. 15. The clip  20   a  can then be moved to a locking position, shown in FIG. 2, by pulling the clip  20   a  from engagement with the cut-out portion  40  and rotating it 90 degrees in either direction. The clip  25  can then be released and the spring seats the clip in one of the locking cut-out portions along the sides  46  of the shaft member  25 . The angled end  35  of the integrated pin and clip  10  prevents further insertion. To remove the integrated pin and clip  10 , the clip  20   a  is moved into coaxial alignment with the shaft member  25 , thereby allowing the integrated pin and clip  10  to be removed from the receiver.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the integrated pin and clip  10 . The integrated pin and clip  10  is an angled piece of bar stock forming a shaft member  25  and a angled member  35 , with a cutout portion  40  at the opposite end as the angled member. The cutout portion  40  generally includes three cut outs, located 90 degrees apart, in the general shape to receive the locking member  20 . In this embodiment, the locking member is a blade  20   b.  The locking blade  20   b  is generally a flat with rounded ends, and includes a slot  50  through which a pivot pin  52  is received. The locking blade  20   b  includes notches  55  on either side  56 , as well as on the back side  57 , for receiving spring-loaded ball bearings, or pins (not shown). To operate, the locking blade  20   b  is pulled outward away from the shaft member  25  to disengage the ball bearing from the back side notch  55 . The locking blade  20   b  is then rotated ninety degrees in either direction and slid radially until one of the side notches  55  engage the spring-loaded ball bearing. So positioned, the receiver is locked as the integrated pin and clip  10  cannot be further advanced nor removed from the receiver. To remove the integrated pin and clip  10 , the locking blade  20   b  is slid radially and rotated to the unlocked position, where the locking blade  20   b  is generally coaxial to the shaft member  25 . Once in the unlocked position, the spring-loaded ball bearing engages the notch  55  in the back side  57  of the locking blade  20   b,  thereby securing the locking blade  20   b  in the neutral or coaxial position. So positioned, the integrated pin and clip  10  can be removed from the receiver and the clip will not rotate.  
         [0027]    One variation on the integrated pin and clip  10  shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is to replace the indents  55  and slot  50  with a t-shaped slot (not shown). When the locking blade  20   b  is moved to the locked position, the ball bearing will push the locking blade  20   b  outward thereby sliding the pivot pin  52  into one of the “t”-extensions and securing the clip in the locked position.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 7-8 illustrate a third embodiment of the integrated pin and clip  10 . The integrated pin and clip  10  is an angled piece of bar stock forming a shaft member  25  and a angled member  35 , with a cutout portion  40  at the opposite end as the angled member. The cutout portion  40  generally includes three cut outs, located 90 degrees apart, in the general shape to receive the locking member  20 . In this embodiment, the locking member is a tweezer-like clip  20   c.  The clip  20   c  is a bent piece of sheet shock with notches  55  cut into the sides  56  and end  57 . Typically the clip  20   c  is generally unshaped, although other configurations are conceivable, with a slot  50  that engages a pivot pin  52 . The notches  55  on the side and back are designed to engage a spring biased ball bearing, similar to that in FIGS. 3 and 4. As such, operation of the clip  20   c  is also similar to that of the embodiment in FIGS. 3 and 4. One modification that can be made to this embodiment is to replace the notches  55  with cutout sections (not shown) which interact with a stepped portion in the back of the cutout in the shaft member. The cutout portions engage the stepped portion when the clip is moved to the locked position. To operate, the clip  20   c  is compressed to move then ends from engagement with the stepped portion and then rotated ninety degrees in either direction. The clip  20   c  is then slid radially outward until then notches catch on the stepped portion, thereby locking the clip into position. To remove the integrated pin and clip, the clip is compressed, thereby disengages the notches from the steps, slid radially, and then rotated to the coaxial, or neutral, position. Once in the neutral position, the ends of the clip  20   c  engage the steps and prevent movement and the coupler pin can be removed from the receiver.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a third embodiment of the integrated pin and clip  10 . The integrated pin and clip  10  is an angled piece of bar stock forming a shaft member  25  and a angled member  35 , with a cutout portion  40  a at the opposite end as the angled member. The cutout portion  40   a  generally includes a portion taken from the shaft member  25  on opposite sides. In this embodiment, the locking member is u-shaped clip  20   d  fastened about the central stem  70  of the integrated pin and clip end. The clip  20   d  is generally u-shaped and connected to the integrated pin and clip  10  via a pivot pin  52  which is inserted through a slot  50  located on each of the unshaped arms  72  of the clip  20   d.  On the cut out portions  40   a  of the integrated pin and clip  10  are generally flat with four (two on each flat portion) generally spherical detent-receiving cutouts  76 . The clip  20   d  has two detents  78  located on either arm  72 , positioned such that the detents engage one set of the detent-receiving cutouts  76  when the clip  20   d  is in the neutral or unlocked position and a second set of detent-receiving cutouts  76  when the clip  20   d  is in the locked position. As such, to operate the integrated pin and clip  10 , the clip  20   d  is forced to disengage the first set of detents  78  from the first set of detent-receiving cutouts  78 , thereby allowing the clip  20   d  to rotate ninety degrees in either direction. Once rotated ninety degrees, the clip  20   d  is slid radially until the second set of detents  76  is secured in the second set of detent-receiving cutouts  78 . So positioned, the receiver is locked as the integrated pin and clip  10  cannot be further inserted or removed from the receiver. To remove the integrated pin and clip  10  from the receiver, the clip  20   d  is forced such that the second detents  76  disengage from the second set of detent-receiving cut-outs  78  and the clip  20   d  is slid radially and then rotated to the unlocked or neutral position. Once in the neutral position, the first set of detents  76  engage the first set of detent receiving cutouts  78 , thereby securing the clip  20   d  coaxial to the pin. The integrated pin and clip  10  can thus be removed from the receiver and the clip  20   d  will not rotate.  
         [0030]    A modification to this embodiment would be to switch the locations of the detents  76  with the detent-receiving cutouts  78 . The integrated pin and clip  1 o would operate in the same manner.  
         [0031]    Another modification of this embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11-12. The clip  20   e  is generally u-shaped with a slot  50  formed by a tension arm  80 . The clip slot  50  engages a pivot pin  50 . The back side of the clip  20   e  includes a generally flattened portion  82  which provides resistance to the rotation of the clip  20   e.  To operate, the clip  20   e  is rotated ninety degrees and slid radially. As the clip  20   e  is slid, the pivot pin  52  applies pressure to the tension arm  80  until the pivot pin  50  is engaged by a set of notches  84  in the tension arm  80 . The notches  84  allow the tension arm  80  to snap back into place, thereby secure the pivot pin  52  therein. So positioned, the coupler is locked as the integrated pin and clip  10  cannot be further inserted and the clip  20   e  prevents removal of the integrated pin and clip  10 . To remove the integrated pin and clip  10 , pressure is applied to the end of the clip  20   e  in the radial direction. The pressure allows the pivot pin  52  to advance from the notches  84  and thereby expand the tension arm  80 . The clip  20   e  can then be move radially and then rotated to the unlocked or neutral position. Once in the unlocked positions, the integrated pin and clip  10  can be removed from the receiver and the clip  20   e  will not freely rotate.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 13-14 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the integrated pin and clip  10 . The integrated pin and clip  10  is an angled piece of bar stock forming a shaft member  25  and a angled member  35 , with a cutout portion  40  a at the opposite end as the angled member. The cutout portion  40   a  generally includes a portion taken from the shaft member  25  on opposite sides. In this embodiment, the locking member is a slide clip  20   f.  The clip  20   f  is generally u-shaped with a base side  90  connecting the u-shaped arms  92 . Optionally, the back  93  of the clip  20   f  can be closed as well. The clip  20   f  includes notches on each of the u-shaped arms that receive a pivot pin. The clip  20   f  includes a flattened end portion  94  that prevents rotation form the unlocked position. The integrated pin and clip  10  operates in a similar manner as the above embodiments, and any of the mentioned retention means can be added to assist in securing the clip  20   f  in the locked position.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an adapter sleeve  100  that can be used in conjunction with any of the embodiments mentioned herein. The adapter sleeve  100  generally slides over the shaft member  25  and provides for an increased diameter. Furthermore, nubs  105  can be added to the shaft  25  to prevent the adapter sleeve  100  from sliding axially along the shaft member.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 16 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention, specifically an integrated pin and clip  10  that is used in conjunction with a coupler  108 . The integrated pin and clip  10  is inserted into the coupler latch  108  to prevent the uncoupling of the coupler  108  from the hitch ball (not shown). The integrated pin and clip  10  may include a chain  110  that allows the integrated pin and clip  10  from becoming detached from the coupler  108 .  
         [0035]    Each of the embodiments disclosed herein are disclosed as illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Modifications of these embodiments are contemplated and included in this application. For example, the rotation of the clip ninety degrees can be in any orientation relative to the bent portion of the coupler pin. In other embodiments the coupler pin need not be bent, but instead may include a stop section that is larger than the coupler holes, such as to prevent further insertion of the pin. In other embodiments, detents can be replaced with spring-loaded ball bearings or pins. In still other embodiments, the locking clip can take other shapes or configurations such that it maintains the advantages disclosed in this application. It should be noted the orientation of the locking member  20  rotation, the angle of the angled portion  35 , and the nubs  105  are shown merely as one particular set of embodiments. As such, any of these orientations can be modified from that which is shown and still achieve the invention as set forth herein.