Patent Abstract:
A kingpin lock device generally including a lock housing, a selectively engageable lock, and a sliding member. The lock housing can include a kingpin receiving aperture, a lock receiving channel, and a sliding channel. The sliding member can include a concave portion at one end for engaging the surface of the kingpin, a slot portion intermediate the sliding member for receiving the selectively engageable lock, and a stop lip/flange portion at the end distal the curved portion. The stop flange portion includes at least one lip for engaging the outer surface of the lock housing upon positioning of the sliding member within the sliding channel. As such, movement of the sliding member within the sliding channel is limited and the introduction of a substantial longitudinal force on the sliding member will not bring the lock into damaging forceable contact with the slot portion of the sliding member.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to security devices implemented in the trucking industry and, more particularly, to a kingpin locking device having a stoppable sliding member to provide protection to components when influenced by force from theft or abuse. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional kingpin locks are typically designed with a receiving aperture or wrap-around device that permits lockable engagement with a trailer kingpin to discourage or even prevent theft of trailers and their contents. With the trailer kingpin surrounded by the device, a thief is without means of attaching the trailer to a secondary vehicle. As such, various designs and techniques have been implemented with kingpin locks in an attempt to promote this theft prevention goal. However, conventional systems present innate drawbacks. 
     First, many conventional devices are unnecessarily complex. Namely, it is common for lock designs to employ complicated and proprietary components. For instance, integrated locks and latching systems are often utilized wherein the interplay of the components is inflexible. These conventional designs introduce undesirable manufacturing and repair costs. The occurrence of part malfunctions increases, and ease of interchangeability is impractical. As such, consumer appeal is negatively affected such that these conventional features bring down public interest in the products. 
     Second, many of the devices that implement these complicated and/or intricate systems, often fail to consider the urgency of a theft scenario. A thief is not generally interested in consuming valuable time analyzing a system. Instead, thieves are likely to employ force in an attempt to break the locks. Since many conventional and often-complex locks include components undesirably exposed outside the kingpin lock housing, vulnerability is relatively high. Integrated locks, sliding bars, and similar components that are accessible outside the lock housing can be subjected to substantial force with tools such as sledge hammers to initiate breakage. 
     Even advanced designs that have addressed the problems with these conventional lock systems leave room for improvement. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,718, incorporated herein by reference, comprises a kingpin lock device having a system of locking the trailer kingpin that employs a simple design, with some standard components, wherein the vast majority of the components are protected within the lock housing. Namely, a standard padlock is fully insertable within the housing to latchably engage a portion of a sliding member such that the engagement of the padlock to the sliding member restricts movement of the housing away from or off of the trailer kingpin. With a minimum level of component exposure, forceable damage to the lock is substantially avoided. However, while the ′718 Patent is a significant improvement over conventional kingpin lock designs, the design can be improved to further advance the goal of theft prevention. As the sliding member must be selectively slidable in and out of the sliding chamber of the lock housing, it is equipped with a handle groove at one end that must be externally accessible for adjustment of the sliding member once the lock has been disengaged. As such, it is possible for the sliding member to be forced inward into contact with the engaged lock such that damage can occur to the lock and/or the sliding member. With an extremely high level of force, it is possible to break either of the components to obtain disengagement of the kingpin lock from the trailer kingpin. 
     As a result, there is a need for a kingpin lock device that will substantially solve the problems plaguing conventional designs and techniques. Namely, complex and proprietary designs must be avoided while still furthering the goal of theft prevention. All of this must be accomplished with a device that does not impose burdensome manufacturing costs and user inconvenience. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The lockable kingpin system of the present invention substantially solves the problems with conventional devices. Namely, a device of simple design is presented that does not require expensive manufacturing materials and components, while still promoting theft prevention with component designs that are not vulnerable to damage from externally exerted forces. 
     The kingpin lock device of the present invention generally includes a lock housing, a selectively engageable lock, and a sliding member. The lock housing can include a kingpin receiving aperture, a lock receiving channel, and a sliding channel. The sliding member can include a concave portion at one end for engaging the surface of the kingpin, a slot portion intermediate the sliding member for receiving the selectively engageable lock, and a stop lip/flange portion at the end distal the curved portion. The stop flange portion includes at least one lip for engaging the outer surface of the lock housing upon positioning of the sliding member within the sliding channel. As such, movement of the sliding member within the sliding channel is limited and the introduction of a substantial longitudinal force on the sliding member will not bring the lock into damaging forceable contact with the slot portion of the sliding member. Despite force from a tool such as a sledgehammer, the sliding member will not enter into the sliding channel beyond the predetermined distance defined by the location of the stop flange portion. The flange can take on a myriad of shapes and sizes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kingpin lock device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top cross-section view of an embodiment of a kingpin lock device engaging a kingpin in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a sliding member for use with a kingpin lock device in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sliding member for use with a kingpin lock device in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a kingpin lock device  10  in accordance with the present invention is generally shown. The lock device  10  generally includes a lock housing  12 , a sliding member  14 , and a selectively latchable lock  16 . Further, the device  10  is selectively lockably engageable with a kingpin  18 , such as those commonly known for employment on tractors or trailers. 
     Referring primarily to FIGS. 1-2, the lock housing  12  can include a kingpin receiving aperture  20 , a lock receiving channel  22 , a sliding member channel  24 , and a front portion  26 . The front portion  26  generally includes a stop surface  28 . The lock housing  12  is generally constructed of a durable steel, iron, or aluminum, but it is envisioned that other durable materials designed to accommodate the environmental and strength requirements of a kingpin lock can also be employed. The receiving aperture  20  is shaped and sized to receive the kingpin  18  such that kingpins of various sizes can pass into and through the housing  12  with a measurable amount of extra room left between the outside surface of the kingpin  18  and the inner diameter of the generally cylindrical-shaped receiving aperture  20 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The lock receiving channel  22  is in fluid communication and generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the kingpin receiving aperture  20 . The lock receiving channel is sized and shaped to fully accept various latchable locks  16  to substantially shroud the locks  16 . The sliding member channel  24  is also generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the kingpin receiving aperture  20 . The sliding member channel  24  provides a channel of fluid communication through the front portion  26  of the housing into the cylindrical cavity of the kingpin receiving aperture  20 . As such, each of said apertures and channels  20 - 24  are in fluid communication with each other to create an area of connectability within the lock housing  12 . 
     Further, the lock housing  12  can include a pin aperture  32  substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the kingpin receiving aperture  20  such that the pin aperture  32  provides a chamber that preferably does not completely pass through the housing  12 . As a result, a roll pin  33 , an expand pin, or the like can be inserted through the pin aperture  32  to securely rest at a stop position, as shown in FIG.  2 . At this stop position the roll pin  33  can be forceably engaged using various known tools to removably lockably engage the pin  33 . As further discussed herein, the pin  33 , in the forceably engaged stop position, will provide a displacement restriction on an engaged sliding member  14  through the sliding member channel  24 . In various embodiments, a handle  30  can be included which is attached to the housing  12  at handle bores  31  defined through the housing  12  to promote and facilitate device  10  portability. 
     Referring primarily to FIGS. 3-4, embodiments of the sliding member  14  generally includes a stop flange portion  34 , a concave end portion  36 , a slot portion  38 , a handle portion  40 , and a pin guide  42 . The stop flange  34  is at an end of the member  14  distal the concave end portion  36  and defines a portion of the member  14  measurably larger than the width of the sliding member channel  24 . Flanges  34  of varying shapes and sizes can be employed as well without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, alternative embodiments can include a flange  34  design wherein the lip of the flange extends along a plane parallel to the receiving aperture  20 , is transverse to the longitudinal length of the sliding member;  14 , includes arcuate flanges  34 , or incorporates a myriad of other variations. 
     The slot portion  38  comprises a groove or cut out of a predefined distance along one side of the member  14 , wherein the slot portion  38  is substantially intermediate the stop flange portion  34  and the concave end portion  36 . In addition, a handle portion  40  can be included proximate the stop flange portion  34  to facilitate user manipulation of the sliding member  14 , as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. Generally, the handle portion  40  will include. grooves within the sliding member  14  to create a surface contour change for ease-of-handling. 
     To prevent inadvertent loss of the sliding member  14 , and to ensure that the displacement of the sliding member  14  within the sliding member channel  24  is limited, a displacement system is employed. In one embodiment, the displacement system includes the pin  33  which will preferably pass through the pin aperture  32  of the housing  12  and through the pin guide  42  of the sliding member  14 . As such, displacement of the sliding member  14  when the pin  33  is engaged in the stop position will be limited to the abuttable contact of the pin  33  within and along the corresponding length of the pin guide  42 . Other known means of limiting such displacement can also be employed without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In alternative embodiments, the pin guide  42  will be located at an edge opposite the slot  38 , as shown in FIG.  4 . With such embodiments, the pin guide  42  will limit displacement of the sliding member  14 , but will do so without employing a pass-through slot central the member  14 . Further, alternative embodiments of the pin guide  42  can simply include a groove or recess, along a portion of the sliding member  14  that does not completely pass through the sliding member  14 . Regardless, and unlike the conventional practice of utilizing a set screw for limiting displacement, the pin  33  and pin guide  42  technique of the present invention makes it difficult to remove the displacement device either intentionally or accidentally. It is difficult for thieves to force out the roll pin  33  from its stop position. Further, travel, storage, and every day use will not result in undesirable loosening of a displacement device such as the conventional set screw. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the latchable lock  16  can include a body  44 , a shackle  46 , and a key (not shown). The key can be used to selectively engage and disengage the shackle from the lock body  44 . Various latchable locks known to one skilled in the art can be implemented with the present invention. When originally configuring or manufacturing the device of the present invention  10 , the sliding member  14  is inserted into the sliding member channel  24  and the pin aperture  32  is aligned to match up with a portion of the pin guide  42 . As such, the pin  33  can be forceably engaged within the pin aperture  32 , through or to the pin guide  42 , to create stop positions along the longitudinal travel path of the sliding member  14  within the sliding channel  24 . This fundamental configuration technique will generally exist and remain despite the selective implementation of various locks, or the selective connection of the device  10  to a myriad of trailers and respective kingpins  18 . With movement of the sliding member  14  being controlled within the channel  24 , the slot portion  38  is generally aligned with the lock receiving channel  22  for ease of operation. To house a particular lock within the kingpin lock housing  12 , the sliding member  14  is removed or pulled back within the channel  24  prior to inserting the pin  33 , or after removing the pin  33 , such that the shackle  46  of the lock  16  can be positioned within the lock receiving channel  22 . Once positioned, the sliding member  14  can be slidable adjusted to pass through the loop of the shackle  46 . Again, following this insertion and adjustment of a defined lock  16  within the lock receiving channel  22 , the pin  33  limits the travel path defined by the pin guide  42  configuration. 
     At engagement, the shackle  46  of the lock  16  selectively engulfs or surrounds the slot portion  38  of the sliding member  14 . With the lock  16  abuttably and lockably surrounding the slot portion  38 , the sliding member  14  is yet further limited in its movement within the sliding member channel  24 . By unlocking the shackle  46  of the lock  16 , the lock body  44  can be withdrawn a distance back from the proximate slot portion  38  to again increase moveability of the sliding member  14 . 
     In operation, a kingpin lock device  10  in accordance with the present invention is selectively engageable with a standard kingpin  18 . Typical standard kingpins  18  are of a common shape and size and can include an annular groove. To secure these kingpins  18  from unwanted tampering or unauthorized connectivity, the user will unlock the latchable lock  16  (i.e., a padlock) with the key. The lock body  44  may then be partially withdrawn from the lock receiving channel  22 , and its position against the slot portion  38 . However, as stated herein, uninhibited movement of the sliding member  14  is limited in this state by the engaged roll pin  33 . 
     When the lock  16  is partially engaged with the slot portion  38 , permissible movement of the sliding member  14  along the defined path of pin guide  42  enables the user to adjust engagement of the concave end portion  36  with the circumferential surface of the kingpin  18 . The annular groove portion can provide longitudinal limits on movement of the kingpin  18  from engagement with the abutted concave portion  36  of the sliding member  14 . When the sliding member  14  is measurably withdrawn, the concave end  36  is drawn at least partially out of the kingpin receiving aperture  20 , thus permitting the trailer kingpin  18  to pass through. After the lock housing  12  is placed over the trailer kingpin  18 , the concave end  36  may be pushed into contact engagement with the surface of the kingpin  18 , or into the annular groove. The lock body  44  can then be pushed into lockable engagement with the corresponding shackle  46  within the slot portion  38  to substantially prevent movement of the member  14  relative to the lock housing  12  and its sliding member channel  24 . 
     With conventional techniques, engaged kingpin locks are still vulnerable to tampering caused by excessive force from a tool such as a sledgehammer. With the present invention, a blow following the longitudinal axis of the sliding member  14  will meet at least two levels of resistance to substantially assist in maintaining the integrity of the lock device  10  and its position on the engaged kingpin  18 . First, the longitudinal movement of the sliding member  14  is limited by the inevitable abutment of the stop flange portion  34  against the stop surface  28  of the lock housing  12 . In addition, the restricted movement of the member  14  caused by the path defined by the roll pin  33  within pin guide  42  is also beneficial. It should be noted that the implementation of the roll pin  33  and pin guide  42  system without the flange stop  34  would leave the latchable lock  16  vulnerable to forceable contact with the sliding member  14  and the roll pin  33  itself. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments in addition to the ones described herein are indicated to be within the scope and breadth of the present application. Accordingly, the applicant intends to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8