Patent ID: 6880368

Claim:
A combined locking apparatus and gooseneck trailer hitch, said combination comprising: the gooseneck trailer hitch comprising: a tubular member; a handle slidably mounted to said tubular member, said handle having a latch pin; a receiving plate fixed to said tubular member, said receiving plate defining a cavity for receiving a hitch ball and having a flange defining a first aperture for receiving said latch pin; a lock plate pivotally connected to said receiving plate, said lock plate defining a second aperture for receiving said hitch ball; and a retainer bracket fixed to said lock plate, said retainer bracket defining a slot in which said flange of said receiving plate is slidably disposed, said retainer bracket further defining a third aperture for receiving said latch pin; wherein said latch pin is inserted into said third aperture of said retainer bracket and said first aperture of said receiving plate to immobilize said lock plate in a closed position in which said second aperture of said lock plate is misaligned with said cavity, thereby preventing insertion or removal of said hitch ball from said cavity; a bar disposed in said slot of said retainer bracket adjacent said flange of said receiving plate; and a lock body locking said bar in said slot of said retainer bracket; thereby substantially immobilizing said lock plate within said slot.