Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is generally related to locking devices, and more particularly is related to a device for preventing access to a trailer coupler. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   As is well known, trailers provide the capability of towing different items from a first location to a second location. One classification of trailer contains a trailer coupler that is capable of receiving a trailer ball. Specifically, the back of a vehicle contains a receiver assembly located on a trailer hitch, where the receiver assembly has a ball mount connected thereto. In turn, the ball mount has a hitch ball connected thereto. A ball-type trailer coupler contains a ball socket for receiving the hitch ball. 
   Unfortunately, theft of trailers by unauthorized connecting to the trailer coupler is common. To remove the trailer, an unauthorized party inserts a hitch ball located on their vehicle, into a ball socket of trailer coupler. After this connection, and any other securing, the trailer may be taken by the unauthorized individual, in addition to any items located thereon. 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a commonly used ball-type trailer coupler  100 . The trailer coupler  100  is removably connected to an end of a tongue  150  of a trailer (not shown) by at least one coupler bolt  110 , where the bolt  110  travels into a portion of the trailer coupler  100 , through the tongue  150 , and out of the coupler  100 . The trailer coupler  100  also contains a hitch  102 , the lifting of which opens access to a ball socket  104  that is capable of receiving a hitch ball. In addition, the trailer coupler  100  contains a flange  120 . 
   To prevent access to the ball socket  104 , hitch locks are typically used to secure the hitch  102  in place. A hitch lock (not shown) is connected to a hitch opening  106 , and secured thereto, thereby preventing lifting of the hitch  102  and opening access to the ball socket  104 . 
   Unfortunately, while access to the ball socket  104  of the trailer coupler  100  is prevented through use of a lock that is connected to the hitch  102  to prevent lifting of the hitch  102 , a trailer may still be stolen by unauthorized removal of the coupler bolt  110  from the tongue  150  of the trailer. Such removal allows the trailer coupler  100  to be removed from the tongue  150  of the trailer. With the trailer coupler  100  removed, a new trailer coupler may be attached to the tongue  150  of the trailer, a hitch ball connected thereto, and the trailer taken. 
   Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for protecting a trailer coupler. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system for protecting a trailer coupler contains a first arm rotatably connected to a second arm. The first arm contains a top portion, a side portion, and a bottom portion, the top portion of the first arm containing a first opening. The second arm contains a top portion, a side portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion of the second arm contains a first opening. The trailer coupler fits within the system and aligning the said first opening of the first arm and the first opening of the second arm forms a system top portion opening that allows access to a hitch of the trailer coupler while not allowing access to other top portions of the trailer coupler or side portions of the trailer coupler. 
   Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a commonly used ball-type trailer coupler, in accordance with the prior art. 
       FIG. 2  is a back top perspective view of the present system in a closed state, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front top perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1 , also in a closed state. 
       FIG. 4  is a front top perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1 , in an open state. 
       FIG. 5  is a front top perspective view of a first arm of the system of  FIG. 1   
       FIG. 6  is a front top perspective view of a second arm of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front bottom perspective view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present system is a shell that is capable of preventing removal of a trailer coupler from a tongue of a trailer by preventing access to a coupler bolt that removably connects the trailer coupler to the tongue of the trailer. With use of the present system, a user can still access a hitch of the coupler, however, access to a ball socket of the coupler is also prevented. Interaction of the present system with a trailer coupler is described in detail herein. 
     FIG. 2  is a back top perspective view of the present system  200  in a closed state, in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the invention. In addition,  FIG. 3  is a front top perspective view of the system  200  of  FIG. 1 , also in a closed state. Further,  FIG. 4  is a front top perspective view of the system  200  of  FIG. 1 , but instead in an open state, while  FIG. 5  is a front top perspective view of a first arm of the system  200  and  FIG. 6  is a front top perspective view of a second arm of the system  200 . Still further,  FIG. 7  is a front bottom perspective view of the system  200  of  FIG. 1 . It should be noted that the shapes provided by  FIGS. 2-7  are provided for exemplary purposes. One having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that alternative shapes may be used in accordance with the present invention, and such shapes are intended to be covered by the present disclosure. As an example, the present system  200  is shown as being beveled, although the system  200  may instead not be beveled. In addition, outer sides of the system  200  may instead be a different shape, as long as a trailer coupler is capable of being secured therein, as described in detail below. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2-7 , the system  200  contains a first arm  210  and a second arm  250 . The first arm  210  is rotatably connected to the second arm  250  via a hinge  202 . While  FIG. 2  illustrates an outside portion of the hinge  202 ,  FIG. 4  illustrates the hinge  202  from inside of the system  200 . It should be noted that the hinge  202  may be any known hinge that is capable of joining two portions, while also providing rotational capability. Preferably, the hinge  202  is also strong enough to prevent tampering with the hinge  202  or removal of the hinge  202 . The hinge  202  is connected to a distal portion  212  of the first arm  210  and a distal portion  252  of the second arm  250 , thereby allowing the system  200  to open and close by separating and closing distance between a proximate portion  214  of the first arm  210  and a proximate portion  254  of the second arm  250 . Specifically, the hinge  202  acts as an axis of rotation for the system  200 . 
   The first arm  210  of the system  200  contains a top portion  220 , a side portion  222 , a bottom portion  224 , a back portion  226 , and a front portion  228 . The first arm  210  is concave in shape, where the top portion  220 , the side portion  222 , the bottom portion  224 , the back portion  226 , and the front portion  228  define the concave shape. Likewise, the second arm  250  of the system  200  contains a top portion  260 , a side portion  262 , a bottom portion  264 , a back portion  266 , and a front portion  268 . The second arm  250  is concave in shape, where the top portion  260 , the side portion  262 , the bottom portion  264 , the back portion  266 , and the front portion  268  define the concave shape. As is explained in more detail below, the concave shape of the first arm  210  and the concave shape of the second arm  250  allows the first arm  210  and the second arm  250  to be closed around a trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ), such as the trailer coupler  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
   The purpose of the bottom portion  224  of the first arm  210  and the bottom portion  264  of the second arm  250 , and the shape of each bottom portion  224 ,  264  is to prevent access to a ball socket  104  ( FIG. 1 ) of a trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ) when the system  200  is in a closed state around the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ), while providing ample spacing for running items such as, but not limited to, wiring. Specifically, starting from the distal portion  212  of the first arm  210 , the bottom portion  224 , which extends in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the side portion  222 , contains a step  230  having a top surface  232  and a side surface  234 , where a plane of the side surface  234  extends perpendicular to a plane of the top surface  232 . A bottom surface  236  of the first arm step  230  extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the side surface  234 . 
   Similar to the first arm  210 , starting from the distal portion  252  of the second arm  250 , the bottom portion  264 , which extends in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the side portion  262 , contains a step  270  having a top surface  272  and a side surface  274 , where a plane of the side surface  274  extends perpendicular to a plane of the top surface  272 . A bottom surface  276  of the second arm step  270  extends in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the side surface  274 . 
   The front portion  228  of the first arm  210  extends inward from the side portion  222  of the first arm  210  in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the side portion  222  of the first arm  210 . A first lip is created by the front portion  228  of the first arm  210 . In addition, the front portion  268  of the second arm  250  extends inward from the side portion  262  of the second arm  250  in a direction perpendicular to a plane of the side portion  262  of the second arm  250 . A second lip is created by the front portion  268  of the second arm  250 . 
   When the system  200  is in the closed condition, as shown by  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 , the first and second lips of the system  100  prevent a trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ) from being removed from a trailer tongue  150  ( FIG. 1 ). Specifically, the system  200  is fabricated to be slightly longer than the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ). As a result, when the system  200  is closed around the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ), the first and second lips of the system  200  surround an outer flange  120  ( FIG. 1 ) of the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   The purpose of the top portion  220  of the first arm  210  and the top portion  260  of the second arm  250 , and the shape of each top portion  220 ,  260  is to prevent access to the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ) from either the top or the side, while allowing access to the hitch  102  (FIG.  1 ) of the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Specifically, since the top portion  220  of the first arm  210  and the top portion  260  of the second arm  250  are brought together, except for at a top portion opening  280  that allows access to the hitch  102  ( FIG. 1 ), access is not provided to the coupler bolt  110  ( FIG. 1 ). As previously mentioned, the coupler bolt  110  provides a connection from the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ) to the tongue  150  ( FIG. 1 ) of the trailer. By preventing access to the coupler bolt  110  ( FIG. 1 ), the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ) cannot be removed from the tongue  150  ( FIG. 1 ) of the trailer. 
   Beginning from the distal portion  212  of the first arm  210 , the top portion  220 , which extends in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the side portion  222 , contains a first step  290  having a top surface  292  and a side surface  294 , where a plane of the side surface  294  extends perpendicular to a plane of the top surface  292 . An end of the side surface  294  that is opposite the top surface  292  meets a central surface  296 , which is located between the first step  290  and a second step  300 . The second step  300  contains a first side surface  302  and a top surface  304 , where a plane of the top surface  304  extends perpendicular to a plane of the first side surface  302 , and where the plane of the top surface  304  of the second step  300  is parallel to the plane of the top surface  292  of the first step  290 . An end of the top surface  304  of the second step  300  that is opposite the first side surface  302  meets a second side surface  306 , where a plane of the second side surface  306  is perpendicular to the plane of the top surface  304  of the second step  300 . It should be noted that the first step  290  side surface  294 , the central surface  296 , and the second step  300  first side surface  302  may be referred to together as a first arm  210  opening. 
   Similar to the first arm  210 , beginning from the distal portion  252  of the second arm  250 , the top portion  260 , which extends in a plane perpendicular to a plane of the side portion  262 , contains a first step  320  having a top surface  322  and a side surface  324 , where a plane of the side surface  324  extends perpendicular to a plane of the top surface  322 . An end of the side surface  324  that is opposite the top surface  322  meets a central surface  326 , which is located between the first step  320  and a second step  330 . The second step  330  contains a first side surface  332  and a top surface  334 , where a plane of the top surface  334  extends perpendicular to a plane of the first side surface  332 , and where the plane of the top surface  334  of the second step  330  is parallel to the plane of the top surface  322  of the first step  320 . An end of the top surface  334  of the second step  330  that is opposite the first side surface  332  meets a second side surface  336 , where a plane of the second side surface  336  is perpendicular to the plane of the top surface  334  of the second step  330 . It should be noted that the first step  320  side surface  324 , the central surface  326 , and the second step  330  first side surface  332  may be referred to together as a second arm  250  opening. 
   When the system  200  is in the closed position, the top surface  292  of the first step  290  located on the first arm  210  is aligned parallel to the top surface  322  of the first step  320  located on the second arm  250 . In addition, the top surface  304  of the second step  300  located on the first arm  210  is aligned parallel to the top surface  334  of the second step  330  located on the second arm  250 . The result of these alignments is top access to the trailer coupler  100  once positioned within the system  100  being limited to access through the top portion opening  280 , and even then, limited to access for the hitch  102  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   The first arm  210  and the second arm  250  of the system  200  are preferably removably secured together to prevent removal of the system  200  from the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ). To maintain location of the first arm  210  adjacent the second arm  250  when the system  200  is in the closed state, a tab located on the top portion  220  of the first arm  210  is removably secured to a tab located on the top portion  260  of the second arm  250 . Specifically, a first tab  400  extends from the top portion  220  of the first arm  210  in an axis perpendicular to a plane of the top portion  220  of the first arm  210 . In addition, a second tab  402  extends from the top portion  260  of the second arm  250  in an axis perpendicular to a plane of the top portion  260  of the second arm  250 . Each of the tabs  400 ,  402  contains a hole for allowing a lock to be secured thereto. By securing and locking the lock to the holes of the tabs  400 ,  402 , the first arm  210  is prevented from being separated from the second arm  250 , thereby maintaining the system  200  to the trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   The system  200  may be fabricated from one or more material such as, but not limited to, metal, or plastic. It should be noted, however, that it is preferable that the system  200  be fabricated from a material that is strong enough to prevent effective tampering with the system  200  that would otherwise remove the system  200  from a trailer coupler. 
   As mentioned above, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention, the system  200  may be shaped differently. As an example, the bottom portion  224  of the first arm  210  and the bottom portion  264  of the second arm  250  may be shaped differently, as long as access to the ball socket  104  ( FIG. 1 ) of a trailer coupler  100  ( FIG. 1 ) is prevented so that a hitch ball cannot be placed within the ball socket  104  ( FIG. 1 ). As another example, the top portion  220  of the first arm  210  and the top portion  260  of the second arm  250  may be shaped differently, as long as the hitch  102  ( FIG. 1 ) of the trailer coupler  100  is accessible and the coupler bolt  110  ( FIG. 1 ) is not accessible. Further, the side portions  222 ,  262  of the system may have a different size. 
   It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Technology Category: 7