US-12623499-B2 - Trailer coupler lock with interchangeable adapter

US12623499B2US 12623499 B2US12623499 B2US 12623499B2US-12623499-B2

Abstract

A trailer coupler lock includes a shell, a coupler engagement plug, a locking mechanism and an adapter. The shell includes a cove configured to receive a receptacle of a trailer coupler, a plug channel in which a plug moves linearly from extended position to a retracted position, and a lock channel in which a locking mechanism is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking mechanism engages and secures the plug in an extended position with a portion of the plug extending from the channel into the cove. The cove includes a slot in which an interchangeable adapter is removably received. The adapter defines a slot for receiving a portion of a trailer coupler, e.g., the flange at and around the coupler receptacle.

Inventors

Ronald Lee, JR.
Anthony Sansone
Bradly Martin

Assignees

Dynamic Manufacturing Group LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20230911

Claims (20)

1 . A trailer coupler lock comprising: a shell, the shell including a front, a back, a bottom and a top, a cove formed in the back of the shell, the cove comprising a concave recess into which a receptacle portion of a coupler may be received, an adapter engagement slot formed in the back of the shell at the cove, and a first channel extending from the bottom of the shell to the cove; and an adapter removably received in the adapter engagement slot, the adapter including a base with a hole that aligns with the first channel when the adapter is received in the engagement slot, and a coupler flange engagement slot; and a receptacle engaging device, the receptacle engaging device being movable in the first channel from an unlocked position to a locked position, and in the locked position a portion of the receptacle engaging device extending through the hole in the base of the adapter into the cove, and in the unlocked position the receptacle engaging device not extending into the hole in the base of the adapter and not extending into the cove.
2 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 1 , the cove including a sidewall, and the adapter engagement slot comprising a first groove formed in the sidewall of the cove, the first groove being configured to engage at least a portion of the adapter at a periphery of the adapter.
3 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 2 , the cove including a bottom surface, and the base of the adapter abutting the bottom surface of the cove when the adapter is received in the adapter engagement slot.
4 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 3 , a mechanical fastener securing the base of the adapter to the bottom of the cove.
5 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 3 , the base of the adapter including a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of spaced apart edges extending from the front portion to the rear portion, and the adapter further comprising a sidewall extending from the front portion and the pair of spaced apart edges, and a flange extending orthogonally from the sidewall, and the flange, sidewall and base of the adapter defining the coupler flange engagement slot.
6 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 5 , the front portion of the adapter being arch-shaped.
7 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 5 , a distance from the flange and base of the adapter being at least equal to a thickness of a coupler flange.
8 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 5 , the base of the adapter including an elevated portion adjacent to the front portion of the base of the adapter, an unelevated portion adjacent to the back portion of the base of the adapter, and a ramp portion transitioning from the unelevated portion to the elevated portion, and a distance from the flange and the elevated portion of the base of the adapter being at least equal to a thickness of a coupler flange.
9 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 1 , the first channel having a first diameter, and the hole in the base of the adapter having a diameter that is at least equal to the first diameter.
10 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 9 , the first channel and the hole in the base of the adapter being concentrically aligned.
11 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 1 , the shell being comprised of a first material and the adapter being comprised of a second material, the second material being different from the first material.
12 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 11 , a density of the second material being greater than a density of the first material.
13 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 11 , a hardness of the second material being greater than a hardness of the first material.
14 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 1 , the receptacle engaging device comprising a plug having a cylindrical body with an elongated slot formed in a sidewall of the cylindrical body, a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the slot.
15 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 14 , the elongated slot of the cylindrical body including a top end and a bottom end, and a cavity formed in the elongated slot of the cylindrical body at the bottom end of the elongated slot of the cylindrical body.
16 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 15 , a lock channel extending from the front of the shell to the first channel.
17 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 16 , a lock assembly movable in the lock channel from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration, and in the locked configuration, a portion of the lock assembly engaging the cavity formed in the elongated slot of the cylindrical body at the bottom end of the elongated slot of the cylindrical body and retaining the receptacle engaging device in the locked position.
18 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 17 , in the unlocked configuration the portion of the lock assembly engaging the elongated slot of the cylindrical body without engaging the cavity formed in the elongated slot of the cylindrical body at the bottom end of the elongated slot, and the receptacle engaging device being movable relative to the first channel.
19 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 18 , further comprising an annular groove intersecting the lock channel, and the lock assembly including a lug movable from a recessed position to an extended position and in the extended position the lug extending into the annular groove, and in the recessed position the lug not extending into the annular groove.
20 . The trailer coupler lock of claim 1 , the shell including an exterior surface, a plurality of hexagonal prism bosses formed in the exterior surface, and a distance between opposite corners of each hexagonal prism boss not exceeding 3 inches.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to trailer coupler locks, and, more particularly, to a lock with an interchangeable adapter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional locks for trailer couplers are well known and have been in use for a number of years. Many such locks include a housing (aka shell) with a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the receptacle of a trailer coupler, an engaging element that is removably received in the receptacle of the coupler, and a mechanism for locking the engaging element to the shell while the receptacle of the trailer coupler is received in the cavity of the shell and the engaging element is received in the receptacle of the coupler. Most conventional locks are configured to provide a set determined protection. First, such locks typically fit one or a very limited range of trailer couplers. Second, such locks offer no variation in the scope of protection. In other words, such locks lack components that can easily be upgraded for additional coverage and/or strength. Third, such locks do not provide weight savings, without materially compromising protection. A solid steel shell is heavy and costly to manufacture. A solid aluminum shell would be considerably lighter, but would provide less security than a steel counterpart. Fourth, such locks do not provide an interchangeable observable component that can be customized, such as with a team logo or other ornamental indicia. A lock that enables adaptation to protect a range of couplers is needed. A lock that enables use of materials for heightened protection, while providing a shell that is relatively lightweight, is needed. A lock that can be adapted to offer a range of protections, from merely engaging a flange of a coupler to covering the receptacle of the coupler, is needed. A lock with an interchangeable observable component that can be customized is needed. The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and solving one or more of the needs as set forth above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To solve one or more of the problems set forth above, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, a coupler lock with an interchangeable adapter includes a shell. The shell includes a front, a back, a bottom and a top. A cove is formed in the back of the shell. The cove includes a concave recess into which a receptacle portion of a coupler may be received. An adapter engagement slot is formed in the back of the shell at the cove. A first channel extends from the bottom of the shell to the cove. An adapter is removably received in the adapter engagement slot. The adapter includes a base with a hole that aligns with the first channel when the adapter is received in the engagement slot. A coupler flange engagement slot is formed in the adapter. A receptacle engaging device is movable in the first channel (e.g., a vertical channel) from an unlocked position to a locked position. In the locked position a portion of the receptacle engaging device extends through the hole in the base of the adapter into the cove. In the unlocked position the receptacle engaging device does not extend into the hole in the base of the adapter and does not extend into the cove. The cove includes a sidewall. The adapter engagement slot includes a first groove formed in the sidewall of the cove. The first groove is configured to engage at least a portion of the adapter (e.g., a portion at a periphery of the adapter, but not including the back of the adapter). The cove has a bottom surface. The base of the adapter abuts the bottom surface of the cove when the adapter is received in the adapter engagement slot. Optionally, a mechanical fastener secures the base of the adapter to the bottom of the cove. The base of the adapter includes a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of spaced apart edges (e.g., spaced apart parallel edges) extending from the front portion to the rear portion. The front is the part of the adapter that enters the adapter engagement slot first. The back is the opposite side of the adapter. The adapter further includes a sidewall extending from the front portion and the pair of spaced apart edges. A flange extends orthogonally from the sidewall. The flange, sidewall and base of the adapter define the coupler flange engagement slot. The front portion of the adapter may be arch-shaped. A distance from the flange and base of the adapter is at least equal to a thickness of a coupler flange, to allow the coupler flange to be received in the space defined therebetween. In one embodiment, the base of the adapter includes an elevated portion adjacent to the front portion of the base of the adapter, an unelevated portion adjacent to the back portion of the base of the adapter, and a ramp portion transitioning from the unelevated portion to the elevated portion. The distance from the flange and the elevated portion of the base of the adapter is at least equal to a thickness of a coupler flange. The first