Keyed Trailer Hitch Coupling to Block Unauthorized Towing

The patent applies asymmetry by providing each trailer with a unique keyed tongue configuration that only fits its corresponding paired tongue receiver. The keyed tongue includes specific geometric features (such as keyed portions with unique patterns) that create an asymmetric interface, ensuring that only the authorized towing vehicle with the matching keyed tongue can couple to the trailer, while unauthorized vehicles with standard or different keyed tongues cannot attach.

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hitch system into distinct components: the keyed tongue attached to the towing vehicle, the paired tongue receiver attached to the trailer, and the unique keyed interface between them. This segmentation allows the security function to be implemented through the specific pairing of these components, where the keyed portion of the tongue and the corresponding receiver work together as an integrated security mechanism while maintaining separate attachable components.

The patent applies parameter changes by varying the geometric parameters of the keyed interface for each trailer-vehicle pairing. Each keyed tongue and its corresponding receiver have unique dimensional parameters (such as key width, depth, angle, or pattern features) that are specifically matched to each other. This allows the system to provide high reliability through unique parameter combinations while using standard manufacturing tolerances, as each pairing is designed with its own set of parameters rather than requiring extreme precision across all components.