Trailer Lock Securing Safety Chains and Coupler

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trailer locks fail to prevent unauthorized use of safety chains and hooks for towing, allowing thieves to exploit these components for trailer theft.

Innovation Solution

A trailer lock with a clam shell design that secures the tongue coupler and incorporates a bolt with a disk-shaped head, telescoping feature, and releasable latching mechanism, along with hook eyes to prevent disengagement of hooks from the lock, effectively using the tongue coupler as a secondary locking component to secure the chains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If safety chains are provided for emergency towing, then towing continuity is ensured, but thieves can exploit these chains as alternative towing means

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemergency towing capabilityVSAvoidtheft risk via safety chains

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lock assembly applies preliminary restraint to the safety chain hooks before any unauthorized towing attempt can occur. By securing the hooks to the trailer frame through the lock mechanism, the system pre-prevents the harmful action of thieves using the chains for towing, while still allowing legitimate emergency use when the lock is properly engaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The lock assembly acts as an intermediary between the safety chains and the trailer frame. It provides a controlled connection point that allows the chains to function for emergency towing when authorized, while preventing unauthorized use. The lock mediates between the need for chain availability and the need for security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the lock enclosure ceiling is fixed, then manufacturing is simpler, but the lock cannot accommodate the tongue coupler insertion and removal operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure constructionVSAvoidcoupler access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lock enclosure ceiling is designed as a movable component rather than a fixed one. It can pivot between a closed position (for security) and an open position (for coupler access). This dynamic design allows the same structure to provide both manufacturing simplicity and operational ease without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure ceiling is segmented into movable and fixed portions, allowing independent movement of the ceiling panel while maintaining the structural integrity of the rest of the enclosure. This segmentation enables easy access for coupler operations while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11535072B2Trailer lock

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 WILLIAMSON CHRISTOPHER H

AI summary

A lock for securing a hitch coupler and safety chain hooks, the hitch coupler being attached to a trailer's towing tongue and the safety chains and hooks being attached to the towing tongue, the lock incorporating a primary lock including an enclosure having a floor and a ceiling; a bolt attached to and extending into the enclosure from the floor; a seam segmenting the enclosure and facilitating movements of the ceiling between a first and second positions, wherein, upon movement of the ceiling to the first position, the ceiling overlies the bolt, and upon movement toward the second position, the ceiling displaces from the first position; a releasable latch attached to the primary lock, the releasable latch being adapted for resisting movements of the ceiling; and a secondary lock incorporating a hitch coupler lower surface and the chain hook receiving eye.