Receiver pin locking device

• US 10,654,327 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2017
• Issued: 05/19/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc. (Horizon Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Horizon Global Americas Inc. (Horizon Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Okerlund, Kawa-She-Quoen
• Primary Examiner(s): Knutson, Jacob D
• Application Number:
  US15/482,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20170313144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 280507
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/52 removably mounted B60D1/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/60 Covers, caps or guards , e.g. comprising anti-theft devices

Abstract

A receiver pin lock for insertion into first and second sized opposed engaging apertures of first and second hitch receivers is shown and described. The receiver pin lock may include a stem, a first stepped portion extend from the stem, and a lock member selectively engageable with the stem, the lock member preventing removal of stem from either of the first and second hitch receivers. The receiver pin lock may also include a second stepped portion positioned on the lock member and extending from the stem, where the stem is configured to operatively engage the first sized engaging apertures of the first hitch receiver and the first and second stepped portions are configured to operatively engage the second sized engaging apertures of the second hitch receiver.

Claims

1. A receiver pin lock for insertion into first and second sized opposed engaging apertures of first and second hitch receivers, the receiver pin lock comprising:

a stem;

a lock member attached with the stem, the lock member preventing removal of the stem from either of the first and second hitch receivers; and

first and second stepped portions extending from opposite ends of the stem, wherein the stem operatively engages the first sized engaging apertures of the first hitch receiver and the first and second stepped portions operatively and directly engage the second sized engaging apertures of the second hitch receiver.

2. The receiver pin lock of claim 1, wherein the stem extends a stem distance whereby the stem distance is substantially equivalent a distance between the first opposed engaging apertures of the first hitch receiver.

3. The receiver pin lock of claim 1, further comprising a stop portion, wherein the stop portion has a larger diameter than the first and second stepped portions.

4. The receiver pin lock of claim 3, wherein the lock member and stop portion prevent withdrawal of the stem from either of the first and second hitch receiver.

5. A receiver pin lock for insertion into first and second sized opposed engaging apertures of first and second hitch receivers, the receiver pin lock comprising:

a stem having a stem diameter;

first and second stepped portions extending from opposite ends of the stem, the first and second stepped portions having stepped diameters; and

wherein the stem operatively engages the first sized engaging apertures of the first hitch receiver and the stem includes a stem length whereby the stem length is substantially equivalent a first distance between the first opposed engaging apertures;

wherein the first and second stepped portions operatively and directly engage the second sized engaging apertures of the second hitch receiver whereby the stepped diameters are larger than the stem diameter and the stem and first and second stepped portions extend a stepped distance whereby the stepped distance is substantially equivalent a second distance between the second opposed engaging apertures.

6. The receiver pin lock of claim 5, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

7. A receiver pin lock comprising:

a shank having a first diameter and extending a first length;

first and second stepped portions extending from opposite ends of the shank, the first and second stepped portions having diameters larger than the first diameter, the first and second stepped portions extending a second length;

wherein the shank is insertable into a first hitch receiver having a pair of apertures spaced apart an aperture length on opposed sides, whereby the aperture length is substantially equivalent the first length; and

wherein the first and second stepped portions are insertable into a second hitch receiver having a pair of apertures spaced apart a second aperture length on opposed sides, whereby the second aperture length is substantially equivalent the second length.

8. The receiver pin lock of claim 7, further comprising a lock member selectively attached to the shank, a portion of the lock member preventing withdrawal of the shank from either of the first and second hitch receivers.

9. The receiver pin lock of claim 8, wherein the second stepped portion is included on the lock member.

10. The receiver pin lock of claim 8, further comprising a stop portion attached with the first stepped portion, the stop portion generally preventing withdrawal of the stem from either of the first and second hitch receivers.

11. The receiver pin lock of claim 10, wherein the first and second stepped portions diameters are about ⅝

of an inch.

12. The receiver pin lock of claim 7, wherein the first diameter is about ½

of an inch.