Kingpin lock

• US 6,848,282 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2003
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Securus Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Gabriel Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Palzkill, Raymond G., Feilmeier, Keith R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walsh, John B.
• Application Number:
  US10/681,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20040261470A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 70/58, 702/58, 70229-232, 70/14
• US Class Current: 70/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/085 fitted with anti-coupling devices, pivotal or retractable king pins, e.g. to prevent theft vehicle fittings for preventing theft in general B60R25/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/40 Portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5854 Bolt, nut, stud, stud-cap

Abstract

A kingpin lock includes a vertically-oriented tube with a conical shell formed by a plurality of gussets projecting radially from the tube. The gussets are triangular in shape, so that the conical shape tapers from the upper end to the lower end of the tube. A plunger type lock is mounted on the tube and is operable to move a securement pin into a notch on the kingpin to secure the kingpin within the tube, and to withdraw the pin from the notch to permit removal of the kingpin from the tube.

Claims

1. A security device for a kingpin, comprising:

a vertically-oriented tube having upper and lower ends and an inner diameter sufficient to slidably receive a kingpin of predetermined dimensions therein;

a conical shaped shell mounted on the tube and tapering from a large diameter at an upper end to a small diameter at a lower end, the shell having a central axis coaxial with a central axis of the tube; and

an operable lock mounted on said tube, said lock operable between a locked position securing a horizontal pin in a first position projecting within an interior cavity of the tube, and an unlocked position permitting movement of the pin to a second position withdrawn from the interior cavity of the tube;

wherein said shell is formed of a plurality of gussets projecting radially outwardly from the tube.

2. The security device of claim 1, wherein said gussets are generally triangular in shape.

3. The security device of claim 1, further comprising a lock housing substantially enclosing said lock on the tube, said housing having a horizontal bore formed therethrough and communicating with the interior cavity of the tube, and wherein:

said lock is a plunger-type lock with a cylindrical plug coaxially mounted to an outward end of the pin;

said plug is operably mounted within a cylinder for movement between a locked position within the cylinder and an unlocked position projected at least partially out of the cylinder; and

said lock cylinder is mounted within the bore and coaxial therewith.

4. In combination:

a cargo container having a kingpin depending from a bottom surface thereof;

said kingpin being substantially cylindrical in shape, with an annular notch around the circumference thereof, space above a lower end; and

a security device removably connected to the kingpin to prevent connection of the kingpin to a fifth wheel plate on a tractor, said security device comprising;

a vertically-oriented tube having upper and lower ends and an inner diameter sufficient to slidably receive said kingpin therein;

a conical shaped shell mounted on the tube and tapering from a large diameter at an upper end to a small diameter at a lower end, the shell having a central axis coaxial with a central axis of the tube; and

an operable lock mounted on said tube, said lock operable between a locked position securing a horizontal pin in a first position projecting into the kingpin notch within the tube, and an unlocked position withdrawn from the kingpin notch;

wherein said shell is formed of a plurality of gussets projecting radially outwardly from the tube.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said gussets are generally triangular in shape.

6. The combination of claim 4, further comprising a lock housing substantially enclosing said lock on the tube, said housing having a horizontal bore formed therethrough and communicating with the interior cavity of the tube, and wherein:

said lock is a plunger-type lock with a cylindrical plug coaxially mounted to an outward end of the pin;

said plug is operably mounted within a cylinder for movement between a locked position within the cylinder and an unlocked position projected at least partially out of the cylinder; and

said lock cylinder is mounted within the bore and coaxial therewith.

7. A security device for a kingpin, comprising:

a vertically-oriented tube having upper and lower ends and an inner diameter sufficient to slidably receive a kingpin of predetermined dimensions therein;

a conical shaped mounted on the tube and tapering from a large diameter at an upper end to a small diameter at a lower end;

said shell having a central axis coaxial with a central axis of the tube, and including a plurality of gussets projecting outwardly from the tube; and

an operable lock mounted on said tube, said lock operable between a locked position securing a horizontal pin in a first position projecting within an interior cavity of the tube, and an unlocked position permitting movement of the pin to a second position withdrawn from the interior cavity of the tube.