초록 ▼

A ball hitch and lock assembly is described in which a hitch ball member is connected to the top of a threaded shaft or bolt, the lower end of which is received into a notch of a locking mechanism. A removable locking pin within the locking mechanism extends from one side of the notch, through a bor

A ball hitch and lock assembly is described in which a hitch ball member is connected to the top of a threaded shaft or bolt, the lower end of which is received into a notch of a locking mechanism. A removable locking pin within the locking mechanism extends from one side of the notch, through a bore in the shaft, and into the other side of the notch. The lower end of the shaft received within the notch includes two opposed flats, with each flat being disposed at a respective one of the two opposing ends of the shaft bore. The flats are separated by a distance less than the diameter of the shaft enabling the lower end of the shaft to be snugly received within the notch such that eachof the flats interfaces with a respective side of the notch. The shaft threads above the flats extend beyond the width of the notch to prevent the introduction of a cutting instrument for the locking pin.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a ball portion;a lock assembly having first and second end walls and a notch defining first and second side walls and having a notch width, said lock assembly including a first pin bore extending from said first end wall to said first side wall, a second pin bore extending

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a ball portion;a lock assembly having first and second end walls and a notch defining first and second side walls and having a notch width, said lock assembly including a first pin bore extending from said first end wall to said first side wall, a second pin bore extending from said second end wall to said second side wall, and a pin axially movably disposed within said first and second pin bores; anda threaded shaft coupled at a first end to said ball portion, said threaded shaft having opposing first and second flat surfaces at a second end thereof defining first and second ledges wherein threads of said threaded shaft at said first and second ledges define a thread width that is greater than said notch width, and a shaft bore extending from said first and second flat surfaces, said first and second flat surfaces defining a shaft width less than said notch width and adapted to be received within said notch, said shaft bore adapted to be coaxial with said first and second pin bores when said second end is received in said notch, said pin being axially movably disposed within said shaft bore to removably retain said threaded shaft within said notch.