Claims
- 1. A locking device adapted for insertion into first and second apertures having different sizes, comprising:
- 2. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a retaining member independent of said locking head for releasably securing said sleeve on said shank.
- 3. A locking device according to claim 1, including a set of at least two sleeve elements each having a common inner diameter sized for mounting on said shank and each with a different outer diameter.
- 4. A locking device according to claim 3, wherein said shank has an outer diameter of about 3/8", and wherein said size conversion structure includes a set of three sleeve elements each with a different outer diameter varying between 7/16"to 5/8".
- 5. A locking device according to claim 1, including a set of at least two sleeve elements having variable outer diameters and configured to be selectively nested within each other, the innermost sleeve element of said nested sleeve elements being sized for mounting on said shank.
- 6. A locking device according to claim 5, wherein said size conversion structure includes a set of three said nested sleeve elements including a first sleeve element sized for close-fitting yet removable engagement with said shank, a second sleeve element sized for close-fitting yet removable engagement with said first sleeve element, and a third sleeve element sized for close-fitting yet removable engagement with said second sleeve element.
- 7. A locking device according to claim 2, wherein said shank has a first end portion that includes an annular groove formed therein proximate said latch portion, and wherein said retaining member comprises a retention element disposed in said annular groove to maintain said sleeve in position on said shank.
- 8.A locking device according to claim 7, wherein said retention element is an annular O-ring disposed in said annular groove.
- 9. A locking device according to claim 7, wherein said retention element is a C-shaped washer that has facing arm ends that define a gap therebetween for selective positioning in said annular groove.
- 10. A locking device according to claim 2, wherein said retaining member comprises a first set of threads disposed on one end of said sleeve and configured for threaded engagement with said stop portion.
- 11. A locking device according to claim 10, wherein said stop portion includes an end portion having a second set of threads disposed therein and configured to receive and engage said first set of threaded elements disposed on said sleeve.
- 12. A locking device according to claim 1 wherein said shank is linear and wherein said sleeve and said shank have a common linear length between said stop portion and said latch portion.
- 13. A locking device according to claim 1, wherein said sleeve is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyurethane and polyethylene to provide a cushioning effect to said device along with reduced noise.
- 14. A convertible locking device comprising:
- 15. A locking device according to claim 14, wherein each of said sleeve elements has a common inner diameter sized for mounting on said shank and each with a different outer diameter.
- 16. A locking device according to claim 14, wherein said sleeve elements each have different inner and outer diameters and wherein said sleeve elements are configured to be selectively nested within each other in a radially stacked relationship, an innermost sleeve element of said nested sleeve elements being sized for mounting on said shank.
- 17. A locking device according to claim 16, wherein said set of sleeve elements comprise three said nested sleeve elements including a first sleeve element sized for close-fitting engagement with said shank, a second sleeve element sized for close-fitting engagement with said first sleeve element, and a third sleeve element sized for close-fitting engagement with said second sleeve element.
- 18. A locking device according to claim 14, wherein said retaining apparatus comprises an annular groove disposed in said shank first end portion and a retention element configured for selective positioning within said annular groove to maintain one or more of said sleeve elements of said set of sleeve elements in position on said shank.
- 19. A locking device according to claim 14, wherein said retaining apparatus comprises a first set of threads disposed on one end of each said sleeve element configured for threaded engagement with said stop member.
- 20. A locking device according to claim 18, wherein said stop member includes an end portion having a second set of threads disposed therein and configured to receive and engage said first set of threads disposed on said sleeve element.
- 21. A locking hitch pin device for interconnecting a hitch bar with a hitch receiver, said bar and receiver each including apertures disposed therein for receiving the hitch pin device, said device comprising:
- 22. A locking device according to claim 21, wherein said retaining apparatus comprises an annular groove disposed in said hitch pin shank first end portion and a retention element configured for selective positioning within said annular groove to maintain said sleeve in position on said hitch pin shank.
- 23. A locking device according to claim 22, wherein said device includes a set of at least two sleeve elements each having an inner diameter sized for mounting on said hitch pin shank and each with a different outer diameter to match varying sized bar and receiver apertures, said retention element selectively maintaining each said sleeve element in position on said hitch pin shank.
- 24. A locking device according to claim 22, wherein said device includes a set of at least two sleeve elements having variable inner and outer diameters and configured to be selectively nested within each other, the innermost sleeve element of said nested sleeve elements being sized for close-fitting engagement with said hitch pin shank, said retention element selectively maintaining one or more of said sleeve elements in nested position on said hitch pin shank.
- 25. A locking device according to claim 21, wherein said device includes a set of at least two sleeves each having an inner diameter sized for mounting on said hitch pin shank and each with a different outer diameter to match varying sized bar and receiver apertures, and wherein said retaining apparatus comprises a first set of threads disposed on one end of each said sleeve and configured for threaded engagement with said stop member.
- 26. A locking device according to claim 25, wherein said stop member includes an end portion having a second set of threads disposed therein and configured to receive and engage said first set of thread elements disposed on each said sleeve.
- 27. In a locking device having a locking head movable between a locked and an unlocked state, a shackle member having a linear shank with a thickness dimension and first and second end portions, a latch portion disposed at the shank first end portion configured to engage said locking head, and a stop member disposed at the shank second end portion, a method for varying the diameter of the linear shank to adapt the locking device to variable sized apertures in components to be locked with said device, said method comprising the steps of:
- 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein said method further comprises the steps of providing a plurality of sleeves each having a common inner diameter for telescopingly engaging said shank and a different outer diameter, selecting one of said sleeves having an outer diameter corresponding to the size of the apertures in the components to be locked, and inserting the said one of said sleeves onto said shank to vary the diameter thereof according to the size of the apertures in the components to be locked.
- 29. The method according to claim 27, wherein said method further comprises the steps of providing a plurality of sleeves having variable inner and outer diameters and configured to be selectively nested within each other, selecting one or more nested sleeves having a combined outer diameter corresponding to the size of the apertures in the components to be locked, and inserting the selected combination of sleeves onto said shank to vary the diameter thereof according to the size of the apertures in the components to be locked.
- 30. The method according to claim 27, wherein said sleeve is retained in position on said shank by providing an annular groove in said shank proximate the latch portion thereof, and then positioning a retaining member in said groove about said shank after the sleeve has been telescopically positioned onto said shank.
- 31. The method according to claim 27, wherein said sleeve is retained in position on said shank by providing a first set of threads on one end portion of said sleeve and a second set of threads on said stop portion, and then threadably engaging said sleeve with said stop portion after said sleeve has been telescopically positioned onto said shank.
- 32. A locking device adapted for alternative close-fitted insertion within a first aperture having a first diameter and a second aperture having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, comprising:
- 33.A locking device according to claim 32 including a retaining element operative to resist removal of said sleeve from said shank when said locking head is in the unlocked state and removed from said latch portion.
- 34.A locking device adapted for close-fitted, alternative insertion within first and second apertures having different sizes, comprising:
- 35.A locking device according to claim 34 including a retaining element operative to resist removal of said sleeve from said shank portion when said locking head is in the unlocked state and removed from said latch portion.
- 36.A locking hitch system comprising:
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application is related to co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 09/153,511, filed September 15, 1998, now U.S. Patent No. 6,055,832 issued May 2, 2000, the contents of which are specifically incorporated herein.