TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to locking devices and, more specifically, to a nut and bolt locking device capable of securing a nut onto a bolt and method therefor. The present invention is particularly useful in, although not strictly limited to, ball-type hitch applications desiring vibration protection to prevent unexpected trailer disassociation and anti-theft protection to prevent unauthorized trailer removal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The increase in the number of individuals driving sport utility vehicles has led to an increase in the number of individuals with trailer hitches. While only a limited number of cars and vehicles could previously pull a camper, utility trailer or boat or motorcycle trailer, the option is now available to a growing majority of drivers. This, coupled with

the proliferation of affordable outdoor sport vehicles, such as personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, has brought new interest to the trailer and hitch market.

Traditional ball-type hitches are designed to allow a trailer socket to fit and lock thereon. A locking mechanism prevents the unauthorized removal of the trailer from the ball.

However, the ball-type hitch remains susceptible to unauthorized removal and unexpected disassociation from the towing vehicle, thereby permitting theft and vibrational loss of the trailer and its contents. The ball-type hitch commonly known in the art has a threaded bolt that is passed through a metal plate on the rear of the towing vehicle and is secured thereto with a nut. The inherent disadvantage is the ease with which the nut can be removed, requiring only a simple wrench. This permits removal of the hitch from the towing vehicle thereby allowing theft of the trailer and its contents. Furthermore, vibrational loosening of the nut may also occur over time thereby loosening the hitch and creating potentially hazardous driving conditions.

Trailer theft-prevention devices have been designed wherein an additional steel plate or bar secures the trailer to the towing vehicle from the base of the hitch. This type of

apparatus provides protection from a potential thief planning on removing the trailer socket from the hitch ball. However, the entire hitch may still be removed and stolen along with the theft-prevention plate or bar and the trailer to which it is secured.

A device designed to prevent removal of a nut could be applied to the. trailer hitch problem. One such device, described in U. S. Patent No. 5,904,383 to van der Wal, is a cylindrical body that fits over a nut on a bolt. This bolt guard is self-described, however, as not preventing theft, but merely as a means of increasing the time necessary for access to and removal of the nut, hopefully discouraging a potential thief. Unfortunately, time is not a factor in many situations; subsequently the bolt guard is rendered ineffective and disadvantageous.

Another method of preventing unauthorized removal of a nut is described in U. S. Patent No. 6,102,639 to DiStasio wherein a one-way locking nut and bolt system is described. While this device may be useful in some applications, it is not advantageous for use with a trailer hitch. The specially channeled bolt and nut combination is manufactured of plastic or

glass-fiber wherein the flexible properties of those materials are necessary for utilization of the locking mechanism. Since such materials are unsuitable for trailer hitch manufacture, and for many other applications wherein theft-prevention is desired, the one-way locking nut and bolt system is disadvantageous.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a nut and bolt locking device capable of securing a nut onto a bolt wherein an integral key-operated mechanism controls removal of the nut thereby providing theft-prevention and thus preventing the above-discussed disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages, and meets the recognized need for such a device, by providing a nut and bolt locking device capable of securing a nut onto a bolt wherein an integral key-operated mechanism controls removal of the nut thereby providing protection against vibrational loosening and theft.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention is a two-part locking device having a threaded female portion dimensioned to receive and lock onto a correspondingly threaded male portion having a key-operated mechanism within its core, wherein activation of the keyed mechanism forces a latch from the male core into the female receptacle, thereby locking it into place.

More specifically, the present invention is a threaded locking device with interactive male and female portions. An elongated, threaded male cylinder has a key-operated locking mechanism positioned longitudinally within its core. Turning the key activates the mechanism wherein a latch emerges from an aperture in the cylinder wall, or alternatively returns thereto.

A centrally-threaded female hexagon has three longitudinal grooves defined to pass through its threads wherein the grooves are dimensioned to receive the latch from the male cylinder.

The female hexagon is twisted onto the threads of the male cylinder. Following proper placement thereof, the key is turned thereby activating the mechanism wherein the latch emerges from the male cylinder and engages within the grooves of the female hexagon. The engaged latch effectively prevents the female

hexagon from being twisted, thereby preventing removal of the female hexagon from the male cylinder in the absence of the key.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a device to provide a nut and bolt locking device that is simple in construction and thus easy to manufacture.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of such a device to provide prevention from unauthorized nut removal.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of one threaded male portion to receive and secure one threaded female portion thereon.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of a key-activated nut and bolt-locking device to prevent theft of a ball-type hitch.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is the ability of a key-activated nut and bolt-locking device to prevent undesired vibrational loosening of a ball-type hitch.

A feature and advantage of the present invention is to provide indicia on the flat face of a nut between the radial positions of the locking channels of the nut, wherein if an alignment mark, corresponding to the lock of threaded member, falls between the radial positions of the locking channels, the indicia will indicate to the user an appropriate sized washer to utilize to ensure'proper alignment with the lock and the locking channel.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a locking ball-type hitch device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a key inserted into a threaded male portion having a key-actuated latch.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the locking ball-type hitch device of FIG. 1 showing a keyhole with a key removed therefrom.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the locking ball-type hitch device of FIG. 1 showing a nut locked thereon.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the nut of FIG. 3 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the locking ball-type hitch device of FIG. 3 showing an engaged latching means.

FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the locking ball-type hitch device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a partial cut-away perspective view of a locking nut and bolt device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a nut according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the present invention is a locking device 10 comprising threaded male component 20, latching means 40, locking means 60 and threaded female component 80. Preferably, locking device 10 is steel. However, while steel is the preferred form of manufacture, other appropriately strong and corrosion resistant alternatives could be used, such as, for exemplary purposes only, metal alloys, coated metals or iron.

Male component 20 has first end 22, second end 24 and outer surface 26. Preferably, hitch ball 28, commonly known in the art, having top end 28a and bottom end 28b, is positioned on and is an integral formed part of first end 22. However, while a ball-type hitch configuration is preferred, the novel locking interaction between threaded male component 20 and threaded female component 80 could be utilized in any application wherein prevention of unauthorized removal of a nut from a bolt is desired thereby providing the intended result, specified features and advantages encompassed within the concept of the invention herein presented, as seen in FIG. 7.

Preferably, male component 20 is elongated and substantially cylindrical shaped. Outer surface 26 is preferably threaded with substantially continuous encircling threads 26a extending from second end 24 of male component 20 to a position proximate to first end 22 of male component 20.

Outer surface 26 defines aperture 30 wherein aperture 30 extends from the central core of male component 20 through outer surface 26.

Latching means 40 is positioned within aperture 30 wherein latching means 40 is dimensioned to retractably extend through

aperture 30 substantially perpendicular to male component 20 without contact therewith. Preferably, latching means 40 is elongated and substantially rectangular shaped wherein cross- section 42 thereof is also substantially rectangular shaped.

Extension and retraction of latching means 40 through aperture 30 is controlled by locking means 60.

As best seen in FIG. 2, locking means 60 is positioned longitudinally and centrally within the core of male component 20 wherein latching means 40 is a movable part thereof retractably extending substantially perpendicular thereto.

First end 62 of locking means 60 is preferably substantially centered within second end 24 of male component 20. Keyhole 64 is preferably positioned within first end 62 of locking means 60 wherein, upon placement of a mate key therein, keyhole 64 may be rotated thereby mechanically extending or retracting latching means 40 through aperture 30.

As best seen in FIG. 4, female component 80 has preferably hexagonally shaped peripheral wall 82, first end 82a, second end 82b and threaded inner wall 84. Inner wall 84 defines a substantially cylindrical opening 86 therethrough wherein opening 86 is dimensioned to receive male component 20 therein.

Preferably, threaded inner wall 84 has three locking grooves 88a, 88b and 88c therein. Locking grooves 88a, 88b and 88c are elongated and extend through female component 80 from first end 82a to second end 82b.

Grooves 88a, 88b and 88c are preferably substantially rectangular shaped and are dimensioned to receive latching means 40 therein. The three-groove configuration provides preferred locking position adjustability of female component 80 along male component 20. However, while the three-groove configuration is preferred, female component 80 could have one or two grooves without substantially altering the novelty and function thereof.

Furthermore, additional grooves could be provided, dependent upon overall dimensions of female component 80 and male component 20, wherein increased locking position adjustability would result.

In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, indicia 100 is provided on first ends 82a and 82b of female component 80 between the radial positions of the grooves 88a, 88b and 88c of the nut, wherein if an alignment mark 63, as shown in FIG. 2, corresponding to the radial position of locking means 40 of male component 20, falls between the radial positions of grooves 88a,

88b and 88c, indicia 100 will indicate to the user an appropriate sized washer (not shown) to utilize to ensure proper alignment with locking means 40 and grooves 88a, 88b or 88c.

Indicia 100 can be any series of distinguishable marks, symbols, colors or numbers, such as, for exemplary purposes only, a bar diagram 105 or numbers 110. Alignment mark 63 is also utilize to indicate that the keyhole 64 is turned to the locked position.

In an alternate embodiment, locking device 10 could be of proportionally increased size for use in applications involving oversize components, such as, for exemplary purposes only, heavy equipment and construction machinery.

In another alternate embodiment, male component 20 could be of greater length having a plurality of apertures defined therein, thereby accommodating a plurality of latching means, wherein the plurality of latches in male component 20 could function to lock and retain multiple positions with one female component 80, or wherein the plurality of latches in male component 20 could function to lock and retain a plurality of female components. thereon.

In yet another alternate embodiment, threads 26a of male component 20 could possess color-coding to provide a user with visual means for quick positioning of female component 80.

In still another alternate embodiment, cross-section 42 of latching means 40 could be substantially circular, oval, square or any other geometric shape wherein grooves 88a, 88b and 88c could be dimensioned to receive and retain such a shape.

In another alternate embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 7, first end 22 of male component 20 could carry a hexagon in lieu of a hitch ball wherein male component 20 could be a bolt.

In yet still another alternate embodiment, wherein first end 22 of male component 20 does not carry a hitch ball 28, first end 62 of locking means 60 could be centered within first end 22 of male component 20.

In yet another alternate embodiment, locking means 60 could be electronic with a code-activation mechanism in lieu of a key- activated mechanism.

In another alternate embodiment, peripheral wall 82 of female component 80 could be substantially square shaped, octagonal shaped or otherwise geometrically shaped wherein a wrench or other appropriate tightening tool could be utilized thereon to secure female component 80 at a desired location on male component 20.

In still another alternate embodiment, locking device 10 could include at least one washer dimensioned to substantially encircle male component 20 wherein the washer would assist in the proper adjustment of female component 80 thereon.

In yet still another alternate embodiment, locking device 10 could include a plurality of colored washers wherein threads 26a of male component 20 could possess corresponding color- coding to provide a user with visual means for quick positioning of a washer and female component 80.

In another alternate embodiment, threaded inner wall 84 of female component 80 could have at least one recessed area defined, wherein the area would not be a groove extending from first end 82a to second of female component 20, but would be dimensioned to align with and receive latching means 40 thereby

limiting the placement of female component 80 along male component 20.

In yet another alternate embodiment, grooves 88a, 88b and 88c could be substantially arcuate shaped or substantially triangular shaped, with latching means 40 corresponding thereto.

In still another alternate embodiment, female component 80 could have a plurality of grooves thereby providing a plurality of locking positions.

In still yet another alternate embodiment, female component 80 could have one groove thereby limiting the availability of locking positions.

In another alternate embodiment, outer surface 26 of male component 20 could be substantially smooth thereby permitting insertion through substantially smooth hinges, wherein male component 20 would effectively perform as a hinge pin, wherein the hinges would effectively act as female component 80 and wherein the hinges would include at least one recessed area dimensioned to align with and receive latching means 40 from

male component 20 thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the hinge pin from the hinges.

In use, female component 80 is twisted onto threads 26a of male component 20 until groove 88a, 88b or 88c is aligned with aperture 30. A key is inserted into keyhole 64 and rotated preferably clockwise, approximately 180°, thereby activating the mechanism of locking means 60 wherein latch 42 emerges from male component 20 through aperture 30 and engages within corresponding groove 88a, 88b or 88c of female component 80.

The engaged latch 42 effectively prevents female component 80 from being twisted, thereby preventing removal of female component 80 from male component 20.

To permit removal of female component 80 from male component 20, a key is inserted into keyhole 64 and rotated preferably counter-clockwise, approximately 180°, thereby activating the mechanism of locking means 60 wherein latch 42 retracts into male component 20 through aperture 30, disengaging with corresponding groove 88a, 88b or 88c of female component 80. The disengagement of latch 42 allows female component 80 to be twisted, thereby permitting removal of female component 80 from male component 20.

One skilled in the art will recognize that while the preferred use of locking device 10 is to provide anti-theft protection for a ball-type hitch, locking device 10 could readily be utilized in applications wherein prevention of unauthorized removal of a nut from a bolt is desired or applications wherein prevention of nut loosening as a result of vibrational forces is desired, such as, for exemplary purposes only, securing heavy equipment, bolting cargo, locking nuts onto truck and auto wheels, locking rims onto bicycle frames, securing outdoor decorative fixtures onto upright posts and securing hinge pins within gates or doors.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.