Abstract: A multi-function trailer hitch lock and general purpose two piece U-shaped shackle lock has three components. An upper component is an upside down U-shaped shackle having at least one leg with locking grooves. For trailer use to engage the recess in the trailer coupler, a platform with a ball is slid up the U-shaped shackle legs. The third component is a separate locking assembly that is slid up the U-shaped shackle legs. This third component has a rotatable lock mechanism to drive a cam based latch mechanism between a latch state with the locking grooves, and an unlatch state. For general use such as locking a bicycle tire to a bike stand, the platform component is removed.

Abstract: A receiver and draw bar hitch system is enhanced with several embodiments of a reduced play anti-rattle hitch clamp. A typical U shaped bolt can be placed atop the draw bar. A base bar has a forward lip to engage the bottom (or top or side) member of a receiver collar. The base bar has a pair of opposing shoulders to support the legs of the U bolt. Other embodiments comprise a flat plate on the top cross member of the U bolt, a U shaped upper plate to receive the U bolt, or a top shoulder style bar using straight bolts. Another embodiment uses a thick lower bar to replace the shoulders.

Abstract: A protective case assembly including a shell defining an open front and having sides as well as a base which adjoins the shell's sides is disclosed. The shell attaches to the handheld device by being sized and configured to fit over the backside and sides of the device. In addition, the case assembly includes an elongated elastic strap of predetermined length and width which is attached at its ends to the back of the shell. The strap is positioned against the base and is sufficiently taut to enable the handheld device to be held in one hand and operated with the thumb of the same hand when up to two of the three middle fingers also of the same hand are placed under the taut strap.

Abstract: The present cable lock apparatus and method, including a cable having a first end terminated with a shackle, and a lock body providing a throughway to receive the cable in sliding relation such that the lock body may be selectively positioned along the length of the cable. The shackle portion is received within the lock body, and is removable therefrom. A first plunger grip assembly is used to receive the shackle portion and the cable length in a sliding relationship. The first plunger is depressed to a release state, allowing the cable to slid through the lock body, and is released to a grip state. The method of securing an item with the present lock apparatus broadly includes passing the cable through the lock, advancing the lock body along the cable, forming a loop around the item, and securing the first end of the cable to the lock body.

Abstract: A locking wheel device designed to prevent the unauthorized movement and or roll away of a wheeled vehicle or trailer by locking onto a wheel and having a configuration such that the device also serves to chock the wheel when in the locked on position. A locking wheel chock device which includes two similar matching arms with both a male and female tube attached to one end to allow for the telescopic engagement of said arms. The female tube having attached a lock assembly for locking said arms in a fixed position. Further, the female tube portion has attached to its lower edge, which is closest to the ground, means for contacting the ground in a binding fashion so as to prevent forward rolling movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A locking device includes a first and second body members that may optionally include laterally projecting arms. A retainer element has end portions respectively received in the interiors of the first and second body members and mechanically links them for longitudinal movement between collapsed and expanded orientations. The retainer element also moves between a retain position and a release position that respectively secure the body members in the collapsed orientation and allows them to move to the expanded orientation. A lock core is operative to engage the retainer element. In a locked state, the lock core holds the retainer element in the retain position and in an unlocked state that moves the retainer element to the release position. A shackle may extend between arms on the first and second body members in order to enclose a locking region when the bodies are in the collapsed orientation.

Abstract: The present cable lock apparatus and method, including a cable having a first end terminated with a shackle, and a lock body providin a throughway to receive the cable in sliding relation such that the lock body may be selectively positioned along the length of the cable. The shackle portion is received within the lock body, and is removable therefrom. A first plunger grip assembly is used to receive the shackle portion and the cable length in a sliding relationship. The first plunger is depressed to a release state, allowing the cable to slid through the lock body, and is released to a grip state. The method of securing an item with the present lock apparatus broadly includes passing the cable through the lock, advancing the lock body along the cable, forming a loop around the item, and securing the first end of the cable to the lock body.

Abstract: A locking device includes a shackle member that includes an elongated shank portion, a stop portion on a first end and a latch portion on a second end. A locking head includes a locking mechanism that has an entryway to receive the latch portion and is movable between a locked state to retain the latch portion and a unlock state to release the latch portion. A head cover includes a cover portion that engages the locking head and a flange portion that extends inwardly to define an opening to receive the latch portion therethrough. A seal structure is associated with the inner edge of the flange and sealably engages the outer surface margin of the latch portion. The seal structure may be a margin of the flange portion or a separate O-ring. The lock may be constructed as a lockable hitch pin.

Abstract: A method utilizes a locking device that includes a shackle member having a shank with a latch portion and a stop at opposite ends. A locking head mounts in a locked state on the latch portion but is removable when unlocked. A sleeve is carried on the shank but is removable. The sleeve and the shank together define a size conversion structure for the shackle. When the sleeve is on the shank, the shackle has one operative thickness to closely fit one size aperture, but when the sleeve is removed, the shackle has another, smaller operative thickness to fit a smaller aperture. A retaining member may be employed to resist removal of the sleeve. Two or more sleeves may be used to fit more than two apertures. These can be separately mountable onto the shank or may be nested on the shank, one inside of the other.

Abstract: A method of capturing insects comprises, in one embodiment, provision of an elongated housing which permits airflow between upstream and downstream ends while impeding passage of insects therebetween, a movable closure which is biased into a closed position to hinder access to the interior through the upstream end, and a movable purge valve. In operation, air is evacuated through the purge opening establishing vacuum source within the housing interior, the movable closure is placed proximate to a target insect, and an air pressure differential is created whereby ambient air is drawn into the housing interior at a sufficient flow to cause the movable closure to open, thus creating an entryway into the upstream region drawing the insect into the upstream region to be trapped when the movable closure returns to the closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to secure the coupler section of a trailer provides a locking device that includes a lock housing having a hitch ball element to engage the recess in the coupler, a shackle member lockable to the housing and having a bridge section that spans the hitch ball element, and a latch assembly to latch and unlatch the shackle member. The shackle member is shown to be U-shaped with legs that extend through and secure to the lock housing. The latch assembly provides a ratchet-type engagement to allow adjustable locking. A rotatable lock mechanism drives a cam based latch mechanism between a latch state and an unlatch state.

Abstract: A method utilizes a locking device that includes a shackle member having a shank with a latch portion and a stop at opposite ends. A locking head mounts in a locked state on the latch portion but is removable when unlocked. A sleeve is carried on the shank but is removable. The sleeve and the shank together define a size conversion structure for the shackle. When the sleeve is on the shank, the shackle has one operative thickness to closely fit one size aperture, but when the sleeve is removed, the shackle has another, smaller operative thickness to fit a smaller aperture. A retaining member may be employed to resist removal of the sleeve. Two or more sleeves may be used to fit more than two apertures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to secure the coupler section of a trailer provides a locking device that includes a lock housing having a hitch ball element to engage the recess in the coupler, a shackle member lockable to the housing and having a bridge section that spans the hitch ball element and, and a latch assembly to latch and unlatch the shackle member. The shackle member is shown to be U-shaped with legs that extend through and secure to the lock housing. The latch assembly provides a ratchet-type engagement to allow adjustable locking. A rotatable lock mechanism drives a cam based latch mechanism between a latch state and an unlatch state.

Abstract: A method of capturing insects comprises, in one embodiment, provision of an elongated housing which permits airflow between upstream and downstream ends while impeding passage of insects therebetween, a movable closure which is biased into a closed position to hinder access to the interior through the upstream end, and a movable purge valve. In operation, air is evacuated through the purge opening establishing vacuum source within the housing interior, the movable closure is placed proximate to a target insect, and an air pressure differential is created whereby ambient air is drawn into the housing interior at a sufficient flow to cause the movable closure to open, thus creating an entryway into the upstream region drawing the insect into the upstream region to be trapped when the movable closure returns to the closed position.

Abstract: An insect collection device comprises, in one embodiment, a compression chamber movable between compressed and uncompressed positions, an elongated housing defining a housing interior, a partition, and a movable closure. The partition separates the interior into upstream and downstream regions and is constructed to permit airflow between these regions while impeding passage of insects therebetween. The movable closure is disposed on a free end portion of the housing and moves between a first position hindering access to the upstream region and a second position creating an entryway into the upstream region. The movable closure is preferably biased into the first position and is only urged into the second position upon actuation of the compression chamber from the compressed position to an uncompressed position such that insects in a vicinity of the free end are drawn into the upstream region for collection.