Trailer coupler with integrated lock
AssigneeDynamic Manufacturing Group LLC
InventorsRonald Lee, JR., Anthony Sansone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A trailer coupler includes a lock contained within a channel in a coupler body. A pin extends from the lock. The pin extends through an aperture in an end of the channel and through an aperture in a latch handle when the lock is locked. In such configuration, the pin prevents pivoting the latch handle to an open (unlocked) position. Unlocking the lock allows the lock to be moved at least partially out of the channel, which removes the pin from the aperture in the handle, allowing the handle to pivot to an open (unlocked) position.
Claims20
A trailer coupler comprising:
- a coupler body including a hitch ball socket, a lock section proximate to the hitch ball socket, a lock channel formed in the lock section, the lock channel including an open end;
- a lock mechanism movable from a locked position in the lock channel to an unlocked position, and, in the locked position, the lock channel containing the lock mechanism.
A trailer coupler comprising:
- a coupler body, the coupler body being integrally formed and including a hitch ball socket in which a hitch ball is received, a lock section, a lock channel formed in the lock section, the lock channel including an open end and a closed end with a pin aperture;
- a lock mechanism and a locking pin, the locking pin extending from the lock mechanism, the lock mechanism movable from a locked position in the lock channel to an unlocked position;
- and
- a latch handle, a lock aperture in the latch handle, a pivot pin coupling the latch handle to the coupler body, the latch handle movable from a locked position to an unlocked position, and in the locked position the locking pin extending through the pin aperture and at least partially through the lock aperture in the latch handle;
- and
- a connecting rod coupling the latch handle to an underjaw, the underjaw abutting the hitch ball and preventing removal of the hitch ball from the hitch ball socket when the latch handle is in the locked position.
A trailer coupler comprising:
- a coupler body including a hitch ball socket, a lock section, a lock channel formed in the lock section, the lock channel including an open end;
- a vending style lock movable from a locked position in the lock channel to an unlocked position, and, in the locked position, the lock channel containing the vending style lock, and the vending style lock being removable from the lock channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.