Trailer coupler assembly

A coupling device for coupling a vehicle to a trailer, said vehicle having a first hitch member attached thereto and said trailer having an elongated trailer tongue attached thereto, said trailer tongue having a longitudinal axis, said coupling device comprising:

• a first elongated channel having a longitudinal axis;
• first securing means for rigidly attaching said first channel to said trailer tongue;
• a second hitch member adapted to be detachably secured to said first hitch member on said vehicle;
• a second elongated channel having a longitudinal axis and being rigidly connected to said second hitch member;
• an elongated linkage mechanism having a longitudinal axis and having first and second opposite ends;
• first pivot means pivotally connecting said first end of said linkage mechanism to said first elongated channel for pivotal movement about a first vertical axis;
• second pivot means pivotally connecting said second end of said linkage mechanism to said second elongated channel for pivotal movement about a second vertical axis;
• said first channel, said linkage mechanism, and said second channel being pivotal about said first and second vertical axis to a plurality of positions, one of which is an extended position wherein said longitudinal axis of said first channel, said second channel and said linkage mechanism are all in end to end alignment;
• a lock member having spaced part legs and being pivotally connected to one of said first and second channels for pivotal movement about a horizontal lock axis form an unlocked position to a locked position when said first channel, said second channel and said linkage mechanism are in said extended position whereby said spaced apart legs engage said first channel, said second channel, and said linkage mechanism to hold them in said extended position.