Pintle hook

A pintle hook hitch requiring a sequential three-step process to open, comprising:

• a body having means for mounting said body to a tow vehicle;
• an outwardly upwardly curved, fixed horn integrally extending from said body and terminating in a contact face;
• an outwardly extending latch arm pivotally attached by a first pivot pin to said body and movable between a lower, closed condition over said horn at said contact face of said horn, and a raised open condition spaced from said contact face to allow release of a connecting eye;
• said body having a jamb face for engagement by a primary lock;
• said primary lock pivotally mounted by a second pivot pin on said latch arm and shiftable between a lowered locked position for abutment with said jamb face, and an unlocked position pivotally raised away from said jamb face;
• vertical spring means between said primary lock and said latch arm for biasing said lock toward said lowered locked position;
• said primary lock also being laterally shiftable with said second pivot pin between a first lateral position and a second lateral position;
• lateral spring means between said lock and said latch arm for biasing said primary lock laterally toward said first lateral position;
• said latch arm having a slot through which said pivotal primary lock is vertically movable when in said second lateral position, and having an interference ledge engaging said pivotal primary lock and preventing it from pivoting to said unlocked position when in said first lateral position;
• said second pivot pin extending beyond said latch arm and terminating in a push button;
• and
• said second pin having a lock engager located such that lateral pressure on said push button will laterally shift said second pivot pin and said primary lock from said first position to said second position whereby, to pivotally open said latch arm, it is necessary to perform a three-step process of first pushing said second pivot pin laterally via said push button against the bias of said lateral spring means to thereby laterally shift said primary lock from said first position to said second position, then lift said primary lock through said slot against the bias of said vertical spring means, and then lift said latch arm.