Coupler assembly with guided ball clamp

A coupler assembly for coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle hitch ball, the coupler assembly comprising:

• a coupler housing having an interior that includes a coupler socket adapted to receive a hitch ball, wherein the coupler socket includes a bottom socket opening that allows the insertion of the hitch ball into the coupler socket;
• a ball clamp movably coupled to the coupler housing and movable within the housing away from the coupler socket and toward the socket into a hitch ball retention position, wherein the ball clamp has a clamping portion adapted to retain the hitch ball within the coupler socket when the ball clamp is positioned in the hitch ball retention position;
• and
• a housing guide member disposed in a fixed position within the coupler housing rearward of the coupler socket and projecting toward the ball clamp;
• and
• wherein the ball clamp includes a forward-facing guide surface sloped generally upward and forward toward the coupler socket;
• and
• wherein the housing guide member cooperates with the ball clamp forward-facing guide surface to guide movement of the ball clamp toward the coupler socket when the ball clamp is not in the hitch ball retention position.

A coupler assembly for coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle hitch ball, the coupler assembly comprising:

• a coupler housing including an interior comprising a coupler socket adapted to receive a hitch ball, wherein the coupler socket includes a bottom socket opening that allows the insertion of the hitch ball into the coupler socket;
• a ball clamp including a clamping portion for retaining the hitch ball within the coupler socket when the ball clamp is positioned in contact with the hitch ball in a hitch ball retention position;
• and
• means for moving the ball clamp within the housing generally upward and downward;
• wherein the coupler housing includes a rearward-facing guide surface disposed rearward of the coupler socket and sloped generally upward and forward toward the coupler socket;
• wherein the ball clamp includes a forward-facing guide surface sloped generally upward and forward toward the coupler socket;
• and
• wherein the coupler housing rearward-facing guide surface cooperates with the ball clamp forward-facing guide surface to limit movement of the ball clamp toward the coupler socket when the ball clamp is not in the hitch ball retention position.