Gooseneck coupler with slideable style locking members
AssigneeCequent Performance Products, Inc.
InventorsFrank Drake, Kevin Rabska
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gooseneck coupler may be used on a towing vehicle to help tow certain types of towed vehicles, such as trailers. The gooseneck coupler may include a first tube, a base member attached to the first tube, and a locking member pivotally attached to the base member—the locking member being capable of engaging a hitch ball. The gooseneck coupler may also include a locking mechanism attached to the locking member, where the locking mechanism is capable of securing the locking member in engagement with the hitch ball.
Claims52
A gooseneck coupler comprising:
- a first tube;
- a base member attached to the first tube;
- a locking member pivotally attached to the base member about a fixed pivot, wherein the locking member is capable of engaging a hitch ball;
- and
- a locking mechanism directly attached to the locking member, wherein the locking mechanism is capable of securing the locking member in engagement with the hitch ball.
A gooseneck coupler comprising:
- at least one tube;
- a base plate attached to the at least one tube;
- a locking plate pivotably attached to the base plate about a fixed pivot;
- and
- a locking mechanism rotatable from a locked position pivotally locking the locking plate relative to the base plate to secure engagement with a hitch ball to an unlocked position allowing pivotal movement of the locking plate relative to the base plate to thereby release the locking plate from engagement with the hitch ball.
A gooseneck coupler comprising:
- a tube;
- a base plate attached to the tube, the base plate having a lower surface;
- a locking plate pivotally attached to the base plate wherein the locking plate is pivotable from a locked position securing the locking plate relative to the base plate to engage with a hitch ball to an unlocked position allowing pivotal movement of the locking plate relative to the base plate to thereby release the locking plate from engagement with the hitch ball;
- a locking mechanism directly attached to the locking plate, wherein the locking mechanism secures the locking plate in the locked position;
- and
- a lubrication track formed in the lower surface of the base plate.
A gooseneck coupler comprising:
- a base plate;
- a locking plate pivotally attached to the base plate about a fixed pivot, wherein the locking plate is capable of engaging a hitch ball;
- a locking mechanism directly attached to the locking plate, wherein the locking mechanism is capable of securing the locking plate in engagement with the hitch ball;
- an inner tube attached to the base plate;
- an outer tube engaged with the inner tube, the inner tube being positionable from a retracted position wherein the inner tube projects above the outer tube to an extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.