# US 8,783,706 B2 · Gooseneck coupler with slideable locking members and clinch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,706 B2 - Document ID: US8783706B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/299,453 - Filed: 2011-11-18 - Published: 2012-08-23 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-21 - Assignees: Cequent Performance Products, Inc. - Applicants: Frank Drake; Kevin Rabska - Inventors: Frank Drake; Kevin Rabska - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783706B2 ## CPC - B62D 53/04: comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle - B60D 1/06: Ball-and-socket hitches - B60D 1/488: {mounted directly to the chassis of the towing vehicle} - B62D 53/065: {inclining platforms by detachable or folding swan necks} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS ## 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 member, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, where the second member is capable of pivoting relative to the first member from a first position to a second position. The gooseneck coupler may also include an opening in the first member, the opening sized to receive a hitch ball, and a clinch mechanism located within the opening where the hitch ball is wedged between the clinch mechanism and the second member when the second member is in the second position relative to the first member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gooseneck coupler comprising: a first member; a second member pivotally attached to the first member, wherein the second member is capable of pivoting relative to the first member from a first position to a second position; an opening in the first member, the opening sized to receive a hitch ball; and a clinch mechanism located within the opening wherein the hitch ball is wedged between the clinch mechanism and the second member when the second member is in the second position relative to the first member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a first plate with a generally hollow portion and the second member comprises a blade or plate positioned within the hollow portion of the first plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the first member comprises a first plate and the second member comprises a second plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The gooseneck coupler of claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism attached to the second plate, wherein the locking mechanism is capable of securing the second plate and clinch mechanism in engagement with the hitch ball. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The gooseneck coupler of claim 3, wherein the clinch mechanism comprises a nub positioned in the opening of the first plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The gooseneck coupler of claim 3, wherein the clinch mechanism comprises a weld bead positioned in the opening of the first plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The gooseneck coupler of claim 3, wherein the hitch ball includes a hemispherical centerline and wherein the clinch mechanism and the second plate engage the hitch ball at the hemispherical centerline when the second plate is in the second position relative to the first plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The gooseneck coupler of claim 3, wherein the hitch ball includes a hemispherical centerline and wherein the clinch mechanism and the second plate engage the hitch ball below the hemispherical centerline when the second plate is in the second position relative to the first plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The gooseneck coupler of claim 3, wherein the clinch mechanism engages the hitch ball at a first location on the hitch ball and the second plate engages the hitch ball at a second location on the hitch ball when the second plate is in the second position relative to the first plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The gooseneck coupler of claim 9, wherein the second location is lower on the hitch ball than the first location. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism comprises a continuous raised surface extending radially from the opening and extending at least a portion of a circumference of the opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism comprises a plurality of discontinuous raised surfaces extending radially from the opening and positioned on at least a portion of a circumference of the opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism is a raised member removably attachable along a predetermined position along a circumference of the opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The gooseneck coupler of claim 13, wherein the raised member extends continuously along a portion of the circumference of the opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The gooseneck coupler of claim 13, wherein the raised member comprises a plurality of raised members discontinuously and removably attached to the circumference of the opening. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism is cast into the opening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism is forged into the opening. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism is integrally formed with the opening. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism is removably attached to the opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the first member includes a recess of substantially equal size to the clinch mechanism, the recess positioned laterally opposite the clinch mechanism. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism extends one-half of a circumference of the opening. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism extends between one-half and one-third of a circumference of the opening. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The gooseneck coupler of claim 1, wherein the clinch mechanism extends less than one-third of a circumference of the opening. ### Claim 24 A gooseneck coupler comprising: a base plate; a locking plate pivotally attached to the base plate; an opening in the base plate, the opening sized to receive a hitch ball; a clinch mechanism extending radially from the opening and extending a portion of a circumference of the opening; and a locking mechanism rotatable from a locked position pivotally locking the locking plate relative to the base plate to secure engagement of the hitch ball between the locking plate and the clinch mechanism to an unlocked position allowing pivotal movement of the locking plate relative to the base plate to thereby release the locking plate and the clinch mechanism from engagement with the hitch ball. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The gooseneck coupler of claim 24, wherein the clinch mechanism comprises a raised surface extending a portion of a circumference of the opening. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The gooseneck coupler of claim 25, further comprising a recess positioned on the base plate laterally opposed to the raised surface. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The gooseneck coupler of claim 26, wherein the recess is of substantially corresponding size to the raised surface. ### Claim 28 A gooseneck coupler comprising: a base plate; a locking plate pivotally attached to the base plate; an opening in the base plate, the opening sized to receive a hitch ball having a spherical portion; a raised surface extending radially from the opening; and a locking mechanism attached to the locking plate, wherein the locking mechanism is capable of securing the locking plate and raised surface in engagement with the spherical portion of the hitch ball. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The gooseneck coupler of claim 28, further comprising a socket adjacent the base plate and positioned over the opening, wherein the socket is capable of engaging a portion of the hitch ball. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The gooseneck coupler of claim 29, wherein the hitch ball has an articulation angle of approximately between 1 and 18 degrees relative to the socket when the locking plate and raised surface are in engagement with the spherical portion of the hitch ball. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The gooseneck coupler of claim 28, further comprising a recess positioned in the opening laterally opposed the raised surface, wherein the recess is sized to allow the hitch ball to pass through the opening.