# US 9,751,369 B2 · Trailer hitch coupler > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,369 B2 - Document ID: US9751369B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/991,098 - Filed: 2016-01-08 - Published: 2016-07-28 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-12 - Applicants: Darrin Dahlenburg - Inventors: Darrin Dahlenburg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751369B2 ## CPC - B60D 1/363: {Hitch guiding or catching elements, e.g. V-shaped plates partially surrounding a coupling member for guiding the other coupling member} - B60D 1/06: Ball-and-socket hitches - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS ## Abstract An improved trailer hitch coupler is provided that includes a tongue recessed portion, a moveable base plate inside the tongue recessed portion, and moveable coupler arms that close around a trailer hitch, and slide into the recessed portion in a closed position. The trailer hitch coupler can include spring biased locking arms that rest in a saddle to secure the coupler arms in a locked position. The improved trailer hitch coupler provides ease of coupling without accurate alignment between the towing vehicle and the trailer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An improved trailer hitch coupler comprising: a. a trailer tongue having a recessed portion, said recessed portion having a recessed portion front and recessed portion back wall; b. a moveable base plate inside the tongue recessed portion; c. a cavity spring positioned in the tongue recessed portion and biasing the base plate toward the recessed portion front; d. coupler arms having an inner face, an outer face, a top face, a bottom face and a front edge, the coupler arms connected to the base plate at a coupler arm pivot point, whereby the coupler arms rotate around the pivot point to open and closed positions and e. a moveable locking arm having one or more locking arm springs having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion connected to the outer side face of the trailer tongue and the second end portion connected to the locking arm. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch of claim 1, wherein the trailer tongue and the recessed portion is rectangular in cross-section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch of claim 1, further comprising wherein the moveable locking arm is secured to the trailer tongue at a locking arm pivot point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch of claim 1, wherein the locking arm spring is biased to pull the locking arm in a downward position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The trailer hitch of any of claim 4, further comprising one or more base plate extensions projecting outwardly from the base plate, the base plate extensions each having one or more holes. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A trailer hitch of claim 5, further comprising a coupler arm/base plate connecting means, allowing the coupler arms to move from an open position to a closed position, the connecting means extending through the holes of the base plate extension plates and the holes in the coupler arms. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A trailer hitch of claim 6, further comprising a coupler arm opening spring. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A trailer hitch of claim 7, further comprising a ball recessed portion of the coupler arm inner face, the ball recessed portion of each coupler arm inner face configured and sized to receive a ball hitch. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The trailer hitch of claim 8, further comprising a top face of the coupler arms having a cut-out, the cut-out positioned over the ball recessed portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The trailer hitch of claim 9, further comprising a bottom face of the coupler arm having a cut-out, the cut-out sized to accommodate the shank of the trailer hitch ball assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The trailer hitch of any one of claim 9, wherein the coupler arm front edge has a saddle to receive the locking arm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The trailer hitch of claim 11, wherein the saddle has a locking lip to engage the locking arm and retain the locking arm in place. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The trailer hitch of any of claim 12, further comprising a securing means on one or more of the coupler arms to retain the locking arm in place. ### Claim 14 An improved trailer hitch coupler comprising: a. a trailer tongue having a recessed portion, said recessed portion having a recessed portion front and recessed portion back wall; b. a moveable base plate inside the tongue recessed portion; c. a cavity spring positioned in the tongue recessed portion and biasing the base plate toward the recessed portion front; d. coupler arms connected to the base plate at a pivot point, whereby the coupler arms rotate around the pivot point to open and closed positions and e. a moveable locking arm secured to the trailer tongue at a locking arm pivot point, wherein the moveable locking arm comprises one or more locking arm springs having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion connected to the outer side face of the trailer tongue and the second end portion connected to the locking arm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The trailer hitch of claim 14, wherein the trailer tongue and the recessed portion is rectangular in cross-section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The trailer hitch of claim 14, wherein the locking arm spring is biased to pull the locking arm in a downward position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The trailer hitch of claim 1 wherein the coupler arms have one or more holes.