Trailer coupler

[0001] Priority is claimed from provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/216,057 filed on Jul. 5, 2000, and incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to trailer couplers. More particularly, the present invention is a new and improved trailer coupler that automatically locks in place when attached, provides for a visual inspection that coupler is locked into position, and can be remotely unlocked for release.

[0004] 2. Description of the Known Prior Art

[0005] Many coupling devices have been developed for providing a connection between a towing vehicle and a trailer. Typically, a spherical ball is mated to a socket receiver in a male-female style trailer hitch. A popular variety uses a long, vertical sheathing attached to a female portion of the coupler, often referred to as gooseneck or neckover couplers. These types of couplers are often mated to a ball hitch mounted to a vehicle, such as pick-up trucks, in the middle of the vehicle's bed as opposed to a ball hitch generally located on the end of the vehicle near or on the rear bumper.

[0006] In operation, a trailer with a gooseneck attachment is positioned over the ball mounted in the bed of the vehicle and then lowered onto the ball. The socket receiver should, generally, have a slightly larger diameter than the ball so that the receiver fully engages or mates with the ball. Generally, once the trailer is mated to the vehicle, a separate manual operation must be performed to insure that the ball is locked into the receiving socket so that the receiver is no longer free to disengage from the ball.

[0007] In the prior art, when a ball is mounted in the middle of the bed of a pickup, the operator must get into the back of the vehicle to perform the manual operation of locking the coupler.

[0008] Due to the configuration of most towing vehicles, this requires the operator to climb over the side of the bed or attempt to climb up the back gated portion where the trailer is now positioned. This practice leads to potential for an injury to the operator. Furthermore, when the operator desires to remove the trailer from the towing vehicle, the operator must once again climb into the bed of the vehicle to unlock the coupler for disengagement.

[0009] Also, it is not uncommon in the prior art for the operator, who has lowered the receiver onto the ball, to believe that the coupler is locked in when the opposite is true. Unfortunately, this leads to potentially dangerous situations where the trailer disengages while being towed.

[0010] Some of these shortcomings in the prior art also similarly apply to conventional trailer hitches mounted on the rear of a vehicle without a gooseneck assembly. Furthermore, in the prior art standard trailer hitches that use a mating system of a ball attached to the rear of a vehicle such as behind or on the rear bumper often require the locking mechanism to also act as a supporting function and sometimes even a pulling function. These configurations may be extremely difficult to operate and require substantial effort to lock or unlock.

[0011] Furthermore, many of these prior art hitches may be placed in a latched configuration but a separate manual operation is required to lock the device in the latched configuration. If a person fails to take the extra step of locking the device, then a potentially dangerous situation may exist.

[0012] Thus, there is a need for a self locking trailer coupler which provides for an automatic locking, a visual indicator that the coupler is locked in position, and a remote release for unlocking said coupler.

[0013] In general, the present invention is a new and improved trailer coupler which is spring loaded so that, when the ball slides into the receiver socket, it is locked into position with a visual indicator that the receiver is locked onto the ball. The present invention also provides a means to remotely unlock the receiver from the ball.

[0014] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this application to the details of construction and to the arrangement so the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0015] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved trailer coupler which automatically locks in place on the receiver when the coupler is lowered on the receiver.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved trailer coupler which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0018] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved trailer coupler which is of a more durable and reliable construction than that of the existing known art.

[0019] Still another object to the present invention to provide a new and improved trailer coupler which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such economically available to the buying public.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved trailer coupler which provides some of the advantages of the prior art, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved trailer coupler which is remotely actuated to release the coupler off the receiver without the need of the operator to physically access the coupler.

[0022] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved trailer coupler with a locking mechanism which may work on gooseneck couplers as well as standard ball hitches attached to the rear of a vehicle.

[0023] A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved trailer coupler which uses a mechanical advantage of spring loading and multiple plates for latching and locking hitches in place.

[0024] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference would be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with a partial cut away of the bed of a towing vehicle.

[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view with a partial cut-away showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the reverse side of a preferred embodiment of elements in FIG. 2.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in a locked configuration with a partial cutaway.

[0029] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in a locked configuration.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an unlocked configuration with a partial cutaway.

[0031] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an unlocked configuration.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0033] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 designates a preferred embodiment of a new and improved trailer coupler system in accordance with the current invention. Coupler system 10 is generally adapted to be used with conventional trailers 12 including fifth wheelers. A preferred embodiment is for trailers 12 of the type including a gooseneck 14, possessing a generally substantially vertical extending column 16, and a generally vertically axially reciprocal jack 18 actuated by a manual hand crank 20 to selectively support the gooseneck 14 when the trailer is not engaged to a towing vehicle 22.

[0034] Towing vehicle 22 can be but is not limited to a pick-up truck. As in conventional trailer hitches of this type a standard substantially spherical trailer ball hitch 24 is mounted in an upstanding manner through a floor 26 of a cargo bed 28 of the towing vehicle 22.

[0035] It is further contemplated that coupler system 10 may also be used on trailers 12 without the gooseneck 14 that generally attach to rear 30 of the towing vehicle 22 with mounted ball hitch 24. It is also further contemplated that coupler system 10 could be retrofitted to existing trailers 12 as well as installed during the manufacture of trailer 12.

[0036] Referring to the drawings and FIGS. 2 and 2A in particular, coupler system 10 generally comprises a trailer coupler 32 generally comprising a housing 34 having a recessed socket 36 with a downwardly directed socket opening 38 for receiving ball hitch 24. Housing 34 generally includes top aperture 40, bottom aperture 42, and clean out access port 44 which will be discussed in greater detail below. Housing 34 may be attached to the gooseneck 14 by welding, bolting, or the like. Housing 34 may also be incorporated into trailer 12 or attached to trailer 12 without a gooseneck 14 such as but not limited to trailers 12 that attach to the rear 30 of the towing vehicle 22.

[0037] Coupler system 10 further includes an automatic locking means 46 which generally includes a retractable latching plate 48 in communication with a spring assembly 50. Plate 48 is spring biased such that plate 48 generally cooperates with socket 36 to couple or trap ball hitch 24 in socket 36 which will be discussed below in greater detail. Spring assembly 50 may generally include two springs 52 and 54, but may be constructed with one or more. Spring assembly 50 should allow for ball hitch 24 to pass and exit socket 36 when trailer 12 is lowered or raised such that springs 52 and 54 compress as ball hitch 24 passes. The force of ball hitch 24 pushes or retracts plate 48 and thereby compresses spring assembly 50 such that after the width of ball hitch 24 passes, spring assembly 50 pushes out such that plate 48 cooperates with socket 36 to hold ball hitch 24 in socket 36.

[0038] Automatic locking means 46 further includes locking mechanism 56 which generally includes tab 58 with spring 60 which may be positioned in member 62 along with spring assembly 50 and portion of latch plate 48. Member 62 may be removably attached to housing 34 by conventional means such as but not limited to pins 64 and 66 through apertures 68 and 70. Member 62 may further include aperture 72 which will be discussed in greater detail below.

[0039] Automatic locking means 46 may further include pin assembly 74 with pin 76 pull handle 78, aperture 80 for placing a safety pin 82 which will also be discussed in greater detail below, spring assembly 84 which that biases pin 76 in a downward direction and further generally includes a retention positioning piece 86. Pin 76 is generally positioned in housing 34 top aperture 40 and member 62 aperture 72.

[0040] Referring to the drawings and FIGS. 3 and 3A in particular, locked configuration 88 generally refers to pin 76 passing through or entering housing 34 bottom aperture 42 such that plate 48 may not retract by limiting plate 48 travel direction and thus trapping ball hitch 24 in socket 36.

[0041] Again referring to then drawings and FIGS. 4 and 4A specifically, unlocked configuration 90 generally refers to pin 76 in an upward position such that pin 76 is blocked from entering housing aperture 42 by tab 58 thus allowing plate 48 to move freely back and retract. In the unlocked configuration 90, pin 76 may not enter housing 34 bottom aperture 42 while tab 58 blocks the passageway of pin 76. In FIGS. 4 and 4A, plate 48 is generally shown in a retracted position for purposes of illustration although the ball hitch 24 is not entered into socket 36.

[0042] Pin assembly 74 may further include a visual indicator 92 which may be color coded, such as but not limited to green, for a visual confirmation that the coupler 32 is in locked configuration 88. Pin 76 may further include groove or grooves 94 which may be colored coded in the recessed area of groove 94 so that the color will not be scraped off as pin 76 travels from the locked configuration 88 to the unlocked configuration 90.

[0043] Furthermore, housing 34 may further include safety pin 82 receiver 95 such that as the coupler 32 is in the locked configuration 88, safety pin 82 may thread through pin 76 and housing 34 so that pin 76 is trapped in a locked configuration 88. Pin 76 may also further include indenture 96 for adding further structural integrity when pin 76 is in the locked configuration 88. Coupler 32 is preferably constructed from metal or other durable material capable of handling associated forces with towing trailer 12.

[0044] Another preferred embodiment includes clean out access port 44 in housing 34 which allows dirt, grit, water and other foreign debris to be drained, blown out or removed from locking mechanism 56 member 62. Still another preferred embodiment adds a theft deterrent assembly (not depicted) wherein a separate lock may be added such as but not limited to threading a bolt of a lock through pin 76 and into to receiver 95. Other such theft deterrent assemblies may include locking pins or travel restrictor which prevent pin 76 from disengaging housing 34 bottom aperture 42.

[0045] Once again referring to FIG. 1, still another preferred embodiment of coupler system 10, coupler 32 is in communication with remote control assembly 98 for moving pin 76 from a downward locked configuration 88 to an upward unlocked configuration 90. Remote control assembly 98 generally includes a motor 100 or other device such as but not limited to an air cylinder, solenoid or vacuum cylinder which mechanically lifts pin 76. A remote control activator 102 is in communication with motor 100 and may be positioned on trailer 12 or towing vehicle 22. Communication may be hard wired or wireless. Power source 104 for motor 100 may be wired from towing vehicle 22 or attached to trailer 12 and may be a car battery or other such conventional battery.

[0046] Once again referring to the drawings and FIG. 5 in particular, in another preferred embodiment not fully depicted, coupler 32 generally comprises a dual pin construction 106 with a top plate 108, a middle plate assembly 110, a bottom plate 112, and a locking mechanism 114.

[0047] Top plate 108 is generally planar with a preferred embodiment of a rectangular shape but not limited to such. A preferred embodiment of top plate 108 has multiple apertures. In the center of top plate is aperture 116 for engaging ball hitch 24. Aperture 118 is generally located between first comer and second corner and aperture 120 is likewise generally located between third comer and fourth comer. Apertures 118 and 120 are provided for a preferred embodiment of locking mechanism 114.

[0048] Top plate 108 is generally attached to the gooseneck 14 at attachment point where receiver ball cap is provided to form the socket 36. Ball cap may be attached to top plate 108 or attached to interior of gooseneck 14 . Ball cap generally carries the weight of the trailer 12 and is positioned to fit firmly onto ball hitch 24.

[0049] The middle plate assembly 110 generally comprises two locking mechanisms 56 such that as previously described above in a preferred embodiment. Plates 122 and 124 generally perform the same function as plate 48 but work in conjunction to trap ball hitch 24 from two opposing points.

[0050] A preferred embodiment of locking mechanism 114 generally comprises a first bracket 126, a second bracket 128, a first spring loaded locking pin 130, a second spring loaded locking pin 132, and a release assembly 134. Locking mechanism 114 first bracket 126 and second bracket 128 each generally comprise a U shape attached to top plate 108 such as but not limited to by welding. First bracket 126 and second bracket 128 generally include apertures.

[0051] Release assembly 134 generally comprises a manual release lever 136 with a preferred embodiment attached to first spring loaded locking pin 130 and second spring loaded locking pin 132. Release lever 136 extracts the locking pins 130 and 132 from engaging the bottom plate 112 by pulling locking pins 130 and 132 generally upward which in turn moves locking pins 130 and 132 into the unlocked position. In a preferred embodiment, release lever 136 generally has a handle portion 137, a first rocking point 138 generally resting on or near first bracket 126 and a second rocking point 140 generally resting on or near on second bracket 128 . Rocking points 138 and 140 provide leverage when handle portion 137 is depressed. Manual release lever 136 generally attaches with first spring loaded locking pin 130 at a pivot and attaches with second spring loaded locking pin 132 at a pivot.

[0052] As trailer 12 is desirably positioned behind towing vehicle 22, coupler 32 is aligned over receiver ball hitch 24 positioned on the floor 26 in cargo bed 28 of towing vehicle 22 or rear 30 of towing vehicle for non-gooseneck 14 trailers 12. Trailer 12 is generally lowered so that coupler 32 engages receiver ball hitch 24 in socket 36, such as but not limited to lowering trailer 12 by hand crank 20.

[0053] As coupler 32, in the unlocked configuration 90, engages ball hitch 24 through socket opening 38, ball hitch 24 pushes or retracts plate 48 by compressing spring assembly 50. After ball hitch 24 passes plate 48, plate 48 spring assembly 50 pushes out such that plate 48 cooperates with socket 36 to hold ball hitch 24 in socket 36.

[0054] During the pushing back or retracting of plate 48, tab 58 is also pushed backward freeing pin assembly 74 such that pin 76 drops and is pushed downward by spring assembly 84 such that pin 76 may enter housing 34 bottom aperture 42. In this position, plate 48 is no longer able to freely retract.

[0055] To reset coupler 32 back to an unlocked configuration 90, user manually lifts pin 76 from housing 34 bottom aperture 42 compressing spring assembly 84 of pin assembly 74. As pin 76 moves upward, spring 60 of tab 58 slides across bottom aperture 42 such that pin 76 is resting on tab 58. The locking mechanism 56 is now loaded such that pushing back or retracting plate 48 will then automatically activate and lock when ball hitch 24 enters socket 36.

[0056] The lifting of pin 76 may also be remotely accomplished by remote control assembly 98 such that user activates remote control activator 102 which communicates to motor 100 to retract pin 76.

[0057] Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.