Trailer coupler

• US 7,390,008 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2005
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Barry Hall
• Original Assignee: Barry Hall
• Inventors: Hall, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, MAURICE L
• Application Number:
  US11/059,909
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 280/511, 280/507, 280/513, 280/477
• US Class Current: 280/511
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/065 characterised by the hitch mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/58 Auxiliary devices

Abstract

A new and improved trailer coupler for connecting a trailer to a ball hitch mounted on a towing vehicle comprising a housing having a recessed socket, a retractable latching plate, a locking mechanism, an access port, a visual indicator, and an alarm system for indicating coupling and decoupling.

Claims

1. A new and improved trailer coupler for connecting a trailer to a ball hitch mounted on a towing vehicle comprising:

(a) a housing having a recessed socket with a downwardly directed socket opening for receiving said ball hitch, an interior cavity in communication with said recessed socket, a top, a bottom, a top aperture on said top of said housing, a bottom aperture on said bottom of said housing, a passageway through said housing aligned between said top aperture and said bottom aperture;

(b) a retractable latching plate generally disposed in said housing interior cavity and said recessed socket and having a spring assembly wherein said plate may retract when said spring assembly is compressed for allowing said ball hitch to enter and exit said recessed socket and wherein said plate may further cooperate with said recessed socket such that said ball hitch is trapped in said recessed socket;

(c) a locking mechanism disposed in said interior cavity and having a spring loaded pin with a first portion and a second portion, wherein said pin is aligned in said passageway of said housing such that said pin first portion operatively extends through said top aperture of said housing wherein said locking mechanism automatically cooperates with said plate to provide;

(1) an unlocked configuration wherein said plate may freely retract when said spring assembly is compressed allowing for said ball hitch to enter and exit said recessed socket, and

(2) a locked configuration wherein said pin communicates with said plate such that said plate may not retract thereby confining said ball hitch in said recessed socket;

(d) an access port disposed in said bottom of said housing wherein said access port provides access to said interior cavity of said housing and said retractable latching plate spring assembly;

(e) a visual indicator disposed on said first portion of said pin for determining if said locking mechanism is in said unlocked configuration or said locked configuration whereby said visual indicator is visible when said locking mechanism is in said locked configuration; and

(f) an alarm system attached to said housing wherein said alarm system indicates with an audible alert when said ball hitch either enters or exits said recessed socket and wherein said alarm system further includes a transmitter for transmitting to a remote unit said alert.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said remote unit is attached to a key chain.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said alarm system further includes an internal power source.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said audible alert may be of a selectable decibel range.