Patent ID: 11958323
Assignee: U-HAUL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  E | IPC B  E

Claim 8:
9. A coupler lock device comprising:
a housing having an opening configured to receive a self-latching trailer coupler in an enclosed position wherein the housing covers at least a portion of a release lever that is movably mounted to the trailer coupler and is configured to secure a tow vehicle hitch ball within a coupler socket in a retention position for towing a trailer;
wherein, as the coupler socket is lowered onto the tow vehicle hitch ball, the release lever moves between (i) a closed position that can retain the ball hitch within the socket of the trailer coupler (ii) a raised position that permits the insertion of the tow vehicle hitch ball into the coupler socket; and
wherein the housing has a top panel portion defining an enclosure that is configured so that, when the housing is secured on the trailer coupler, the housing top panel portion accommodates the release lever when it is in the closed position and restricts movement of the release lever to the raised position.