Patent ID: 9669672
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: B60D,Y10T

Claim:
1. A trailer coupler for installation at a forward end of a trailer, the coupler configured to attach to a hitch of a towing vehicle, the hitch defining a ball and a neck below the ball, the coupler comprising: a. a coupler body including b. a clamping bar including a first portion adjacent the opening and including a second portion pivotally mounted within the internal channel of the coupler body, the clamping bar pivotable between a locked position and an open position, the opening-adjacent first portion of the clamping bar in the locked position being positioned to partially block the opening and configured to contact the neck of the ball to hold the ball in the socket, and further including a pin selectively operable to hold the clamping bar in the locked position; c. a handle mounted to the coupler, the handle movable between a first, locked position and a second, open position, wherein the first, locked position of the handle corresponds to the locked position of the clamping bar, and wherein the coupler provides a detent for the second, open position; and d. a first hole and a second hole in the coupler, wherein each of the first and second holes is configured to receive therethrough the pin that is selectively operable to hold the clamping bar in the locked position, further wherein the pin is inserted through each of the first hole and the second hole to hold the clamping bar in the locked position.