Patent ID: 6598896
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: B60P,B63C,Y10T

Abstract:
A latching mechanism constructed and arranged to be attached to a boat trailer and to securely receive a boat bow connection member so as to facilitate keeping the boat on the boat trailer, said latching mechanism comprising:a main body; and a linkage subassembly attached to said main body, said linkage subassembly including: a frame member defining a receiving channel for receipt of said connection member, said receiving channel including an entrance; a pair of spring-biased latching members which are pivotally attached to said frame member, said spring-biased latching members being constructed and arranged to be normally oriented in a closed condition wherein said spring-biased latching members cooperate to narrow the width of said receiving channel at a location adjacent said entrance; a release slide attached to said frame member and being moveable from a load-launch orientation to a stowed orientation, said release slide cooperating with said latching members so as to place said latching members in an openable condition, said release slide being spring-biased for the movement of said release slide from said load-launch orientation to said stowed orientation; and wherein said spring-biased latching members are pivotally moveable, when said release slide is in said load-launch orientation, to an open condition by the action of pushing said connection member into abutment against said spring-biased latching members until said connection member enters said receiving channel.