Patent Publication Number: US-11654733-B1

Title: Towing coupler

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/398,849, filed Apr. 30, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/670,189, entitled TOWING COUPLER, filed on May 11, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to towing couplers and more specifically to towing couplers for land vehicle trailers. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a towing coupler for a truck or other vehicle includes a body and a hook portion. A first latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between a first latch open position and a first latch closed position. In the first latch open position, a draw bar or other towing element of a towed vehicle can be placed on or removed from the hook portion. In the first latch closed position, the first latch retains the draw bar on the hook portion. A second latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a second pivot axis between first and second positions. The first latch is biased to pivot toward the open position and the second latch is biased to pivot in the opposite direction from the first latch. The first and second latches have surfaces configured for coupling together to retain the first latch in the position to which it is moved. 
     In accordance with an aspect of this disclosure, a towing coupler for a vehicle can comprise: a body comprising a hook portion having an upwardly facing hook opening and a latch supporting portion, such as a column, projecting upwardly from the hook portion; a first latch pivoted to the latch supporting portion and pivotal about a first latch pivot axis between first latch open and first latch closed positions, the first latch comprising upwardly facing first and second latch engaging surfaces, the first latch engaging surface being spaced further from the first latch pivot axis than the second latch engaging surface; a first spring coupled to the body and to the first latch and biasing the first latch to pivot about the first latch pivot axis in a first direction and away from the first latch closed position; a second latch pivoted to the latch supporting portion and pivotal about a second latch pivot axis, the second latch being pivotal about the second latch pivot axis between a second latch first position and a second latch second position, wherein in the second latch first position and with the first latch in the first latch open position, the second latch is coupled at least partially to the first latch engaging surface, and wherein in the second latch second position and with the first latch in the first latch closed position, the second latch is coupled at least partially to the second latch engaging surface; and a second spring coupled to the body and to the second latch and biasing the second latch to pivot about the second latch pivot axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second spring pivoting the second latch to the second latch second position upon pivoting of the first latch from the first latch open position toward the first latch closed position. 
     As an aspect of an embodiment, the first latch engaging surface can comprise a first latch engaging surface portion facing away from the hook portion. In addition, the second latch engaging surface can comprise a concave second latch engaging surface portion facing away from the hook portion. 
     As another aspect, the radius of curvature of the concave second latch engaging surface portion can be smaller than the radius of curvature of the concave first latch engaging surface portion. 
     As yet another aspect, the second latch can comprise downwardly facing third and fourth latch engaging surfaces, wherein the third and fourth latch engaging surfaces can be positioned to at least partially engage the first latch engaging surface when the first latch is in the first latch open position and the second latch is in the second latch first position, and wherein the fourth latch engaging surface can be positioned to at least partially engage the second latch engaging surface when the first latch is in the first latch closed position and the second latch is in the second latch second position. 
     As a further aspect, the first latch engaging surface can comprise first and second first latching surface portions with a land positioned at least partially between the first and second first latching surface portions. The land can be sized and positioned to engage the latch supporting portion when the first latch is in the first latch open position. 
     As another aspect, the second latch engaging surface can comprise first and second spaced apart second latching surface portions. In addition, a portion of the latch supporting portion can be positioned between the first and second spaced apart latching surface portions. 
     As a still further aspect, each of the first and second first latching surface portions can comprise concave surfaces and each of the first and second spaced apart second latching surface portions can also comprise concave surfaces. 
     As yet another aspect, the radius of curvature of each of the first and second spaced apart second latching surface portions can be smaller than the radius of curvature of each of the first and second first latching surface portions. 
     As a further aspect, the second latch can comprise third and fourth latch engaging portions, the third latch engaging portion comprising first and second spaced apart third latching surface portions and the fourth latch engaging portion comprising first and second spaced apart fourth latching surface portions. In addition, the land can be positioned between the first and second spaced apart fourth latching surface portions at least when the first latch is in the first latch open position. 
     As another aspect, each of the first and second first latching surface portions and first and second spaced apart second latching surface portions can be concave. Also, the first and second spaced apart third latching surface portions and the first and second spaced apart fourth latching surface portions can be convex. 
     As a further aspect, the second latch pivot axis can be parallel to the first latch pivot axis and the second latch pivot axis can be positioned higher on the latch supporting portion or column than the first latch pivot axis 
     In accordance with another aspect, a towing coupler for a vehicle can comprise: a body comprising a hook having a first leg portion, a base portion and a second leg portion spaced from the first leg portion so as to define a tow draw bar receiving space above the base portion and between the first and second leg portions, the hook having an upwardly facing hook opening communicating with the tow draw bar receiving space, the body also comprising a latch supporting column portion projecting upwardly from the second leg portion; a first latch comprising a first latch proximal end portion and a first latch distal end portion, the first latch proximal end portion being pivoted to the column portion and pivotal about a first latch pivot axis, the first latch being pivotal between a first latch closed position and a first latch open position, wherein in the first latch closed position the first latch overlies the hook opening and the first latch distal end portion engages the first leg portion of the hook and closes the hook opening, and wherein in the first latch open position the first latch distal end portion is pivoted away from the first leg portion of the hook to open the hook opening to provide access to the tow draw bar receiving space; the first latch comprising upwardly facing first and second latch engaging surfaces, the first latch engaging surface being spaced nearer to the first latch distal end portion than the second latch engaging surface, and wherein a ridge is provided between the first and second latch engaging surfaces with the first and second latch engaging surfaces having respective surface portions that slope downwardly from the ridge; a first spring coupled to the body and to the proximal end portion of the first latch and biasing the first latch to pivot about the first latch pivot axis in a first direction and away from the first latch closed position and toward the first latch open position; a second latch pivoted to the column portion and pivotal about a second latch pivot axis, the second latch being pivotal about the second latch pivot axis between a second latch first position and a second latch second position; the second latch comprising third and fourth latch engaging surfaces, wherein with the second latch in the second latch first position and with the first latch in the first latch open position, both of the third and fourth latching surfaces are positioned to at least partially abut the first latch engaging surface, and wherein in the second latch second position and with the first latch in the first latch closed position, the third latch engaging surface is positioned to at least partially abut the second latch engaging surface; and a second spring coupled to the body and to the second latch and biasing the second latch to pivot about the second latch pivot axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second spring and pivoting the second latch to the second latch second position upon pivoting of the first latch from the first latch open position in a direction toward the first latch closed position. 
     As yet another aspect, at least a portion of the first latch engaging surface comprises a concave first latch engaging surface facing away from the hook, the concave first latch engaging surface comprising first and second diverging upwardly sloped surface portions, the first upwardly sloped surface portion being positioned nearer to the distal end of the first latch than the second upwardly sloped surface portion; wherein at least a portion of each of the third and fourth latch engaging surfaces comprise a convex latch engaging surface; 
     and wherein the third latch engaging surface is positioned to at least partially abut the first upwardly sloped portion and the fourth latch engaging surface is positioned to at least partially abut the second upwardly sloped surface portion when the first latch is in the first latch open position and the second latch is in the second latch first position, and wherein the fourth latch engaging surface is positioned to engage the second latch engaging surface when the first latch is in the first latch closed position and the second latch is in the second latch second position. 
     As another aspect, a towing coupler for a vehicle can comprise: a body comprising a hook with an upwardly facing hook opening and a column portion projecting upwardly from one side of the hook; first latch means pivoted to the body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between first latch open and closed positions; second latch means pivoted to the body for pivoting about a second pivot axis between a second latch first position for engaging and retaining the first latch means in an open position and a second latch second position for engaging and retaining the first latch means in a closed position; the first and second latch means comprising engagement surface means configured for engaging one another when the first latch means is in the first latch open position and the second latch means is in the second latch first position and when the first latch means is in the first latch closed position and the second latch means is in the second latch second position; a first spring biasing the first latch means for pivotal movement about the first pivot axis in first direction toward the open position; and a second spring biasing the second latch means for pivotal movement about the second pivot axis in a direction opposite to the first direction. 
     The developments disclosed herein include all possible combinations of the above aspects as well as of those described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a left-side perspective view of an embodiment of a towing coupler in a closed state. In  FIG.  1   , the first or lower latch is shown in an exemplary latch closed position and the second or upper latch is shown in an exemplary second latch position. 
         FIG.  2    is a right-side perspective view of the closed towing coupler of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a side elevational view of the closed towing coupler of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a top plan view of the closed towing coupler of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front elevational view of the closed towing coupler of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a vertical sectional view of the closed towing coupler of  FIG.  5    taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  7    is a left-side perspective view of the towing coupler of  FIG.  1    shown in an open state ready, for example, to receive a drawbar eye attached to a vehicle for coupling to the coupler. In  FIG.  7   , the first or lower latch is shown in an exemplary first latch open position and the second or upper latch is shown in an exemplary second latch first position. 
         FIG.  8    is a right-side perspective view of the open towing coupler of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  9    is a side elevational view of the open towing coupler of  FIG.  7   . 
         FIG.  10    is a top view of the open towing coupler of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a front elevational view of the open towing coupler of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  12    is a vertical sectional view of the open towing coupler of  FIG.  11   , taken along line  12 - 12  of  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  13    is an exploded view of a towing coupler of  FIG.  1    without the housing shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view showing the towing coupler of  FIG.  1    in an open position and receiving a drawbar eye and also showing the guiding of the drawbar eye onto a hook portion of the towing coupler by a lower surface of a lower latch of the towing coupler. 
         FIG.  15    shows the drawbar eye in a position received by the open towing coupler. 
         FIG.  16    shows the drawbar eye in an upper position as allowed by the towing coupler. 
         FIG.  17    shows the drawbar eye in a lower position as allowed by the towing coupler. 
         FIGS.  18    A and  18  B show respective perspective views of one form of lower latch for the towing coupler embodiment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  19    is a rear perspective view of one form of an upper latch for the towing coupler embodiment of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout this disclosure, when a reference is made to a first element being coupled to a second element, the term “coupled” is to be construed to mean both direct connection of the elements as well as indirect connection of the elements by way of one or more additional intervening elements. Also, the singular terms “a”, “and”, and “first”, mean both the singular and the plural unless the term is qualified to expressly indicate that it only refers to a singular element, such as by using the phrase “only one”. Thus, for example, if two of a particular element are present, there is also “a” or “an” of such element that is present. In addition, the term “and/or” when used in this document is to be construed to include the conjunctive “and”, the disjunctive “or”, and both “and” and “or”. Also, the terms “includes” and “has” have the same meaning as “comprises” and the terms “including” and “having” have the same meaning as “comprising”. The terms “upper” and “lower” are used for convenience in describing a towing coupler in the orientation of  FIG.  1   , it being understood that, for example, the upper latch in  FIG.  1    will still be an upper latch even if the orientation of the towing coupler is changed to place the upper latch in a lower or lowest position from the position shown in  FIG.  1   . 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an exemplary form of towing coupler or coupler  10  in accordance with this disclosure. Throughout this disclosure, the same numbers are used for common elements in the illustrated views of the coupler. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 6   , the coupler  10  comprises a body  12 . The body  12  includes a hook portion  14  at a front portion of the body. The illustrated hook portion  14  comprises a hook which is open at the top  16  and that defines a drawbar eye receiving opening  18  therein. Specifically, the hook portion  14  includes an upwardly projecting front leg portion  20 , a base portion  22  and a rear leg portion  24 . The portions  20 ,  22  and  24  can be an inverted C-shaped configuration with the opening  18  positioned above section  22  and between the sections  20  and  24 . A draw bar eye receiving space is provided between the leg portions and the base portion. The body also comprises a rearwardly extending housing  30  that surrounds a section of a shank portion  26  ( FIG.  6   ) of the body  12 . The housing  30  comprises a mounting structure or member for mounting the housing  30  and thereby the coupler to the framework of a land vehicle, such as a trailer. In  FIG.  1   , the mounting structure comprises a flange  32  with respective fastener receiving openings, one of which is indicated at  34 , for receiving fasteners, such as bolts, that couple the mounting flange and thereby the coupler  10  to the trailer frame. The body  12  also comprises an upwardly extending latch supporting portion such as a column portion or column  40  projecting upwardly from the leg section  24 . 
     Leg section  20  has an upper surface  21  that can have surface features formed therein, but more desirably is a flat or planar surface. 
     The illustrated coupler also comprises a lower latch portion  50 , which comprises an exemplary form of a first latch, that is pivoted by a pivot pin  52  to a lower section of the column  40 , such as above the leg section  24  of the hook portion  14 . The pivot pin  52  defines a pivot axis that is desirably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank portion  26  of the body  12 . Desirably the lower latch  50  is biased toward an open position, such as by one or more springs with torsion springs being a specific example. The lower latch is biased in a counter clockwise direction toward an open position in  FIG.  1   ; as indicated by arrow  54  in  FIG.  1   . When viewed from the right side as in  FIG.  2   , the biasing force toward an open position is in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow  55 . The latch  50  comprises a proximal end portion adjacent to the column  40  and a distal end portion projecting away from the proximal end portion. The lower latch  50  can comprise spaced apart shoulder portions  60 ,  62  at the proximal end portion of the latch  50 . The shoulder portions  60 ,  62  are respectively positioned in this example on opposite sides of the column  40 . The pin  52  extends through shoulder portion  62 , the column  40  and the shoulder portion  60 ; and is retained in place, such as by a snap ring  64 , not shown in  FIG.  1   , but shown in  FIG.  13   . 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  1   , when the coupler is closed, the latch  50  comprises an upwardly facing first latch engagement surface  70  and an upwardly facing second latch engagement surface  72 . The surfaces  70 ,  72  are desirably at least partially or entirely concave and other engagement surfaces of the upper and lower latches are desirably at least partially or entirely concave. A ridge or peak  74  is positioned between the surfaces  70  and  72 . The surfaces  70 ,  72  diverge moving downwardly away from the peak in the form shown. Similar surfaces at the opposite side of the latch  50  can be considered to be part of the first latch engagement surface or considered as separate first latch engagement surfaces. The surfaces  70 ,  76 ,  78 , and  80  (and the corresponding surfaces at the opposite side of the latch comprise a form of latching surfaces. The surface  72  has an upwardly sloped first surface portion  76 , a base surface portion  78  (further from pin  52  than, or more distally than, the surface  76 ) and an upwardly facing distally positioned sloped surface  80 . The radius of curvature of surface  70  is desirably smaller than the radius of curvature of surface  72  in this embodiment. In effect, the surface comprising surface portions  76 ,  78  and  80  can be sinusoidal in shape. In the same manner, as can be seen in  FIG.  2   , the first latch  50  can comprise an upwardly facing first concave engagement surface  90  and a second upwardly facing concave engagement surface  92 . A ridge or peak  94  is positioned between the surfaces  90  and  92 . The surface  92  has an upwardly sloped first surface portion  96 , a base surface portion  98  (further from pin  52  than the surface  96 ) and an upwardly facing sloped surface  100 . The radius of curvature of surface  92  is desirably greater than the radius of curvature of surface  90  in this embodiment. In effect, in this embodiment the surface comprising surface portions  96 ,  98  and  100  can be sinusoidal in shape. 
     A land  110  is desirably positioned between the sloping surfaces  72  and  92  of the respective legs  62 ,  60 . The land extends upwardly above the surfaces  76 ,  96  and  78 ,  98 . The land comprises a first upwardly facing land concave surface  112  and a second upwardly facing land concave surface  114 . As can be seen in  FIG.  2   , the land  110  starts at a location below the respective peaks  74 ,  94  and extends downwardly to a ridge  120  between the concave land surfaces  112 ,  114 . The radius of curvature of surface  112  is smaller than the radius of curvature of surface  114  in this example. In addition, the radius of curvature of surface  114  is greater than the radius of curvature of the surfaces  78  and  98 . Surface  114  comprises an upwardly sloping surface  116 , a base surface  118  and a forward surface  120 . In this example, the forward surface  120  is of the same slope as surfaces  80 ,  100  to provide a smooth surface across the distal end of the upper portion of the lower latch  50 . The illustrated land  110  also comprises a rear upwardly sloping surface  113  that desirably abuts the front surface  117  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) of the column  40  when the latch  10  is in an open position as explained below in connection with  FIG.  12   . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the distal end  130  of the lower latch  50  can comprise a recess  132  for use in gripping by a user to pull and pivot the lower latch  50  in a direction counter to the directions  54 ,  55  in which the lower latch  50  is biased. This will be explained more fully below. 
     The illustrated coupler also comprises an upper or second latch  150 . The upper latch  150  is coupled by a pin  152  to the column  40  such that latch  150  is rotatable or pivotal relative to the column. The pivot axis defined by upper latch pin  152  is desirably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank  26  ( FIG.  6   ) and parallel to the pivot axis defined by lower latch pin  52 . The pivot axis defined by pin  152  is positioned above and forwardly of the pivot axis defined by the pin  52 . The upper latch  150  is desirably biased about pin  152  in the opposite direction of biasing the lower latch  50  about pin  52 . The biasing of upper latch  150  can be accomplished, for example, by one or more springs, such as by torsion springs as explained below. When viewed from the left as in  FIG.  1   , the upper latch  150  is biased in a clockwise direction as indicated by arrow  154 . When viewed from the right as in  FIG.  2   , the upper latch  150  is biased in a counter clockwise direction as indicated by arrow  156 . 
     In  FIG.  1   , the lower or first latch  50  is shown in a closed position with the distal end of the lower latch engaging the leg  20  of the hook and closing off access to the draw bar receiving space. Less desirably, in the closed position, the distal end of the latch can be spaced from the leg  20  by a gap that is small enough to prevent removal of a draw bar from the draw bar receiving space when the lower latch is closed. In addition, in  FIG.  1   , the second or upper latch  150  is shown in a second position. In  FIG.  7   , the second latch is shown in a first position and the lower latch is shown in an open position. 
     As can be seen in  FIG.  2   , the upper latch  150  can comprise first and second spaced apart legs  160 ,  162  projecting rearwardly from a front portion  164  of the body  168  that comprises the upper latch  150 . A channel  166  can be provided between the legs  160 ,  162  and an upper front portion of the column  40  can be positioned between the legs  160 ,  162  and between latching surfaces at the outer surfaces of the legs that face respective latching surfaces of the lower latch. The latching surfaces of the upper and lower latches are configured to at least partially engage one another to retain the lower latch in the position to which it is moved. The latch  150  comprises an upwardly extending latch engagement portion  170  that projects above the axis of pin  152  and that has a forward portion extending forwardly of a vertical plane through the axis of pin  152  when the upper latch is in the closed position shown in  FIG.  2   . The upper latch leg  160  comprises a first convex lower latch engaging surface  180  (lower when in the position shown in  FIG.  2   ). The first lower latch engaging surface  180  is spaced from the latch actuating portion  170 . The first latch engaging surface  180  is positioned at opposite sides of a horizontal plane extending through the axis of the pin  152  when the upper latch is in the position shown in  FIG.  2   . The leg  160  also comprises a second concave lower latch engagement surface  182 . The second lower latch engagement surface  182  is positioned rearwardly of a vertical plane through the axis of pin  152  when the upper latch is in the position shown in  FIG.  2   . In addition, an arcuate transition surface  184  extends between the surfaces  180  and  182 . The leg  162  shown in  FIG.  1    has a similar first convex lower latch engagement surface  190  and a second rearwardly positioned concave lower latch engagement surface  192  with an arcuate transition surface  194  positioned between the surfaces  190  and  192 . 
     When the latch is in the closed position as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the first lower latch engaging surface  190  abuts the lower latch surface  70  and the first lower latch engaging surface  180  abuts the lower latch surface  90 . In addition, springs bias the upper latch  150  in the directions of arrows  154 ,  156  and urges these surfaces  190 ,  70  and  180 ,  90  together. In addition, the peaks  74 ,  94  of the respective shoulder  62 ,  60  retain the upper latch in this engaged position. For added safety, a safety pin  200  is inserted through the legs  162 , the column  40  and the leg  160  to further retain the upper latch  150  against the lower latch  50  when the latch is in the closed position. The pin  200  can be coupled to the column  40  by a cable  202 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the surfaces  72 ,  92  comprise a form of first latch engagement surface. In addition, the surfaces  70 ,  90  comprise a form of second latch engagement surface. Also, the surfaces  180 ,  190  comprise a form of a third latch engagement surface and the surfaces  182 ,  192  comprise a form of a fourth latch engagement surface. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , the upper latch has a base portion  191  with the first lower latch engaging surfaces  180 , 190  at the lower end of the base portion  191  in  FIG.  6   . The first lower latch engaging surfaces desirably span from side to side of the upper latch  150 . The base portion  191  can also comprise an upper concave surface  193  opposed to the surfaces  180 ,  190 . In addition, the column  40  can comprise a forwardly projecting nose portion  195  positioned above the surface  193 . The nose portion can have a convex outer surface  197  configured to match the concavity of the surface  193  such that as the upper latch pivots about the axis of pin  152 , the surfaces  193 ,  197  remain proximate to one another. In the closed positon shown in  FIG.  6   , the service load applied by a draw bar eye is generally in the direction of arrow  199 . If the pin  152  were to fail, the upper latch is captured between the surfaces  190 ,  70 ,  193  and  197  (in  FIG.  6    and surfaces  180 ,  90 ,  193  and  197 ) at the opposite site of the latch to retain the upper and lower latches  150 ,  50  in the closed position. That is, if the upper latch pin  152  were to fail from the applied force  199 , the concave geometry of the upper latch  150  (surface  193 ) will contact the convex geometry of the surface  197  of the nose portion  195  of the coupling body  40  and prevent the latch from opening. The lower latch  50  contacts the upper latch  150  in a manner that compresses the upper latch  150  against the coupling body  40 . 
     Desirably, the pins  52  and  152  rotate with the rotation of the latches for lubrication purposes. Although the pin  52  can be keyed to the lower latch  50  and the pin  152  can be keyed to the upper latch  150 , in one exemplary approach inter-engaging features are provided between pin  52  and the lower latch and between pin  152  and the upper latch  150  that cause the respective pins to pivot with pivoting motion of the latches. For example, the opening  204  through which pin  152  extends can be provided with a flat surface  206  where the opening passes through leg  62  of the lower latch. In addition, the pin  152  can have a flat surface  208  that abuts the surface  206  with the surfaces  206 ,  208  preventing the relative rotation of the upper latch  150  and the pin  152 . In the same manner, the opening  205  through which pin  52  extends can be provided with a flat surface  222  where the opening passes through leg  162  of the upper latch. In addition, the pin  52  can have a flat surface  224  that abuts the surface  222  with the surfaces  222 ,  224  preventing the relative rotation of the lower latch  50  and the pin  52 . The pins  52 ,  152  can have respective grease ports  230 ,  210  communicating with respective axially extending passageways extending from the grease ports along a portion of the length of the respective pins.  FIG.  6    and  FIG.  12    illustrate the axial extending passageway  234 ,  238  in the pins  152 ,  52 . A radially extending passageway  236  can communicate from axial passageway  234  to the surfaces between pin  152  and the column  40 . A radially extending passageway  240  extends between the axial passageway  238  and the surfaces between pin  52  and the column  40 . Although optional, with this construction, grease introduced through the respective grease ports  210 ,  230  is dispersed to the surfaces between the pins and column and is dispersed by the motion of the pins as the upper and lower latches rotate to more effectively lubricate the pins and column. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  3 - 6   , the description of  FIGS.  1  and  2    applies to these FIGS. and components in common between this FIGS. will not be redescribed.  FIGS.  3  and  4    illustrate additional portions of an exemplary housing  30 . The housing  30  pivotally receives a shaft portion  26  of the body  14  ( FIG.  6   ). A first bearing, such as a ring  250  is positioned between the front portion of the housing  30  and the column  40 . A second bearing, such as a ring  252  is positioned between a rear portion of the housing and a spacer  254 . As a desirable example, these rings  250 ,  252  can comprise polymer washers that in effect seal the ends of the housing and retain lubricant in the surfaces between the shaft  26  and housing  30 . In addition, the polymer rings can be of a reduced or low friction material, such as a nylon material, to further facilitate the pivoting movement of the body, and thereby the hook portion  14  and shaft  26 , of the coupler relative to the housing  30 . A nut  260  threaded onto the distal end of the shaft  26  bears against the spacer  254 . A retainer, such as a snap ring  262 , prevents the nut from separating from the shaft  26 . As a specific example, the nut  260  can be a nylon lock nut which allows the nut to be tightened against a spacer  254  as desired to set the resistance to pivoting movement between the housing  30  and the shaft  26 . As can be seen in  FIG.  4   , springs  270 ,  272 , which can comprise torsion coil springs, can be positioned on opposite sides of the column  40  to bias the upper latch  150  in the direction  156  shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     With further reference to  FIG.  3   , the opening  18  between hook sections  20 ,  22  and  24  can be asymmetrical when viewed from the side. That is, the radius of curvature of the opening  18  is smaller at a rear portion  280  than at a front portion  282 . This construction allows a received drawbar eye to pivot within the opening  18  upwardly, relative to a horizontal plane when the latch coupler is vertical, a lesser extent than the allowed downward pivoting of the received drawbar eye. As explained below, the drawbar eye in one specific example can pivot upwardly through an angle of 35 degrees with respect to horizontal plane and downwardly 40 degrees when the coupler  10  is in a vertical orientation. This aids in the prevention of coupler and drawbar eye binding when articulated in vertical directions, such as can occur in extreme off-road terrain conditions, including large raised and lowered surfaces separated by a short distance relative to the wheelbase or track of the vehicle (e.g., a large mound followed by a deep ditch). 
       FIGS.  7 - 12    illustrate the latch  50  in an open position with a gap  300  between the lower latch  50  and the hook portion  14 . Elements in these FIGS. that have been discussed above are not discussed in detail below except where helpful in understanding the operation of the coupler  10 . To shift the latch between the closed position shown in  FIG.  3    to the open position shown in  FIG.  7   , a user can apply a force in a direction of arrow  290  to the upper portion  170  of the upper latch  150  as shown in  FIG.  3   . The force  290  acts against the bias of the springs  270 ,  272  and rotates the upper latch  150  in a direction counter to the directions  154 ,  156 . As surfaces  70 ,  190  and  90 ,  180  clear one another, the bias on the lower latch  50  in the direction of arrows  54 ,  55  pivots the lower latch  50  to the open position as shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     When in the position shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the surfaces  190 ,  192  and  194  of the upper latch  150  are desirably positioned respectively to engage the surfaces  80 ,  76  and  78  of the lower latch  50  and the surfaces  182 ,  184  and  180  of the upper latch are positioned to respectively engage the surfaces  96 ,  98  and  100  of the lower latch. These respective facing upper and lower latch surfaces desirably at least partially engage one another and more desirably a majority of these facing surfaces are coupled together, such as abutting one another, and most desirably substantially all (more than ninety percent) of these facing surfaces are coupled together such as abutting and thereby engaging one another as shown in part in  FIG.  12   . Also, although not shown in these figures, except partially in  FIG.  12   , the land  110  of lower latch  50  is positioned at least partially between the legs  162 ,  160  of the upper latch  150 . In addition, the surface  112  of the land  110  desirably engages the surface  197  of the column and the surface  113  of the land desirably engages the surface  117  at the front of the column  40 . In addition, the surface  114  of the land desirably engages the surface  190  of the upper latch  150 . These respective pairs of facing surfaces,  112 ,  197 ;  113 ,  117 ; and  114 ,  190 ; desirably at least partially engage one another and more desirably a majority of these facing surfaces are coupled together, such as abutting one another, and most desirably substantially all of these facing surfaces are coupled together such as abutting and thereby engaging one another as shown in part in  FIG.  12   . 
     It is not unusual for the coupler of a truck or trailer being backed up toward the coupler  10  to apply a substantial force in the direction of arrow  311  in  FIG.  12   . By having the respective above described engaging surfaces effectively backing the lower latch  50  up by the column and upper latch, forces applied in the direction of arrow  311  are distributed over the entire coupler assembly rather than having one component (e.g. the lower latch or a portion thereof) bearing substantially the entire load. These loading forces result in compressive loading of the majority of the coupler components when the latch is in the open position. Positioning of the land between the legs  160 ,  162  of the upper latch  150  in the open position also assists in maintaining the vertical alignment of the upper and lower latches  50 ,  150 . 
     To move the latch from the open position shown in  FIG.  7    to the closed position shown in  FIG.  1   , a user can pull on the lower latch, such as by engaging the recess  132  to urge the lower latch in a clockwise direction in  FIG.  7   , counter to the bias applied by one or more springs to the lower latch  50  in the direction of arrows  54 ,  55  in  FIGS.  7  and  8   . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the undersurface of the lower latch  50  indicated at  310 , is angled downwardly from front to rear, when the coupler is in a vertical orientation, and with surfaces  113 ,  117  in engagement with one another as shown in  FIG.  12   . As a result, the surface  310  assists in guiding a drawbar eye downwardly into the hook portion  14 . That is, assuming for example that a truck is backing up, upon engaging the surface  310 , the drawbar eye will tend to slide downwardly along the surface  310  into the opening  18  of the hook portion  14 . 
     Referring to the exploded view of  FIG.  13   , which omits the housing  30  for convenience, the upper latch pin  152  is inserted through the opening  204  comprising an opening in leg  162  (not shown in  FIG.  13   ), an opening  271  in the column  40  and through an opening  273  in the leg  160  of the upper latch  150 . The upper latch  150  is desirably biased as explained above relative to the column  40  by, for example, a spring engaging the upper latch and the column. For example, a spring  270 , such as a coiled or torsion spring, can be positioned within a seat  374  at the left side of the column  40  and can surround the opening  271 . A similar spring  272 , which can be a coiled or torsion spring, can be positioned within a seat  376  at the right side of the column  40  and can surround the opening  271 . One end of spring  270  can engage the seat  374  and the opposite end of the spring  270  can engage a seat in upper latch  150  that is like the seat  382  shown in  FIG.  19 A . In addition, one end of the spring  272  can engage the seat  376  and the opposite end of the spring  272  can engage the seat  382  of the upper latch  150 . The respective springs  270 ,  272  apply a biasing force in the direction of arrows  154  ( FIG.  1   ) and  156  ( FIGS.  2  and  13   ). A snap ring  288 , or other fastener, can be used to retain the pin  152  in place when the coupler  10  is assembled. 
     The safety pin  210  is inserted through an opening through leg  162  (not shown in  FIG.  13   ), through an opening  389  through column  40  and through an opening  390  in leg  160  of the upper latch  150  when the latch is in a closed position. The pin  210  can have a spring biased detente  391  that retains the safety pin in place until such time as a ring  392  at the opposite end of the safety pin from the detente is pulled to cause the detente  391  to retract and allow the removal of the safety pin. 
     The lower latch pin  52  is inserted through an opening  205  comprising an opening  401  in shoulder  62  of the lower latch  50 , an opening  400  in the column  40  and an opening  403  through the leg  60  of the lower latch. The lower latch  50  is desirably biased as explained above relative to the column  40  by, for example, a spring engaging the lower latch and the column. For example, a spring  402 , such as a coiled or torsion spring, can be positioned in a seat  404  of the column  40  with one end of the spring engaging the seat. A spring  406 , such as a coiled or torsion spring, can be positioned within a seat  408  of the column at the opposite side of the column from the seat  404 . One end of the spring  406  can engage the seat  408 . The springs  402 ,  406  are thus positioned between the column and the interior surface of the adjacent legs  62 ,  60 . The shoulders  60 ,  62  are each provided with a respective seat for engaging the opposite end of each spring from the end engaged by the respective column seat.  FIG.  18 A  shows an exemplary spring engagement seat  410  in the shoulder  60  and  FIG.  18 B  shows a spring engagement seat  412 . The springs  402 ,  406  bias the lower latch in the direction indicated by arrows  54  and  55  in  FIGS.  7  and  8   . 
       FIG.  14    illustrates a drawbar eye  340  being positioned on the hook  14  of the coupler  10 . As the drawbar eye  340  is moved toward the coupler, the surface  310  of the lower latch  50  is engaged by the drawbar eye and directs the drawbar eye downwardly into the opening  18  of the hook portion  14 . 
       FIG.  15    illustrates the drawbar eye  340  on the hook portion  14  with surface  21  of the leg section  20  of the hook portion  14  shown positioned above the illustrated drawbar eye. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates the coupler  10  in a closed position and with the drawbar eye  340  pivoted upwardly as permitted by the illustrated construction. As previously pointed out, the construction allows pivoting of the drawbar eye upwardly through an angle of, for example, 35 degrees from a horizontal plane when the coupler  10  is vertical.  FIG.  17    illustrates the drawbar eye  340  pivoted in a downward direction when the latch  10  is in a closed position. The illustrated coupler allows downward pivoting of the drawbar eye, for example 40 degrees from a horizontal plane when the coupler  10  is in the vertical orientation. These upward and downward pivot angles can be varied but do facilitate relative movement between the truck and towed trailer, for example, as the truck hits a bump or crests a hill. 
     Having illustrated and described the principles of my invention with reference to an exemplary embodiment. The disclosure is not limited to this embodiment and includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of elements disclosed herein and related methods. It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the disclosed coupler can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from the inventive principles disclosed herein. I claim all such variations which fall within the scope of the claims.