Patent ID: 7404448

Claim:
A coupler for a hitch, comprising: a body including opposing spaced apart first and second leg portions defining a receptacle therebetween, the receptacle having a closed end for receiving and holding a pin and an opposite open end through which a pin can pass into and out of the closed end; a self-locking latch disposed in a slot in the first leg portion, the latch having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, the first end portion of the latch being pivotally connected to the first leg portion at a location outwardly of the receptacle beyond the open end thereof for movement of the second end of the latch between an open position beside the open end of the receptacle for allowing passage of a pin into and out of the closed end of the receptacle and a closed position spanning at least a substantial portion of the open end for preventing passage of a pin into and out of the closed end, wherein when in the open position the latch is pivoted toward the slot in the first leg and further wherein when in the closed position the latch is pivoted in a direction away from the slot generally toward the second leg portion and away from the closed end of the receptacle, the second end portion of the latch having a pin engaging surface which faces the closed end when the latch is in the closed position, the pin engaging surface being shaped and oriented to face away from the pivotal connection of the latch to the first leg portion to provide a self-locking capability when the latch is in the closed position such that if a pin received in the closed end is urged against the pin engaging surface the latch will be urged thereby to pivot in a closing direction toward the closed position for holding the pin in the closed end, and such that if a pin received in the closed end is rotated in contact with the pin engaging surface in a direction for pivoting the latch toward the open position the latch will be urged thereby against the pin for holding the pin in the closed end wherein contact with the pin prevents the latch from rotating to the open position.