Patent ID: 7694834

Claim:
A coupler for use with model trains, said coupler comprising: a body member; a knuckle pivotally mounted on said body member, said knuckle being in either an open state or a closed state; a coupler guide disposed on said body member; and a locking pin disposed within said body member, said locking pin operable for maintaining said knuckle in said closed state when said locking pin is in a first position, and for allowing said knuckle to transition to said open state when said locking pin is in a second position; wherein when said knuckle is in said open state said coupler guide prevents said knuckle from engaging a knuckle of a second coupler to be uncoupled from said coupler, and wherein when said knuckle is in the open state, said knuckle is pivoted such that said coupler guide extends into a throat area defined by said coupler by a distance which is greater than the distance a latch member of said knuckle extends into said throat area.