Coupler with operable handle
US4157190A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 1977 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 6, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/065
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A coupler for a trailer and the like, the coupler having a body and cap hinged together at a front portion and closable along parting faces and an internal cavity formed by the body and the cap for a ball which is conventionally secured to the towing vehicle or trailer. The body is rigidly secured to a tongue portion of the coupler. The collar is mounted around the tongue portion and axially slidable over the body and a portion of the cap to latch the cap in a closed position. The collar is biased to a latching position. The body and cap are tapered so that cap snugly engages the two when the cap is in the latching position. The collar is operably coupled to an actuating handle. The handle is pivotably mounted on the tongue portion to control the movement of the collar with respect to the body and cap by movement between two rotationally displaced positions. The collar also has limited translational movement with respect to rod 22 to allow the collar to adapt to variations in thickness of the coupler due to variations in the cap, body taper, and ball size when the collar is in the latching position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.