Patents Assigned to PACIFIC RIM INTERNATIONAL, LLC
  • Publication number: 20240042814
    Abstract: A coupler is provided for attachment to a trailer and for receiving and selectively locking onto a hitch ball of a towing vehicle. The coupler may include a coupler body to attach to the trailer. The coupler body may have a socket attached to the upper surface of the coupler body adjacent. A socket and an adjacent clamp may be provided for selectively locking onto the hitch ball. A handle may be disposed above the upper surface of the coupler body and operatively coupled to the clamp for selectively moving the clamp between a locked position and an unlocked position. The handle may be rotatable about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the coupler body. The handle may be connected to the clamp by a rod defining a long axis. The rod may include a pin that rides on a pair of ramped surfaces to convert a rotational movement of the handle to translational movement of the clamp between a locked position and an unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Pacific Rim International, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Walstrom
  • Patent number: 9669672
    Abstract: A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Pacific Rim International, LLC
    Inventor: Yibin Ye
  • Publication number: 20160152103
    Abstract: A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Pacific Rim International, LLC
    Inventor: Yibin YE
  • Patent number: 9254723
    Abstract: A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Pacific Rim International, LLC
    Inventor: Yibin Ye
  • Publication number: 20140300084
    Abstract: A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: PACIFIC RIM INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Yibin YE
  • Patent number: 8746726
    Abstract: A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Pacific Rim International, LLC
    Inventor: Yibin Ye
  • Publication number: 20120306180
    Abstract: A trailer coupler may be provided with an opening and socket for a hitch ball, and a clamping bar in an internal channel for locking the coupler and hitch together. The internal channel may extend horizontally and be positioned above the opening and below the socket. The channel may include a laterally-facing aperture adjacent the second end, out of which one end of the clamping bar may extend. That end of the clamping bar may include a bracket with an open channel to fit over a flange on the coupler body. The coupler may be assembled by inserting a first end of the clamping bar through the laterally-facing aperture, and moving the first end of the clamping bar into the coupler body channel while fitting the bracket over the flange at the open channel of the clamping bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: PACIFIC RIM INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventor: Yibin YE