Abstract: A towing coupler for truck or other vehicle includes a body and a hook. A first latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between an open and closed position. In the open position, a draw bar or other towing element of a towed vehicle can be placed on or removed from the hook while in the closed position the first latch retains the draw bar on the hook. 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.

Abstract: A coupler for use by a towing vehicle to tow a towed vehicle can have an auxiliary actuator, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, coupled to a coupler latching element or elements to move the latching elements to a closed position, such as automatically in response to the occurrence of a vehicle condition, such as the release of the emergency brake of a towing vehicle. The auxiliary actuator can be provided with or without a actuator used to move a clamp into engagement with a draw bar eye of the towed vehicle. The auxiliary actuator can operate to cause the closing of the latching element or elements when, for example, a vehicle operator inadvertently forgets to close the latch before driving off with a towed trailer.

Abstract: A towing coupler for truck or other vehicle includes a body and a hook. A first latch is coupled to the body for pivoting about a first pivot axis between an open and closed position. In the open position, a draw bar or other towing element of a towed vehicle can be placed on or removed from the hook while in the closed position the first latch retains the draw bar on the hook. 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.

Abstract: A trailer drawbar has a housing with a cylindrical outer chamber and a cylindrical inner chamber separated from one another by a stop. First and second compressible bushings respectively fit in the outer and inner chambers. The bushings have aligned bores. A rod extends through the bores in the bushings. One rod end contains an annular base, which abuts the first bushing, and a drawbar eye. The other rod end is threaded. An annular seal is positioned on the rod adjacent to the second bushing. The first bushing has a length and compressibility such that the seal remains entirely within the inner chamber when the first bushing is compressed to a pre-determined level. The second bushing has a length and compressibility such that the first seal is not located completely inside of the inner chamber when the second bushing is compressed up to a second pre-determined level.

Abstract: A trailer drawbar has a housing with a cylindrical outer chamber and a cylindrical inner chamber which are separated from one another by a stop. A first compressible bushing fits into the outer chamber and a second compressible bushing fits into the inner chamber. The bushings have aligned bores extending centrally through them. A drawbar includes a rod that extends through the bores in the bushings. One end of the rod contains an annular base, which abuts the first bushing, and a drawbar eye. The other end of the rod is threaded. An annular seal, which has an outside diameter which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the second chamber, fits on the rod adjacent to the second bushing.

Abstract: A tightening mechanism for a hinge assembly includes a first housing having a pair of outwardly extending spaced apart ears having aligned first bores extending through them. A second housing has a length which allows it to fit between the ears and has a pair of abutting second bores which are tapered inwardly toward one another. Tapered cylindrical bushings are configured to fit within the second bores. The tapered bushings have aligned third bores which are co-axial with one another and with the second bores. A coupling mechanism extends through the third bores and holds the second housing rotatably in the first housing. A clamping mechanism urges the bushings toward one another and inwardly into the second bores against the pin.

Abstract: A trailer coupling has a removable unitary coupler-receiving element that includes both a ball configured to receive a spherical cavity coupler and a cylindrical neck configured to receive a drawbar eye. A latch is movable about a vertical axis between a closed position, where it engages the coupler-receiving element, and prevents removal of the eye from the neck, and an open position where it is separated from the coupler-receiving element and permits use of the ball. A locking mechanism locks the latch in its closed position and holds it against free movement from its open position. A trigger located in a finger-receiving cavity in the latch releases the locking mechanism. Because the latch rotates about a vertical axis, it can have a low profile and not extend substantially above the ball in the orientation.

Abstract: A handle mechanism for a trailer coupling of the type having a coupling member that is rotatably mounted in a body and is movable between an open position, where a draw bar eye can be placed on or removed from the coupling member, and a closed position where it cannot, a latch that prevents rotation of a coupling member without first rotating the latch and a lug that prevents rotation of the latch unless the shaft that carries the latch is moved sideways in the body against a spring. An annular ring rotatably mounted on an end of the shaft that extends out of the body acts as a cam element that bears against the body when it is rotated, to move the shaft longitudinally in the body and thus move the latch away from the lug that prevents its rotation. An L-shaped handle attached to the ring provides a mechanical advantage in the rotation of the ring and facilitates rotation of the shaft after it has been pulled sideways.