Ross Allen Ray

US Patent:

6186532, Feb 13, 2001

Filed:

Jun 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/328966

Inventors:

Ross Allen Ray - Kalispell MT
Steven D. Vermillion - Kalispell MT

International Classification:

B60D 136

US Classification:

280508

Abstract:

A trailer coupler in which a pair of hitch capturing members, each having a hitch socket are movable relative to one another and to a base member. The base member mounts the hitch capturing members for selective movement between a forwardly extended and open hitch receiving position and a rearwardly retracted and closed hitch capturing position. A hitch positioner member is mounted or is mountable to the hitch capturing members to span the hitch capturing members in the forwardly extended and open hitch receiving position. The hitch positioner member is movably positioned with respect to at least one of the hitch capturing members and is configured to move the hitch capturing members rearwardly in response to engagement by a rearwardly moving hitch. A cam surface and cam actuator serve to close the hitch capturing members from the open hitch receiving position to the retracted hitch engaging position in response to rearward motion of the hitch capturing members.

US Patent:

62240846, May 1, 2001

Filed:

Feb 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/511172

Inventors:

Ross Allen Ray - Kalispell MT
Steven D. Vermillion - Kalispell MT

International Classification:

B60D 136

US Classification:

280508

Abstract:

A trailer coupler is described in which a pair of elongated hitch capturing members, each having a hitch socket part at a forward end are mounted to a base member for selective movement forward and rearwardly between a forwardly extended and open hitch receiving position wherein the hitch socket parts are separated and a rearwardly retracted and closed hitch capturing position wherein the hitch socket parts are closed together. A hitch positioner member is movably mounted to the base member and including a hitch abutment surface positioned between the hitch capturing members in the forwardly extended and open hitch receiving position. The hitch positioner member is connected to at least one of the hitch capturing members to move the hitch capturing member rearwardly in response to engagement by a rearwardly moving hitch. Interacting cam surfaces on at least one of the hitch capturing members and base member are responsive to rearward motion of the hitch capturing members to move the hitch capturing members to the closed hitch capturing position responsive to rearward movement of the hitch capturing members.