Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed herein is a coupling assembly for use with a gooseneck trailer. The coupling assembly comprises a height-adjustment device and a coupler mechanism. The coupling assembly further comprises a locking assembly and a pair of friction fit assemblies. The height-adjustment device within the coupling assembly uses a load-bearing pin to concurrently and/or simultaneously perform two functions, namely permitting adjustablility of the coupling assembly and bearing all, or substantially all, of a vertical load (i.e., withstanding a shear force) provided by an attached gooseneck trailer, any trailer accessories, and any trailer contents. Because the load-bearing pin bears all, or substantially all, of the vertical load by resisting the shear force, conventional reliance upon a friction force to bear the vertical load is substantially eliminated. A tongue on the gooseneck trailer connects the gooseneck trailer to the coupling assembly and the coupler mechanism on the coupling assembly secures a ball mount on a towing vehicle to the coupling assembly. As such, the gooseneck trailer and the towing vehicle can be coupled and uncoupled. The locking assembly on the coupling assembly alternatively locks and unlocks the coupler mechanism. The friction fit assemblies on the coupling assembly inhibit relative side-to-side movement between an inner and outer member within the coupling assembly.

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First Claim