Importance

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Abstract

A trailer hitch for securing a trailer to a towing vehicle includes a holding plate fixed to the end of a vertical column portion of the trailer hitch tongue. The holding plate possesses a first aperture dimensioned to receive a hitch ball. A latch plate mounted for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane underlies the holding plate and possesses a second aperture dimensioned to receive the hitch ball. In a locked position, the apertures of the holding plate and latch plate are misaligned to prevent movement of the hitch ball therethrough. In an unlocked position, the apertures in the holding plate and latch plate are aligned. A conical guide secured to a bottom face of the latch plate guides the hitch ball through the apertures in the latch and holding plates. A coil tension spring biases the latch plate to the locked position. The weight of the trailer, when lowered onto the hitch ball, forces the latch plate to the unlocked position against the bias of the tension spring. When the hitch ball is fully seated, the tension spring restores the latch plate to the locked position. A retaining pin is biased by a coil compression spring to an extended position through axially aligned locking holes in the holding and latch plates to prevent movement of the latch plate to the unlocked position after connection of the trailer. A sheathed cable mechanism allows remote actuation of the retaining pin.

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First Claim