NZ512280A - A trailer coupling adaptable to engage with different sized tow balls. - Google Patents

Abstract

A trailer coupler suitable for fastening a trailer vehicle to a tow ball of a towing vehicle, said coupler comprising or including: a coupler structure adapted for attachment to a trailer vehicle, said coupler structure includes a socket capable of receiving and being positioned on and engaging separately with at least two different sized tow balls an elongate retention member moveable in an axial direction parallel with its elongate direction relative to said coupling structure between a tow ball release condition and a tow ball retention condition said retention member presenting a tow ball engagable end region extending into said socket in said retention condition to become engaged against a part of said tow ball to capture a said tow ball at least in part within said socket and with said coupler structure and wherein said retention member is removed more from said socket in said tow ball release condition to allow said tow ball to move freely with respect to said socket wherein in the retention condition at least two rotational about the axial direction positions can be adopted by said retention member and the end region of said retention member is configured to, in a first position, capture a first size tow ball with said coupler structure and in another position ("the second position") capture a smaller than said first size tow ball, tow ball with said coupler structure which may not otherwise be captured with the coupler structure when the retention member is in said first position.