A coupling device is provided for receiving and securing a ball, the ball being attached to the structure to be coupled, such as a tow vehicle in the case of a trailer hitch application. Various embodiments of the device for both tongue and "goose neck" trailer hitch applications are included, which provide for simple and effective latching and unlatching. Hands free latching is provided for all coupling embodiments. A pivoting ball support is rotated and displaced as the ball enters the device, and is returned to a position whereby the ball is prevented from exiting the device. Various provisions are made for retaining the pivoting ball support in this position after such latching has occurred. Provisions for unlatching include various handles and hand pushed structure.
REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
The present application is a divisional application based on the parent application having application Ser. No. 09/271,015, filed Mar. 17, 1999 U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,259, which claims the benefit of provisional application No 60/078,993 filed Mar. 23, 1998 and No. 60/116,060 filed Jan. 15, 1999. application Ser. No. 09/271,015, as amended, is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
