Trailer hitch alignment device

• US 20060225293A1
• Filed: 04/11/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Godwin W. Lee
• Original Assignee: Godwin W. Lee
• Inventors: Godwin, W. Lee
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/264
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/08 Fifth wheel traction couplings tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/12 engaging automatically

Abstract

The invention is a trailer hitch alignment device that synergistically combines a laser level with an alignment mounting bracket, where the bracket, using a fastening means, provides a base on a vehicle for affixing the laser level to a vehicle. The laser level provides a laser beam which projects a lighted image that is a guide for coupling the trailer to a fifth wheel hitch on the vehicle. The level provides a means for confirming that the trailer, the vehicle, and the coupled trailer and vehicle all have the proper weight distribution as evidenced by their angle.

Claims

1. A trailer hitch alignment device, said device comprising:

a level comprised of a level first side with a length and width, and a horizontal bubble tube, wherein said horizontal bubble tube indicates when the level first side has an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to plumb;

a laser housed by the level, wherein the laser is mounted such that an emitted laser beam is parallel to the level first side and the laser beam projects beyond the length of the level first side;

a single alignment mounting bracket that is reversibly fastened to a top ledge of a front wall of a truck bed, where the bracket is a base to which is directly mounted the laser, wherein said laser beam provides a guide for coupling a trailer to a hitch on the vehicle; and

a fastening means that attaches the laser to the alignment mounting bracket.

3. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said laser beam emits from an end of the level.

4. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said laser is powered by batteries that are housed in the level.

5. The trailer hitch alignment device according to claim 4, wherein said device is further comprised of a handle on an upper side of the level, where the upper side is substantially opposite the level first side, wherein said handle is a means for a user to hold the device with the laser beam directed away from the user.

6. The trailer hitch alignment device according to claim 1, wherein said device is further comprised of a vertical bubble tube, wherein said vertical bubble tube indicates when the level first side has an orientation that is substantially plumb.

7. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 5, wherein said fastening means is comprised of a male connector and female connector for receiving the male connector.

8. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said mounting bracket is comprised of:

a sectional length of extruded channel metal that is substantially flat on an upper surface, where the sectional length has a bottom with a channel width that is sufficiently wide to span and receive the top ledge of the front wall of the truck bed, and a channel length that is wider than the width of the level first side;

a clamping bolt that threadedly penetrates a channel flange, thereby forming a variably constricted effective channel width; and

an opening in the bottom of the sectional length of extruded channel metal, wherein the opening and a locking recess on the laser can be lined up, and the fastening means can quickly and securely attach the sectional length of extruded channel metal to the level first side of the device.

9. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said sectional length of extruded channel and said metal is comprised of aluminum.

10. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hitch is a fifth wheel.

11. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the laser is turned on or off via an electrical switch positioned proximal to the handle.

12. The trailer hitch alignment device, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said male connector is selected from the group consisting of screws, push locks, twist locks, snap locks, and rivets;

and said female connector recessed in the level first side.

2. (canceled)

13. A trailer hitch alignment system, said system comprising:

a) a trailer hitch alignment device, said device comprising;

a level comprised of a level first side with a length and width, and a horizontal bubble tube, wherein said horizontal bubble tube indicates when the level first side has an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to plumb;

a laser housed by the level, wherein the laser is mounted such that an emitted laser beam is parallel to the level first side and the laser beam projects beyond the length of the level first side;

a single alignment mounting bracket that is reversibly fastened to a top ledge of a front wall of a truck bed, where the bracket is a base to which is directly mounted the laser, wherein said laser beam provides a guide for coupling a trailer to a hitch on the vehicle;

a fastening means that attaches the laser to the alignment mounting bracket;

b) a truck having a fifth wheel hitch with a top plate, where the fifth wheel hitch is mounted on the truck bed of the truck;

c) a trailer having a tongue, where the tongue of the trailer has a tow pin and a visible reference surface with a target alignment zone;

wherein said device is mounted at a point substantially equidistant from a left and a right side of the truck, with the laser aimed toward the rear of the truck so that the laser beam bisects the top plate of the fifth wheel hitch and projects a lighted image on the visible reference surface of the trailer when the truck is properly aligned with the trailer;

wherein the mounting bracket has a channel that receives the top ledge of the front truck wall, therein orienting said laser beam rearward,

wherein the truck position can be steered so as to maintain the lighted image within an acceptable zone of alignment as the truck is backed up, and

wherein alignment is completed when the tow pin engages the fifth wheel hitch.

14. The trailer hitch alignment system, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said horizontal bubble tube indicates whether the truck bed is properly balanced before and after the trailer is hitched.

15. The trailer hitch alignment system, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lighted image on the visible reference surface of the trailer indicates whether the tongue is adjusted to the correct height for hitching.

16. The trailer hitch alignment system, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lighted image on the visible reference surface of the trailer indicates whether the tow pin is properly seated in the hitch.

17. A trailer hitch alignment device, said device comprising:

a laser level;

a single alignment mounting bracket that is reversibly fastened to a top ledge of a front wall of a truck bed, where the bracket is a base to which is directly mounted the laser, wherein said laser beam provides a guide for coupling a trailer to a hitch on the vehicle; and

a fastening means that attaches the laser to the alignment mounting bracket.

18. A trailer hitch alignment system, said system comprising:

a) a trailer hitch alignment device, said device comprising;

a laser level;

a single alignment mounting bracket that is reversibly fastened to a top ledge of a front wall of a truck bed, where the bracket is a base to which is directly mounted the laser, wherein said laser beam provides a guide for coupling a trailer to a hitch on the vehicle;

a fastening means that attaches the laser to the alignment mounting bracket;

b) a truck having a fifth wheel hitch with a top plate, where the fifth wheel hitch is mounted on the truck bed of the truck;

c) a trailer having a tongue, where the tongue of the trailer has a tow pin and a visible reference surface marked with a target alignment zone;

wherein said device is mounted on at a point substantially equidistant from a left and a right side of the truck, with the laser aimed toward the rear of the truck so that the laser beam bisects the top plate of the fifth wheel hitch and projects a lighted image on the visible reference surface of the trailer when the truck is properly aligned with the trailer;

wherein the truck position can be steered so as to maintain the lighted image within an acceptable target alignment zone as the truck is backed up, and

wherein alignment is completed when the pull pin engages the fifth wheel hitch.