Object alignment device and method

• US 20070137053A1
• Filed: 02/12/2007
• Published: 06/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Randell Ball
• Original Assignee: Randell Ball
• Inventors: Ball, Randell
• Application Number:
  US11/705,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20070137053A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/286
• 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: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00

Abstract

An object positioning device and method for positioning an object in a desired position relative to another object. In one aspect, the invention provides a device for aligning hitching components used in coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle. The invention also provides an apparatus for positioning an object upheld by a base over a supporting surface, comprising a plurality of independently adjustable plumb devices associated with the base. This object positioning apparatus is beneficial in adjusting the verticality of a target supported over the coupling on a trailer used in the trailer hitch alignment device of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning an object upheld by a base over a supporting surface, such that the vertical axis of the object is perpendicular to the latitudinal and longitudinal axes of the supporting surface, comprising a plurality of independently adjustable plumb devices associated with said base.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises first and second plumb devices, said first plumb device being movable in the plane defined by the vertical and the latitudinal axes of said supporting surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second plumb device is movable in the plane defined by the vertical and the longitudinal axes of said supporting surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said object is a target associated with a coupling unit on a trailer.