Probe-operated trailer guide with lights

• US 20080036177A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rex Mckenney
• Original Assignee: Rex Mckenney
• Inventors: McKenney, Rex
• Granted Patent: US 7,584,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/477
• 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

Abstract

A probe-operated guide is provided with battery-powered lights on a pole, such that a driver can attach a trailer to a vehicle without help from another person. The guide is mounted directly above the trailer cup on a trailer, and the lights on the guide can be adjusted in height and orientation to achieve the optimum visibility for the driver from most viewing angles. A direction light on the guide can be switched on, so that when backing up the driver can align it and a small light placed in the center-back of the vehicle. A directional probe on the guide can also be adjusted to turn on a second light on the guide when the vehicle is in position for attaching the trailer cup to a trailer hitch on the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, the driver switches off, removes, and stores the guide and attaches the trailer to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A guide for attaching a vehicle to a trailer comprising

a direction light,

a probe-operated light,

a supporting pole,

means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light,

means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light,

a directional probe,

means of attaching the directional probe to the guide,

means of supplying electrical power to the direction light and the probe-operated light,

means of attaching the guide to a trailer, and

an alignment light.

2. The probe-operated light of claim 1, wherein the probe-operated light is turned on by a preconfigured, telescoping directional probe when the directional probe is compressed to a position such that the trailer cup on which the guide is mounted is in position for attachment to the trailer hitch on a vehicle.

3. The means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 1, wherein the means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises

a telescoping shaft that slides within the supporting pole, and

a tension collar.

4. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 1, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises

a telescoping shaft that rotates within the supporting pole, and

a tension collar.

5. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 1, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises a ball and socket joint on a housing for the lights.

6. The directional probe of claim 1, wherein the directional probe comprises

a spring-loaded telescoping probe in at least two sections, such that compressing the telescoping probe to a preconfigured position turns on the probe-activated light, and

wires attaching the directional probe to at least one battery.

7. The means of attaching the directional probe to the guide of claim 1, wherein the means of attaching the directional probe to the guide comprises at least one swiveling clamp.

8. The means of supplying electrical power to the direction light and probe-operated light of claim 1, wherein the means of supplying electrical power to the direction light and probe-operated light comprises at least one battery.

9. The means of attaching the guide to a trailer of claim 1, wherein the means of attaching the guide to a trailer comprises at least one clamp, and

10. The alignment light of claim 1, wherein the alignment light comprises a portable light that can be placed in the center-back of a vehicle.

11. A guide for attaching a vehicle to a trailer comprising

a direction light;

a probe-operated light, wherein the probe-operated light is turned on by a preconfigured, telescoping directional probe when the directional probe is compressed to a position such that the trailer cup on which the guide is mounted is in position for attachment to the trailer hitch on a vehicle;

a supporting pole;

means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light;

means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light;

a directional probe, wherein the directional probe comprises

a spring-loaded telescoping probe in at least two sections, such that compressing the telescoping probe to a preconfigured position turns on the probe-activated light, and

wires attaching the directional probe to a battery;

at least one swiveling clamp for attaching the directional probe to the guide;

at least one battery;

at least one clamp for attaching the guide to a trailer; and

an alignment light comprising a portable light that can be placed in the center-back of a vehicle.

12. The means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 11, wherein the means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises

a telescoping shaft that slides within the supporting pole, and

a tension collar.

13. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 11, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises

a telescoping shaft that rotates within the supporting pole, and

a tension collar.

14. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 11, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises a ball and socket joint on a housing for the lights.

15. A guide for attaching a vehicle to a trailer comprising

a direction light;

a probe-operated light, wherein the probe-operated light is turned on by a preconfigured, telescoping directional probe when the directional probe is compressed to a position such that the trailer cup on which the guide is mounted is in position for attachment to the trailer hitch on a vehicle;

a supporting pole;

means of adjusting the height and directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light, wherein the means of adjusting the height and directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises

a telescoping shaft that slides within and rotates within the supporting pole, and

a tension collar;

a directional probe, wherein the directional probe comprises

a spring-loaded telescoping probe in at least two sections, such that compressing the telescoping probe to a preconfigured position turns on the probe-activated light, and

wires attaching the directional probe to at least one battery;

at least one swiveling clamp for attaching the directional probe to the guide;

at least one battery;

at least one clamp for attaching the guide to a trailer;

an alignment light comprising a portable light that can be placed in the center-back of a vehicle; and

a battery-powered sound-producing device.