APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING THE COUPLING ON SEPARATE VEHICLES

• US 3,734,539 A
• Filed: 11/03/1971
• Issued: 05/22/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Melvin I. Salmi
• Original Assignee: Melvin I. Salmi
• Inventors: Salmi, Melvin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friaglia, Leo
• Application Number:
  US05/195,263
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477 33/264 340/282,52R
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/00 Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices devices specially adapted for connection between tractors and agricultural machines or implements A01B59/00; fifth-wheel couplings B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/38 involving auxiliary cables for drawing the trailer to the tractor before coupling

Abstract

Disclosed is an indicating apparatus for attachment to a trailer or the like for use in aligning the couplings between the trailer and a towing vehicle, said apparatus being mounted on the trailer and having a spring loaded extendible and retractable guide line which releasably attaches to the rear of the towing vehicle adjacent the coupling. Sensing means are included in the apparatus for sensing deflection of the guide line in horizontal and vertical directions and for sensing the separation of the vehicles and indicator means in the vehicle to indicate said deflections and separation to the operator of the towing vehicle. Variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of the apparatus as the towing vehicle approaches the trailer and means for allowing the towing vehicle to approach the trailer from various angles are also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus for guiding the approach of a towing vehicle to align the hitch on the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer comprising:

a. a guide line detachably connected between said trailer and said towing vehicle;

b. means for maintaining a tension in said guide line as said towing vehicle is moved with respect to said trailer;

c. sensing means operatively associated with said guide line for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and

d. indication means operatively connected to said sensing means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said trailer and said towing vehicle.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein additional means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said trailer.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising automatic jack means on said trailer for variably adjusting the height of said hitch on said trailer, and control means operatively associated with said sensing means and said jack means for automatically maintaining a fixed, relative vertical separation between said hitch on said towing vehicle and said hitch and said trailer during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein, said sensing means additionally comprises variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of said sensing means to sense the relative horizontal positions of said trailer and said towing vehicle as said towing vehicle approaches said trailer.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means additionally comprises adjustment means for guiding the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer from various directions of approach.

6. An apparatus for guiding the approach of a towing vehicle to align the hitch on the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer comprising:

a. a guide line detachably connected between said trailer and said towing vehicle;

b. sensing means operatively associated with said guide line for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and

c. indication means operatively connected to said sensing means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said trailer and said towing vehicle.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein additional means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said trailer.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, additionally comprising automatic jack means on said trailer for variably adjusting the height of said hitch on said trailer, and control means operatively associated with said sensing means and said jack means for automatically maintaining a fixed, relative vertical separation between said hitch on said towing vehicle and said hitch and said trailer during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein, said sensing means additionally comprises variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of said sensing means to sense the relative horizontal positions of said trailer and said towing vehicle as said towing vehicle approaches said trailer.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sensing means additionally comprises adjustment means for guiding the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer from various directions of approach.