ALIGNING DEVICE FOR TRACTOR HITCHES

• US 3,767,292 A
• Filed: 10/16/1972
• Issued: 10/23/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Phillip R. Rutkowski
• Original Assignee: Phillip R. Rutkowski
• Inventors: Rutkowski, Phillip R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tokar, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US05/297,984
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 350/288,293-296,303,304,307 248/476-478,488 301/37
• US Class Current: 359/871
• 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 device is provided for assisting an operator in backing up a trailer-towing or tractor vehicle to couple a ball hitch member mounted on the rear of the vehicle with the complementary socket hitch member mounted on the tongue of the trailer. The device comprises a bracket adapted to be mounted on the trailer, and particularly on the vertical bolt utilized for clamping the bottles of cooking and heating gas, and provided at one end with means such as a clamp adapted to engage and support a large size hubcap having a convex reflecting surface. The hubcap serves as a convex mirror and provides an excellent image of both hitch members for enabling the operator to steer the tractor vehicle in the proper direction, and provides a precise indication when the socket member is superposed over the ball member.

Claims

1. An aligning device for assisting in coupling a trailer hitch member mounted on a tractor vehicle with a complementary trailer hitch member mounted on a trailer vehicle, said aligning device comprising in combination a supporting bracket and an automobile hubcap having a convex reflective surface, said bracket having means at one end for mounting on said trailer vehicle and means at the other end engaging and supporting said hubcap.

2. An aligning device according to claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said bracket on said trailer vehicle comprises a tubular sleeve adapted to mount over a vertical bolt provided on said trailer vehicle for holding down liquid propane gas tanks.

3. An aligning device according to claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said bracket on said trailer vehicle comprises a plate having a slot therein adapted to receive a vertical bolt mounted on said trailer vehicle for holding down liquid propane gas tanks, and to be clamped in place by a nut threadedly engaging said bolt.

4. An aligning device according to claim 1, wherein saId means for mounting said bracket on said trailer vehicle comprises a clamp adapted to engage a vertical jack pillar mounted on said trailer vehicle.

5. An aligning device according to claim 1, wherein said means engaging and supporting said hubcap comprises a spring member having ends spring biased apart positioned within an involute flange provided on said hubcap.

6. An aligning device according to claim 5, wherein protective tips are provided at the ends of said spring member.

7. An aligning device according to claim 1, wherein said means engaging and supporting said hubcap comprises two arms adjustably affixed with respect to each other having their ends engaging an involute flange provided on said hubcap.