Trailer hitching aid

• US 4,988,116 A
• Filed: 04/10/1989
• Issued: 01/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary L. Evertsen
• Original Assignee: Gary L. Evertsen
• Inventors: Evertsen, Gary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kagen, Alan M.
• Application Number:
  US07/335,856
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 280/504, 340/686, 340/687, 340/431, 33/264
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/363 Hitch guiding or catching elements, e.g. V-shaped plates partially surrounding a coupling member for guiding the other coupling member
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/60 Covers, caps or guards , e.g. comprising anti-theft devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/605 Protection caps

Abstract

A trailer hitch positioning aid having a magnetic switching unit mounted upon the hitch ball and a corresponding permanent magnetic field unit secured to the socket of the hitch. The magnetic switches are mounted about the ball in a triangular pattern, while the magnetic field is in a "U" shape, so that closing of one or more of the magnetic switches indicates relative position of the hitch ball and socket. No physical connection is necessary between the trailer and the towing vehicle.

Claims

1. A towing vehicle positioning aid for joining a vehicle mounted hitching ball to a trailer mounted ball accepting socket, the positioning aid comprising:

switching means including a set of three magnetically actuated normally open switches spaced apart about the ball in a triangular pattern, the rearmost side thereof being lateral to the vehicle and rear of the ball; and

a set of three permanent bar magnets generating a permanent magnetic field having a pair of side segments disposed on each side of the socket parallel to the trailer longitudinal axis and a segment perpendicular to said axis connecting the pair of ends of the side segments which are forward of the socket, so that the closing of only one or two of the switches corresponds to the direction of deviation of the position of the ball from the socket; and

means indicating to the vehicle operator the open or closed condition of each of the switches as the vehicle is maneuvered into trial hitching positions.

2. The vehicle positioning aid of claim 1, wherein the switch condition indicating means comprises:

a set of three indicator lights;

electrical circuitry connecting each light to one of the magnetic switches; and

a source of electrical power, so that

each light is illuminated when its corresponding magnetic switch is closed under the influence of the magnetic field.

3. The vehicle positioning aid of claim 1, wherein the switch condition indicating means comprises:

auditory signal means.