Trailer hitch alignment device

• US 5,035,441 A
• Filed: 04/20/1990
• Issued: 07/30/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Spectra Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Spectra Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Murray, Donald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/511,844
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 403/13, 403/14, 248/160, 248/205.2, 248/206.5, 248/231, 33/264, 33/286, 33/288, 116/28 R
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/1616 Position or guide means

Abstract

A visual aid to assist a driver in maneuvering a towing vehicle toward a trailer or other vehicle to be towed for precisely aligning the hitch components of the two vehicles. The device mounts only to the towed vehicle and includes an integral bumper member to protect the vehicles should the driver back too far. The device is adaptable to all conventional trailer hitch components and is simple and easy to use. It comprises a universal adaptor, a sighting mast and a strap for attaching the assembly to the towed vehicle. The mast can be mounted in the vertical position for viewing through the back window or at an angle to extend laterally past the side of the tow vehicle to allow the driver to view the mast even if rearward visibility is blocked through the rear window of a tow vehicle. The mast is disturbed from its rest position when the hitch components are aligned. The device is also designed such that it can be mounted to a vehicle to provide an early warning signal to the driver that he is closely approaching an object.

Claims

1. An improved trailer hitch alignment device of the type wherein at least one sighting member is provided for securement to the towed vehicle above a hitching element thereon, the improvement comprising an adapter constructed for securement to said hitching device, said adapter comprising an elongate base region adapted for matingly engaging said hitching device, means for securing said base region to said hitching device, a frontal body section having a lower bumper region adapted for extending outwardly of said hitching device, and a probe section upstanding from said bumper and extending forwardly thereof in pivotal relationship therewith and adapted for sensing the position of a towing vehicle in relationship thereto, and a mast adapted for the mountable coupling to said probe.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said probe further includes means for securing said mast thereto, said means comprising first and second apertures formed therein in generally vertical alignment therethrough.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mast comprises a plurality of interlocking sections adapted for upstanding from said probe.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adapter is constructed of flexible material.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said adapter is constructed of moldable, flexible material and comprises a unitary construction of flexible configuration.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bumper is further constructed with a plurality of apertures adapted for receiving said mast therein.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said securement means comprises a strap adapted for extending around said towed vehicle and securing said base member thereto.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said probe comprises a generally C-shaped section having a neck region depending therefrom, said neck region upstanding from said bumper section and pivotally connected thereto, said C-shaped region further having apertures formed therethrough in generally vertical registry therewith for receiving said mass therein, whereby engagement of said probe by said towing vehicle causes said mast to deflect.