Trailer hitch alignment device
First Claim
1. A trailer hitch alignment/coupling device comprising:
- a) a first mast assembly for attachment to a trailer hitch of a towed vehicle comprising;
1) a first mast having a first and second end,2) a securing means for securing said first mast to the hitch of a trailer, said securing means comprising;
A) a base portion being substantially domed in shape and having at least one magnet fixably attached to a concave side of said base portion such that, when secured to said hitch, said at least one magnet contacts said hitch, thereby securing said base portion to said hitch, said first end of said mast removably attached to a convex side of said base portion, and,B) a hook and loop strap attached to said base portion, said strap extending from said base portion to said trailer hitch, said hook and loop strap for further securing said base portion to said trailer hitch, and,3) at least one rigid flag fixably attached proximate to said second end of said mast;
b) a second mast assembly for attachment to a trailer hitch of a towing vehicle comprising;
1) a second mast having a first and second end,2) a securing means for securing said second mast to the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle, said securing means comprising;
A) a base portion comprised of a first and a second part, said first part comprised of a substantially domed member and at least one magnet fixably attached to a concave side of said domed member such that, when secured to said hitch, said at least one magnet contacts said hitch, thereby securing said base portion to said hitch, said second part comprised of a substantially C-shaped member, said first end of said second mast being removably attached to an upper portion of said substantially C-shaped member, said substantially C-shaped member fixably attached to a convex portion of said first part, and,B) a hook and loop strap attached to said base portion, said strap extendable from said base portion to said trailer hitch when in use, said hook and loop strap for further securing said base portion to said trailer hitch, and,3) at least one rigid flag fixably attached proximate to said second end of said mast;
c) at least one speaker means for generating an audible signal; and
,d) at least one sensor means in operative communication with said at least one speaker means and further in operative communication with at least one of said first and second mast assemblies, said at least one sensor means for activating said at least one speaker means when alignment of said first and second mast assembly is achieved.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer hitch alignment device which allows the driver of a vehicle to align the hitch of the driven vehicle with that of its trailer with no aid from another individual. The invention utilizes two masts having acrylic flags attached thereto mounted upon the hitch components of the respective vehicles to provide visual reference points for the driver. The acrylic flags are bright in color which allow them to be sufficiently illuminated by the reverse lights of the towing vehicle during times of darkness, thereby making night-time hitch alignment possible. Each mast is mounted to a hitch component via a dome-shaped base having several magnets underneath. The magnets provide the attraction force necessary to mount the masts to the hitch components and the shape of the mounting bases provide the bases with the ability to mounted upon virtually any hitch configuration. The mountings are further secured through the use of velcro-type straps which extend from the mounting bases to the hitch components. This enhances stability and, therefore, performance, of the invention when alignment is required over rough terrain or high winds. The invention further has a swing arm offset bracket to allow for the mounting of the masts on towing vehicles having spare tires mounted on their rear.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A trailer hitch alignment/coupling device comprising:
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a) a first mast assembly for attachment to a trailer hitch of a towed vehicle comprising; 1) a first mast having a first and second end, 2) a securing means for securing said first mast to the hitch of a trailer, said securing means comprising; A) a base portion being substantially domed in shape and having at least one magnet fixably attached to a concave side of said base portion such that, when secured to said hitch, said at least one magnet contacts said hitch, thereby securing said base portion to said hitch, said first end of said mast removably attached to a convex side of said base portion, and, B) a hook and loop strap attached to said base portion, said strap extending from said base portion to said trailer hitch, said hook and loop strap for further securing said base portion to said trailer hitch, and, 3) at least one rigid flag fixably attached proximate to said second end of said mast; b) a second mast assembly for attachment to a trailer hitch of a towing vehicle comprising; 1) a second mast having a first and second end, 2) a securing means for securing said second mast to the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle, said securing means comprising; A) a base portion comprised of a first and a second part, said first part comprised of a substantially domed member and at least one magnet fixably attached to a concave side of said domed member such that, when secured to said hitch, said at least one magnet contacts said hitch, thereby securing said base portion to said hitch, said second part comprised of a substantially C-shaped member, said first end of said second mast being removably attached to an upper portion of said substantially C-shaped member, said substantially C-shaped member fixably attached to a convex portion of said first part, and, B) a hook and loop strap attached to said base portion, said strap extendable from said base portion to said trailer hitch when in use, said hook and loop strap for further securing said base portion to said trailer hitch, and, 3) at least one rigid flag fixably attached proximate to said second end of said mast; c) at least one speaker means for generating an audible signal; and
,d) at least one sensor means in operative communication with said at least one speaker means and further in operative communication with at least one of said first and second mast assemblies, said at least one sensor means for activating said at least one speaker means when alignment of said first and second mast assembly is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A trailer hitch alignment/coupling device comprising:
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a) a first mast assembly for attachment to a trailer hitch of a towed vehicle comprising; 1) a first mast having a first and second end, 2) a securing means for securing said first mast to said hitch of said towed vehicle, said securing means comprising; A) a base portion being substantially domed in shape and having at least one magnet fixably attached to a concave side of said base portion such that, when secured to said hitch, said at least one magnet contacts said hitch, thereby securing said base portion to said hitch, said first end of said mast removably attached to a convex side of said base portion, and, B) at least one strap attached to said base portion, said strap extending from said base portion to said trailer hitch, said strap for further securing said base portion to said trailer hitch, and, C) at least one rigid flag fixably attached proximate to said second end of said first mast; and
,b) a second mast assembly for attachment to a trailer hitch of a towing vehicle comprising; 1) a second mast having a first and second end, 2) a securing means for securing said second mast to the trailer hitch of a towing vehicle, said securing means comprising; A) a base portion comprised of a first and a second part, said first part comprised of a substantially domed member and at least one magnet fixably attached to a concave side of said domed member such that, when secured to said hitch, said at least one magnet contact said hitch, thereby securing said base portion to said hitch, said second part comprised of a substantially C-shaped member, said C-shaped member being fixably attached to a convex portion of said first part, and, B) a strap attached to said first part of said base portion, said strap extendable from said base portion to said trailer hitch when in use, said strap for further securing said base portion to said trailer hitch, and, 3) at least one rigid flag fixably attached proximate to said second end of said second mast; c) at least one speaker means for generating an audible signal; and
,d) at least one sensor means in operative communication with said at least one speaker means and further in operative communication with at least one of said first and second mast assemblies, said at least one sensor means for activating said at least one speaker means when alignment of said first and second mast assembly is achieved. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification