Trailer hitch alignment system

• US 6,100,795 A
• Filed: 03/12/1999
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curtis W. Otterbacher, Marguerite A. Otterbacher
• Original Assignee: Curtis W. Otterbacher, Marguerite A. Otterbacher
• Inventors: Otterbacher, Marguerite A., Otterbacher, Curtis W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US09/267,046
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/471, 340/472, 340/473, 340/429, 307/10.1, 307/10.8, 280/477
• US Class Current: 340/431
• 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 trailer hitch alignment system for allowing a user to easily align a hitch of a vehicle with a trailer hitch. The inventive device includes a control that is mountable to a visor of the vehicle in view of the driver, a receiver unit attachable to the bumper of the vehicle and in communication with the control unit, a transmitter unit removably attachable to a trailer hitch that transmits a locating signal that is detectable by the receiver unit, and a storage case. Electronic circuitry within the control unit determines the position of the transmitter unit from the receiver unit from the reception of the locating signal. The control unit includes a turn right indicator and a turn left indicator for visually indicating to the user whether to turn left or right while backing toward the conventional trailer. The control unit also includes a buzzer and stop indicator light for indicating to the user when the ball hitch is positioned below the coupler of the trailer hitch. The control unit also includes a display screen that visually indicates the position of the vehicle with respect to the trailer hitch. If the user needs to turn left or right, either the turn left indicator or the turn right indicator will display various levels of lights indicating to the user that they must turn appropriately for proper alignment of the vehicle with the conventional trailer.

Claims

1. A trailer hitch alignment system, comprising:

a control unit;

a receiver unit attachable to a vehicle adjacent a ball hitch, wherein said receiver unit is in communication with said control unit;

a vertically elongated transmitter unit attachable to a trailer hitch of a trailer adjacent a coupler, wherein said transmitter unit transmits a locating signal that is detected by said receiver unit; and

a locating light attached to an upper end of said transmitter unit;

wherein said control unit includes;

a turn left indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said left turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required; and

a turn right indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said right turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required.

2. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises:

a housing;

an electronic circuitry within said housing in communication with said receiver unit; and

a display screen within said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.

3. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 2, wherein said electronic circuitry calculates a position of said receiver unit from said transmitter unit.

4. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 3, wherein said electronic circuitry displays said position of said receiver unit upon said display screen.

5. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 4, wherein said control unit includes a keypad electrically connected to said electronic circuitry for allowing entry of information into said electronic circuitry.

6. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 1, wherein said control unit further includes a buzzer within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.

7. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 6, wherein said control unit further includes a stop indicator light within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.

8. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 7, wherein said display screen includes a hitch indicia representing said trailer hitch.

9. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 8, wherein said control unit includes a clip for removable attachment to a conventional visor within said vehicle.

10. A trailer hitch alignment system, comprising:

a control unit;

a receiver unit attachable to a vehicle adjacent a ball hitch, wherein said receiver unit is in communication with said control unit;

a vertically elongated transmitter unit attachable to a trailer hitch of a trailer adjacent a coupler, wherein said transmitter unit transmits a locating signal that is detected by said receiver unit;

wherein said transmitter unit includes a transmitter base having a first cavity for removably receiving a transmitter antenna, wherein said transmitter antenna has a height sufficient for a user to view from said vehicle;

wherein said receiver unit includes a receiver base having a second cavity for removably receiving a receiver antenna that detects said locating signal; and

a locating light attached to an upper end of said transmitter unit wherein said control unit includes;

a turn left indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said left turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required; and

a turn right indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said right turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required.

11. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 10, wherein said control unit comprises:

a housing;

an electronic circuitry within said housing in communication with said receiver unit; and

a display screen within said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.

12. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 11, wherein said electronic circuitry calculates a position of said receiver unit from said transmitter unit.

13. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 12, wherein said electronic circuitry displays said position of said receiver unit upon said display screen.

14. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 13, wherein said receiver base and said transmitter base each include at least one magnet for removable attachment to a metal surface.

15. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 10, wherein said control unit further includes a buzzer within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.

16. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 15, wherein said control unit further includes a stop indicator light within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.

17. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 16, wherein said transmitter antenna includes at least one visibility strip.

18. The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 17, wherein said control unit includes a clip for removable attachment to a conventional visor within said vehicle.