Trailer jack-knife alarm device

• US 6,268,800 B1
• Filed: 04/28/2000
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Howard, Donald
• Original Assignee: Howard, Donald
• Inventors: Howard, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phung
• Application Number:
  US09/560,898
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/686.1, 340/687, 340/686.2, 280/432, 280/457
• US Class Current: 340/686.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/30 for sway control , e.g. stabilising or anti-fishtail devices; Sway alarm means
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/305 Sway alarm means

Abstract

A jack-knife alarm device comprises a pivotable first plate and a first switch operably associated with one end of the first plate, the first plate being biased against the first switch to maintain the first switch in an open position; a pivotable second plate and a second switch operably associated with one end of the second plate, the second plate being biased against the second switch to maintain the second switch in an open position; and a circuit operably connected to the first and second switches, the circuit being configured to be connected to an indicator that is activated when one of the first and second switches is in a closed position. The first and second plates are disposed opposite each other at an angle opening toward a trailer being towed and on each side of a trailer hitch ball so that when a trailer tongue hits and depresses an opposite end of one of the first and second plates, the corresponding first or second switch is activated to a closed position to complete the circuit to activate an indicator to warn an operator of a towing vehicle of a potential jack-knife situation with the trailer.

Claims

1. A jack-knife alarm device, comprising:

a) pivotable first plate and a first switch operably associated with one end of said first plate, said first plate is biased against said first switch to maintain said first switch in an open position;

b) pivotable second plate and a second switch operably associated with one end of said second plate, said second plate is biased against said second switch to maintain said second switch in an open position;

c) a circuit operably connected to said first and second switches, said circuit to be connected to an indicator that is activated when one of said first and second switches is in a closed position; and

d) said first and second plates are disposed opposite each other at an angle opening toward a trailer being towed and on each side of a trailer hitch ball so that when a trailer tongue hits and depresses an opposite end of one of said first and second plates, the corresponding first or second switch is activated to a closed position to complete said circuit to activate an indicator to warn an operator of a towing vehicle of a potential jack-knife situation with the trailer.

2. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 1, and further comprising:

a) a support; and

b) said first and second plates are secured to said support.

3. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 2, wherein said first and second switches are secured to said support.

4. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 2, wherein:

a) said support includes a base and upstanding first and second walls; and

b) said first and second plates are secured to the respective first and second walls.

5. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 4, and further comprising a pin and bracket arrangement to secure said plates to the respective first and second walls.

6. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 1, wherein said first and second plates include first and second springs, respectively, urging the other end of respective first and second plates toward the respective first and second switches.

7. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 1, wherein said opposite ends of said plates are curved.

8. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 1, wherein said first and second switches are connected to a plug connector.

9. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 1, wherein said first and second switches are microswitches.

10. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 1, and further comprising means for securing said device to a rear bumper of the vehicle.

11. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 1, and further comprising means for securing said device to a receiver hitch assembly.

12. A jack-knife alarm device to alarm an operator of a towing vehicle of a potential jack-knife situation with a trailer being towed, comprising:

a) a support for securing to a vehicle;

b) first and second switches operably secured to said support, said switches forming a circuit to be connected to an indicator;

c) first and second pivotable members operably secured to said support, each being disposed opposite each other and forming a “

V”

opening between each other; and

d) each member being pivotable about its intermediate portion, with one end being biased outwardly so that an opposite end is pressed against a respective switch such that when the trailer tongue engages said biased end of said member, the other end of said member is separated from the respective switch thereby to complete said circuit to the indicator.

13. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 12, wherein:

a) said support includes a base and upstanding first and second walls; and

b) said first and second plates are secured to the respective first and second walls.

14. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 12, wherein said first and second plates include first and second springs, respectively, urging the other end of respective first and second plates toward the respective first and second switches.

15. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 12, wherein said first and second switches are connected to a plug connector.

16. A jack-knife alarm device as in claim 12, wherein said first and second switches are microswitches.