Trailer hitch alignment device

• US 6,454,290 B1
• Filed: 10/26/2000
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Danny L. Turner
• Original Assignee: Danny L. Turner
• Inventors: Turner, Danny L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lum, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/697,461
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 332/64, 116/28.R, 403/109.2, 403/109.3, 403/389, 403/400
• 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

Abstract

A trailer hitch alignment device has a base block for placement on the coupler of a trailer. The block has a magnet at its bottom for being connected to the coupler and a series of apertures directed at varying angles to receive an upright post inclined at a selected angle. A cross arm extending generally horizontally is connected to the post in a manner such as to allow adjustments in vertical and horizontal directions. The post-to-cross arm connection has pair of block members through which the post and cross arm pass and a spring biasing the members together.

Claims

1. An alignment guide for a towed trailer having a ball-engaging magnetic-metal coupler at a forward end thereof with a ball carried at a rear location of a towing vehicle, said coupler having an inverted, forwardly extending socket at said end and an upper surface behind the socket, said guide comprising:

a block adapted for placement on said upper surfaceof said coupler, said block including in a lower portion thereof a magnet removably securing said block to said coupler;

said block including an upper portion and said upper portion of said block has a generally semicircular cross section and has defined in said upper portion a plurality of outwardly extending receptacles disposed at angles varying from one another, and said receptacles are defined by tubular apertures extending toward a common point at a lower portion of said block, said receptacles being adapted to support an inserted post in a stationary position until said post is removed;

a post having a lower end insertable in a selected one of said receptacles;

a cross arm carried by said post and having an end visible to a driver of said vehicle; and

a support member assembly adjustably connecting said post to said cross arm.

2. The alignment guide as defined in claim 1, wherein said receptacles include a first, vertically extending aperture and a plurality of non-vertical apertures deployed at varying angles away from vertical.