Trailer hitch alignment system

• US 6,612,603 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael D. Alger
• Original Assignee: Michael D. Alger
• Inventors: Alger, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Spisich, George D
• Application Number:
  US09/949,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 359/872, 359/871, 332/64
• 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 hitch system uses height adjustable stanchions with length adjustable arms terminating in mirrors. The stanchions are respectively connectible to a tow vehicle and a trailer and placed so that the mirror is aligned vertically over the hitch connection component of the tow vehicle and the trailer and adjusted so that the respective mirrors are at different heights. The tow vehicle operator backs the tow vehicle until the mirrors visually indicate vertical alignment by one mirror coming into place below the other mirror and obstructing the view of the hitch component.

Claims

1. A method for aligning tow vehicle and trailer hitch components comprising the steps of:

a) positioning a first stanchion having an arm with a mirror on the end thereof on a trailer adjacent the hitch component thereof so that said mirror is aligned vertically over the hitch component;

b) positioning a second stanchion likewise having an arm with a mirror on the end thereof on a tow vehicle adjacent the hitch component thereof so that said mirror is aligned vertically over the hitch component, the mirrors of the first and second stanchions being at different heights;

c) backing the tow vehicle until said mirrors, respectively attached to the first and second stanchions, visually indicate vertical alignment by one mirror coming into place below the other mirror and obstructing view of the hitch component to a tow vehicle driver.

2. A device for aligning tow vehicle and trailer hitch components and comprising:

a) a vertically adjustable stanchion having an attachment end connectible to a tow vehicle or a trailer adjacent a hitch component thereof;

b) a laterally adjustable arm extending outwardly from said stanchion;

c) a reflector mounted upon an end of said arm for positioning in vertical alignment with the hitch component there below, whereby a tow vehicle driver may view the reflected image of the hitch component while operating the vehicle from a driver'"'"'s seat thereof and position the tow vehicle relative to the trailer so that the respective hitch components are aligned for connection;

d) there being a pair of said devices with the respective reflectors thereof vertically aligned over the respective hitch components of the tow vehicle and trailer whereby the driver positions the tow vehicle until the reflectors are in mutual vertical alignment to align the respective hitch components.

3. A method for aligning tow vehicle and trailer hitch components comprising the steps of:

a) positioning a first stanchion having an arm with a reflector on the end thereof on a trailer adjacent the hitch component thereof so that said reflector is aligned vertically over the hitch component;

b) positioning a second stanchion likewise having an arm with a reflector on the end thereof on a tow vehicle adjacent the hitch component thereof so that said reflector is aligned vertically over the hitch component, the reflectors of the first and second stanchions being a different heights;

c) backing the tow vehicle until said reflectors, respectively attached to the first and second stanchions, visually indicate vertical alignment by one reflector coming into place below the other reflector and obstructing view of the hitch component to a tow vehicle driver.