Magnetic, telescoping trailer hitch alignment device

• US 6,712,378 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald J. Austin
• Original Assignee: Ronald J. Austin
• Inventors: Austin, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUM VANNUCCI, LEE SIN YEE
• Application Number:
  US09/692,431
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 332/64
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/06 Ball-and-socket hitches , e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices, their arrangement on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/065 characterised by the hitch mechanism
• 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 is provided having a hitch alignment guide and a ball target mast. The hitch alignment guide has a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, disc shaped hitch base. The ball target mast is composed of a vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a magnetic, ring shaped ball base. The masts are telescoping shafts having linearly spaced alignment indicia are provided in a linearly spaced manner along the upper portion of the shafts.

Claims

1. A trailer hitch alignment device comprising:

a hitch alignment guide comprised of a first vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a hitch base;

a lower base mast of a generally tubular, linearly elongated cylinder tapering in width slightly from the bottom to the top and forming an upper mast receiving conduit within;

an upper telescoping mast slidably accommodated within the upper mast receiving conduit, allowing for the upper telescoping mast to be adjusted vertically relative to the lower base mast,

a ball target mast comprised of a second vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a ball base;

a series of spacing indicia along an upper shaft of the upper telescoping mast, said spacing indicia being equally spaced apart along the outer surface of the shaft; and

a terminating indica at the top-most end of the said telescoping mast.

2. The trailer hitch alignment device of claim 1, wherein said second vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast comprises:

a second lower base mast of a generally tubular, linearly elongated cylinder tapering in width slightly from the bottom to the top and forming an upper mast receiving conduit within;

a second upper telescoping mast slidably accommodated within the upper mast receiving conduit, allowing for the upper telescoping mast to be adjusted vertically relative to the lower base mast.

3. A trailer hitch alignment device comprising:

a hitch alignment guide comprised of a first vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a hitch base;

a lower base mast of a generally tubular, linearly elongated cylinder tapering in width slightly from the bottom to the top and forming an upper mast receiving conduit within;

an upper telescoping mast slidably accommodated within the upper mast receiving conduit, allowing for the upper telescoping mast to be adjusted vertically relative to the lower base mast,

a ball target mast comprised of a second vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a ball base;

a series of spacing indicia along an upper shaft of the second upper telescoping mast, said spacing indicia being equally spaced apart along the outer surface of the shaft; and

a terminating indica at the top-most end of the said second telescoping mast.

4. A trailer hitch alignment device comprising:

a hitch alignment guide comprised of a first vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a hitch alignment guide base, wherein said hitch alignment guide base is capable of being magnetically affixed flush to the lower surface of a hitch base member of a trailer hitch and wherein said first vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast comprises a lower base mast of a generally tubular, linearly elongated cylinder tapering in width slightly from the bottom to the top and forming an upper mast receiving conduit within and an upper telescoping mast slidably accommodated within the upper mast receiving conduit, allowing for the upper telescoping mast to be adjusted vertically relative to the lower base mast

a ball target mast comprised of a second vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a ball target mast base, wherein said ball target mast base is capable of being magnetically affixed to the top of a ball base member of a trailer hitch, wherein said hitch base further comprises;

a sturdy magnetic disc;

a first mast receiving cavity formed within said magnetic disc nearer an outer perimeter at an offset from a center of said disc.

5. The trailer hitch alignment device of claim 4, wherein said cavity is tapped and female-threaded for threadingly mating with the lower base mast allowing for a screw-type connection for a firm, mechanical fit and assembly.

6. A trailer hitch alignment device comprising:

a hitch alignment guide comprised of a first vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast affixed to a hitch base having a lower base mast of a generally tubular, linearly elongated cylinder tapering in width slightly from the bottom to the top and forming an upper mast receiving conduit within and an upper telescoping mast slidably accommodated within the upper mast receiving conduit, allowing for the upper telescoping mast to be adjusted vertically relative to the lower base mast;

a base hitch having a second vertically disposed, elongated alignment mast having a second lower base mast of a generally tubular, linearly elongated cylinder tapering in width slightly from the bottom to the top and forming an upper mast receiving conduit within and a second upper telescoping mast slidably accommodated within the upper mast receiving conduit, allowing for the upper telescoping mast to be adjusted vertically relative to the lower base mast;

wherein said ball base comprises

an annular magnetic ring, forming a round central orifice;

an upper support plate affixed to the upper surface of the ring, said plate forming a mast attachment protrusion extending as a lip outward at one end of said plate past the outer circumference of the disc; and

a second mast receiving cavity formed within said protrusion at an offset from the center of said ring.

7. The trailer hitch alignment device of claim 6, further comprising:

a lower ball receiving bevel formed along the lower surface of the ring, thereby widening the outer diameter of the lower portion of the central orifice.