Trailer hitch alignment apparatus
First Claim
1. A trailer hitch alignment apparatus for assisting a driver in directing coupling engagement between a towing vehicle hitch and a trailer hitch, said apparatus comprising:
- a guide carried by the towing vehicle representing the position of said towing vehicle hitch for being visible to the driver;
a target carried by the trailer representing the position of said trailer hitch for being visible to the driver;
said target having a pair of laterally spaced posts defining a target zone for receiving said guide to align said towing vehicle hitch with said trailer hitch for coupling engagement;
at least one sensor mounted on said guide for passing between said laterally spaced posts when said guide is received by said target zone;
said sensor detecting the presence of at least one of said laterally spaced posts as said guide and said sensor are directed into said target zone for sensing the relative position of said guide to said at least one post; and
an indicator operatively associated with said sensor for indicating to the driver when said guide is within said target zone to alert the driver of alignment between said towing vehicle hitch and said trailer hitch for coupling engagement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A alignment apparatus for assisting a driver in directing coupling engagement between a towing vehicle hitch and a trailer hitch. The apparatus includes a guide carried by the towing vehicle representing the position of the towing vehicle hitch for being visible to the driver. A target is carried by the trailer representing the position of the trailer hitch for being visible to the driver. The target has a pair of laterally spaced posts defining a target zone for receiving the guide to align the towing vehicle hitch with the trailer hitch for coupling engagement. A sensor is carried by the guide for determining whether the guide is within the target zone. An indicator is operatively associated with the sensor for indicating to the driver when the guide is within the target zone to alert the driver of alignment between the towing vehicle hitch and the trailer hitch for coupling engagement.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A trailer hitch alignment apparatus for assisting a driver in directing coupling engagement between a towing vehicle hitch and a trailer hitch, said apparatus comprising:
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a guide carried by the towing vehicle representing the position of said towing vehicle hitch for being visible to the driver;
a target carried by the trailer representing the position of said trailer hitch for being visible to the driver;
said target having a pair of laterally spaced posts defining a target zone for receiving said guide to align said towing vehicle hitch with said trailer hitch for coupling engagement;
at least one sensor mounted on said guide for passing between said laterally spaced posts when said guide is received by said target zone;
said sensor detecting the presence of at least one of said laterally spaced posts as said guide and said sensor are directed into said target zone for sensing the relative position of said guide to said at least one post; and
an indicator operatively associated with said sensor for indicating to the driver when said guide is within said target zone to alert the driver of alignment between said towing vehicle hitch and said trailer hitch for coupling engagement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A trailer hitch alignment apparatus providing a visual aid to a driver to assist in directing coupling engagement between a towing vehicle hitch and a trailer hitch, said apparatus comprising:
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a guide adjustably carried by the towing vehicle;
a target adjustably carried by the trailer for cooperating with said guide to represent alignment between said towing vehicle hitch and said trailer hitch for directing coupling engagement;
said target having a pair of laterally spaced posts defining a target zone for receiving said guide;
at least one sensor carried by said guide at a location on said guide for passing between said laterally spaced posts during alignment;
said sensor determining when said guide is entering said target zone, when said guide is aligned within said target zone for proper coupling engagement between the towing vehicle hitch and the trailer hitch, and when said guide has passed outside said target zone; and
,an indicator operatively associated with said sensor for indicating to the driver when said guide is in alignment with said target;
whereby a visual aid is provided by which the driver can align the towing vehicle hitch with the trailer hitch for coupling engagement. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A trailer hitch alignment apparatus providing a visual aid to a driver to assist in directing coupling engagement between a towing vehicle hitch and a trailer hitch, said apparatus comprising:
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a guide carried by the towing vehicle having a guide offsetting member;
said guide offsetting member having an aligned position wherein said guide is positioned vertically above said towing vehicle hitch, and an offset position wherein said guide is shifted laterally from said aligned position for moving the guide to a location viewable by the driver;
a target carried by the trailer having a target offsetting member;
said target offsetting member having a first position wherein said target is positioned vertically above said trailer hitch, and a second position wherein said target is shifted laterally from said first position a distance equal to the lateral shift of said guide in said offset position for cooperating with said guide to direct coupling engagement;
whereby said target cooperates with said guide in said offset position to provide an offset visual representation to the driver as to the position of said towing vehicle hitch and said trailer hitch for directing the driver to align said towing vehicle hitch and trailer hitch for coupling engagement. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification