Trailer hitch alignment device

• US 6,923,463 B1
• Filed: 01/07/2004
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Clifford Page, Jordan Ford
• Original Assignee: John Clifford Page, Jordan Ford
• Inventors: Ford, Jordan, Page, John Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US10/751,989
• Time in Patent Office: 573 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 359/842, 248/479, 248/481, 248/484, 248/486, 248/487
• 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

The invention allows the alignment of a towing vehicle to a trailer tongue bringing the towing vehicle into close alignment with the tongue thus permitting the tongue to be lowered onto the hitch ball to complete the connection. This alignment can be accomplished exclusively by the driver of the towing vehicle without outside assistance. The alignment device includes a telescopic mast that includes a mirror with a ball and socket connection for aligning the mirror to the tongue of the trailer. The alignment device includes a pair of mounting plates that have a plurality of mounting holes to allow the mounting to several different sized trailer tongues, namely, a four inch, six inch and an eight inch tongue. Once the connection of the tongue to the ball is made, the alignment device remains in the position set for future use.

Claims

1. A trailer hitch alignment device for attachment to a trailer having a hitch socket thereon for receiving a hitch ball that is mounted on a rear bumper of a towing vehicle, said trailer hitch alignment device comprising:

mounting means for securing said hitch alignment device in any one of several locations on a trailer structure;

said mounting means for securing said hitch alignment device in any one of several locations on a trailer structure comprises a plurality of spaced plate means for adjustably supporting said mirror means;

support means adjustably supported by a mounting means; and

mirror means operably connected to said support means whereby a person looking into said mirror means of said trailer hitch alignment device can successfully align a hitch ball that is mounted on a vehicle'"'"'s rear bumper with the hitch socket of a trailer hitch when mounted on the tongue of a trailer without the need of additional assistance.

2. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said plurality of spaced plate means includes two parallel plates with several groups of aligned mounting holes thus allowing said two parallel plates to be mounted on any one of three different sized trailer tongues.

3. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 2 wherein said three different sized trailer tongues are four inches, six inches and eight inches.

4. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 3 wherein all the components of said trailer hitch alignment device are made of anodized aluminum to resist oxidation in salty environments.

5. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 2 wherein each of said two parallel plates includes an arcuate slot for guiding said locking bolt and a pivot point bolt for allowing pivotal movement of said support means and locking said support means in its desired position with said locking bolt means.

6. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 2 wherein said support means comprises a telescopic mast having a lower end that is positioned between said two parallel plates and secured therebetween for pivotal movement about said pivot bolt and locked in position by said locking bolt.

7. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 6 wherein said lower end of said telescopic mast includes a plurality of spacers positioned on opposite sides of said pivot bolt and said locking bolt, with said locking bolt extending through a pair of guiding arcuate slots in said pair of parallel plates.

8. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 1 wherein said mirror means comprises a convex mirror.

9. A trailer hitch alignment device of the type defined in claim 8 wherein said convex mirror is made of plastic.