Trailer mounted and adjustable mirror assembly

• US 7,216,885 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian Stopka
• Original Assignee: Brian Stopka
• Inventors: Stopka, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich; Marc A.
• Application Number:
  US11/017,600
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 359/872, 359/881, 248/475.1, 248/480
• 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 mounted and adjustable mirror assembly for attachment to a trailer or hitch being towed by a towing vehicle. The assembly, when secured, helps facilitate securement of the trailer to the towing vehicle while the driver/operator remains in the towing vehicle. The assembly comprises a removable clamp mounting a pair of adjustable, telescopic tubular members on which is mounted a pivotal mirror mechanism pivotal throughout 360° and countless angles relative to the plane of the pivotal mirror mechanism.

Claims

1. In combination with a towing vehicle having an operator cab, and a trailer, where the trailer is mountable to said vehicle through a coupler on said vehicle, a hitch on said trailer, and a ball mount for connecting between said coupler and said hitch,

a pivotal remote mirror assembly for mounting between said vehicle and said trailer, said remote mirror assembly comprising:

a.) a clamping member for positioning and securing said mirror assembly between said vehicle and said trailer to allow an operator from said cab to align said vehicle with said trailer;

b.) a first tubular member mounted to said clamping member;

c.) a second tubular member in telescopic relationship to said first tubular member to effect a height adjustment with said first tubular member;

d.) means to secure said tubular members at selective vertical positions;

e.) a free end on said second tubular member mounting a pivotal arm, said pivotal arm being mounted to a balled pin; and

,

f.) a mirror having back face mounting brackets for engaging said balled pin, wherein said back face mounting brackets comprise a pair of spaced apart members consisting of a pair of opposing members having central concave sections, said concave sections lying in opposing relationship to define a generally circular opening for receiving said balled pin, said mirror being pivotal about 360°

.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said balled pin is mounted perpendicular to said pivotal arm, and said balled pin includes an end having a ball for engaging said back face mounting brackets.

3. The combination according to claim 1,

wherein said spaced apart opposing members include aperture means for opening and closing the space therebetween to facilitate gripping of said ball.

4. In combination with a towing vehicle having an operator cab, and a trailer, where the trailer is mountable to said vehicle through a coupler on said vehicle, a hitch on said trailer, and a ball mount for connecting between said coupler and said hitch,

a pivotal remote mirror assembly for mounting between said vehicle and said trailer, said remote mirror assembly comprising:

a.) removably attachable means for positioning and securing said mirror assembly between said vehicle and said trailer to allow an operator from said cab to align said vehicle with said trailer;

b.) a first tubular member mounted to said attachable means;

c.) a second tubular member in telescopic relationship to said first tubular member to effect a height adjustment with said first tubular member;

d.) means to secure said tubular members at selective vertical positions;

e.) a free end on said second tubular member mounting a pivotal arm which contains a balled pin; and

,

f.) a mirror having a back face mounting brackets for engaging said balled pin, wherein said back face mounting brackets comprise a pair of spaced apart members consisting of a pair of opposing members having central concave sections, said concave sections lying in opposing relationship to define a generally circular opening for receiving said balled pin, said mirror being pivotal about 360°

.

5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein said balled pin is perpendicular to said pivotal arm, and said balled pin includes an end having a ball for engaging said back face mounting brackets.

6. The combination according to claim 5, including means for adjustably mounting said mirror to said balled pin.