Probe-operated trailer guide with lights

• US 7,584,983 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rex L. Mckenney
• Original Assignee: Rex L. Mckenney
• Inventors: McKenney, Rex L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich; Marc A
• Application Number:
  US11/211,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20080036177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,475 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 280/511, 116/28.R, 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 probe-operated guide is provided with battery-powered lights on a pole, such that a driver can attach a trailer to a vehicle without help from another person. The guide is mounted directly above the trailer cup on a trailer, and the lights on the guide can be adjusted in height and orientation to achieve the optimum visibility for the driver from most viewing angles. A direction light on the guide can be switched on, so that when backing up the driver can align it with a small light placed in the center-back of the vehicle. A directional probe on the guide can also be adjusted to turn on a second light on the guide when the vehicle is in position for attaching the trailer cup to a trailer hitch on the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, the driver switches off, removes, and stores the guide and attaches the trailer to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A guide for attaching a vehicle to a trailer comprising

a direction light,

a probe-operated light,

a supporting pole,

means of adjusting a height of the direction light and the probe-operated light,

means of adjusting a directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light,

means of supplying electrical power to the direction light and the probe-operated light,

a directional probe comprising

a spring-loaded telescoping probe having at least two sections that telescope relative to one another, such that compressing the telescoping probe to a preconfigured position turns on the probe-operated light, and

wires attaching the directional probe to at least one battery,

means of attaching the directional probe to the guide, and

means of attaching the guide to a trailer.

2. A guide for attaching a vehicle to a trailer comprising

a direction light;

a directional probe;

a probe-operated light, wherein the probe-operated light is turned on when the directional probe is compressed to a position such that a trailer cup on a trailer to which the guide is mounted is in position for attachment to a trailer hitch on a vehicle, wherein said directional probe is spring-loaded and has at least two sections that telescope relative to one another;

a supporting pole;

means of adjusting a height of the direction light and the probe-operated light;

means of adjusting a directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light;

the guide further comprising at least one swiveling clamp for attaching the directional probe to the guide;

at least one battery; and

at least one clamp for attaching the guide to a trailer.

3. The means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 2, wherein the means of adjusting the height of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises

a telescoping shaft that slides within the supporting pole, and

a tension collar.

4. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 2, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises

a telescoping shaft that rotates within the supporting pole, and

a tension collar.

5. The means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light of claim 2, wherein the means of adjusting the directional orientation of the direction light and the probe-operated light comprises a ball and socket joint on a housing for the lights.