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;
a sensor carried by said guide for determining whether said guide is within said target zone; 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
27 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;
a sensor carried by said guide for determining whether said guide is within said target zone; 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 guide positioning member operatively associate with said guide for vertically aligning said guide over said towing vehicle hitch;
a target adjustably carried by the trailer in vertical alignment with said trailer hitch for cooperating with said guide to represent alignment between said towing vehicle hitch and said trailer hitch being viewable to the vehicle driver to direct coupling engagement;
at least one sensor included in said guide for determining when said guide is in alignment with said target; 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, 22)
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23. 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 (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification