Viewing assembly and a method for coupling a trailer to a selectively movable assembly

• US 20070241536A1
• Filed: 01/09/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reginald D. Wilkinson
• Original Assignee: Reginald D. Wilkinson
• Inventors: Wilkinson, Reginald D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,621,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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

An assembly 10 which may be selectively and removably attached to a selectively movable assembly, such as a vehicle 90 and which provides the driver 94 of the selectively movable assembly 90 with an image of the trailer connection portion 99 of the selectively movable assembly 90 as the selectively movable assembly 90 is moved toward a trailer 102.

Claims

1. ) A viewing assembly for use with a vehicle of the type having a trailer #1 assembly and a passenger compartment, said viewing assembly comprising a first portion which resides upon said vehicle;

and a second mirrored portion which selectively and movably resides within said first portion and which provides a view of said trailer coupling assembly to one who resides within said passenger compartment of said vehicle.

2. ) The viewing assembly of claim 1 wherein said first portion is magnetically coupled to said vehicle.

3. ) The viewing assembly of claim 1 wherein said mirrored portion is generally rectangular in shape.

4. ) The viewing assembly of claim 1 wherein a first axis passes through the portion of said vehicle upon which said first portion resides and wherein said second mirrored portion selectively rotates around a second axis which is parallel to said first axis.

5. ) The viewing assembly of claim 4 wherein said first portion includes an end cap.

6. ) A viewing assembly for use with a vehicle of the type having a trailer #1 assembly and a passenger compartment, said viewing assembly comprising a magnetic base member which is selectively attached to an exterior surface of said vehicle which is remote from said passenger compartment;

a first elbow member which is coupled to said magnetic base member;

a second straight member which is coupled to said first elbow member;

a third elbow member which is coupled to said second straight member;

a fourth member which is selectively and rotatably coupled to said third member; and

a mirror which is rotatably received within said fourth member and which provides a image of said trailer coupling assembly to those residing within said passenger compartment.

7. ) The viewing assembly of claim 6 wherein each of said members is formed form PVC material.

8. ) The viewing assembly of claim 6 wherein each of said members has a generally circular cross sectional area.

9. ) A viewing assembly which provides an unobstructed view of a trailer #1 assembly to one who resides within a passenger compartment of a vehicle, said viewing assembly comprising a first elbow which includes a first portion which orthogonally projects from a portion of said vehicle along a first axis, said first portion further including a magnet which selectively and removably attaches said first portion of said first elbow to said portion of said vehicle, and wherein said first elbow including a second portion which terminates into said first portion and which forms an acute angle with respect to said first portion;

a body which includes a first end which is selectively and removably received within said second portion of said first elbow, which extends from said first elbow along a certain axis, and which includes a second end;

a second elbow which includes a first portion which selectively and removably receives said second end of said body and a second portion which lies along an axis which is parallel to said portion of said vehicle upon which said magnet is attached; and

a mirror portion which includes a member which rotatably resides within said second portion and which further includes a mirror which is disposed upon said member.

10. ) The viewing assembly of claim 9 wherein said viewing assembly further comprises an end cap which is attached to said member.

11. ) The viewing assembly of claim 10 wherein said first elbow portion, said body portion, and said second elbow portion each a constructed from plastic material.

12. ) The viewing assembly of claim 11 wherein said mirror is generally rectangular in shape.

13. ) The viewing assembly of claim 12 wherein said magnet is generally circular in shape.

14. ) A method for connecting a selectively movable assembly to a trailer, said selectively movable assembly being of the type having a trailer connection member, said method comprising the steps of placing an assembly of members upon an external surface of said vehicle;

placing a mirror unto said assembly of members; and

moving said mirror within said assembly of members until said mirror occupies a position in which said mirror provides a view of the trailer connection member; and

using said mirrored view to connect said trailer to said trailer connection member.

15. ) The method of claim 14 wherein said method further comprises the steps of causing said mirror to have a generally rectangular shape and to be convex.

16. ) The method of claim 15 wherein said method further comprises the step of causing said combination of said member and said mirror to form a general “

c”

shape.

17. ) The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of placing a pair of marks upon said selectively movable assembly in order to allow said mirrored view to be consistently provided.

18. ) The method of claim 17 wherein said combination of said mirror and said assembly of members cooperatively form a “

c”

shape.