Trailer direction indicator

• US 4,044,706 A
• Filed: 10/22/1976
• Issued: 08/30/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chester C. Gill
• Original Assignee: Chester C. Gill
• Inventors: Gill, Chester C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasich, Daniel M.
• Application Number:
  US05/734,722
• Time in Patent Office: 312 Days
• Field of Search: 116/31, 116/56, 116/28 R, 116/51, 116/36, 280/292, 180/82 R, 180/1 AP, 33/264
• US Class Current: 116/31
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/425 using a latching element for resetting a switching element

Abstract

This invention relates to a trailer guide for visually assisting the driver in manually operating the steering mechanism of a vehicle-trailer combination during travel in the reverse direction. The indicator comprises a frame for being coupled to the steering mechanism of the car and two spaced pivots coupled to the frame. A first longitudinal indicator is pivotally coupled to the first pivot and a second longitudinal indicator is pivotally coupled to the second pivot. One end of the first longitudinal indicator is movably coupled to an adjacent end of the second longitudinal indicator such that the combination of the first and second longitudinal indicators will predict the movement of the motorized vehicle and the trailer coupled thereto when the combination is moving in a reverse direction and the steering mechanism is operated.

Claims

1. A trailer guide for visually assisting the driver in manually operating the steering mechanism of a vehicle-trailer combination during travel in the reverse direction, said guide comprising in combination:

frame means for being coupled to the steering mechanism of the vehicle, said frame means having a first pivot thereon for being laterally displaced responsive to the movement of the steering mechanism, with said frame means having further a second pivot thereon spaced from and relatively below said first pivot;

a first elongated indicator rotatably coupled adjacent a first end thereof about said first pivot; and

a second elongated indicator movably coupled along the longitudinal axis thereof to said second pivot for rotating therearound, with a first end of said second elongated indicator being movably coupled to a second end of said first elongated indicator, whereby a movement of the steering mechanism causes a gravitationally induced rotational displacement of said first and second longitudinal indicators about said first and second pivots for indicating to the vehicle operator the expected direction of travel of the trailer to the steering commands.

2. The trailer guide as described in claim 1 wherein said second elongated indicator includes therein an elongated longitudinal slot for receiving therein said second pivot, whereby said second pivot acts as a pivot point around which said second elongated indicator may rotate and longitudinally move responsive to the movements of the steering mechanism.

3. The trailer guide as described in claim 2 wherein said first elongated indicator includes adjacent said second end thereof a weight for rotating said first elongated indicator about said first pivot responsive to the movement of said steering mechanism.

4. The trailer guide as described in claim 3 wherein said first elongated indicator has the form of a miniature motorized vehicle and said second elongated indicator has the form of a miniature trailer vehicle, whereby the movement in the steering mechanism will cause the displacement of said miniature motorized vehicle and said miniature trailer vehicle in the expected direction of travel of the vehicle-trailer combination responsive to the manual operation of the steering mechanism.

5. The trailer guide as described in claim 3 wherein said frame means comprises in combination:

a base having a reference point thereon, with said first pivot coupled to said base along a diameter at a point spaced from said reference point; and

means for coupling said base to a center section of the steering wheel of the vehicle, with said reference point being generally along the rotational axis of the steering wheel and said first pivot spaced generally above said rotational axis of the steering wheel for being displaced laterally as the steering wheel is rotated.

6. The trailer guide as described in claim 5 wherein said base comprises:

a plate having said first and second pivots coupled perpendicularly thereto along and on opposite sides of a forward facing diameter including said reference point; and

the transparent cover circumferentially coupled to said plate and extending upward over said first and second pivots and said first and second elongated indicators coupled thereto.

7. The trailer guide as described in claim 6 wherein said base coupling means comprises suction cups.