Recreational vehicle

• US 7,775,543 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thor Tech, Inc. (Thor Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Thor Tech, Inc. (Thor Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Martin, Robert W., Hermon, Christopher J., Snyder, Jeffrey M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/358,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20090127821A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 359/844
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 53/0857 Auxiliary semi-trailer handling or loading equipment, e.g. ramps, rigs, coupling supports

Abstract

A trailer of the type that is intended to be towed with a towing vehicle has a trailer body with an elevated front portion. The towing vehicle has a vehicle hitch assembly, and the trailer body has an elevated front portion, with a mounting arrangement extending downward from beneath the front portion. A reflector is integral with the front portion of the trailer body. The reflector faces forward and downward such that the driver of the towing vehicle may view the reflection of the vehicle hitch assembly and the mounting arrangement extending from the trailer body as the towing vehicle is backed up. This facilitates positioning the towing vehicle for connection to said trailer.

Claims

1. A trailer intended to be towed with a towing vehicle, said towing vehicle having a vehicle hitch assembly, comprising:

a trailer body having an elevated front portion, with a mounting arrangement extending downward from beneath said front portion, and

a reflector, integral with the front portion of the trailer body, said reflector facing forward and downward such that the driver of a towing vehicle may view the reflection of said vehicle hitch assembly and said mounting arrangement extending from the trailer body as the towing vehicle is backed up, such that positioning the towing vehicle for connection to said trailer is facilitated, said reflector being mounted on the trailer body surface and not extending outward from the surface such that the likelihood of damage to the reflector in use is reduced.

2. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said reflector includes a surface having a layer of reflective material.

3. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said trailer body includes a front end cap of polymer material.

4. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said reflector is mounted on the trailer body by means of an adhesive.

5. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said reflector comprises a metal plate having a polished surface.

6. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said reflector is attached to the body with mechanical attachment mechanisms.

7. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said reflector comprises a metal plate having a mirrored surface.

8. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said reflector comprises a coated glass plate.

9. The trailer according to claim 1, in which said reflector comprises a coated plastic plate.

10. A combination of a trailer and a towing vehicle, comprising:

a towing vehicle including a truck,

a vehicle hitch assembly secured to said truck generally above the rear wheels of said truck,

a trailer having a trailer body defining an elevated front portion, and further including a mounting arrangement extending downward from beneath said front portion engaging said hitch assembly, and

a reflector integral with the front portion of said trailer body, said reflector facing forward and downward such that the driver of said truck may view the reflection of said vehicle hitch assembly and said mounting arrangement, thereby aiding the driver in positioning the towing vehicle for connection to said trailer, said reflector being mounted on the trailer body surface and not extending outward from the surface such that the likelihood of damage to the reflector in use is reduced.

11. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said reflector includes a surface have a layer of reflective material.

12. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said trailer body includes a front end cap of polymer material.

13. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said reflector is mounted on the trailer body by means of an adhesive.

14. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said reflector comprises a metal plate having a polished surface.

15. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said reflector is attached to said body with one or more mechanical attachment mechanisms.

16. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said reflector comprises a metal plate having a mirrored surface.

17. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said reflector comprises a coated glass plate.

18. The trailer according to claim 10, in which said reflector comprises a coated plastic plate.