Patent US3773356A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3773356A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch guide
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-02-22
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A guide for a trailer hitch to guide the female part of the hitch to position over the male ball so that the female part of the hitch will fall into place on the ball. The guide is made up of a base plate suitable to rest on the standard hitch ball. The base plate has a vertical stand welded to it and A U-shaped guide member fixed to the stand at a level near the top of the hitch ball. The base is adjustable, forwardly and rearwardly, to bring it to a position where the female hitch will engage the U-shaped guide part when it is directly over the hitch so that the female part of the hitch is guided directly down on the ball.
Inventors
- 👤 H Eichels
- 👤 E Grandbouche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:06
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A guide member for a trailer hitch having a ball and a hitch member for connecting said trailer to a vehicle comprising a U-shaped guide member, a vertical stand supporting said U-shaped guide member forward of said ball with the lower edge of said U-shaped member disposed approximately at the level of the center of said hitch ball, said U-shaped guide member having two diverging legs connected together by an intermediate part, said intermediate part being supported just forward of said ball at a distance from said ball such that said hitch will engage said ball when directly over said ball thereby guiding said hitch directly down onto said ball and said legs being adapted to deflect said hitch to a position over said ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A guide member for a trailer hitch having a ball and a hitch member for connecting said trailer to a vehicle comprising a U-shaped guide member, a vertical stand supporting said U-shaped guide member forward of said ball with the lower edge of said U-shaped member disposed approximately at the level of the center of said hitch ball, said U-shaped guide member having two diverging legs connected together by an intermediate part, said intermediate part being supported just forward of said ball at a distance from said ball such that said hitch will engage said ball when directly over said ball thereby guiding said hitch directly down onto said ball and said legs being adapted to deflect said hitch to a position over said ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The hitch recited in claim 1 wherein means is provided for adjusting said guide member forwardly and rearwardly whereby the opposite coupling part or socket is positioned directly over said ball when it engages said intermediate part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hitch guide recited in claim 1 wherein said U-shaped guide member is made of a platelike member formed into U-shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The hitch guide recited in claim 3 wherein said vertical stand supporting said U-shaped member comprises a vertically disposed stand in the form of a platelike member welded to said intermediate part of said U-shaped member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The hitch guide recited in claim 4 wherein said means supporting said U-shaped member on said hitch further comprises a platelike base member adapted to rest on said hitch, said vertically disposed stand member is fixed to said base member and extends upwardly therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The hitch guide recited in claim 5 wherein said base plate has a slot therein, said slot being adapted to receive a threaded male part fixed to said hitch ball, and a neck of said hitch ball being adapted to rest on said base plate whereby said hitch guide is clamped to said hitch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hitch guide recited in claim 1 wherein the lower part of said U-shaped member is disposed at a level approximately equal to the level of the center of said hitch ball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hitch guide recited in claim 4 wherein a gusset plate is fixed to each side of said U-shaped member, and said gusset plate is fixed to said vertical stand.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1626993A
Cited
US2151920A
Cited
US2409399A
Cited
US3420549A
Cited
US3682360A
Cited
US3675947A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |