Patent US3774149A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3774149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical guide for vehicle trailer hitch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-09-07
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A guide mountable to a vehicle trailer hitch for indicating via an electrical light the proximity of the trailer with respect to the vehicle. A first rod is mounted to the vehicle second with an electrical light mounted to the top of the rod. The light is connected via an electrical switch mounted to the rod to a source of electrical energy. A wire spring mounted to the rod is engageable with the electrical switch when contacted and moved by a s econd rod mounted to the trailer.
Inventors
- 👤 D Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for aligning a trailer with a vehicle having a trailer hitch comprising: a first vertical rod mounted to said trailer hitch; an electric light mounted to said rod; a pushbutton electrical switch mounted to said rod and connected to said electrical light; a spring mounted to said rod and movable against said switch to activate said light; and, a second vertical rod mounted to said trailer and engageable with said spring to move said spring against said switch.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for aligning a trailer with a vehicle having a trailer hitch comprising: a first vertical rod mounted to said trailer hitch; an electric light mounted to said rod; a pushbutton electrical switch mounted to said rod and connected to said electrical light; a spring mounted to said rod and movable against said switch to activate said light; and, a second vertical rod mounted to said trailer and engageable with said spring to move said spring against said switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
104 words
The device of claim 1 wherein: said first rod has a plate fixedly mounted thereto, said spring is a wire and has a first end and a second end mounted to an end of said plate with said switch fixedly mounted to an opposite end of said plate, said plate has a closed looped wire mounted thereon and extending outwardly from said plate with said spring extending therethrough, said spring extending from said first end across said plate and through said loop and adjacent a pushbutton of said switch, said spring then extending outwardly and back toward said first end forming a bowed configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The device of claim 2 wherein: said first rod is hollow and has a flange mounted thereatop with said light mounted on said flange, said light has a first wire in contact with said flange and a second wire extending through said first rod, said first rod including an aperture adjacent said plate with said second wire extending through said aperture and connected to said switch, said switch has a third wire connectable to a source of electrical power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 3 wherein: said trailer hitch on said vehicle has a rearwardly extending bar with a hitch ball mounted thereatop, said trailer has a trailer ball engaging coupler secured thereon with said second rod positioned over said coupler.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 4 and further comprising: a pair of spaced apart and interconnected plates, said rearwardly extending bar extends through said interconnected plates which have a rectangular cross sectional configured rod connected to said first rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 5 wherein: said spring is generally oblong in configuration with a width extending rearwardly towards said trailer and a length extending laterally outward of said rearwardly extending bar with said length at least 7 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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 |