US3901536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for aligning hitches of towing and towed vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a visual aid for aligning a hitch of a towing vehicle with a mating hitch of a towed vehicle. A target is centrally located within a target area defined by a pair of boundary posts, the target assembly being attached to the towed vehicle and aligned with the hitch thereon forming a target area on the towed vehicle. Sighting apparatus is attached to the towing vehicle for aiming the towing vehicle at the target area and for contacting the target and activating an indicator when the engaging portions of the hitches are aligned for connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis Granville Black
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/30; B60Q1/305; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A visual aid for aligning the hitch of a towing vehicle with the mating hitch of a towed vehicle, comprising: a base member adjustably connected to the hitch of the towed vehicle; a pair of parallel boundary posts attached to said base member for defining a rectangular target area; a target post centrally located within said target area and having one end thereof attached to said base member; an indicator lamp mounted on the other end of said target post; a pair of normally open contacts flexibly connected to the other end of said target post and extending longitudinally beyond said other end of said target post and said indicator lamp thereon, said pair of contacts being adapted to connect said indicator lamp to a source of electrical energy when said pair of contacts is closed; and sighting means adjustably connected to the towing vehicle for aiming the towing vehicle at said target area and said target post, said sighting means being adapted to engage and close said pair of contacts when said sighting means and said pair of contacts are positioned on the towing and towed vehicles, respectively, to indicate alignment of the engaging portions of the towing and towed vehicle hitches.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A visual aid for aligning the hitch of a towing vehicle with the mating hitch of a towed vehicle, comprising: a base member adjustably connected to the hitch of the towed vehicle; a pair of parallel boundary posts attached to said base member for defining a rectangular target area; a target post centrally located within said target area and having one end thereof attached to said base member; an indicator lamp mounted on the other end of said target post; a pair of normally open contacts flexibly connected to the other end of said target post and extending longitudinally beyond said other end of said target post and said indicator lamp thereon, said pair of contacts being adapted to connect said indicator lamp to a source of electrical energy when said pair of contacts is closed; and sighting means adjustably connected to the towing vehicle for aiming the towing vehicle at said target area and said target post, said sighting means being adapted to engage and close said pair of contacts when said sighting means and said pair of contacts are positioned on the towing and towed vehicles, respectively, to indicate alignment of the engaging portions of the towing and towed vehicle hitches.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The visual aid described in claim 1 wherein said towed vehicle has a jackshaft housing and said base member is adjustably attached thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The visual aid as described in claim 1 wherein said sighting means comprises: a vacuum cup for attaching to a smooth surfaCe on said towing vehicle; and a rod adjustably attached to said vacuum cup, said rod having a section thereon adapted to close said pair of contacts when said hitches are aligned for engagement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The visual aid described in claim 3 wherein said sighting means further comprises a multi-faceted reflector attached to said rod adjacent said section adapted to close said pair of contacts, said reflector making said section of said rod more readily visible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The visual aid as described in claim 3 wherein said rod is substantially ''''L'''' shaped having a substantially horizontal section connected to said vacuum cup and a substantially vertical section most remote from said cup, said vertical section being the section adapted to close said pair of contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The visual aid described in claim 5 wherein said normally open contacts flexibly connected to the other end of said target post are flexible substantially parallel spaced wires located substantially horizontally above the other end of said target post, each of said flexible substantially parallel spaced wires being supported by a substantially vertical section of flexible wire, one substantially vertical section of flexible wire being connected in series with said indicator lamp, said indicator lamp and the other substantially vertical section of flexible wire being adapted to be connected to a source of electrical power.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The visual aid described in claim 6 further including an illuminating lamp attached to said target post for illuminating said pair of parallel boundary posts and said target post for increasing visibility under reduced light conditions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The visual aid described in claim 7 wherein said illuminating lamp is partially painted to substantially reduce the illumination toward the towing vehicle and to enhance the illumination of said pair of parallel boundary posts and said target post.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The visual aid described in claim 3 wherein said sighting means further comprises: a lamp attached to said rod adjacent said section adapted to close said pair of contacts; clamp means having a battery container therein for attaching said rod adjustably to said vacuum cup and for containing a battery; and means adapted to connect a battery within said battery container to said lamp whereby said lamp is illuminated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
The visual aid described in claim 9 wherein said lamp includes: a prefocussed bulb having a lens integrally a part thereof; and a cylindrical plastic cover which fits over and encloses, said prefocussed bulb, said cylindrical plastic cover having an axial bore therein oppositely disposed said lens of said prefocussed bulb whereby illumination from said prefocussed bulb is directed by said lens into said bore to illuminate the interior surfaces of said bore thereby enhancing the visibility of the prefocussed bulb and cylindrical plastic cover combination.
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) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |