US4416466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch guide
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-05-05
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Granted: 1983-11-22
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Expires: 2001-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A trailer hitch guide is disclosed for guiding a ball, attached at the rear of an automobile or other towing vehicle, into a position of alignment directly under a socket on a trailer tongue of a trailer or other towed vehicle, the tongue being attached to the top surface of the trailer hitch guide. A v-flange on the bottom surface of the guide guides the ball into the position of alignment. Once the ball is in this position, the trailer hitch guide is removed in order to drop the socket of the trailer tongue over the towing ball.
Inventors
- 👤 W. Sidney Park
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60D1/363
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A trailer hitch guide for guiding a towing ball on a towing vehicle into position directly under a receiving means on a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle, comprising: a support means; clamping means on a top surface of said support means for clamping said trailer tongue to said top surface; V-shaped flange means on a bottom surface of said support means for guiding said towing ball, said V-shaped flange having an apex; means on said top surface of said spport means for guiding said receiving means of said tongue into a position relative to said support means which coincides with the position of said towing ball relative to said support means when said ball is nearest the apex of said V-shaped flange; and stop means on said top surface of said support means for preventing longitudinal and orthogonal movement of said trailer tongue when said tongue is clamped to the top surface of said support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A trailer hitch guide for guiding a towing ball on a towing vehicle into position directly under a receiving means on a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle, comprising: a support means; clamping means on a top surface of said support means for clamping said trailer tongue to said top surface; V-shaped flange means on a bottom surface of said support means for guiding said towing ball, said V-shaped flange having an apex; means on said top surface of said spport means for guiding said receiving means of said tongue into a position relative to said support means which coincides with the position of said towing ball relative to said support means when said ball is nearest the apex of said V-shaped flange; and stop means on said top surface of said support means for preventing longitudinal and orthogonal movement of said trailer tongue when said tongue is clamped to the top surface of said support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A trailer hitch guide in accordance with claim 1, wherein said clamping means comprises a pair of eccentrically mounted swivel clamps, each of said swivel clamps being engageable with side surfaces of said trailer tongue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
117 words
A trailer hitch guide for guiding a towing ball on a towing vehicle into position with respect to a receiving means on a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle, comprising: means for securing said guide on the trailer tongue of the towed vehicle; and means for guiding the towing ball into position with respect to the trailer tongue whereby the towing ball is in alignment with the receiving means of the trailer tongue; said securing means comprising stop means adjustably secured to said hitch guide and engageable with the end-most portion of the trailer tongue for longitudinally positioning said hitch guide on the tongue and for preventing longitudinal movement of said guide with respect to the tongue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
117 words
A trailer hitch guide for guiding a towing ball on a towing vehicle into position with respect to a receiving means on a trailer tongue of a towed vehicle, comprising: means for securing said guide on the trailer tongue of the towed vehicle; and means for guiding the towing ball into position with respect to the trailer tongue whereby the towing ball is in alignment with the receiving means of the trailer tongue; said securing means comprising stop means adjustably secured to said hitch guide and engageable with the end-most portion of the trailer tongue for longitudinally positioning said hitch guide on the tongue and for preventing longitudinal movement of said guide with respect to the tongue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A trailer hitch guide as in claim 3, wherein said securing means further comprises clamping means selectively engageable with side surfaces of the trailer tongue.
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) | 1986-11-21 | 1987-05-23 | 1987-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-21 | 1991-05-23 | 1991-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-21 | 1995-05-23 | 1995-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |