Position signaling apparatus

Claim 2

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving one of a plurality of desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; wherein the first vehicle component comprises a fifth wheel assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a vehicle frame portion adjacent the fifth wheel assembly.

Claim 3

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; a flexible arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible arm being secured to the first vehicle frame component at the proximal end, the switch being attached to the distal end of the flexible arm.

Claim 4

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; a flexible arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible arm being secured to the first vehicle frame component at the proximal end, the switch being attached to the distal end of the flexible arm.

Claim 5

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a telescoping extension arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the proximal end of the flexible arm, a signaling device being attached to the second end.

Claim 6

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving one of a plurality of desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly.

Claim 7

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving one of a plurality of desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly.

Claim 8

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly; a flexible arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible arm being secured to the tandem axel frame assembly at the proximal end, the switch being attached to the distal end of the flexible arm.

Claim 9

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly; a flexible arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the flexible arm being secured to the tandem axel frame assembly at the proximal end, the switch being attached to the distal end of the flexible arm.

Claim 10

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a telescoping extension arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the proximal end of the flexible arm, a signaling device being attached to the second end.

Claim 11

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly; wherein the tandem axel frame assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures and the trailer frame includes a primary mounting aperture, and further comprising a locking pin insertable through the primary mounting aperture and one of the plurality of mounting apertures to secure the tandem axel frame assembly in position relative to the trailer frame.

Claim 12

A position signaling apparatus for providing a signal to a vehicle driver upon achieving a desired positioning of vehicle components, comprising: a switch coupled to a first vehicle component; a trigger mechanism to actuate the switch, the trigger mechanism being coupled to a second vehicle component, the first vehicle component being movable relative to the second vehicle component; a signaling device operatively coupled to the switch to provide a vehicle operator with a signal upon achieving desired positions of the first vehicle component relative to the second vehicle component; wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame assembly; wherein the tandem axel frame assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures and the trailer frame includes a primary mounting aperture, and further comprising a locking pin insertable through the primary mounting aperture and one of the plurality of mounting apertures to secure the tandem axel frame assembly in position relative to the trailer frame.

Claim 13

A position signaling apparatus for indicating relative positioning of components of a vehicle, comprising: a mounting base attachable to a first component of a vehicle; a flexible adjustment arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being attached to the mounting base; a switch attached to the distal end of the flexible adjustment arm; a trigger mechanism coupled to a second component of a vehicle, the trigger mechanism actuating the switch upon desired positioning of the first and second vehicle components; a telescopically extendable rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the mounting base; a signaling device attached to the second end of the extendable rod and operatively coupled to the switch, the signaling device sending a message to a vehicle operator upon actuation of the switch to indicate desired positioning of the first and second vehicle components relative to one another.

Claim 14

A position signaling apparatus for indicating relative positioning of components of a vehicle, comprising: a mounting base attachable to a first component of a vehicle; a flexible adjustment arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being attached to the mounting base; a switch attached to the distal end of the flexible adjustment arm; a trigger mechanism coupled to a second component of a vehicle, the trigger mechanism actuating the switch upon desired positioning of the first and second vehicle components; a telescopically extendable rod having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the mounting base; a signaling device attached to the second end of the extendable rod and operatively coupled to the switch, the signaling device sending a message to a vehicle operator upon actuation of the switch to indicate desired positioning of the first and second vehicle components relative to one another.

Claim 15

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a pivot/swivel joint connected between the first end of the extendable rod and the mounting base, the pivot swivel joint enabling the extendable rod and signaling device attached thereto to be articulated so that the signaling device can be observed by a vehicle operator while inside the cab portion of a vehicle.

Claim 16

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the switch comprises a reed switch.

Claim 17

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the switch comprises a reed switch and the trigger device comprises a magnet.

Claim 18

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly.

Claim 19

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a tandem axel frame assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a trailer frame.

Claim 20

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a trailer frame.

Claim 21

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a trailer frame and the second vehicle component comprises a locking pin insertable through the trailer frame.

Claim 22

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a fifth wheel assembly.

Claim 23

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the first vehicle component comprises a fifth wheel assembly and the second vehicle component comprises a vehicle frame portion adjacent the fifth wheel assembly.

Claim 24

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the signaling device comprises a light source.

Claim 25

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the signaling device comprises a light source located inside a cab portion of the vehicle.

Claim 26

A position signaling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the signaling device comprises an audible signal located inside a cab portion of a vehicle.