US6100795A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trailer hitch alignment system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-03-12
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Granted: 2000-08-08
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Expires: 2019-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A trailer hitch alignment system for allowing a user to easily align a hitch of a vehicle with a trailer hitch. The inventive device includes a control that is mountable to a visor of the vehicle in view of the driver, a receiver unit attachable to the bumper of the vehicle and in communication with the control unit, a transmitter unit removably attachable to a trailer hitch that transmits a locating signal that is detectable by the receiver unit, and a storage case. Electronic circuitry within the control unit determines the position of the transmitter unit from the receiver unit from the reception of the locating signal. The control unit includes a turn right indicator and a turn left indicator for visually indicating to the user whether to turn left or right while backing toward the conventional trailer. The control unit also includes a buzzer and stop indicator light for indicating to the user when the ball hitch is positioned below the coupler of the trailer hitch. The control unit also includes a display screen that visually indicates the position of the vehicle with respect to the trailer hitch. If the user needs to turn left or right, either the turn left indicator or the turn right indicator will display various levels of lights indicating to the user that they must turn appropriately for proper alignment of the vehicle with the conventional trailer.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis W. Otterbacher
- 👤 Marguerite A. Otterbacher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:15
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A trailer hitch alignment system, comprising: a control unit; a receiver unit attachable to a vehicle adjacent a ball hitch, wherein said receiver unit is in communication with said control unit; a vertically elongated transmitter unit attachable to a trailer hitch of a trailer adjacent a coupler, wherein said transmitter unit transmits a locating signal that is detected by said receiver unit; and a locating light attached to an upper end of said transmitter unit; wherein said control unit includes: a turn left indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said left turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required; and a turn right indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said right turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A trailer hitch alignment system, comprising: a control unit; a receiver unit attachable to a vehicle adjacent a ball hitch, wherein said receiver unit is in communication with said control unit; a vertically elongated transmitter unit attachable to a trailer hitch of a trailer adjacent a coupler, wherein said transmitter unit transmits a locating signal that is detected by said receiver unit; and a locating light attached to an upper end of said transmitter unit; wherein said control unit includes: a turn left indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said left turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required; and a turn right indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said right turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 1, wherein said control unit comprises: a housing; an electronic circuitry within said housing in communication with said receiver unit; and a display screen within said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 2, wherein said electronic circuitry calculates a position of said receiver unit from said transmitter unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 3, wherein said electronic circuitry displays said position of said receiver unit upon said display screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 4, wherein said control unit includes a keypad electrically connected to said electronic circuitry for allowing entry of information into said electronic circuitry.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 1, wherein said control unit further includes a buzzer within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 6, wherein said control unit further includes a stop indicator light within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 7, wherein said display screen includes a hitch indicia representing said trailer hitch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 8, wherein said control unit includes a clip for removable attachment to a conventional visor within said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
212 words
A trailer hitch alignment system, comprising: a control unit; a receiver unit attachable to a vehicle adjacent a ball hitch, wherein said receiver unit is in communication with said control unit; a vertically elongated transmitter unit attachable to a trailer hitch of a trailer adjacent a coupler, wherein said transmitter unit transmits a locating signal that is detected by said receiver unit; wherein said transmitter unit includes a transmitter base having a first cavity for removably receiving a transmitter antenna, wherein said transmitter antenna has a height sufficient for a user to view from said vehicle; wherein said receiver unit includes a receiver base having a second cavity for removably receiving a receiver antenna that detects said locating signal; and a locating light attached to an upper end of said transmitter unit wherein said control unit includes: a turn left indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said left turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required; and a turn right indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said right turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
212 words
A trailer hitch alignment system, comprising: a control unit; a receiver unit attachable to a vehicle adjacent a ball hitch, wherein said receiver unit is in communication with said control unit; a vertically elongated transmitter unit attachable to a trailer hitch of a trailer adjacent a coupler, wherein said transmitter unit transmits a locating signal that is detected by said receiver unit; wherein said transmitter unit includes a transmitter base having a first cavity for removably receiving a transmitter antenna, wherein said transmitter antenna has a height sufficient for a user to view from said vehicle; wherein said receiver unit includes a receiver base having a second cavity for removably receiving a receiver antenna that detects said locating signal; and a locating light attached to an upper end of said transmitter unit wherein said control unit includes: a turn left indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said left turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required; and a turn right indicator attached to said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry, wherein said right turn indicator is comprised of a plurality of vertically orientated strength lights that display an amount of turning required.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 10, wherein said control unit comprises: a housing; an electronic circuitry within said housing in communication with said receiver unit; and a display screen within said housing and electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 11, wherein said electronic circuitry calculates a position of said receiver unit from said transmitter unit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 12, wherein said electronic circuitry displays said position of said receiver unit upon said display screen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 13, wherein said receiver base and said transmitter base each include at least one magnet for removable attachment to a metal surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 10, wherein said control unit further includes a buzzer within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 15, wherein said control unit further includes a stop indicator light within said housing electrically connected to said electronic circuitry.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 16, wherein said transmitter antenna includes at least one visibility strip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The trailer hitch alignment system of claim 17, wherein said control unit includes a clip for removable attachment to a conventional visor within said vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-08 | 2004-02-07 | 2004-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-08 | 2008-02-07 | 2008-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-08 | 2012-02-07 | 2012-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |