US6422585B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual alignment aid for connecting trailers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2001-06-12
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Granted: 2002-07-23
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Expires: 2021-06-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a visual alignment aid device that is supported on a towing vehicle to aid in the alignment of the ball on the towing vehicle with the socket in the trailer of the vehicle to be towed, The device includes an elongated tubular shaft having a telescoping shaft sliding and rotationally received therein. The telescoping shaft can be arrested in any position relative to the tubular shaft. The telescoping shaft further has a section with a rigid bend therein. The bend can include an angle of at least 90° and up to 180° depending on the vehicle on which the alignment device is supported. At an end of the telescoping shaft a sleeve is separably mounted which sleeve has an extension which supports a convex mirror in an eccentric fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Glass
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/002; B60R1/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A visual alignment aid device for connecting a towing vehicle having a ball on a hitch to a trailer having a socket on a tongue, said visual aid device includes an elongated tubular shaft, means for supporting said tubular shaft on a towing vehicle, said means for supporting said elongated tubular shaft being adapted to be horizontally mounted on a roof of the towing vehicle, said elongated tubular shaft having a slidable telescoping tubular shaft therein, means for arresting said telescoping shaft at an extended length adjustment and at a rotational position relative to said tubular shaft, said telescoping shaft having in a section remote from said means for arresting a rigid bend of at least 90° therein, a sleeve is separably attached to an end of said bent shaft, said sleeve having an extension thereon and said extension having a convex mirror mounted thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A visual alignment aid device for connecting a towing vehicle having a ball on a hitch to a trailer having a socket on a tongue, said visual aid device includes an elongated tubular shaft, means for supporting said tubular shaft on a towing vehicle, said means for supporting said elongated tubular shaft being adapted to be horizontally mounted on a roof of the towing vehicle, said elongated tubular shaft having a slidable telescoping tubular shaft therein, means for arresting said telescoping shaft at an extended length adjustment and at a rotational position relative to said tubular shaft, said telescoping shaft having in a section remote from said means for arresting a rigid bend of at least 90° therein, a sleeve is separably attached to an end of said bent shaft, said sleeve having an extension thereon and said extension having a convex mirror mounted thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 1 , wherein the angle of said bend is in a range of 90° to 180°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 1 , wherein said convex mirror is attached to said extension in an eccentric position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 1 including an adjustable joint being interposed between said sleeve of said mirror and said end of said telescoping shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
the visual alignment aid device of claim 1 , wherein said means for supporting include at least two stanchions mounted on said tubular shaft and spaced apart from each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 5 including at least two hand grips mounted on said tubular shaft, one hand grip is located at an outer end of said tubular shaft and another hand grip is mounted on said tubular shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 6 including a magnet on each of said stanchions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 6 including a suction cup on each of said stanchions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 1 wherein said means for arresting is an eccentric friction device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The visual alignment aid device of claim 1 , wherein the means for arresting is a compression fitting.
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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) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-01-21 | 2006-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-22 | 2010-01-21 | 2010-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-22 | 2014-01-21 | 2014-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |