US6955437B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hitch mirror assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2004-01-15
•
Granted: 2005-10-18
•
Expires: 2024-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A mirror assembly is provided for use in “hitching” trailers to towing vehicles. The mirror assembly can be used for conventional ball and socket couplings, fifth wheel couplings and variations thereof. The mirror assembly is magnetically attached to the trailer tongue so it can be easily removed after coupling. The mirror assembly includes a telescoping stanchion mirror post and a swivel joint which can be vertically rotated. A ball joint connected to the back of the mirror allows the mirror to be turned in any of a variety of positions for precise alignment during the hitching process.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred H. Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60D; B60D1/00; B60D1/24; B60D1/36; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/002; B60R1/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A mirror assembly comprising: a magnetic base, a telescoping stanchion, said stanchion defining a top end and a bottom end, and said bottom end affixed to said base, a swivel joint, said swivel joint attached to the top end of said stanchion, said swivel joint defining an upper section and a lower section, said upper swivel section defining a channel, a mirror post, said mirror post defining a spherical end, and an opposing threaded channel, a bolt, said bolt positioned in said upper swivel section channel and in said mirror post channel for connecting said mirror post to said upper swivel section, a mirror, said mirror defining a ball socket, and said spherical end of said mirror post pivotally contained within said ball socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A mirror assembly comprising: a magnetic base, a telescoping stanchion, said stanchion defining a top end and a bottom end, and said bottom end affixed to said base, a swivel joint, said swivel joint attached to the top end of said stanchion, said swivel joint defining an upper section and a lower section, said upper swivel section defining a channel, a mirror post, said mirror post defining a spherical end, and an opposing threaded channel, a bolt, said bolt positioned in said upper swivel section channel and in said mirror post channel for connecting said mirror post to said upper swivel section, a mirror, said mirror defining a ball socket, and said spherical end of said mirror post pivotally contained within said ball socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper swivel section defines an aperture, said lower swivel section defining an aperture, said upper and said lower section apertures coincidentally aligned, a threaded member, said threaded member positioned within said coincidentally aligned apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 further comprises a wingnut, said wingnut attached to said threaded member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said mirror is convex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said telescoping stanchion comprising seven (7) sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
190 words
A mirror assembly for releasable attachment to a trailer tongue for assistance in coupling the trailer to a towing vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising: a magnetic base, a telescoping stanchion, said telescoping stanchion defining at least three (3) sections, the bottom end of said stanchion affixed to said magnetic base, a swivel joint, said swivel joint defining an upper section and a lower section, said upper section defining a channel, said lower section attached to said stanchion, said upper and said lower sections each defining an aperture, a threaded member, said threaded member positioned within said upper and said lower section apertures, a wingnut, said wingnut attached to said threaded member for selectively tightening and loosening said threaded member, a mirror post, said mirror post defining a spherical end and an opposing threaded channel, a bolt, said bolt positioned through said upper swivel section channel and in said threaded channel of said mirror post to hold said mirror post to said upper swivel section, a mirror, said mirror defining a ball socket, said mirror post spherical end contained within said ball socket to allow said mirror to be selectively rotated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
A mirror assembly for releasable attachment to a trailer tongue for assistance in coupling the trailer to a towing vehicle, the mirror assembly comprising: a magnetic base, a telescoping stanchion, said telescoping stanchion defining at least three (3) sections, the bottom end of said stanchion affixed to said magnetic base, a swivel joint, said swivel joint defining an upper section and a lower section, said upper section defining a channel, said lower section attached to said stanchion, said upper and said lower sections each defining an aperture, a threaded member, said threaded member positioned within said upper and said lower section apertures, a wingnut, said wingnut attached to said threaded member for selectively tightening and loosening said threaded member, a mirror post, said mirror post defining a spherical end and an opposing threaded channel, a bolt, said bolt positioned through said upper swivel section channel and in said threaded channel of said mirror post to hold said mirror post to said upper swivel section, a mirror, said mirror defining a ball socket, said mirror post spherical end contained within said ball socket to allow said mirror to be selectively rotated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein said mirror is convex.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein said telescoping stanchion defines seven (7) sections.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein said mirror is round.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
The mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein said swivel joint comprises an upper and a lower section, each of said sections defining a cylindrical trunk, an extension, said extension rigidly attached to said trunk, said extension defining an aperture and an arcuate terminal end, said arcuate terminal end of said lower section contiguous said trunk of said upper section, said terminal end of said upper section contiguous said trunk of said lower section wherein said apertures are coincidentally aligned, a bolt, said bolt positioned in said apertures whereby said upper section can rotate around said bolt relative to said lower section.
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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) | 2008-10-17 | 2009-04-18 | 2009-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-10-17 | 2013-04-18 | 2013-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-10-17 | 2017-04-18 | 2017-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |