Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-30
2004-12-28
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
active
06834878
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of trailer coupling systems and, in particular, to a system, kit and method for aligning a vehicle mounted coupling to a trailer mounted coupling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A trailer is typically attached to a towing vehicle using a trailer hitch, which includes a vehicle mounted coupling, such as a ball mounted on the rear of the vehicle, and a trailer mounting coupling, to which a the vehicle mounted coupling is secured. Aligning the trailer hitch ball with the trailer coupling, however, has always been cumbersome and difficult, especially for an unassisted driver. Typically, the driver reverses the vehicle towards the trailer while attempting to observe the trailer coupling and vehicle mounted coupling in the rear or side view mirror. However, because of the position and size of the mirrors, the couplings are not always visible, requiring the driver to reverse and advance the vehicle repeatedly before successfully maneuvering the vehicle mounted coupling in the vicinity of the trailer mounted coupling. Further, even if both components are visible, the driver's depth perception is hindered such that the towing vehicle often collides with the trailer. At best, the driver is able to position the trailer hitch ball within a few feet of the trailer coupling eventually requiring the driver to manually move the trailer until the coupling is properly positioned over the ball.
A number of devices have been developed to assist in the alignment of vehicle mounted coupling with a trailer-mounted coupling. These devices operate in a variety of manners, but can be generally grouped into two different categories; mirror based systems, and rod based systems.
Mirror based systems generally utilize specialized mirrors to allow the user to view the alignment of the vehicle mounted coupling and the trailer mounted coupling, either directly or via the use of specialized targets. One example of a mirror-based system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,289. In this system, a cross-shaped target is mounted on each hitch component and a convex mirror assembly is mounted to the trailer to allow a vehicle operator to view the two targets. The vehicle is backed toward the trailer until the two cross-shaped targets are aligned.
Another example of a mirror based system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,310, which discloses a trailer hitch mirror alignment device including a mounting bracket with a pair of telescopically adjustable legs attached thereto. A mirror is pivotally and adjustably attached to the distal ends of the legs. The bracket is magnetically attachable to the rear surface of the towing vehicle. The device can be adjusted to allow the driver to view both components of the trailer hitch assembly.
A second example of a mirror based system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,126, titled “Trailer hitch alignment device”. This patent discloses a device for a aligning a trailer hitch ball with a trailer coupling that includes an elongated guide strip that is positioned on the ground with a portion immediately beneath the ball on the towing vehicle and a second portion immediately beneath the trailer coupling. A first target is mounted on the trailer hitch ball while a second target is mounted on the trailer coupling. A convex mirror assembly is mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle and is positioned such that the towing vehicle driver can see the trailer hitch ball and the target mounted thereon. The towing vehicle driver reverses the vehicle while guiding the first target along the alignment strip and, when the driver observes that the first and second targets are aligned, the coupling is properly aligned with the trailer hitch ball.
Unfortunately, mirror based systems have a number of drawbacks that have limited their appeal. First, the mirrors generally need to be permanently mounted to the trailer or vehicle, risking breakage and/or hindrance of the operation of the trailer. Second, the use of a mirror creates issues with depth perception that could cause misalignment. Third, mirror based systems can be costly and difficult to install, further limiting their appeal. Finally, the view through a mirror is deceptive due to the fact that the user is viewing an inverse image of what is actually occurring, resulting in the user turning the vehicle in the wrong direction based upon the visual cues provided by the mirror.
Rod based systems typically utilize vertical rods that are arranged so as to provide the driver with an indirect means of determining the relative locations of the vehicle mounted connector and the trailer mounted connector. One example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,359, which discloses a trailer hitching apparatus including a pair of sight rods attached adjacent each side of the trailer hitch ball. The sight rods extend outwardly so as to be readily visible to the vehicle driver. A trailer-sighting rod is attached to the trailer coupling; an angled loading plate is positioned between the two sighting rods and includes an opening surrounded by a load pin guide rail. A loading pin is attached to the trailer tongue directly above the coupling. As the vehicle is reversed, the driver will guide the vehicle such that the vehicle sighting rods will be on each side of the trailer sighting rod thereby guiding the load pin onto the angled loading plate until the pin seats within the plate opening. Simultaneously, the trailer hitch coupling is automatically lifted onto the trailer hitch ball.
The device disclosed in this patent overcomes some of the drawbacks inherent in the mirror-based systems. For example, because it does not require the use of a mirror, there are no issues with depth perception or viewing an inverse image that could cause misalignment. However, this device is not without its drawbacks. First, the narrow profile of the rods reduces their visibility and increases the difficulty of alignment. Second, the automatic coupling feature requires the use of a specialized coupling, increasing the cost of the system and making it unsuitable for use with existing trailer hitches.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,706 discloses a device for aligning a trailer and towing vehicle including a visible mast that is placed on the trailer tongue so that the towing vehicle driver can view the mast. The mast includes a pivotal leg that can be secured in either an extended or collapsed position. When it is an extended position, it is aligned with a target disposed on the rear window of the towing vehicle and, when brought into contact therewith, the driver knows that the ball and tongue are aligned.
The device disclosed in this patent also has significant drawbacks. First, it requires that the mast be permanently affixed to the trailer, risking breakage and interference with the proper operation of the trailer. Second, and most importantly, the requirement that the vehicle window come into contact with the end of the pivotal leg is a considerable drawback as it risks damage to the window.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,794 discloses a trailer hitch alignment apparatus that includes a first guide member removably attached to a vehicle bumper and a second guide member removably attached to a trailer hitch socket. The first guide member includes a magnetic base with a telescopically extensible rod adjustably coupled thereto. The second guide member includes a magnetic base having an upwardly extending telescopic rod and a downwardly extending semi-flexible shaft attached thereto. The shaft extends downwardly through a bore defined by the trailer hitch tongue so as to contact the trailer hitch ball when the ball and socket are aligned. Contact between the shaft and ball causes vertical displacement of the shaft and guide rod. Therefore, the two telescopic guide rods, visible from a driver's seat, facilitates lateral alignment of the ball and socket while vertical displacement of the second rod indicates perfect forward alignment.
This device disclosed in this patent overcomes some of the drawbacks inherent in the mi
Lawson & Persson P.C.
Morris Lesley D.
Persson Michael J.
Winner Tony
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