Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-12
2002-05-07
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C280S478100, C280S511000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06382653
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a vehicle hitch positioning apparatus and a method for positioning and dropping a vehicle hitch on a trailer ball using the vehicle hitch positioning apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of vehicle hitch positioning apparatuses are in existence which position a vehicle hitch of a trailer or other movable object over a trailer ball on a vehicle, and have included complicated structures involving cables and reels, as well as infrared positioning sensors for detecting and aligning both trailer and vehicle.
Other simpler devices include V-shaped and U-shaped guides attached to the vehicle around the trailer ball, which guide the vehicle hitch over the trailer ball. However, these devices require lifting and manually positioning the vehicle hitch which is cumbersome and difficult for the user, and many also utilize pins which secure the vehicle hitch from moving away from the trailer ball, which make the securing pins vulnerable to breakage.
Still other devices utilize ramps which self-align the vehicle hitches over the trailer ball, but those devices require locks or pins to prevent the vehicle hitch from slipping off the trailer ball, which are also vulnerable to breakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a simple device wherein a single user can position a vehicle hitch over a trailer ball accurately, without the usual problems of lifting and positioning the vehicle hitch manually.
The vehicle hitch positioning apparatus of the present invention includes a base plate having a first hole through which the trailer ball is inserted, the base plate being connected to the vehicle by the trailer ball; a guide plate connected to the base plate and made to be aligned with the base plate, the guide plate having a second hole through which the trailer ball is inserted, and the guide plate guiding and supporting the trailer hitch into position over the second hole; and a movable catch for holding the guide plate in an apart position from the base plate prior to alignment with the base plate. In operation, after the base plate is fixed to the vehicle using the trailer ball, the vehicle hitch is guided and positioned over the second hole by the guide plate, the movable catch is moved in a predetermined direction to release and drop the guide plate such that the trailer ball is inserted through the second hole and the guide plate drops and aligns with (covers) the base plate, and the vehicle hitch is securely positioned over the trailer ball.
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McClellan James S.
Olszewski Robert P.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
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