Abstract:
A fixture designed to hasten and ease aligning a trailer, in particular a gooseneck trailer, to a receiver ball situated on a vehicle by using a drop rod to signal the driver when the optimum hitching point is reached.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present application relates generally to the field of hitches and, more particularly, to hitches for towing a trailer. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The present invention involves attaching a gooseneck trailer to a vehicle. However, it can be applicable for some conventional trailer hookups as well. Gooseneck trailers have a towing tongue longer than conventional trailers. The attachment point on the tongue is bent down and connects to a towing ball. The ball is on a hauling bed, and centered over the rear axle, of a towing vehicle. The vehicle most commonly used is a farm type truck. The bend allows the towing tongue of a gooseneck trailer to swing past raised sides of a truck bed for necessary turns. 
     Many trucks designed to tow conventional trailers have a receiver hitch mechanism. This system extends out from the rear bumper, thus, it can be compatible to the present invention also. 
     To attach the trailer, the driver must back the truck and align the attaching point on the trailer tongue over the towing ball. This usually requires several attempts to accomplish because the driver often can&#39;t see the towing ball from his position in the truck. To simplify this task, the driver, when looking through the rear window, needs a device to show the location of the towing ball in relation to the trailer tongue when the optimum point to hitch is reached. 
     Although other solutions have been presented, we believe, a simple, inexpensive method should be introduced as the following invention provides. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the application itself, as well as, a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of an apparatus for aligning a trailer hitch according the preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged side view of a spring loaded pipe assembly of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged oblique view of a contact device of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a base of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     While the embodiment of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The apparatus for aligning a trailer hitch of the present application overcomes the disadvantages associated with conventional apparatuses for aligning a trailer hitch to a receiving tow ball of a towing hitch. Illustrative embodiments are described below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Notable changes to conventional apparatuses for aligning a trailer tongue with a receiver ball of a tow hitch are explained below. Changes are apparent in the manner in which the preferred apparatus is secured, in addition to having a protruded portion added to the apparatus at the point of activation. Also, an attachment device, i.e., magnets, securely couples the apparatus to a contact surface of the towing vehicle for rapid removal of the apparatus after the trailer tongue is aligned with the receiver ball. 
       FIG. 1  is an oblique view of an apparatus  101  for aligning a trailer tongue (not shown) for coupling with a receiver ball of a trailer hitch (not shown). Apparatus  101  includes a spacer  2  coupled to and extending from a support body  1 . In the preferred embodiment, spacer  2  is an adjustable screw that is adjusted such that the body remains apart from receiver ball at a predetermined distance. It should be understood that apparatus  101  does not couple to the receiver ball, thereby reducing the time and effort exhausted in removing apparatus  101  after the trailer hitch is aligned. In the preferred embodiment, spacer  2  is a screw; however, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments could include different devices in lieu a screw. For example, spacer  2  could be a rod having a length determined by the distance required to align a specific trailer hitch to a receiver ball. 
     Apparatus  101  includes a pipe  3  rigidly coupled to and extending from base  1 . A spring loaded pipe assembly  6  is placed around a portion of vertical pipe  3 . Pipe assembly  6  includes a sleeve  5  that separates pipe assembly  6  from body  1 . Apparatus  101  includes a contact device  103  coupled to and extending from pipe assembly  6 . In the preferred embodiment, contact device  103  is rigidly coupled to pipe assembly  6 ; however, alternative embodiments could include a contact device adjustably coupled to pipe assembly  6 . Contact device  103  provides means for the trailer hitch to move pipe assembly  6 . In the preferred embodiment, contact device  103  includes a first contact plate  13  and a second contact plate  14  rigidly coupled to contact plate  13 . As is illustrated, second contact plate  14  extends normal to first contact plate  13  such that different trailer tongues having different heights can be used with apparatus  101 . 
     A solid rod  4  is partially disposed within vertical pipe  3 . As is illustrated, solid rod  4  remains partially exposed outside pipe  3  in an up position. In this position, the user can determine that the trailer tongue has not come into contact with apparatus  101  and that the trailer tongue is not aligned above the receiving ball. Solid rod  4  remains in the up position prior to the trailer tongue coming into contact with contact device  103 . Apparatus  101  includes a stopping device  10  extending from a front portion  105  of pipe assembly  6 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a partial view of spring loaded pipe assembly  6  with a centerline cutaway to demonstrate how the components function inside. Assembly  6  includes two top ends  7  having a slot  8  for guiding pipe assembly  6  in the transverse direction with respect to vertical pipe  3 . Pipe assembly  6  includes a loaded device, such as a spring  9 , for maintaining pressure against vertical pipe  3 . A hole  11  partially extends through pipe assembly  6  for securing spring  9 . In the preferred embodiment, stopping device  10  is a set screw; however, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments could include different devices for holding rod  4  in a resting position. For example, an alternative embodiment could include a quick release device, i.e., a snap or a clip, for holding rod  4  in the up position. Stopping device  10  is rigidly coupled through front side  105  of pipe assembly  6 . Pipe  3  includes a hole  12  for receiving stopping device  10 . As is illustrated, stopping device  10  is rigidly coupled to front side  105  of pipe assembly  6 , extends through hole  12 , and comes into contact with bottom end  201  of rod  4 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, two springs  9  are used to displace the pipe assembly  6 . However, in alternative embodiments, one spring could be used to perform the same function as the two spring configuration. 
     The objective of the invention is to signal the desired position of a trailer tongue in reference to a receiver ball and is met when the tongue contacts and pushes the contact plate  14  in a direction A. Pressure applied to contact plate  14  compresses spring  9 , thereby forcing stopping device  10  to back out through hole  12 . Thus, stopping device  10  no longer supports the solid rod  4  in the up position. The rod  4  drops, as indicated with direction B, from an extended height inside to a lesser position above the vertical pipe  3 , thereby providing a signal to the user that the trailer tongue is aligned with the receiving tow ball. When the process is complete, the apparatus is easily removed and the trailer tongue is lowered onto the receiver ball. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of contact device  103 . Contact device  103  is used because many gooseneck trailer tongues are designed for multiple height adjustment. This requires the vertical round portion of the tongue to be two parts. One part slips inside the second with a lock pin through holes in both parts to secure. In addition, an added bolt is provided on the outer tongue part passing through to lock the enter part. The extended contact plates  13  and  14  makes the invention functional when the vertical pipe  3  on the fixture must bypass in front of the added bolt on the trailer tongue. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invented fixture, the support body  1  consists of a vertical pipe  3  and spacer  2  set in and extruding from an epoxy or injected plastic mold. The spacer  2  can include a magnet or alternatively suitable device for contacting with the receiver ball. In the preferred embodiment, vertical pipe  3  and spring loaded pipe assembly  6  are composed of an elastomeric material, i.e., a PVC pipe. However, alternative embodiments could include a vertical pipe  3  and pipe assembly  6  composed of alternately suitable materials such as a metal or a composite. 
     In addition, it is preferred that end caps  7 , sleeve  5 , and partially altered elbow  13  (the extended portion of the extended contact plate) be composed of an elastomeric material such as PVC fittings. In the preferred embodiment, contact plate  14  is an elastomeric material, such as LEXAN®, which is a brand of polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. Also, injected plastic is suitable to combine the extended contact plate  13  and  14  into a single mold. In the preferred embodiment, spacer  2  and stopping device  10  are screws comprising standard grade cadmium plated fittings. Preferably, the compression springs  9  used are generated from 0.041 diameter metal stock and have at least a 6.84 lb. capacity rating. It is preferred that springs  9  are secured in the holes  11  with glue. In the preferred embodiment, rod  4  is an injected plastic or epoxy mold; however, it should be appreciated that alternative embodiments could include a rod  4  composed of alternately suitable materials such as a metal or a graphite material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  in the drawings, a bottom view of base  1  is illustrated. Base  1  includes a bottom surface  41  for abutting with a contact surface associated with the towing vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, apparatus  101  is configured for coupling directly to a contact surface on the towing hitch; however, it should be appreciated that apparatus  101  could be configured for coupling to any suitable surface on the towing vehicle. For example, apparatus  101  could be configured for coupling to the tailgate, truck bed, bumper, or chassis of the towing vehicle. 
     Surface  41  includes an attachment device  43  for securing apparatus  101  to the towing vehicle. Attachment device  43  provides means for a user to easily and rapidly remove the apparatus after the trailer tongue is aligned for coupling with the receiving tow ball. Attachment device  43  significantly reduces the amount of time and effort exhausted in preparing a trailer for hitching with a towing vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, attachment device  43  comprises a plurality of magnets  45  that extend partially within body  1  and remain flush with surface  41 . The magnets provide sufficiently strong coupling forces between base  1  and the contact surface of the towing vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, magnets  45  are Neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets create a sufficiently strong coupling force to hold apparatus  101  in position during use. 
     In the preferred embodiment attachment device  43  is a magnet; however, it should be appreciated that alternative devices could be used in lieu of magnets  45 . For example, an adhesive substance such as double sided tape, a strap, a clip, or other suitable quick-release devices could be used. In addition, surface  41  could be contoured with grooves, dimples, ridges, or other contoured surfaces for providing additional friction between surface  41  and the contact surface. It should also be appreciated that apparatus  101  could include a plurality of attachment devices  43  on one or more surfaces of body  1 . For example, a front surface  47  of body  1  could include an attachment device for attaching to a contact surface, i.e., a tailgate of the towing vehicle. 
     It is apparent that an apparatus with significant advantages for aligning a trailer tongue with a receiver ball has been described and illustrated. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.