Viewing assembly and a method for coupling a trailer to a selectively movable assembly

An assembly 10 which may be selectively and removably attached to a selectively movable assembly, such as a vehicle 90 and which provides the driver 94 of the selectively movable assembly 90 with an image of the trailer connection portion 99 of the selectively movable assembly 90 as the selectively movable assembly 90 is moved toward a trailer 102.

GENERAL BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a viewing assembly and to a method for coupling a trailer to a selectively movable assembly and more particularly, to an assembly and to a method which allows those residing within a passenger compartment of a selectively movable assembly, such as by way of example and without limitation a vehicle, to efficiently and accurately couple the selectively movable assembly to a trailer.

2. Background of the Invention

Many diverse types of trailers are used to selectively haul goods and material and/or to provide shelter and accommodation for individuals. While many such diverse types of trailers are indeed utilized, they typically all require some sort of attachment to a vehicle or other type of selectively movable assembly in order to allow such trailers to become mobile and to increase their overall usefulness.

Typically, the selectively movable assembly which is to be connected to a trailer has a trailer connection portion or member or assembly which may comprise what is sometimes referred to as a “kingpin” (e.g., a “kingpin” is permanently attached to the front underside of a trailer) and which must be placed within a certain location relative to the trailer to be towed (e.g., typically the “kingpin” portion of the selectively movable assembly slides into a slot on what is typically referred to as a “fifth wheel plate” which is typically and permanently attached to a frame member of the towing vehicle (i.e., a semi-tractor trailer connection)). Such placement typically requires the selectively movable assembly to be driven in a very precise manner towards the trailer (e.g., in a manner which allows the trailer connection portion or trailer connection assembly to actually receive or to be connected to a portion of the trailer which is often know as “the hitch or the tongue portion”).

The placement of the trailer connection member/portion/assembly to the trailer is often difficult since the trailer connection member/portion/assembly and the portion of the trailer which is to be coupled or connected to the trailer connection member/assembly/portion are each typically out of the sight of the driver and the passengers of the selectively movable assembly. This “lack of view” of the trailer connection portion/assembly/member of the selectively movable assembly and of the portion of the trailer which is to be coupled to the trailer connection portion/assembly/member makes the required precise movement of the selectively movable assembly difficult to accomplish and requires much effort and time in order to allow such desired connection to occur (e.g., oftentimes an individual is required to stand by the trailer and to signal to the driver of the selectively movable assembly to move the selectively movable assembly in certain manner in order to accomplish the desired connection).

There is therefore a need and it is an non-limiting objective of these various inventions to provide a method and an apparatus which provides for an efficient connection of a selectively movable assembly to a trailer and to a method and an assembly which allows a driver of a vehicle to continually view the trailer connection portion/assembly/member of a selectively movable assembly in order to allow the selectively movable assembly to be quickly and efficiently coupled to a trailer. These and other benefits of the various inventions are more fully set forth below. It should be appreciated that the foregoing term “trailer connection portion/member/assembly” generally refers to any tangible entity which allows a selectively movable assembly to be coupled to a trailer. Further, each of the terms “trailer connection member,” “trailer connection assembly” and “trailer connection portion” each refer to this tangible entity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a method and an assembly which allows a selectively movable assembly to quickly and efficiently and consistently be coupled to a trailer.

It is a second non-limiting object of the present invention to provide an assembly which allows those residing within the passenger compartment of a vehicle to view the connection between the vehicle and a trailer.

It is a third non-limiting object of the present invention to provide a methodology which allows those residing within the passenger compartment of a vehicle to view the connection between a vehicle and a trailer.

It is a fourth non-limiting object of the present invention to provide an assembly which provides the operator of a selectively movable assembly a continual view of the trailer coupling portion of the selectively movable assembly and which is cost effective, has a relatively un-complicated design which reduces the likelihood of failure due to wear, which obviates the need for tools and other mounting apparatuses, which is aesthetically pleasing, and which is removably but securely attached to the selectively movable assembly in a manner which allows such attachment to remain integral even in a wide variety of climatic conditions.

According to a first non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a viewing assembly for use with a vehicle of the type having a trailer coupling assembly and a passenger compartment is provided. Particularly, the viewing assembly includes a first portion which resides upon the vehicle; and a second mirrored portion which selectively and movably resides within the first portion and which provides a view of the trailer coupling assembly to one who resides within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

According to a second non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a viewing assembly for use with a vehicle of the type having a trailer coupling assembly and a passenger compartment is provided. Particularly, the viewing assembly includes a magnetic base member which is selectively attached to an exterior surface of the vehicle which is remote from the passenger compartment; a first elbow member which is coupled to the magnetic base member; a second straight member which is coupled to the first elbow member; a third elbow member which is coupled to the second straight member; a fourth member which is selectively and rotatably coupled to the third member; and a mirror which is rotatably received within the fourth member and which provides a image of the trailer coupling assembly to those residing within the passenger compartment.

According to a third non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a viewing assembly which provides an unobstructed view of a trailer coupling assembly to one who resides within a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. Particularly, the viewing assembly includes a first elbow which includes a first portion which orthogonally projects from a portion of the vehicle along a first axis, the first portion further including a magnet which selectively and removably attaches the first portion of the first elbow to the portion of the vehicle, and wherein the first elbow including a second portion which terminates into the first portion and which forms an acute angle with respect to the first portion; a body which includes a first end which is selectively and removably received within the second portion of the first elbow which extends from the first elbow along a certain axis, and which includes a second end; a second elbow which includes a first portion which selectively and removably receives the second end of the body and a second portion which lies along an axis which is parallel to the portion of the vehicle upon which the magnet is attached; and a mirror portion which includes a member which rotatably resides within the second portion and which further includes a mirror which is disposed upon the member.

According to a fourth non-limiting aspect of the present invention, a method for connecting a selectively movable assembly to a trailer is provided. Particularly, the selectively movable assembly is of the type having a trailer connection member and wherein the method includes the steps of placing an assembly of members upon an external surface of the vehicle; placing a mirror onto the assembly of members; and moving the mirror within the assembly of members until the mirror occupies a position in which the mirror provides a view of the trailer connection member; and using the mirrored view to connect the trailer to the trailer connection member.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, including the subjoined claims, and by reference to the following drawings.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a viewing assembly10which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Particularly, the viewing assembly10includes a mirror portion12having, in one non-limiting embodiment, a first member13with a front reflective convex surface14, and a second member15having the substantially same shape as member13and further having an opaque back surface16. It should be appreciated that surface14may be multi-faceted and that the members13and15may be of any desired shape and size. The member13includes an opaque back surface17and the member15includes an opaque front surface18. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the mirror portion12is generally rectangular in shape, although other shapes may be utilized and that nothing in this description should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular size or shape of a mirror and that was is shown is for illustrative purposes only.

The viewing assembly10further includes a generally circular shaped magnet20having a central “through type opening” or orifice21and a member22which may, in one non-limiting embodiment, comprise a commercially available SCH 40-PVC ½ inch end cap and which is adapted to be coupled to the magnet20by the use of a rivet28(e.g., the rivet28is placed through the opening21and through the member22). In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the rivet28comprises a commercially available aluminum rivet having a diameter of about 3/16 of an inch and a grip of about ¼ of an inch.

The viewing assembly10further includes a commercially available rivet “back up plate”30which is attached to the member22and which frictionally receives the grip portion2of the rivet28as it extends through the member22(e.g., the plate30cooperates with rivot28to secure magnet20onto member22), and a member34which, in one non-limiting embodiment, comprises a SCH 40 PVC pipe or SCH 315 thinwall pipe having an outside diameter of about ⅞th of an inch and a length of about 1¼ of an inch. The member34is frictionally coupled to and receives the member22, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, although the member34may be coupled to the member22by substantially any other desired coupling methodologies (e.g., such as by the use of glue and/or cement material). In fact, all required coupling, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, may be achieved by such use of glue or other commercially available material.

The viewing assembly10further includes a member36which, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, comprises a commercially available SCH 40 PVC elbow having a forty-five degree bending angle and an outside diameter of about 1⅛ of an inch. The member36selectively and frictionally receives the member34and/or may be coupled to the member34by substantially any other desired technique or strategy (e.g., such as by the use of glue and/or cement and/or other materials or physical entities). As is further shown, the viewing assembly10also includes a straight member or pipe40which, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, comprises a commercially available SCH 40 PVC pipe having a length of about 9 inches and an outside diameter of about ⅞ of an inch. The pipe or body member/portion40is selectively and frictionally received into the elbow36and may be connected to the elbow36by the use of other and/or additional coupling techniques or strategies, such as by the use of glue or another type of adhesive material.

The viewing assembly10further includes a member42which is made to selectively and frictionally receive the pipe or body member40and which may, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, comprise a commercially available SCH 40 PVC elbow member having a forty five degree angle of bend and an inside diameter of about ½ of an inch. Other connection methodologies and techniques may be utilized to attach the member42to the member40(e.g., such as by the use of glue and/or cement).

The viewing assembly10further includes a member44which is frictionally received by the member42and/or attached to the member42by a conventional attachment methodology and/or technique. In one non-limiting embodiment, the member44comprises a commercially available ½ inch SCH 40/315 PVC pipe having an outside diameter of about ⅞ of an inch and a length of about 1¼ of an inch. The viewing assembly10further includes an elbow member48which, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, comprises a commercially available SCH 40 PVC elbow having a 90 degree angle of bending and an outside diameter of about 1⅛ of an inch. The member44is selectively and frictionally placed within the member48or connected to the member48by substantially any other desired and conventional securing technique and/or methodology.

The viewing assembly10further includes a relatively straight member or pipe50which, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, comprises a commercially available SCH 40 PVC pipe having an outside diameter of about ⅞ of an inch and a length of about 7¼ inches. The member50may be selectively and frictionally received by the member48and/or secured to the member48by the use of conventional fastener methodologies or techniques. The viewing assembly10further includes an end cap portion or member60which selectively and frictionally receives the member50and/or is attached to the member50by any other commercially available techniques and/or strategies. Further, the surface16of member15is attached to the member50by the use of four rivets70,72,74,76. Rivets70,72,74,76each comprise a commercially available aluminum rivet having a diameter of ⅛ of an inch and a grip range of about 3/16 to ¼ of an inch and may be oriented through the surface16in any desired direction or spatial orientation. The surface17of the member13may be attached to the surface18of the member15by glue or some other conventional fastener strategy and methodology. It should be appreciated that the member50(seeFIG. 2) may be selectively rotatable around axis80as it resides within the member48and that the combination of the members48,44, and42may cooperatively form a first elbow portion and that the members22,34,36may cooperatively form a second elbow portion. It should be appreciated that the various previously delineated components or portions of the viewing assembly10(with the exception of the convex reflective portion14) may be constructed from polyvinylchloride (e.g., “pvc” material) or from another material such as plastic or a composite material. It should be further appreciated that each of the members20,22,30,34,36,40,42,44,48,50,60, and12are substantially rigid and that there is only “one moving part” (e.g., the rotating member50).

In operation, as is perhaps best shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, a selectively movable assembly, such as truck90which includes a passenger compartment92where a driver94traditionally resides may utilize the viewing assembly10. Particularly, the selectively movable assembly90is of the type which typically includes at least one mirror, such as rear view mirror96. It should be appreciated that the provided mirror or mirrors may be placed within or may be placed outside of the passenger compartment92and that nothing in this description is to be construed to limit the various inventions to a particular type or to a particular kind of selectively movable assembly. Moreover, the selectively movable assembly90includes a back surface98, such as a tail gate, and a trailer connection portion or member99(e.g., such as, by way of example and without limitation a kingpin or other member) which may be selectively and precisely aligned with the trailer connecting member (e.g. a trailer tongue or hitch portion)100which emanates from a trailer102which is to be selectively coupled to the selectively movable assembly90and which is to be towed from the selectively movable assembly90. It should be appreciated that portion/member99may be of substantially any shape, size, of configuration and that portion100may also be of substantially and shape, size, or configuration.

To facilitate the connection of portion99to portion100, after the assembly10is assembled, the magnet20is attached to the portion98(e.g., the magnetic energy which emanates from the magnet20causes the magnet to adhere to the portion98which includes some metal material), the mirrored surface14is directed along directional line104(e.g., toward the passenger compartment92) and the member50is rotated along the axis80until the mirrored surface14provides the at least one mirror96an image of the portion99along view path93(e.g., the image of portion99is captured by the mirror12along view path91). It should be appreciated that the axis80is parallel to the portion98of the selectively movable assembly90and is parallel to the axis89which passes through the magnet20, which lies upon the portion98and which is parallel to the ground9upon which the selectively movable assembly90resides. It should be further appreciated that member36forms a 45 degree angle with respect to surface98and member34orthogonally projects from surface98and that the viewing assembly10, when assembled upon portion98, forms a generally “c” shape.

In this manner, as the selectively movable assembly is moved toward the trailer102, the driver94is given a continual image of the portion99(e.g., the provided image is presented to the driver/operator94within the at least one mirror96) and, as the portion99becomes proximate to the portion100, the image given to the driver94is of both the portions99and100, allowing the driver94to efficiently and accurately place the portion99in desired alignment with the portion100. One may, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, place a mark110upon the portion50and a corresponding mark112upon the portion48in order to allow the mirror12to always be located in the desired location to provide the desired image.

It should be realized that the magnet20will cause the viewing assembly10to be selectively and removably coupled to the portion98in a wide variety of climatic conditions and that such a magnet is therefore operationally superior to the use of a “suction cup” which may become dislodged in cold or wet weather. Further, it should be realized that the use of the magnet20obviates the need for any tools or installation materials (e.g. tools or fasteners) with which to adhere the viewing assembly10to the selectively movable assembly90, thereby allowing the installation to be relatively efficient and to obviate the need for holes or other types of structural modifications to the selectively movable assembly90, thereby providing a more pleasing overall aesthetic appearance since the viewing assembly may be removed from the selectively movable assembly90when not in use and the selectively movable assembly90will have the same appearance as it had before the viewing assembly10was deployed upon it. Further, it should be appreciated that the overall design of the viewing assembly is relatively uncomplicated and does not require a telescoping assembly or a “ball and socket” type assembly which requires many moving parts and which is prone to wear and fatigue type failure. Further, it should be appreciated that the end cap portion60provides a convenient and safe way for a user to “twist” member50in order to adjust the angle of view without damaging member15or the viewing assembly10. It should be further appreciated that the term “trailer” refers to any assembly which is to be selectively connected to a selectively movable assembly and that nothing in this description is meant to limit the present inventions to a particular type of trailer. Further, the general “c” shape of the viewing assembly10importantly allows for the assembly10to be placed upon the selectively movable assembly, such as truck90, to capture the view of the trailer connection portion99and of portion100, and to provide these images to the driver/operator94. Placement of the assembly10upon the selectively movable assembly, such as truck90, provide for a shorter distance that the captured image must be transmitted to the driver/operator94(as opposed to placing the assembly10upon the trailer102), thereby providing a consistently sharper and cleaner image.

It is to be understood that the various delineated inventions are not restricted to the exact embodiments which have been described above, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the inventions as they are delineated in the following claims. In an additional and non-limiting embodiment, commercially safety tape may be applied to end cap60in order to enhance the ability of a user to grab the end cap60.