Abstract:
A device to hasten the process of attaching a trailer, primarily a gooseneck variety, to a towing vehicle. The invention temporarily snaps on the towing ball of the vehicle and, when contacted with the trailer tongue, is activated and partially lowered. This action is observed by the vehicle driver and indicates a quick and sure position for attachment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     “Not Applicable” 
       REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0002]     “Not Applicable” 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0003]     “Not Applicable” 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0004]     “Not Applicable” 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0006]     This invention relates to simplifying a problem associated with attaching a trailer to a vehicle.  
         [0007]     2. Discussion of the Prior Art  
         [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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.  
         [0010]     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 devise to show the location of the towing ball in relation to the trailer tongue when the optimum point to hitch is reached.  
         [0011]     Although other solutions have been presented, we believe, a simple, inexpensive method should be introduced as the following invention provides.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The inventions primary components consist of a support body, with a vertical hollow pipe attached, a larger hollow pipe that is spring loaded and a solid rod. The support body snaps on a towing ball and has a flexible strip attached to secure the invention to the ball. The smaller hollow pipe stands vertically in front of the ball and has the solid rod inside, which extends above the vertical pipe. The larger diameter spring loaded pipe is shorter, slips over the vertical pipe and rests against the support body top.  
         [0013]     When a trailer tongue is positioned to contact and push the spring loaded pipe mechanism, the rod inside the vertical pipe drops farther down. The rod is visible from the drivers position in a towing vehicle and, when it drops, signifies the trailer tongue is in position to lower. Then, the invention is removed to clear the ball for hitching. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is the invention positioned on a towing ball.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  shows the flexible strap attached inside the support body and pulled up to bypass a towing ball.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is an upscale view of the vertical pipe, displayed in  FIG. 1 , fastened to the center plate of the support body using bolts and wing nuts.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a detailed drawing of the spring loaded pipe assembly, as shown placed on the vertical pipe in  FIG. 1  with cutaways to reveal the enter function.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  shows an upscale view of the activated and lowered solid rod, as it stands, inside the vertical pipe. The set screw tip is in a groove to lock the rod inside if, or when, the invention is stored away.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  shows one set of the two spring and hole plug assemblies, when detached from the spring loaded pipe. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a towing ball  11  with the support body  12  of the invention positioned on the ball  11 . The support body  12  has a center plate  13  with two open slots  14 . The rear portion of the support body  15  attaches to the ball  11  and, except for a cut opening, is compatible to the ball  11  diameter. The said opening is smaller, thus, creating a snap on coupling. A flexible strap  16  partially circles the ball  11  diameter at the opening in the front portion  15 . This prevents the ball  11  separating from the support body  12  if excessive pressure is applied to activate the invention.  
         [0021]     The vertical pipe  17  is attached to the center plate  13  with two machine bolts  18  and wing nuts  19 . The spring loaded pipe assembly  20  is placed on the vertical pipe  17 . The solid rod  21  is inside the vertical pipe  17  and extends above.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a reversed inside view of the support body  12  to illustrate the flexible strap  16 . The strap  16  passes through two slots  22  in the support body  12  and extends over the front portion  15 . This provides clearance to engage and disengage the invention from the towing ball  11 . Two screws  33 , one on each side, secures the strap  16  to the support body  12 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is an upscale view of the center plate  13 , of the support body  12 , and  4 . shows the vertical pipe  17  attached. Two bolts  18  are through holes in the vertical pipe  17  and slots  14  on the center plate  13 . The wing-nuts  19  lock the vertical pipe  17 , after it is adjusted to be compatible with the diameter of a trailer tongue. This adjustment positions the tongue over the towing ball  11  for proper alignment when the function of the invention is initiated.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a partial drawing of the spring loaded pipe assembly  20  and has a centerline cutaway to demonstrate how the components function inside. The top end cap  23  is typical and slotted  24  to allow back and forth movement over the vertical pipe  17 . The spring  25  is typical and used to maintain pressure against the vertical pipe  17 . The typical hole  29  provides positioning for the spring  25  and a typical self-locking hole plug  27  secures the spring  25  in position. A set screw  28  is screwed into the front side of the pipe assembly  20 . The screw  28  passes through an open hole  26  in the vertical pipe  17  and is adjusted to position stop the solid rod  21  inside.  
         [0025]     The objective of the invention, being to signal the desired position of a trailer tongue in reference to a towing ball  11 , is met, when the tongue contacts and pushes the spring loaded pipe assembly  20 . Pressure applied to the spring loaded area, on the pipe assembly  20 , forces the set screw  28  to back out through the open hole  26  in the vertical pipe  17 . Thus, the set screw  28  no longer supports the solid rod  21 . The rod  21  drops from an extended height inside to a mere fingergrip position above the vertical pipe  17 . Now, after the invention is removed, the trailer tongue is ready to be lowered and hitched to the towing ball  11 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  shows the solid rod  21  after it has dropped inside the vertical pipe  17 . A groove  30  circles the rod  21 . The set screw  28  fits in the groove  30  and, because of the initial pressure applied by the springs  25 , the rod  21  is locked in place. This is convenient to insure all parts of the invention stay intact when removed from a ball  11  and stored away. The rod  21  is unlocked if minimal pressure is forced to the spring loaded pipe assembly.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a enhanced view of the typical spring  25  positioned inside the typical self-locking hole plug  27 .  
         [0028]     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invented device, PVC pipe is used to fabricate the two round portions of the support body  12 . However, a plastic mold, with the foregoing center plate  13  included, is another means to create the support body  12 . The center plate  13  is durable plastic and, in this case, Lexan polycarbonate. The preceding parts, as needed, are bonded together with Goop plumbers contact adhesive. The vertical pipe  17  and the spring loaded pipe body  20  are both fabricated from PVC pipe sections. In addition, the two end caps  23  are PVC fittings. The screws  28  and  33 , nuts  19  and machine bolts  18  are standard grade, cadmium plated, fittings. Preferably, the compression springs  25  used are generated from 1 mm diameter metal stock and have a 6.84 lb. capacity rating. The springs  25  are secured in the holes  29  with either plastic or metal self-locking hole plugs  27 . Molded rubber is the preferred material used for the flexible strap  16  that secures the invention to the towing ball  11 ; and, best suited, has the size and like consistency of E.P.D.M. strap material. In conclusion, the solid rod  21  is plastic material and is comparable to round molded electric fence stays.  
         [0029]     Those skilled in the art will understand, from the foregoing, that the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments and that substitutions or changes in materials or configuration may be made and still fit within the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the accompanying claims.