Patent Publication Number: US-2005121879-A1

Title: Trailer hitch alignment system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Technical Field  
      The present invention relates to a system for aligning a hitch ball of a trailer hitch that is attached to a towing vehicle with a corresponding socket on a trailer to be towed by the vehicle.  
      2. Background Information  
      Connecting a towing vehicle to a trailer can be a difficult, tedious, time-consuming, and aggravating task. In order to connect a towing vehicle to a trailer, the driver of the towing vehicle must back the towing vehicle towards the trailer until the hitch ball is directly below the socket. However, the driver cannot see either the hitch ball or the socket while attempting to align them. Therefore, unless the driver has a passenger who can exit the vehicle and verbally guide him or her, the driver must use trial and error. The driver backs the towing vehicle a bit toward the trailer, exits the towing vehicle to observe the alignment of the hitch ball and the socket, and then backs the towing vehicle up again, hoping for a better position. The driver may have to repeat this process several times before the hitch ball and socket are properly aligned. The driver may even have to restart the process several times, depending on luck and how experienced a driver he or she is. Thus, there is a need for a system to assist a driver in aligning a hitch ball of a vehicle with a socket of a trailer, so that the driver need not leave the towing vehicle or rely on another person for guidance.  
      Many systems for aligning trailer hitches exist. Some include mechanisms that guide the hitch ball underneath the socket once the hitch ball is partially aligned with the socket. Other systems include poles vertically extending from both the hitch ball and the socket that are visible to the driver of the towing vehicle. Different types of mirrors exist that are attachable to the rear of a towing vehicle, so that the driver ostensibly can view the hitch ball and socket in the rear view mirror. More complicated trailer hitch alignment systems employ sensors, light beams, and sound generators. The trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention includes a guide that is removably attachable to the rear view mirror of the towing vehicle, a guide that is removably attachable to the rear window of the towing vehicle, and a vertically oriented rod extending upward from the top of the hitch socket.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a trailer hitch alignment system for aligning a hitch ball of a towing vehicle with a corresponding socket of a trailer to be towed by the vehicle. The present trailer hitch alignment system includes: 
          (a) a trailer vertical rod assembly mountable on the trailer, which includes a rod that extends in a vertical direction;     (b) a stop mountable on the trailer hitch;     (c) a rear view mirror line tab attachable to a rear view mirror of the towing vehicle; and     (d) a rear line tab attachable to a rear window of the towing vehicle, or to an inside of a tailgate where the towing vehicle is a truck. Alternatively, a trunk vertical rod assembly that is attachable to a trunk lid of the towing vehicle may be utilized instead of a rear line tab. The trunk rod assembly is preferably removably attachable to a centerline of the trunk lid by means of a magnet in the trunk rod assembly.        

      The trailer vertical rod assembly preferably includes: 
          (a) a hollow receiver sleeve with an aperture at an upper end;     (b) a rod removably insertable through the receiver sleeve aperture into the hollow of the receiver sleeve; and     (c) a detachable pin for securing the rod within the receiver sleeve. The rod stands vertically in the receiver sleeve so that it is visible to a driver of the towing vehicle.        

      When the present trailer hitch alignment system is in use, the driver backs the towing vehicle toward a trailer while aligning: (1) the rear mirror line tab; (2) the rear line tab in the rear window or on the tailgate, or the trunk vertical rod assembly; and (3) the rod. This aligns the hitch ball so that it ends up under the socket. Then when the stop contacts a flange on the trailer hitch socket, the trailer hitch ball and trailer socket are also vertically aligned and ready for connection. The rear mirror line tab may be on the mirror portion of the rear view mirror, or on the mirror adjustment lever below the rear view mirror. The present alignment system may also comprise a receiver sleeve attachment assembly having an inverted U-shaped or L-shaped brace and an attachment arm for mounting the receiver sleeve above the center of the trailer socket. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:  
       FIG. 1  shows a side elevational view of a trailer vertical rod assembly and a stop of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention, shown in use;  
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention, shown in use;  
       FIG. 4A  is a front elevational view of a stop of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4B  is a side elevational view of a stop of a trailer hitch alignment system shown in  FIG. 4A ;  
       FIG. 5A  is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a stop of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 5B  is a side elevational view of an alternate embodiment of a stop of a trailer hitch alignment system shown in  FIG. 5A ;  
       FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a rear mirror line tab of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention, shown attached to a vehicle&#39;s rear view mirror;  
       FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a rear line tab of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention, shown attached to a vehicle&#39;s rear window;  
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a receiver sleeve attachment assembly according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  shows a side elevational view of a trailer vertical rod assembly and a stop of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a tailgate line tab of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention, shown attached to a vehicle&#39;s tailgate; and  
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a trunk vertical rod assembly of a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention, shown attached to a vehicle&#39;s truck lid. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also, in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “front,” “rear,” “within,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms. Referring in more detail to the drawings, the invention will now be described.  
      Turning first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention, generally referred to herein as  10 , comprises a stop  13  mountable on a trailer hitch  19  on a vehicle  25 , and a trailer vertical rod assembly  12  mountable on a corresponding socket  14  on a tongue  15  of a trailer  29  to be towed by the vehicle  25 . In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the trailer vertical rod assembly  12  comprises a receiver sleeve  11  and a removable rod  12 A mountable in the receiver sleeve. The receiver sleeve  11  is mountable on a top side of a downwardly facing trailer hitch socket  14 . The receiver sleeve  11 , which is preferably cylindrical in shape, is centered on the top side of the socket  14 , so that the receiver sleeve extends upward in a vertical direction. The receiver sleeve  11  is made of a rigid material such as metal or plastic. It may be welded, bolted, or riveted to the trailer socket  14 . Alternatively, a permanent magnet removably attaches the receiver sleeve  11  to the trailer socket  14 . The receiver sleeve  11  is hollow with a generally circular aperture at its top end  16  for accommodating the rod  12 A. When the rod  12 A is in the receiver sleeve  11 , a bottom end of the rod preferably contacts a bottom end  17  of the receiver sleeve  11 .  
      The rod  12 A of the trailer vertical rod assembly  12  is removably insertable in the aperture of the receiver sleeve  11  such that it extends vertically upward from the receiver sleeve  11 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The rod  12 A is preferably slender, solid, somewhat flexible, and generally cylindrical in shape, and has a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the aperture in the receiver sleeve  11 . The rod  12 A is of sufficient length for its upper end to be seen from the rear view mirror  24  of the towing vehicle  25  (see  FIG. 2 ). There is preferably only one rod in the alignment system  10 , as only one is necessary.  
      As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the trailer vertical rod assembly preferably further comprises a detachable pin  22 , which further secures the rod  12 A within the receiver sleeve  11 . To remove the rod  12 A when the alignment system  10  is not in use, the pin  22 , which is preferably generally U-shaped, is removed and the rod is removed and stored until the next use. This is advantageous because the rod  12 A is less likely to be broken if it is in storage when the alignment system is not in use.  
      Also depicted in  FIG. 1  is a trailer latching clip  63  for holding the trailer hitch ball  18  in the socket once the coupling process described herein is completed. The trailer usually comes with a latching clip  63  on top of and just in front of the trailer socket  14 .  
      Continuing with  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the stop  13  is mounted directly behind the hitch ball  18  (i.e., between the towing vehicle and the hitch ball  18 ) on an upper side of the ball mount  19 A of the trailer hitch  19 . The trailer hitch  19  is attached to the rear of the towing vehicle  25 . The stop  13  may alternatively be permanently mounted on the trailer hitch  19 . The stop  13  is preferably mounted on the curved ball mount portion  19 A of the trailer hitch  19 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . This placement of the stop is advantageous in that it permits an angled approach to the trailer. Even if the towing vehicle is angled with respect to the trailer, the trailer socket will nevertheless strike the stop when it is mounted on the trailer hitch. If a stop were to instead be mounted on the trailer behind the socket, and the towing vehicle were to approach the trailer at an angle, the hitch ball would likely miss the stop. Thus, the coupling process (of the towing vehicle to the trailer) would not go as smoothly as it does when the present invention is utilized.  
      In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the stop  13  comprises a stop brace  20  and a generally planar stop plate  21 . The stop brace  20  is generally triangular in shape, when viewed from the side, while the stop plate  21  braced by the brace is generally rectangular in shape. The height of the stop plate  21  is preferably greater than the height of the hitch ball. A longitudinal axis of the stop plate  21  is approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle  25 , so the stop plate is generally parallel to a bumper  57  of the towing vehicle. The longitudinal axis of the towing vehicle  25  is at  53  in  FIG. 3 . A rear side  49  of the stop plate  21  faces the trailer hitch ball  18 , which is behind the vehicle.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the stop brace  20  is attached to a front side  50  of the stop plate  21 , which is opposite the rear side  49  of the stop plate  21 . A longitudinal axis of the stop brace  20  is preferably perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stop plate  21 . The lower ends of the stop plate  21  and the stop brace  20  are mounted on the trailer hitch  19 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , so they extend upward in a generally vertical direction.  
      An upper portion of the stop  13  extends vertically above the level of the trailer hitch ball  18 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The stop plate  21  is taller than the trailer hitch ball  18 , so that the stop  13  contacts the flange  32  on the trailer socket  14  when the hitch ball  18  is aligned with the trailer socket  14  (see  FIG. 1 ). The slight jar alerts the driver, who is waiting for the contact, to stop the towing vehicle.  
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show an alternate embodiment of a stop plate  13 A, where an end of the stop brace  20 A, but not the stop plate  21 A, is mountable on the trailer hitch  19 . In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the generally rectangular-shaped stop plate  21 A is mounted on the generally rectangular-shaped stop brace  20 A. The stop plate  21 A preferably has a width that approximately matches the distance from the top of the hitch ball  18  to the top of the trailer socket  14 , so that the stop plate strikes the trailer socket flange  32  once the towing vehicle has been backed up a sufficient distance for the hitch ball to be in position under the trailer socket. This contact signals the driver to stop the vehicle immediately.  
      Alternate means of attaching the stop  13  to the trailer hitch  19  are suitable for use herein. In one embodiment, the stop  13  is bolted to the trailer hitch  19 . In an alternate embodiment, a permanent magnet attaches the stop  13  to the trailer hitch  19 . Alternatively, the stop  13  is permanently attached to the trailer hitch  19 . The stop  13  may be riveted, bolted, or welded to the trailer hitch  19 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 2, 6 , and  7 , the trailer hitch alignment system  10  further comprises at least two tabs, preferably a planar rear view mirror line tab  23  and a planar rear line tab  26 . The tabs  23 ,  26  are preferably made of a thin plastic material that removably adheres to mirror and car window glass. The rear view mirror line tab  23  is removably attachable to the rear view mirror  24  of the towing vehicle  25 , and the rear line tab  26  is removably attachable to a rear window  27  of the towing vehicle  25 . The rear line tab  26  is attached to either the inside or the outside of the rear window  27 . In use, the rear view mirror line tab  23  and the rear line tab  26  are attached to the center of the rear view mirror  24  and the rear window  27 , so that the rear view mirror line tab  23  and the rear line tab  26  are horizontally aligned with the trailer hitch ball  18 , which is centered in the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the rear view mirror line tab  23  is vertically oriented on the center of the rear view mirror  24  and the rear line tab  26  is vertically oriented on the center of the vehicle&#39;s rear window  27 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
      Both the rear view mirror line tab  23  and the rear line tab  26  comprise an adhesive on their bottom faces, so that the line tabs  23 ,  26  can be removably attached to the rear view mirror  24  and the rear window  27 , respectively. In an alternate embodiment, a suction cup is attached to the bottom face of the rear view mirror line tab  23  for removably attaching the rear mirror line tab  23  to the rear view mirror  24 . In another alternate embodiment, first and second suction cups  64 A,  64 B at opposite ends of the rear line tab  26  allow removable attachment of the rear line tab  26  to the rear window  27 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , or to a front face of a tailgate where the towing vehicle is a pick-up truck. In still another alternate embodiment, the rear view mirror line tab  23  removably snaps onto the rear view mirror light deflection lever  65 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in yet another embodiment, the rear mirror line tab  23  is incorporated into (e.g., printed on) a first sheet of transparent plastic  54  or the like, which is preferably the size of and insertable in and attachable to the rear view mirror portion  24  within the rear view mirror frame  55  (see  FIG. 6 ). Alternatively, a rear mirror line tab  23  may be placed on the rear view mirror light deflection lever  65  directly below the rear view mirror portion  24  (see  FIG. 6 ). As shown in  FIG. 7 , the rear window line tab  26  is incorporated into (e.g., printed on) a second sheet of transparent plastic  56 , most preferably an 8½ by 11 inch sheet. The second transparent sheet  56  is insertable in and removably attachable to the vehicle&#39;s rear window  27 . The first and second transparent sheets  54 ,  56  are removably attachable to the rear view mirror  24  and the rear window  27  by virtue of static electricity. Alternatively, the bottom faces of the first and second transparent sheets  54 ,  56  are coated with adhesive, so that the transparent sheets  54 ,  56  removably adhere to the rear view mirror  24  and the rear window  27 , respectively. In another alternative embodiment, suction cups  64  attached to the bottom face of the second transparent sheet  56  removably secure the second transparent sheet  56  to the rear window  27 . Preferably, the line tabs  23 ,  26  are brightly colored (e.g., fluorescent), so that they are clearly visible to a driver  28  of the towing vehicle  25 . Most preferably, the line tabs  23 ,  26  are reflective so that they are clearly visible to the driver  28  of the towing vehicle  25  at night.  
      Prior to using the alignment system  10 , the receiver sleeve  11  must be attached to the socket  14  on the tongue  15  of the trailer  29 , the rod  12 A must be secured within the receiver sleeve  11 , and the level of the trailer socket  14  must be above the level of the trailer hitch ball  18  (see  FIG. 1 ). If the trailer hitch ball  18  is not lower than the trailer socket  14 , the driver  28  can use a jack  31  to elevate the trailer  29  to an appropriate level.  
      Once the alignment system  10  is in place on the towing vehicle and the trailer, the driver  28  backs the towing vehicle  25  toward the trailer  29  while assuring that the rear view mirror line tab  23 , the rear line tab  26 , and the rod  12 A are aligned (i.e., on top of one another). The driver&#39;s line of sight is indicated by the dashed lines in  FIG. 2 . If one of the three moves out of alignment, the driver  28  slows the vehicle  25  and steers it into a position where the three are again aligned. When the rear mirror line tab  23 , rear window line tab  26 , and rod  12 A are aligned, the trailer hitch ball  18  and the trailer socket  14  are horizontally aligned. The driver  28  continues slowly backing the towing vehicle  25  toward the trailer  29  until the stop  13  contacts a flange  32  on the socket  14 , which indicates that the trailer hitch ball  18  and the trailer socket  14  are vertically aligned. The driver  28  quickly stops the vehicle  25 , exits the vehicle, and lowers the trailer socket  14  onto the trailer hitch ball  18 , normally using a jack  31 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Once the connection is complete, the trailer  29  can be towed to the desired location.  
      With the present alignment system  10 , the trailer socket  14  may be approached from an odd angle, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Even though the vehicle  25  depicted in  FIG. 3  is approaching the trailer  29  at approximately a 135 degree angle with respect to the trailer, horizontal alignment of the rear mirror line tab  23 , the rear window line tab  26 , and the rod  12 A results in the horizontal alignment of the hitch ball  18  and the trailer socket  14 . The driver  28  need not repeatedly exit the vehicle  25  to determine his or her progress.  
      receiver sleeve attachment assembly for removably mounting the receiver sleeve to the trailer socket.  
      Looking at  FIG. 8A , a receiver sleeve attachment assembly  30  for removably mounting the receiver sleeve  11  above the center of the top side of the socket  14  comprises a generally L-shaped section  33 A and an attachment arm  34 . The attachment arm  34  is generally rectangular in shape. The L-shaped section  33  has a horizontal portion  43  and a vertical portion  44 . As shown in  FIG. 8A , the vertical portion  44  of the L-shaped section  33  is attached to the first end  51  of the attachment arm  34 , preferably by bolts or first rivets  37  extending through the L-shaped section  33  and the attachment arm  34 . A second end  52  of the attachment arm  34  is attachable to the trailer tongue  15 .  
      In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A , the attachment arm  34  comprises generally circular, spaced apart, first holes  38  in a second end  52  of the attachment arm  34  opposite to the L-shaped section  33 . The receiver sleeve attachment assembly  30  is connected to the trailer tongue  15  by bolts  39  extending through first holes  38  in the attachment arm  34  and generally circular, corresponding second holes  40  in a side of the trailer tongue  15 . Furthermore, the horizontal portion  43  of the L-shaped section  33  comprises a generally circular, threaded, horizontal portion hole  35  that is larger than the first and second holes  38 ,  40 . The receiver sleeve  11  has a threaded end  41 , whose threads complement the threads of the horizontal portion hole  35  in the L-shaped section, which is insertable in the horizontal portion hole for coupling with the receiver sleeve attachment assembly  30 .  
      Continuing with  FIG. 8A , a first, threaded nut  36  placed over the threaded section  41  abuts a top side of the horizontal portion  43  of the L-shaped section  33 . A second, threaded nut  42  placed over the threaded section  41  after the threaded end  41  is screwed into the third hole  35  abuts a bottom side of the horizontal portion  43  of the L-shaped section  33 . The nuts  36 ,  42  further secure the receiver sleeve  11  to the receiver sleeve attachment assembly  30 .  
      Alternatively, the receiver sleeve  11  is mounted directly on the center of the top side of the trailer socket  14 . In one embodiment, the receiver sleeve  11  is bolted to the socket  14 . In another embodiment, a permanent magnet removably attaches the receiver sleeve  11  to the trailer socket  14 . The receiver sleeve  11  may also be permanently mounted to the socket  14 . For example, the receiver sleeve  11  may be welded or riveted to the socket  14 .  
       FIG. 8A  also shows the interaction of the pin  22 , which is generally U-shaped, with the receiver sleeve  11  and the rod  12 A. The pin  22  comprises a linear pin section  47  continuous at one end with and opposite to a curved pin section  48 . The linear pin section  47  is insertable in a generally circular fourth hole  45  extending transversely through the receiver sleeve  11 , and a generally circular fifth hole  46  extending transversely through the rod  12 A. When the pin  22  is in place, the curved pin section  48  contacts the outside of the receiver sleeve  11 .  
      Turning to  FIG. 8B , an alternative, yoke-shaped receiver sleeve attachment assembly  80  is also for removably mounting the receiver sleeve  11  above the center of the top side of the socket  14 . This yoke-shaped attachment assembly  80  comprises a generally inverted U-shaped section  73  and matching arms  74  for attaching the section to the trailer. The matching arms  74  are shaped to fit the configuration of the trailer. Second rivets  77  attach a first, bottom end  78  and a second, bottom end  79  of the U-shaped section  73  to third ends  82  of the matching arms  74 . A substantially horizontal section  81  of the U-shaped section  73  comprises a generally circular, threaded receiver sleeve hole  75  for receiving the threaded end  41  of the receiver sleeve  11 . Bolts  39  extending through second holes  40  and generally circular, sixth holes  76  in the fourth ends  83  of the matching arms  74  connect the matching arms  74  to the trailer tongue  15 .  
      In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , a trailer vertical rod assembly  12  comprises a telescoping rod  12 B comprised of three successively thinner segments, which telescope into one another. This is advantageous in that a collapsed rod is less likely to present an enticement to vandals. This telescoping rod  12 B is extendible in a vertical direction. When the alignment system of the present invention is not in use, an uppermost rod segment  60  (with a stop at its upper end) telescopes into a middle rod segment  59 , and both of those segments  60 ,  59  telescope into a lower rod segment  58 .  
      The lower end of the telescoping rod  12 B may be stationary and affixed to the upper surface of the trailer tongue at its center, or the lower end may comprises a pivoting mechanism  61 . In the latter case, the lower rod segment  58  is pivotable around the pivoting mechanism  61 , so that the lower rod segment can be rotated ninety degrees from its vertical in-use position to a nearly horizontal, inclined position along the upper edge of the trailer. When it is not in use, the rod  12 B is less likely to be broken when it is in an inclined position, or when it has been removed.  
      Continuing with  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of the stop  13 B is comprised of a stop brace  20 B affixed to a front side  50  of a stop plate  21 B. The lower end of the stop brace  20 B, but not the stop plate, is affixed by a permanent magnet  62  to an upper surface of a trailer hitch  19 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 10 , a tailgate line tab  66  may be substituted for the rear window line tab  26 . The tailgate line tab  66  is removably attachable to an inside, front face  67  of a towing vehicle&#39;s tailgate  68 , where the towing vehicle has a tailgate (e.g., a pickup truck). The bottom face of the tailgate line tab  66  is preferably coated with an adhesive so that the tailgate line tab  66  removably adheres to the inside face of the tailgate  68 . Alternatively, at least one permanent magnet affixed to a bottom face of the tailgate line tab  66  removably adheres the tailgate line tab  66  to the tailgate  68 .  
      To use a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention including the rear view mirror line tab  23  depicted in  FIG. 6 , the tailgate line tab  66  of  FIG. 10 , and the stop  13  and trailer vertical rod assembly  12  shown in  FIG. 9  (or  FIG. 1 ), the alignment system is first set up on the towing vehicle and the trailer. The driver  28  then backs the towing vehicle  25  toward the trailer  29  while assuring that the rear view mirror line tab  23 , the tailgate line tab  66 , and the rod  12 A of the trailer vertical rod assembly  12  are aligned. Once the towing vehicle has been backed up a sufficient distance for the hitch ball  18  to be in position under the trailer socket  14 , the stop plate  21  strikes the trailer socket flange  32 . This contact signals the driver to stop the towing vehicle immediately. The hitch ball  18  is now aligned under the trailer socket  14 . The driver puts the towing vehicle in “Park”, and exits the vehicle. The driver then lowers the trailer socket  14  onto the hitch ball  18  and engages the trailer latching clip  63  (see  FIG. 1 ), as usual.  
      As depicted in  FIG. 11 , an alternate embodiment of an alignment system according to the present invention includes a trunk vertical rod assembly  69  in place of a rear line tab  26  in a rear window  27  of the towing vehicle, or a tailgate line tab  66  on the towing vehicle&#39;s tailgate. The trunk vertical rod assembly  69  comprises a second rod  70 , which is attached at one end to, and extends vertically from, a center of a generally horizontal, circular base  71 . The length of the second rod is most preferably approximately equal to the height of the rear window. The trunk vertical rod assembly  69  is removably attachable to the top of a vehicle&#39;s trunk lid  72 , where the towing vehicle  25  has a trunk lid  72 . Preferably, at least one permanent magnet affixed to a bottom face of the base  71  allows the trunk vertical rod assembly  69  to be removably adhered to the trunk lid  72 . The user preferably makes a mark at the outset with a permanent marker at the center of the trunk lid to assist in rapid placement of the trunk vertical rod assembly  69  during subsequent uses of the trailer hitch alignment system. Alternatively, the bottom face of the base  71  may be coated with an adhesive, so that the trunk vertical rod assembly  69  adheres to the trunk lid  72 .  
      To use a trailer hitch alignment system according to the present invention including the rear view mirror line tab  23  depicted in  FIG. 6 , the trunk vertical rod assembly  69  in  FIG. 11 , and the stop  13  and trailer vertical rod assembly  12  shown in  FIG. 9  (or  FIG. 1 ), the alignment system is first set up on the towing vehicle and the trailer. The driver  28  then backs the towing vehicle  25  toward the trailer  29  while assuring that the rear view mirror line tab  23 , the second rod  70  of the trunk vertical rod assembly  69 , and the rod  12 A of the trailer vertical rod assembly  12  are aligned. Once the towing vehicle has been backed up a sufficient distance for the hitch ball  18  to be in position under the trailer socket  14 , the stop plate  21  strikes the trailer socket flange  32 . This contact signals the driver to stop the towing vehicle immediately. The hitch ball  18  is now aligned under the trailer socket  14 . The driver puts the towing vehicle in “Park”, and exits the vehicle. The driver then lowers the trailer socket  14  onto the hitch ball  18  and engages the trailer latching clip  63  (see  FIG. 1 ), as usual.  
      Also included herein is a kit for aligning a trailer hitch  19  of a towing vehicle  25  with a corresponding socket  14  on a trailer. The kit comprises: 
          (a) a trailer vertical rod assembly  12  mountable on the trailer, the trailer vertical rod assembly  12  comprising a vertically extendible rod  12 A;     (b) a stop  13  mountable on the trailer hitch  19 ;     (c) a rear view mirror line tab  23  attachable to a rear view mirror  24  of the towing vehicle  25 ; and     (d) a rear line tab  26  or  66  attachable to a rear window  27  or a tailgate  68 , respectively, of the towing vehicle. The kit preferably further comprises a trunk vertical rod assembly  69  attachable to a trunk lid  72  of the towing vehicle  25  instead of, or in addition to, the rear line tab  26 ,  66 .        

      From the foregoing it can be realized that the described system of the present invention may be easily and conveniently utilized as a trailer hitch alignment system. It is to be understood that any dimensions given herein are illustrative, and are not meant to be limiting.  
      While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, this description is for illustrative purposes only. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, substitutions, omissions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, and that such are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. It is intended that the doctrine of equivalents be relied upon to determine the fair scope of these claims in connection with any other person&#39;s product which fall outside the literal wording of these claims, but which in reality do not materially depart from this invention.  
      Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.  
      Brief List of Reference Numbers Used in the Drawings  
     
         
           10  trailer hitch alignment system  
           11  receiver sleeve  
           12  trailer vertical rod assembly  
           12 A rod  
           13  stop  
           13 A alternate stop  
           14  socket of trailer  
           15  trailer tongue  
           16  top end of receiver sleeve  
           17  bottom end of receiver sleeve  
           18  hitch ball  
           19  trailer hitch  
           19 A ball mount of trailer hitch  
           20  stop brace  
           20 A alternate stop brace  
           21  stop plate  
           21 A alternate stop plate  
           22  pin  
           23  rear view mirror line tab  
           24  rear view mirror  
           25  towing vehicle  
           26  rear line tab  
           27  rear window  
           28  driver  
           29  trailer  
           30  attachment assembly  
           31  jack  
           32  flange  
           33  inverted U-shaped section  
           33 A L-shaped section  
           34  attachment arm  
           35  horizontal portion hole  
           36  first nut  
           37  first rivets  
           38  first holes  
           39  bolts  
           40  second holes  
           41  threaded end  
           42  second nut  
           43  horizontal portion  
           44  vertical portion  
           45  fourth hole  
           46  fifth hole  
           47  linear section  
           48  curved section  
           49  rear side of stop plate  
           50  front side of stop plate  
           51  first end  
           52  second end  
           53  longitudinal axis of vehicle  
           54  first transparent sheet  
           55  rear view mirror frame  
           56  second transparent sheet  
           57  bumper  
           58  lower rod segment  
           59  middle rod segment  
           60  upper rod segment  
           61  ball  
           62  permanent magnet  
           63  trailer latching clip  
           64  suction cups  
           65  rear mirror adjuster switch  
           66  tailgate line tab  
           67  front face  
           68  tailgate  
           69  trunk vertical rod assembly  
           70  second rod  
           71  base  
           72  trunk lid  
           73  U-shaped section  
           74  matching arms  
           75  receiver sleeve hole  
           76  sixth holes  
           77  second rivets  
           78  first, bottom end  
           79  second, bottom end  
           80  alternative receiver sleeve attachment assembly  
           81  horizontal section  
           82  third ends  
           83  fourth ends