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Class 280/477 - Connection facilitating


Subclass of Class 280 - Land vehicles
Definition: Devices having means designed to lessen the labor involved
No. of patents: 423
Last issue date: 05/22/2012


1                      
NumberTitleIssue Date
8181984Trailer accessory device
A trailer accessory featuring a first half base and a second half base slidably attached to the first half base via a sliding mechanism, the first half base can slide in a first or second direction with respect to the second half base; handles disposed on the top su...
05/22/2012
8091914Universal trailer hitch guide apparatus
A trailer hitch guide including a guide having first and second halves interconnected through a cooperatively formed hinge having a releasable hinge pin, first and second neck surrounds cooperatively defining geometry for surrounding a tow-ball, a base including fir...
01/10/2012
8047559Self-locking, universal trailer hitch and method of use thereof
A self-locking universal trailer hitch comprising a hitch receiver, a bar and a second receiver, wherein the hitch receiver is secured to a towing vehicle, and wherein the bar is removably secured to the hitch receiver, and wherein the second receiver comprises a lo...
11/01/2011
8038166Trailer hitching and backing precision guidance system method and apparatus
A target unit mounted on vehicle hitch ball contains a known object target and an optical unit mounted on trailer hitch socket contains an optical sensor. A real image of known object target is projected onto image plane of optical sensor. Vehicle hitching distance ...
10/18/2011
8033562Vehicle tow hitch with coupling guide
A trailer hitch guide device may include a guide ramp, a guide ramp release, a hitch guide base, and a bottom metal layer. The trailer hitch guide device may enable a person to couple a trailer and a towing vehicle with ease. ...
10/11/2011
7976051Dolly alignment guide for large, multi-trailer/van rigs
An alignment guide and remotely operated latch mechanism for use in coupling a towing dolly of a two trailer rig, the towing dolly being connected to a first trailer of the two trailer rig and used to pull a second trailer of the two trailer rig behind the first tra...
07/12/2011
7976052Lock and positioning assembly for the tongue of a steerable trailer
A lock assembly for selectively latching the pivoting tongue of a steerable trailed vehicle includes an actuator assembly on the vehicle connected by a cable to latch bolt for spring biasing in discrete positions into aligned apertures for enabling and preventing to...
07/12/2011
7963544Self-locking, universal trailer hitch and method of use thereof
A self-locking universal trailer hitch comprising a hitch receiver, a bar and a pivoting second receiver, wherein the hitch receiver is secured to a towing vehicle, and wherein the bar is removably secured to the hitch receiver, and wherein the second receiver compr...
06/21/2011
7900949Trailer hitch loader
Described is a system, device and method for coupling of a towing vehicle to a trailer or other towed item. A skid plate provides a surface on which a tongue of the towed item slides toward alignment over a hitch such as a hitch ball or pintle hook. The tongue, when...
03/08/2011
7891692Alignment unit for campers and method of use
A camper alignment system for use in guiding a pickup under a camper for loading of the camper uses a light source and a target for alignment. The pickup has a pickup cab and a pickup bed having a bed length. The camper has a camper front portion and a camper base. ...
02/22/2011
7891691Trailer hitch alignment guide
An apparatus for aligning a trailer hitch and receiver includes an elongated channel or tube defining an angle, such that when the trailer is tilted back for hitching, the upper tube is substantially vertically aligned. A rubber tipped rod extends from the lower tub...
02/22/2011
7883102Apparatus for aligning trailer hitch
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. ...
02/08/2011
7775543Recreational vehicle
A trailer of the type that is intended to be towed with a towing vehicle has a trailer body with an elevated front portion. The towing vehicle has a vehicle hitch assembly, and the trailer body has an elevated front portion, with a mounting arrangement extending dow...
08/17/2010
7753392Slidable fifth-wheel hitch having adjustable guides
A slidable trailer hitch apparatus comprises a trailer hitch head operable to receive a cooperating portion of a trailer, the trailer hitch head adapted to be slidable and rotatable relative to the vehicle about an axis of rotation, first and second parallel spaced ...
07/13/2010
7753393Hitch assistance system
A hitch assistance system including a tow ball position indicator; wherein the tow ball position indicator includes a base member having a gripping member, a bias member, and an extension member. The tow ball position indicator also includes a telescoping staff coup...
07/13/2010
7744110Vehicle-to-trailer hitch guide and system of use therefor
An apparatus that guides a trailer tongue onto a trailer hitching ball with minimal assistance is herein disclosed. The apparatus forms a general ā€œVā€-shape with the open part of the ā€œVā€ facing outward from the rear of the tow vehicle, and the closed part of ...
06/29/2010
7744109Method and apparatus for aligning a trailer hitch
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for assisting a driver of a towing vehicle to reverse the vehicle into alignment and proximity with a trailer, so that the towing vehicle and the trailer can be easily hitched together. The invention includes a...
06/29/2010
7731217Self aligning trailer hitch
A device for bringing the separated truck and trailer borne elements of a goose neck hitch arrangement fully into position for completing the mating of the two elements without requiring the vehicle operator to leave the vehicle; and then for completing the mating o...
06/08/2010
7726679Trailer alignment apparatus
An apparatus and method for maneuvering a trailer having jockey wheel assembly comprising a ground engaging wheel (33) rotatably mounted on an axle (34). The apparatus comprising a link member (20) which is adapted to be pivotally mounted on the...
06/01/2010
7717452Tractor trailer dolly jockey
Disclosed is a tool to help move and connect a tractor trailer dolly to the lead trailer in a safe, easy and efficient manner. The dolly jockey is a bar about three feet long with lips at the bottom to connect to the safety chain mounting ring on the rear of trailer...
05/18/2010
7708300Positioning guide for aiding connection of a fifth wheel towed vehicle
A positioning guide for aiding connection of a fifth wheel towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, where the fifth wheel towed vehicle has a pin box assembly. A mirror is secured to a cover for the pin box assembly, the mirror being located at an orientation so that it i...
05/04/2010
7690670Trailer hitch alignment aid
The invention is a trailer tongue alignment accessory that attaches to the tongue of the trailer. The invention includes a mounting assembly, three lighted posts, and position sensing means. The position sensing means comprises a laser projector that is attached to ...
04/06/2010
7690671Trailer hitch with alignment mechanism
An alignment mechanism for aligning the ball with the socket of trailer hitch comprised of a ball portion attached to a towing vehicle and a socket portion attached to a trailer. The alignment mechanism has an alignment body that is cylindrical-shaped having an oute...
04/06/2010
7681903Trailer backup alignment guide
A trailer backup alignment guide apparatus (10) is taught for aligning a vehicle hitch ball (20) to a trailer coupler (22) for attachment therebetween. The apparatus consists of a vehicle ball mount (28) incorporating a ball mounting stra...
03/23/2010
7651114Adjustable trailer coupling system
Towing adjustment and coupling techniques may include a retentive lateral trailer adjustment device of a trailer (1) configured to provide lateral adjustment of the trailer (1). In some embodiments, a trailer (1) may include a coupler element (
01/26/2010
7621555Viewing 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...
11/24/2009
7621554Hitch support system
A hitch support system for relieving a portion of the weight placed upon a rear end of a vehicle. The hitch support system includes a connecting structure for connecting to a hitch unit of a vehicle and for receiving a receiver, a vertical member adjustably connecte...
11/24/2009
7584983Probe-operated trailer guide with lights
A probe-operated guide is provided with battery-powered lights on a pole, such that a driver can attach a trailer to a vehicle without help from another person. The guide is mounted directly above the trailer cup on a trailer, and the lights on the guide can be adju...
09/08/2009
7571922Trailer hitch coupling and anti-theft device therefore
A hitch coupling features a hitch ball receiving socket, a guide body connected thereto and a mounting body extending from the guide body at an end opposite the socket. The guide body features two generally vertical side walls horizontally spaced apart adjacent the ...
08/11/2009
7568716Method and apparatus for alignment of trailer hitch
A system for facilitating the backing of a vehicle to couple a hitch and trailer, the system including one or more cameras providing visual images to the vehicle driver to assist in backing the vehicle and making the coupling. ...
08/04/2009
7568717Tow coupling system and method
Variations of a tow coupling system are disclosed. In one variation, a coupler guide having at least one side panel configured to guide a coupler to a desired position with respect to a ball of a tow vehicle, also includes a top panel, rear panel, or intermediate pa...
08/04/2009
7547035Coupling device for tractive vehicles
The invention relates to a coupling device (1) for tractive vehicles or similar. Said device comprises a frame (2), a coupling ball (3) and a retaining element (4). According to the invention, the frame (2) is equipped with a guide...
06/16/2009
7506887Gooseneck quickie
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 ...
03/24/2009
7500690Recreational vehicle
A trailer of the type that is intended to be towed with a towing vehicle has a trailer body with an elevated front portion. The towing vehicle has a vehicle hitch assembly, and the trailer body has an elevated front portion, with a mounting arrangement extending dow...
03/10/2009
7455311Rudder trailer hitch cover
A Rudder Hitch Cover that simulates a sailboats rudder assembly in appearance and motion. The Rudder Hitch Cover attaches to a vehicles trailer hitch in such a way as to be easily removable. The rudder blade bracket (24) may swing side to side in response to ...
11/25/2008
7434826Self-locking scissor coupler for attaching a trailer to a trailer hitch ball
A self-locking scissor coupler, provision for holding guide poles, for attaching a trailer to a trailer hitch ball. The coupler includes a body, a pair of movable jaws, and a bail. The body attaches to the trailer. The pair of movable jaws are pivotally mounted to t...
10/14/2008
7431318Combined trailer hitch ball assembly and alignment accessory for vehicles
An alignment assembly includes first and second markers that have shafts provided with opposed ends. Each shaft has a bottom end situated below an operator's line of sight and top end situated within the operator's line of sight such that the operator can identify a...
10/07/2008
7429057Lifting systems and methods for use with a hitch mechanism
A lifting system for a hitch mechanism is provided. The lifting system includes a raise/lower member; an intermediate mechanism to move the raise/lower member between a lower position and an upper position; and a control for causing the intermediate mechanism to mov...
09/30/2008
7425014Trailer hitch
A trailer hitch facilitating proper alignment and connection to the hitch coupler of a trailer. The trailer hitch includes a tow bar assembly and a throat having spaced parallel top and floor panels generally equal in spacing to a vertical thickness of the tow bar a...
09/16/2008
7416205Hitch mirror assembly
A hitch mirror assembly removably mounted onto a top edge of a vehicle's tailgate, comprising a housing assembly, a mirror assembly within the housing assembly, battery-powered illumination means and a clamp assembly. The vehicle has a hitch ball for towing a traile...
08/26/2008
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