USRE28590E - Apparatus for aligning the couplings on separate vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an indicating apparatus for attachment to a trailer or the like for use in aligning the couplings between the trailer and a towing vehicle, said apparatus being mounted on the trailer and having a spring loaded extendible and retractable guide line which releasably attaches to the rear of the towing vehicle adjacent the coupling. Sensing means are included in the apparatus for sensing deflection of the guide line in horizontal and vertical directions and for sensing the separation of the vehicles and indicator means in the vehicle to indicate said deflections and separation to the operator of the towing vehicle. Variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of the apparatus as the towing vehicle approaches the trailer and means for allowing the towing vehicle to approach the trailer from various angles are also provided.

Description

United States Patent 1 Salmi Reissued Oct. 28, 1975 [54] APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING THE 3,418,628 12/1968 Fenner 340/52 R COUPLINGS 0 SEPARATE VEHICLES 3,731,274 5/1973 Green 340/282 [76] Inventor: Melvin I. Salmi, 13619 Pyramid FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Drive, Dallas, TeX. 75234 529.547 7/1955 Italy 280/477 [22] Filed: Aug. 3, 1974 Appl. No.: 494,074

Related US. Patent Documents Reissue of:

[64] Patent No.: 3,734,539

Issued: May 22, 1973 App]. No.: 195,263 Filed: Nov. 3, 1971 [52] US. Cl 280/477; 340/52 R; 340/282; 343/1 12 R [51] Int. Cl B60q 1/00 [58] Field of Search 280/477; 340/282, 52 R; 343/1 12 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,736,885 2/1956 Thompson 280/477 X 2,797,406 6/1957 Tanis et a1. 340/282 2,818,553 12/1957 Jaffe 340/52 R 3,159,917 12/1964 Whitehead 280/477 X Primary ExaminerLeo Friaglia Attorney, Agent, or Firml(enneth R. Glaser [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is an indicating apparatus for attachment to a trailer or the like for use in aligning the couplings between the trailer and a towing vehicle, said apparatus being mounted on the trailer and having a spring loaded extendible and retractable guide line which releasably attaches to the rear of the towing vehicle adjacent the coupling. Sensing means are included in the apparatus for sensing deflection of the guide line in horizontal and vertical directions and for sensing the separation of the vehicles and indicator means in the vehicle to indicate said deflections and separation to the operator of the towing vehicle. Variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of the apparatus as the towing vehicle approaches the trailer and means for allowing the towing vehicle to approach the trailer from various angles are also provided.

15 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures Reissued Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 1 of6 Re. 28,590

Sheet 2 of 6 Reissued Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 30f 6 Re. 28,590

'Reissued Oct. 28, 1975 Reissued Oct. 28, 1975Sheet 4 of6 Re. 28,590

Reissued 0a. 28, 1975 Sheet 5 of6 Re. 28,590

Reissued 0m. 28, 1975Sheet 6 of6 Re. 28,590

woman 59m Q 0% 1 APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING THE COUPLINGS ON SEPARATE VEHICLES Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification: matter, printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for aligning, from various approach angles, the couplings between a trailer and a towing vehicle and more particularly to an apparatus which is provided with horizontal, vertical, and relative distance sensors for the two couplings and indicator means for displaying the output of these sensors.

One of the problems that has long faced the owners of recreational trailer vehicles, such as house trailers, boats, and the like, has been the difficulty encountered in hitching a trailer to a towing vehicle, such as a station wagon, truck, or automobile. This difficulty is due to the fact that many of the trailers to which the car must be coupled are large and are so heavy that it is difficult, if not impossible, for a single individual to shift the position of the trailer by hand, therefore, it becomes important for the towing vehicle to be brought into exact position for attachment of couplings of the trailer and towing vehicle. In this regard, it is additionally difficult during the backing to exactly position the coupling of the towing vehicle into proper alignment with the trailer coupling because, in most cases, it is impossible to see the couplings from the drivers position, and therefore, the hitching is accomplished on a hit-ormiss basis or with the guidance of a helper viewing the relative position of the couplings.

Accordingly, it is the general purpose of the present invention to provide an improved alignment apparatus, which is fully automatic, to quickly and simply align the trailer and the towing vehicle from various approach angles without the necessity of additional assistance from a person not located in the towing vehicle. To obtain this, the present invention contemplates the use of a unique arrangement in which a retractable guide line extends between the trailer and the towing vehicle. Sensing means are appropriately positioned so that deflections of the guide line will produce an error signal on an indicator means located in the vehicle in the view of the operator of the vehicle so that correct alignment of the towing vehicle can be accomplished by viewing the error signal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved alignment apparatus for aligning the couplings on a trailer and a towing vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved alignment apparatus which senses and indicates the relative vertical position of the couplings on the trailer and the towing vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved alignment apparatus which senses and indicates the relative horizontal position of the couplings on the trailer and the towing vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved alignment apparatus which senses and indicates the relative distance between the couplings on the towing vehicle and the trailer.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved alignment apparatus which has a variable sensitivity as the coupling of the towing vehicle and the trailer vary in separation distance.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved alignment apparatus which allows the towing vehicle to approach the trailer from various angles.

Still afurther object of the present invention is the provision of an improved alignment apparatus which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and use.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention may be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a towing vehicle and trailer with the improved coupling alignment apparatus of the present invention attached thereto;

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational view of a towing vehicle and trailer with the improved coupling alignment apparatus of the present invention attached thereto;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged elevated view similar to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged partial plan view of the towing vehicle coupling with an anchor of the present invention attached thereto looking in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vertical sensor assembly;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken online 77 of FIG. 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken online 88 of FIG. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows and FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, atowing vehicle 12 andtrailer 16 shown prior to the towing vehicle being guided up to and attached to thetrailer 16. Thetowing vehicle 12 has a hitch l4 andtrailer 16 hashitch assembly 18 which can be attached together when the two hitches are appropriately positioned. Thetrailer 16 is provided with aconventional jack 20 which is preferably of the auxiliary power type to enable the relative height of thehitch assembly 18 to be remotely adjusted required during the hitching procedure. As will be subsequently described in more detail, analignment apparatus 22 is attached to thetrailer 16 in the vicinity of thehitch assembly 18. Thisapparatus 22 is provided with aguide line 24 which is attached to thetowing vehicle 12 in the vicinity of thehitch 14 to assist in guiding the approach of the towing vehicle to thetrailer 16. Thealignment apparatus 22 is electrically connected to an electrical display panel (not shown) located within thetowing vehicle 12 within view of the operator to display directional signals to the operator, and to assist the operator in backing the towing vehicle into vertical and horizontal alignment so that hitch l4 andhitch assembly 18 can be aligned and connected without additional assistance and guidance during relative positioning of the two vehicles. The indicator means can be of numerous types. but for purposes of description, a panel having a plurality of identified lights which can be selectively illuminated by use of sensor means to be hereinafter described. As will be explained, thealignment apparatus 22 can be adjusted to allow for the approach of thetowing vehicle 12 to thetrailer 16 from a variety of angles.

As is shown in detail in FIG. 3, thealignment apparatus 22 has aguide line 24 which retractably extends therefrom, Thisguide line 24 is preferably constructed from a multielement conductor, but could be constructed from standard cable, rope, or the like. The desirability of using a conductor for theguide line 24 can be appreciated when it is considered that the conductor provides Convenient means by which the indicator means in the towing vehicle can be electrically connected to the various sensor elements in the alignment apparatus to hereinafter described. An attachment loop (or book) 26 is connected to the extending end of theguide line 24 for attaching theguide line 24 to ananchor 28 on thetowing vehicle 12. g

As can be'seen in FIG. 4,anchor 28 is pivotally attached to thehitch 14 at 30 that it may be pivot between the position shown in solid lines and the position 28' shown in phantom lines. This pivoting allows theanchor 28 to swing back on contact to prevent damage thereto. Also, as shown, ananchor 28 can be attached to either or both sides of thehitch 14 so that theguide line 24 may be attached as desired. Thus, by attaching theloop 26 to theanchor 28, theguide line 24 will extend between thealignment apparatus 22 on thetrailer 16 and thetowing vehicle 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and As is best shown in FIG. 1, theapparatus 22 andanchor 28 are so positionedto one side of the hitches that the guide line when extended between the towing vehicle and the trailer will be parallel toimaginary lines 25 passing through the centers of the hitchl4 ahdhitch assembly 18. Theguide line 24 will be displaced a distance A from theline 25 with theguide line 24 extending in the direction the towing vehicle must travel to correctly align. the hitches. As will be described in detail, theapparatus 22 is provided with means to sense deflections of theguide line 24 from the correct angle ofapproachand will indicate the deflections to the operator of the towing vehicle so that he may make appropriate corrections while backing of the towing vehicle up to the trailer.

In solid lines in FIG. 1, the direct approach for aligning the vehicles and attaching the hitches is shown. In phantom lines other examples of approach directions that can be used by adjusting the position of thealignment apparatus 22 are shown. These other approach directions are accomplished by mounting thealignment apparatus 22 on the towingvehicle 16 so that it can rotate through various angles, yet keep the same parallel spacing A from theline 25. In the illustrated embodiment, theapparatus 22 is mounted on a support 23 'which is provided with an arcuate groove 27. The

groove 27 is shaped so that guides (not shown) on thetrailer 16 will mate with groove 27 and allow the alignment apparatus to move betweenposition 22 shown in solid lines and 22a shown in phantom lines. It is also apparent that the alignment apparatus can be located on the opposite side of thehitch assembly 18 and moved as shown in phantom lines to position 22b.

As can be seen in detail in FIGS. 3 and 5, avertical sensor assembly 32 is supported byguide line 24 adjacent to theloop 26. Thisvertical sensor assembly 32 is designed to sense the relative position between the hitch l4 and hitchassembly 18 and actuate an indicator means located in the interior of thevehicle 12 or automatically control theheight ofjack 20 during the hitching operation. Thisvertical sensor assembly 32 is constructed from atransverse member 34, which is attached to theguide line 24 to extend perpendicularly therefrom. Thistransverse member 34 is provided with a referencingsocket 36 which will removably attach to amating referencing socket 38 on thealignment apparatus 22. Pivotally attached at 40 to the upper end of thetransverse member 34 is alevel assembly 42. Thislevel assembly 42 can be of the ordinary carpenter-type level which physically indicates the horizontal inclination of theassembly 42.

Pivotally attached at 44 to the lower end of thetrans verse member 34 is amercury switch assembly 46. Thismercury switch assembly 46 haselectrical conductors 48 extending thereform which conductors are selectively connected and disconnected in themercury switch assembly 46 due to the orientation of theassembly 32. A secondtransverse member 50 is pivotally connected between thelevel assembly 42 andmercury switch assembly 46, respectively, atpivots 52 and 54. Agroove 56 is provided in the secondtransverse member 50 to allow theguide lines 24 to extend therethrough without contacting themember 50. Thepivots 40, 44, 52, and 54 are each provided with locking apparatus, which are not shown, but are well known in the art, for releasably holding the parallelogram formed by thetransverse member 34,level assembly 42, secondtransverse member 50, andmercury switch assembly 46, in the desired orientation. This locking apparatus could be in the form of a thumb screw or the like which could be rotated to clamp the adjacent members together and prevent relative rotation therebetween.

The desired orientation of the parallelogram is determined initially by engaging thesockets 36 and 38 to hold thetransverse member 34 in a position perpendicular to the pitch axis of the tongue oftrailer 16 and the ground surface. The locking apparatus is released, and thepivots 40, 44, S2, and 54 allow the parallelogram to be manually adjusted until the bubble oflevel assembly 42 is centered to indicate that theassembly 32 is in a position withlevel assembly 42 andmercury switch assembly 46 perpendicular to the force of gravity; whereupon the locking apparatus are again engaged. By adjusting the parallelogram as described above the extension oftheguide line 24 will be parallel to the pitch angle of the tongue of thetrailer 16 and will tend to guide the approach of the hitch of the towingvehicle 12 along theline 24. Thereafter guideline 24 is extended until theloop 26 is attached to theanchor 28 and theconductors 48 are relcasably connected to the indicator means inside the towingvehicle 12. In this manner the relative position of thehitch 18 on the towingvehicle 12 and thehitch 14 on thetrailer 16 will be indicated by the output of themercury switch assembly 46 on the indicator means in the towingvehicle 12 and /or can be connected to the control mechanism of thejack 20 to operate thejack 20, lift or lower thetrailer 16 until themercury switch assembly 46 is level. This automatic leveling can continue during the approach of the towingvehicle 12 to thetrailer 16. In this manner, the correct relative position of the hitches l4 and 18 can be maintained.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the details of the construction of thealignment apparatus 22 will be de scribed. In FIGS. 6 and 8, it can be seen that thealignment apparatus 22 is divided into asensor portion 58 and a guideline storage portion 60. Theportion 60 is provided with ashaft 62 which is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis and carries astorage pulley 64 of a sufficient capacity to store theguide line 24 thereon. Attached to the opposite end ofshaft 62 fromstorage pulley 64 is a torque spring assembly 66 mounted to exert a continuous force on theshaft 62 which tends to rotate thestorage pulley 64 in a direction to pull theguide line 24 into thealignment apparatus 22 and wrap it around thepulley 64. It thus can be seen by extending theguide line 24 until theloop 26 is hooked on theanchor 28, that theguide line 24 will be tensioned by the spring assembly 66 and will be reeled onto thestorage pulley 64 as the towingvehicle 12 approaches thetrailer 16.

A pulley 68 is attached to theshaft 62 between the spring assembly 66 andstorage pulley 64 to rotate with theshaft 62. Anendless belt 70 is entrained upon the pulley 68 and anadditional pulley 72 which is mounted on avertical shaft 74. Thispulley 72 is mounted so that it will axially slide with respect to theshaft 74 and is provided with aset screw 75 which rides in anaxial groove 77 in theshaft 74. Theshaft 74 is mounted to rotate about a vertical axis in thesensor portion 58 of thealignment apparatus 22 with the lower end of theshaft 74 in threaded engagement with thethreads 76 in the body of theapparatus 22, so that when theshaft 74 is rotated, it will be axially translated in the direction ofarrow 78 due to the engagement of thethreads 76. Asensitivity member 80 is slidably mounted in a vertically extendinggroove 82. The purpose and operation of thesensitivity member 80 will be explained hereinafter, it only being important'to note that thesensitivity member 80 will be moved in a direction ofarrow 78 as theshaft 74 is rotated.

A pair oflimit switches 84 and 86 are illustrated in FIG. 6, mounted with theirsensor members 88 and 90, respectively, extending into thestorage pulley 64.Sensor 88 extends further radially into thepulley 64 than does thesensor 90. The limit switches 84 and 86 are each electrically connected to the indicator means so that when the cable stored on thepulley 64 extends a sufficient distance radially to contact either of thesensors 88 or 90, the indicator means will be actuated to indicate this condition to the operator of the towing vehicle. The purpose of theseswitches 84 and 86 is to sense the relative separation of the trailer and the towing vehicle by sensing the amount ofguide line 24 stored on thepulley 64, and to indicate this relative separation to the operator by means of the indicator means. In operation the sensors are so positioned that when theguide line 24 stored on the pulley contacts thesensor 88, it in turn actuates a caution signal on the indicator means to inform the operator that the hitches are nearing each other. Thesensor 90 is so positioned to cause a stop signal on the indicator means to inform the operator that the two hitches are in vertical alignment for coupling. Theseswitches 84 and 86 and the other switches, within theapparatus 22, can be connected to the conductors inline 24 through suitable brushes or the like (not shown) on theshaft 62.

Mounted in thesensor portion 58 is a pair ofsensor fingers 92 and 94 for sensing the horizontal deflection of theguide line 24. As can be seen in FIG. 6, theguide line 24 is positioned between the two sensingfingers 92 and 94 and is held in position therebetween bypins 96,

98, 100, 102, and 104. Thesensor fingers 92 and 94 are each mounted to rotate about vertically extendingshifts 106 and 108, respectively, and are provided with guideline engaging portions 110 and 1 12, respectively.

A pair oflimit switches 114 and 116, are mounted with their sensors 1 18 and 120, respectively, contacting a portion of thefingers 92 and 94, respectively. By mounting the switches in this manner, switch 114 will be operated by the rotation or movement offinger 92 aboutshaft 106 and switch 116 will be operated by the rotation or movement offinger 94 aboutshaft 108. Theseswitches 114 and 116 are electrically connected to the indicator means so that when thefinger 92 is caused to rotate aboutshaft 106 in the direction ofarrow 122,switch 114 will be closed to energize the indicator means and inform the operator that the trailer and towing vehicle are out of alignment. Likewise, rotation offinger 94 aboutshaft 108 in the direction ofarrow 124 will closeswitch 116 and energize the indicator means.

Thus, it can be seen that sufficient deflections of theguide line 24 will cause contact between theguide line 24 and one of the fingers, thus operating either switch 114 or 116. By observing the display means during backing of the towingvehicle 12, the operator can determine the correct angle of approach and guide the vehicle therealong.

As is best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, thesensitivity member 80 is shown slidably mounted in agroove 82 and is vertically positioned in said groove by aseparate shaft 74. Thesensitivity member 80 is of a smaller width than thegroove 82 and is mounted so that it may slide back and forth in a horizontal direction, as seen in FIG. 7, across the width of thegroove 82. As was pointed out previously, the rotation of theshaft 62 causes a rotation of theshaft 74 which in turn causes theshaft 74 to move in an axially upward direction as theguide line 24 is reeled onto thestorage reel 64 by the torque spring assembly 66. The relative geometrical size of thesensitivity member 80 and theshaft 74 is arranged so that as thehitch 14 on the towingvehicle 12 approaches thehitch assembly 18 on thetrailer 16, thesensitivity member 80 will be moved in an upward direction into the path of the deflection of theguide line 24. The upper end of thesensitivity member 80 is provided with a V-shapedgroove 126 which slides up between thesensor fingers 92 and 94 as thesensitivity member 80 is moved in an upward direction. It thus can be seen, the further thesensitivity member 80 is moved in the upward direction the narrower is the effective spacing between the twosensor fingers 92 and 94, thus increasing the sensitivity of the device in that contact of theguide line 24 on the surfaces of the V-shapedgroove 26 will in turn cause the engagement ofmember 80 with thesensor fingers 92 or 94.

A schematic wiring diagram showing connection of the various switches is shown in FIG. 9.Point 130 is a terminal point to which+12volt power can be supplied whileterminal point 132 is connected to ground. This power can be obtained from the power system of either the towingvehicle 12,trailer 16 or a separate battery can be provided as desired.

The terminal 130 can be connected through an offon power switch 134 to apositive bus 136.Terminal 132 is in turn connected tobus 138. This switch 134 can be mounted in the towing vehicle and is used to supply power to the system.

The previously describedswitch 116 is connected in series with indicator light 140 betweenbus 136 andbus 138. This indicator light 140 is located in the towing vehicle on the previously mentioned control panel and will be energized whenswitch 116 is closed.

In a similar manner indicator lights 142, 144 and 146 are connected in series with previously describedswitches 114, 84 and 86, respectively. Each of these indicator lights are located on the control panel and are energized when their respective switch is closed.

As theswitches 116 and 114 are selectively closed as previously described, indicator lights 140 and 142 will indicate respectively right and left deflection of the towing vehicle from the desired line of approach. As switches 84 and 86 are selectively closed as previously describedindicator lights 144 and 146 will indicate the relative separation of the towing vehicle and the trailer.

Mercury switch 46 has itscenter contact 148 connected tobus 136. This switch hascontacts 150 and 151, each of which can be selectively connected to contact 148.Indicator light 152 is connected betweencontact 150 andcenter terminal 154 of a single pole double throw switch. This switch can selectively engage either contact 156 or 158. Contact 158 is connected tobus 138 whilecontact 156 is connected toterminal point 160. A relay coil 162 is connected betweenpoint 160 andbus 138. A normally openedswitch 164 is connected betweenpoint 160 andbus 136. The relay coil 162 closes normally closed contacts (not shown) which electrically energize a motor to cause thetrailer jack 20 to elevate thetrailer hitch 14. Themercury switch 46 is oriented as previously described so that when thetrailer hitch 14 is low,contacts 148 and 150 will be connected thus energizing indicator light 152 and ifswitch terminal 154 is connected to contact 156, relay coil 162 will be energized. [f theswitch terminal 154 is connected to contact 158, the coil 162 will not be energized. In addition, whenswitch 164 is closed relay coil 162 can be manually energized.

In asimilar manner contact 151 is connected to a down indicator light 166 which is in turn connected toterminal 168 of a single pole double throw switch. Contact 170 is connected tobus 138 whilecontact 172 is connected toterminal point 174.Relay coil 176 is connected betweenpoint 174 andbus 138. A normally openpush button switch 178 is connected betweenbus 136 andpoint 174. Thus it can be seen that when thetrailer hitch 14 is high,contacts 148 and 151 will be connected, energizing indicator light 166 and ifswitch terminal 168 is connected to contact 172,relay coil 176 will be energized. Thisrelay coil 176 when energized will close normally opened contacts (not shown) to supply power to the motor ofjack 20, to in turn lower thehitch 18. If it is desired to manually lower thehitch 18,switch 178 can be closed to energizecoil 176.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing disclosure relates to only a preferred embodiment of the invention in that numerous modifications or alterations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for guiding the approach ofa towing vehicle to align the hitch on the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer comprising:

a. a guide line detachably connected between said trailer and said towing vehicle;

b. means for maintaining a tension in said guide line as said towing vehicle is moved with respect to said trailer;

c. sensing means operatively associated with said guide line for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and

d. indication means operatively connected to said sensing means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said trailer and said towing vehicle.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein additional means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said trailer.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising automatic jack means on said trailer for variably adjusting the height of said hitch on said trailer, and control means operatively associated with said sensing means and said jack means for automatically maintaining a fixed, relative vertical separation between said hitch on said towing vehicle and said hitch and said trailer during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein, said sensing means additionally comprises variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of said sensing means to sense the relative horizontal positions of said trailer and said towing vehicle as said towing vehicle approaches said trailer.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means additionally comprises adjustment means for guiding the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer from various directions of approach.

6. An apparatus for guiding the approach of a towing vehicle to align the hitch on the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer comprising:

a. a guide line detachably connected between said trailer and said towing vehicle;

b. sensing means operatively associated with said guide line for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and

c. indication means operatively connected to said sensing means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said trailer and said towing vehicle.

7. An apparatus as defined inclaim 6 wherein additional means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said trailer.

8. An apparatus as defined inclaim 6, additionally comprising automatic jack means on said trailer for variably adjusting the height of said hitch on said trailer, and control means operatively associated with said sensing means and said jack means for automatically maintaining a fixed, relative vertical separation between said hitch on said towing vehicle and said hitch and said trailer during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer.

9. An apparatus as defined inclaim 6 wherein, said sensing means additionally comprises variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of said sensing means to sense the relative horizontal positions of said trailer and said towing vehicle as said towing vehicle approaches said trailer.

10. An apparatus as defined inclaim 6 wherein said sensing means additionally comprises adjustment means for guiding the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer from various directions of approach.

11. Apparatusfor aiding in the hitching ofa towing vehicle with a vehicle to be towed, comprising:

a. guide means defining a preferred path of vertical alignment between the respective areas of said towing vehicle and of said vehicle to be towed where said hitching is to occur;

b. electrical sensing means operatively associated with said guide means for continuously monitoring the relative vertical positions of said respective areas during the approach of said towing vehicle and said vehicle to be towed and producing a signal indicative of the misalignment of said respective areas from said preferred path of vertical alignment; and

. indication means operatively connected to said electrical sensing means for receiving said signal and indicating the relative vertical alignment or misalignment of said areas during said approach.

12. The apparatus as defined by claim I I wherein means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said vehicle to be towed during said approach.

I3. The apparatus as defined by claim ll wherein said guide means additionally defines a preferred path of horizontal alignment between said respective areas; said electrical sensing means additionally continuously monitors the relative horizontal positions of said respective areas and produces a signal indicative of the misalignment of said respective areas from said preferred path of horizontal alignment; and said indication means additionally indicates the relative horizontal alignment or misalignment of said respective areas during said approach.

I4. The apparatus as defined by claim I 3 wherein the said signals produced by said electrical sensing means are respectively indicative of the direction of vertical and horizontal misalignment of said respective areas from said preferred paths of vertical and horizontal alignment.

I 5 An apparatus for guiding the approach of a towing vehicle to align the hitch 0n the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer, comprising:

a. preferred path of alignment guide means between said trailer and said towing vehicle;

b. sensing means operatively associated with said preferred path of alignment guide means for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches of said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and

c. indication means operatively connected with said sensing means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches of said trailer and said towing vehicle.

Claims (15)

1. An apparatus for guiding the approach of a towing vehicle to align the hitch on the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer comprising: a. a guide line detachably connected between said trailer and said towing vehicle; b. means for maintaining a tension in said guide line as said towing vehicle is moved with respect to said trailer; c. sensing means operatively associated with said guide line for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and d. indication means operatively connected to said sensing means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said trailer and said towing vehicle.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein additional means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said trailer.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, additionally comprising automatic jack means on said trailer for variably adjusting the height of said hitch on said trailer, and control means operatively associated with said sensing means and said jack means for automatically maintaining a fixed, relative vertical separation between said hitch on said towing vehicle and said hitch and said trailer during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein, said sensing means additionally comprises variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of said sensing means to sense the relative horizontal positions of said trailer and said towing vehicle as said towing vehicle approaches said trailer.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said sensing means additionally comprises adjustment means for guiding the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer from various directions of approach.

6. An apparatus for guiding the approach of a towing vehicle to align the hitch on the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer comprising: a. a guide line detachably connected between said trailer and said towing vehicle; b. sensing means operatively associated with said guide line for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and c. indication means operatively connected to said sensiNg means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches on said trailer and said towing vehicle.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein additional means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said trailer.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, additionally comprising automatic jack means on said trailer for variably adjusting the height of said hitch on said trailer, and control means operatively associated with said sensing means and said jack means for automatically maintaining a fixed, relative vertical separation between said hitch on said towing vehicle and said hitch and said trailer during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein, said sensing means additionally comprises variable sensitivity means for increasing the sensitivity of said sensing means to sense the relative horizontal positions of said trailer and said towing vehicle as said towing vehicle approaches said trailer.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said sensing means additionally comprises adjustment means for guiding the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer from various directions of approach.

11. Apparatus for aiding in the hitching of a towing vehicle with a vehicle to be towed, comprising: a. guide means defining a preferred path of vertical alignment between the respective areas of said towing vehicle and of said vehicle to be towed where said hitching is to occur; b. electrical sensing means operatively associated with said guide means for continuously monitoring the relative vertical positions of said respective areas during the approach of said towing vehicle and said vehicle to be towed and producing a signal indicative of the misalignment of said respective areas from said preferred path of vertical alignment; and c. indication means operatively connected to said electrical sensing means for receiving said signal and indicating the relative vertical alignment or misalignment of said areas during said approach.

12. The apparatus as defined by claim 11 wherein means are provided for sensing and indicating the relative separation of said towing vehicle and said vehicle to be towed during said approach.

13. The apparatus as defined by claim 11 wherein said guide means additionally defines a preferred path of horizontal alignment between said respective areas; said electrical sensing means additionally continuously monitors the relative horizontal positions of said respective areas and produces a signal indicative of the misalignment of said respective areas from said preferred path of horizontal alignment; and said indication means additionally indicates the relative horizontal alignment or misalignment of said respective areas during said approach.

14. The apparatus as defined by claim 13 wherein the said signals produced by said electrical sensing means are respectively indicative of the direction of vertical and horizontal misalignment of said respective areas from said preferred paths of vertical and horizontal alignment.

15. An apparatus for guiding the approach of a towing vehicle to align the hitch on the towing vehicle with the hitch on a trailer, comprising: a. preferred path of alignment guide means between said trailer and said towing vehicle; b. sensing means operatively associated with said preferred path of alignment guide means for sensing the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches of said towing vehicle and said trailer, during the approach of said towing vehicle to said trailer; and c. indication means operatively connected with said sensing means for indicating the relative vertical and horizontal positions of the hitches of said trailer and said towing vehicle.

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