mile high club

Mile High Club

4182- Section AProfessor Harvey Lipkin

John MoodyMichael Pang

Markus WegnerJason Snooks

Charles HolcombeKen Sanderson

9/21/05

Patent and Product Search

Patent App.# 2005/0103541

Patent App.# 2005/0103541Mobile trailer hitching apparatus

Abstract A trailer loading or hitching device for moving a trailer between a

storage position and attachment of a tongue of the trailer to a tow vehicle, comprising a vertical lifting column selectively extendable and retractable by a mover and pivotally connected to a drive wheel chassis by a mount for a steering shaft operatively engaged to the lifting column, the drive wheel chassis having opposing drive wheels selectively operable for moving the chassis.

Nelson, Larry; (Dyersburg, TN) Serial No.: 902730Series Code: 10 Filed: July 29, 2004

Patent App.# 2005/0103541

Brief Description:

This design aligns the trailer hitch with the force of the vehicle backing into it.

The downside of this design is that if you miss the cradle the vehicle will be damaged.

Patent #6,454,290

Patent # 6,454,290Trailer hitch alignment device

Abstract

A trailer hitch alignment device has a base block for placement on the coupler of a trailer. The block has a magnet at its bottom for being

connected to the coupler and a series of apertures directed at varying angles to receive an upright post inclined at a selected angle. A cross arm extending generally horizontally is connected to the post in a manner such as to allow adjustments in vertical and horizontal directions. The post-to-cross arm connection has pair of block members through which the post

and cross arm pass and a spring biasing the members together.

Inventors: Turner; Danny L. (221 Woodland St., New Market, AL 35761)

Appl. No.: 697461

Filed: October 26, 2000

Patent # 6,454,290

Brief Description:

This alignment device allows for the hitch to be extended as well as swivel angularly.

Device does not retract back after connection. Also the swivel capacity is limited to set locations available for locking mechanism; after locking the swivel device does not realign back to center location.

Patent Application # 2005/0134020


Trailer hitch alignment device

Abstract A hitch alignment device for aligning a ball and socket of a ball and socket

type hitch is disclosed. The alignment device includes a base with a winch and pivotable cable guide mounted on it. The cable guide includes a plate with an arm extending outwardly from it at an angle and an adjustable leg extending outwardly from the arm. A pulley is mounted on the leg and a cable is connected to the winch at one end, is threaded around the pulley and then through holes in the socket and ball of the hitch and is then secured. The cable is wound onto the winch to draw the ball and socket together. The cable guide can be extended and pivoted so that the pulley and therefore the cable is brought into sufficient alignment with the socket on the trailer that undue strain is not placed on the alignment device as the cable is wound onto the winch.

Inventors: Wilks, David J.; (Minerva, OH)Serial No.: 740106Filed: December 17, 2003


Brief Description:

Trailer Mounted Winch.

Cable guide through coupler and ball for alignment.

Requires special ball and coupler modification.

Also “lifts” trailer onto ball.

Patent #6,905,132

Patent #6,905,132

Trailer to vehicle connecting system

AbstractThe present invention is a system for hooking a

trailer to a towing vehicle. The system has a winch attached to the trailer and a cable that

wraps around the ball hitch and is attached to a plate on the trailer. By spacing the cable wide at the plate on the trailer and narrow at the ball of the hitch, the trailer is automatically adjusted to position the tongue of the trailer to center it on

the ball hitch.

Patent #6,905,132

Brief Description:

This is a trailer-mounted winch and cable system which allows the trailer to be drawn towards the ball.

This system must be mounted to each individual trailer, and seems cumbersome in practice.

Patent App.# 2004/0227324

Patent App.# 2004/0227324

Trailer hitching apparatus

Abstract A trailer hitching apparatus comprises a trailer hitch

receiver assembly, a winching device, a trailer hitch and a cable. The trailer hitch receiver assembly includes a receiver tube having a first end, a second end, an opening at the second end, and a passage extending from the opening toward the first end.

Popham, Brian E.; (Smyrna, GA) Serial No.: 739604Series Code: 10 Filed: December 18, 2003

Patent App.# 2004/0227324

Brief Description:

This design extends to distances far from the receiver.

This design requires that the jack on the trailer is on flat ground and has a wheel.

Also if the trailer was not already aligned it might not meet the receiver at the right angle or twist.

Publication No.# 2001/0033068

Publication No.# 2001/0033068Self-Centering Trailer hitching

Abstract The self-centering trailer hitch involves two

telescoping arms. The first ends of the telescoping arms are pivotally mounted to the hitch hood coupler for coupling the first ends of the telescopic arms releasably to the hood of the trailer. The second ends of the telescopic arms are adapted to be pivotally mounted to a rear end of a towing vehicle, mountable to the vehicle forward relative to a hitch ball mounted to the vehicle.

Melesko, Steven D.; (Kelowna, CA) Winslow , Charles A.; (Kelowna, CA) Application No.: 09/837,256Filed: April 19, 2001


Brief Description:

This design has extendable arms that guide the trailer to the hitch.

This design allows for a large range in which the trailer can initially be resting before it is guided to the hitch.

Patent # 6634666

Patent # 6634666 Remote control towing-hitch assembly

Abstract An adjustable trailer hitch which provides an operator improved

remote control of the lateral position of a trailer hitch, and simplifies the procedure of hooking a trailer to a tow vehicle. The trailer hitch comprises a hitch assembly (such as a ball receptacle) attached to a roller carriage which moves from side-to-side along a bumper-like housing.

Shilitz; David (Baltimore, MD); Hill; David M. (Baltimore, MD); Toth; Louis (West Friendship, MD) Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc. (Dearborn, MI) Appl. No.: 005476 Filed: December 4, 2001

Patent # 6634666

Brief Description:

This is basically an adjustable trailer hitch parallel to the tailgate of the vehicle.

This design would allow easy attachment if you got the distance right.

This design doesn’t allow for safe travel with the ball at the center of the tailgate.


Adjustable Hitch and Method of UseAbstract

The adjustable hitch allows for a single individual to controllably move the hitch within a plane of defined boundaries. The trailer hitch assembly includes one or more longitudinally extending assemblies for mounting under a vehicle, a cross-bracket assembly attached substantially perpendicularly with telescoping assemblies, a receiver portion slidable in the cross-bracket assembly, and a ball mount fixed with the receiver portion of the pin

Abair, Rodney; (Plymouth, IN) Application No.: 10/630,395Filed: July 30, 2003


Brief Description:

This design extends out toward the trailer and in a left and right motion.

This design uses a motor to adjust the telescoping arms.

Patent # 5,845,921

Patent # 5,845,921Three-dimensionally adjustable trailer hitch

Abstract A trailer hitch has a plurality of longitudinally tapered, telescoping

members movable between a retracted position substantially contained within a largest of the telescoping members and an extended position in which at least one of the plurality of telescoping members is extendible from the largest member so as to be three-dimensionally adjustable.

Inventors: Stimac; Michael Jon (Wyandotte, MI) Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc. (Dearborn, MI) Appl. No.: 746588Filed: November 12, 1996

Patent # 5,845,921

Brief Description:

This is basically a telescoping trailer hitch that doesn’t retract.

It would allow easy attachment, but seems that it would be unsafe to use while driving due to its freedom to move around.

Patent # 6,863,294

Patent # 6,863,294Easy alignment trailer hitch

Abstract An easy alignment trailer hitch comprising a conventional hitch

insert to be attached to a towing vehicle and aligned holes through sidewalls thereof; an insert assembly having spaced apart slide plates connected at one end to an end plate to be inserted into the bore of the receiver, a slide block between the slide plates is attached to the receiver and means for releasably locking the slide plates to the slide block when the insert assembly is fully inserted into the receiver.

Inventors: Bonham; Brent (9552 Ksel Dr., Sandy, UT 84092)Appl. No.: 764875Filed: January 27, 2004

Patent # 6,863,294

Brief Description:

This trailer hitch allow a small range of motion when the retaining pin is removed.

In order to secure the hitch, either the trailer must have brakes or the wheels must be restrained, then the towing vehicle is backed up until the holes align allowing the retaining pin to be reinserted.

Patent # 5,630,606

Patent # 5,630,606Trailer hitch with extensible throat

Abstract A ball and socket trailer hitch with a throat that is capable of automatically

seating and locking a telescoping member capable of lateral swinging movement. The hitch allows a stationary towing vehicle having been imprecisely aligned with a stationary trailer to be coupled without realigning either the trailer or towing vehicle, and then, in one backing motion of the towing vehicle, automatically aligning and locking the hitch into a towing configuration. The elongated rail is removably attached to the rear and narrowed portion of the throat by a removable trunnion, which permits the rail, which extends beyond the throat opening, to pivot laterally within the confines of the throat. The telescoping member is capable of being inserted into the throat and onto the rail, whereby the telescoping member may ride and provide the means by which the coupling structure can be extended and coupled with a mating trailer structure after having positioned the towing vehicle into a close proximity to the trailer.

Inventors: Ryan; John M. (1515 Little Ave., Paducah, KY 42002) Appl. No.: 493988Filed: June 23, 1995

Patent # 5,630,606

Brief Description:

This hitch can extend and swivel for easy alignment, however, swivel capability seems limited.

Requires truck to back up after attaching the ball and receiver to lock and align in place.

Patent #6,902,181

Patent #6,902,181

Trailer hitch having rapid adjustment

AbstractAn adjustable trailer hitch assembly which provides rapid

and easy coupling by moving the ball to the tongue, rather than by moving the tongue to the ball. Adjustment

is provided in each of three axes. Simultaneous movement in the lateral and vertical directions is

provided, which after ball coupling, may be moved to a central locked and fixed position for towing. One

embodiment provides selectable locked and fixed vertical positions.

Patent #6,902,181

Brief description:

This trailer hitch allows for extension and swiveling of the trailer hitch to move the ball to the tongue

Device self-aligns, but must be locked in place and does not self-retract. Much post-attachment work must be done, which lengthens the process.

Product: QuickStep™ Adjustable Self-Aligning Hitch Systems


Advertisement Description

Allows easy, hassle free connection of trailers and towing vehicles. Just maneuver your hitch in the vicinity of the coupler then simply extend and rotate QuickStep™ under your trailer’s coupler and make your connections. 4" in length, durable rust resistant finish with stainless steel auto-locking device. Class III and IV towing capacity. Available in Manually Adjustable (similar to fully adjustable model, but does not extend out of receiver.) Hitch section on each model rotates 180 degrees.


Brief Description:

Rotates about pivot.

Automatically locks when straight.

Unclear weather it extends outward.

Limited reach (4 inches).

Unable to find exact Patent.

Product: Speed Hitch Ballmount

Product: Speed HitchAdvertisement DescriptionSpeed Hitch Ball Mount is Easy to Use • The Speed Hitch ball mount swivels and telescopes to give you a no

hassle hookup. You don't have to try many times just to align your hitch ball with the trailer. Now you just back up close to the trailer position and let the Speed Hitch do the rest. The swiveling and telescoping will let you hook up you trailer fast and hassle free.

Speed Hitch Features:• 750 lbs max tongue weight and 7,500 lbs gross trailer weight. • Fits all hitches with a 2 inch I.D. opening • Long lasting super durable finish. • Made in the USA • Ball mount telescopes 12 inches for easy hookup.

Product: Speed Hitch

Brief Description

This product allows both rotational and telescoping motion.

There is nothing in the product literature that says that it restrains the rotational motion once the trailer is attached.

mile high club

Documents

trailer mounted winch

mobile trailer

swivel device

patent application

hitching device

socket type hitch

sufficient alignment

pivotable cable guide