Universal coupler guide system
US5797616A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 3, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60D1/363
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A guide system arrangement for a tow vehicle having a ball. The guide system is universally mountable on the upper surface of a bumper or on the draw bar of the hitch of the tow vehicle by providing non-rotatable pillars to the side and in front of the ball and wings removably attachable to the pillars forming a wide V channel which accepts most couplers attached to a trailer vehicle to position the coupler above the ball as the tow vehicle is driven toward the trailer vehicle. Upon lowering of the coupler onto the ball, the stepped stop formed in the wing portion of the guide system releases any tension that may have been formed during the guide process so that the wings may be removed from the pillars for storage thereby allowing a variety of accessories to be mounted on the pillars for use either while the vehicle is in motion or stationary. If the accessories are too heavy or unstable, a support may be coupled onto the ball to provide a tripod mounting for the accessory.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.