The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 2002
Filed:
May. 12, 1998
James S. Bass, Estes Park, CO (US);
Abstract
A vehicle hitch positioning apparatus and method for positioning a vehicle hitch over a trailer ball accurately, without the problems of lifting and positioning the vehicle hitch manually. The vehicle hitch positioning apparatus includes a base plate having a first hole through which the trailer ball is inserted, the base plate being attached to the vehicle by the trailer ball; a guide plate connected to the base plate and made to be in alignment with the base plate, the guide plate having a second hole through which the trailer ball is inserted, and the guide. plate guiding and supporting the trailer hitch into position over the second hole; and a movable catch for holding the guide plate in an apart position from the base plate. In operation, after the base plate is fixed to the vehicle using the trailer ball, the vehicle hitch is guided and positioned over the second hole by the guide plate, the movable catch is moved in a predetermined direction to release and drop the guide plate such that the trailer ball is inserted through the second hole and the guide plate drops and aligns with the base plate, and the vehicle hitch is securely positioned over the trailer ball.