Trailer hitch alignment device

A trailer hitch alignment device adapted to be releasably mounted to the draw bar of an automobile including a spring loaded spool from which a cable is played out to be turned around a guide pulley into a tubular guide. The tubular guide is pivotally mounted to align with the cable, concurrently articulating the wiper of a potentiometer. The potentiometer is connected to a meter inside the automobile, providing a visual indication of the angle of departure of the cable. Thus, by stretching the cable to connect to the hitch of a trailer, a remote indication on the meter will indicate the necessary direction of advancement of the automobile in order to effect alignment for coupling.

We claim:

1. A trailer alignment device for use in coupling a hitch to a drawbar, comprising:

a housing adapted for attachment to said drawbar;

a spring loaded spool mounted in said housing having the axis of rotation thereof aligned substantially along in vertical direction;

a guide roller mounted for rotation along an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said spool and in substantial alignment with the point of connection between said hitch and drawbar;

a tubular guide pivotally mounted in said housing about the axis of said roller;

a flexible cable stored on said spool and aligned to pass over a peripheral section of said roller and through said guide;

a potentiometer mounted for articulation by said tubular guide; and

meter means connected to said potentiometer for providing an indication of the displacement thereof.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said spool includes a manually adjustable knob for selectively adjusting the spring tension therein.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein:

said tubular guide includes a central opening therein eccentrically disposed relative the axis of rotation of said roller to align along a tangent relative the periphery thereof.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein:

said housing includes a transverse slot formed in substantial alignment with the plane of pivotal motion of said guide.

5. Apparatus for providing a remote indication of the angular alignment of one vehicle relative another, comprising:

a housing adapted for attachment to said one vehicle;

a flexible cable having one end thereof selectively secured to said other vehicle;

spring loaded spool means mounted in said housing for securing the other end of said cable and storing a segment thereof;

guide means pivotally mounted proximate the point of angular motion between said vehicles in said housing for alignment along said cable; and

signaling means connected to said guide means for providing a remote indication of the pivotal alignment thereof.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising:

roller means mounted for rotation about the pivotal axis of said guide means for directing said cable into said guide means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein:

said guide means includes a tubular element having the central opening thereof aligned along a tangent relative said roller means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein:

said signaling means includes a potentiometer mounted for articulation by said guide means and a meter disposed in said one vehicle adapted to indicate the articulation of said potentiometer.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:

said spool means includes a spool for storing said cable, spring means for urging said spool in rotation and manual control means connected to said spring means for controlling the urging force of said spring means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising:

circuit completion means selectively disposed along said cable for providing a remote indication of the length of said cable segment stored on said spool means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein:

said circuit completion means includes a slidably secured conductive collar disposed on said cable and two ends of an indicating circuit disposed to engage said collar.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein:

said indicating circuit includes a lamp.