초록 ▼

A trailer hitch security system has a first audible alarm to alert the driver of a towing vehicle of a loose connection with the trailer, and of a loose connection between the ball of the trailer hitch and the towing vehicle\s frame. The system also has two visual indicators alerting the driver of t

A trailer hitch security system has a first audible alarm to alert the driver of a towing vehicle of a loose connection with the trailer, and of a loose connection between the ball of the trailer hitch and the towing vehicle\s frame. The system also has two visual indicators alerting the driver of the state of the coupling between the trailer and the vehicle. A second audible alarm is automatically activated if the vehicle\s ignition is turned off and an unauthorized removal of the trailer is attempted. The second audible alarm is loud and intermittent, thus alerting the driver of unauthorized unhitching, or theft, of the trailer. The loud alarm may be turned off only from within the cab of the vehicle, as returning the trailer to the towing vehicle\s ball will not deactivate it. The second audible alarm is tied to a timer which limits the sounding of the second audible alarm to a preset time interval.

대표청구항 ▼

A trailer hitch security system having a socket fixedly attached to a trailer and a ball assembly fixedly attached to a towing vehicle, said ball being adapted to be received by said trailer socket so as to allow said trailer to pivot with respect to said towing vehicle, comprising: (a) first sensor

A trailer hitch security system having a socket fixedly attached to a trailer and a ball assembly fixedly attached to a towing vehicle, said ball being adapted to be received by said trailer socket so as to allow said trailer to pivot with respect to said towing vehicle, comprising: (a) first sensor means for detecting a loose coupling between said trailer socket and said ball assembly; (b) second sensor means for detecting a loose coupling between said ball assembly and a frame of said towing vehicle on which said ball assembly is mounted; (c) first visual indicator means responsive to said first and second sensor means, said first visual indicator means being energized in response to a proper coupling of said trailer with said towing vehicle and a proper coupling of said ball assembly with said frame; (d) second visual indicator means responsive to said first and second sensor means, said second visual indicator means being energized in response to a detected faulty coupling between either said trailer and said towing vehicle or between said ball assembly and said frame; (e) first audible alarm means responsive to said first and second sensor means, said first audible alarm means being energized in response to a detected faulty coupling between either said trailer and said towing vehicle or between said ball assembly and said frame; (f) second audible alarm means responsive to said first and second sensor means, said second audible alarm means being energized in response to an unauthorized uncoupling of said trailer from said towing vehicle when said vehicle\s ignition has been turned off; (g) means for causing said second audible alarm means to continue to be activated in the event that said trailer is recoupled to said vehicle after an unauthorized uncoupling; and (h) switch means for deactivating said second audible alarm means only from within said vehicle.