초록 ▼

An alignment device to align a vehicle's trailer hitch ball neck assembly with a trailer hitch socket assembly or tongue assembly. The present invention includes two units, each having uprights with engaging press on members. The ball neck upright member has a "C"-shaped bottom portion for frictiona

An alignment device to align a vehicle's trailer hitch ball neck assembly with a trailer hitch socket assembly or tongue assembly. The present invention includes two units, each having uprights with engaging press on members. The ball neck upright member has a "C"-shaped bottom portion for frictionally engaging the neck of the trailer hitch ball neck, and the hitch engaging upright member has a "U"-shaped bottom portion for frictionally engaging the outer housing of the hitch socket member around its lower end periphery. When used in conjunction with each other, the two poles visually assist the vehicle operator in aligning the vehicles so that they may be easily coupled together for towing.

대표청구항 ▼

An alignment device to align a vehicle's trailer hitch ball neck assembly with a trailer hitch socket assembly or tongue assembly. The present invention includes two units, each having uprights with engaging press on members. The ball neck upright member has a "C"-shaped bottom portion for frictiona

An alignment device to align a vehicle's trailer hitch ball neck assembly with a trailer hitch socket assembly or tongue assembly. The present invention includes two units, each having uprights with engaging press on members. The ball neck upright member has a "C"-shaped bottom portion for frictionally engaging the neck of the trailer hitch ball neck, and the hitch engaging upright member has a "U"-shaped bottom portion for frictionally engaging the outer housing of the hitch socket member around its lower end periphery. When used in conjunction with each other, the two poles visually assist the vehicle operator in aligning the vehicles so that they may be easily coupled together for towing. ing ring into engagement with the groove in the first fixed assembly. 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second engagement assembly allows the second engageable portion of the second tubular assembly, when engaged with the first tubular assembly, to move away from the first engageable portion of the second tubular assembly. 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second engagement assembly allows the second engageable portion of the second tubular assembly to engage with the first tubular assembly in one of a plurality different positions. 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second engagement assembly has a first operating mode, in which engagement between the first and second tubular assemblies is not possible, and a second operating mode, in which engagement between the first and second tubular assemblies is possible. 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second engagement assembly is moved from the first operating mode to the second operating mode upon the application of a predetermined tension to the second tubular assembly. 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first tubular assembly is connectable at its first engageable portion to a tubular member selected from the group consisting of a casing string, a riser, and the leg of a tension leg platform. 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first engageable portion of the second tubular assembly is engageable with a surface wellhead. 9. Apparatus for securing a tubular member under tension, the member secured to and extending between a first and second fixed assembly, the apparatus comprising: a first tubular assembly connectable at a first region to the tubular member to be tensioned; a second tubular assembly having a first and a second engageable portion, the second tubular assembly being arranged concentrically with respect to the first tubular assembly and movable longitudinally with respect to the first tubular assembly; a first engagement assembly for engaging the first engageable portion of the second tubular assembly with the first fixed assembly, such that movement of the second tubular assembly toward the tubular member to be tensioned is prevented; a second engagement assembly for engaging the second engageable portion of the second tubular assembly with the first tubular assembly upon longitudinal movement of the second engageable portion of the second tubular assembly with respect to the first tubular assembly toward the tubular member; wherein the second tubular assembly can be placed under tension by moving its second engageable portion longitudinally relative to its first engageable portion, when the first engageable portion is engaged with the first fixed assembly, and; wherein the second engagement assembly comprises a first groove in the first tubular assembly and a second groove in the second tubular assembly, the second engagement assembly further comprising a locking ring for engaging both the first groove and the second groove, and; wherein a plurality of first grooves are provided, thereby allowing the second engageable portion of the second tubular assembly to engage the first tubular assembly in a plurality of different positions. 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking ring of the second engagement assembly is held completely within the second groove in the second tubular assembly until a predetermined tension is applied to the second tubular assembly. 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein the second tubular assembly comprises a tensioning collar at its second engageable portion, the tensioning collar being engageable by a tool for tensioning the second tubular assembly. 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tensioning collar is movable between a first position, in which the tensioning collar holds the locking ring completely within the second groove, and a second position, in which the locking ring is released to engage the first groove.