Patents by Inventor O. Dean Fairchild

O. Dean Fairchild has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5821852
    Abstract: Apparatus for indicating axial alignment or deviation from alignment, and proximity between a tow vehicle and a trailer towards which the tow vehicle must be maneuvered. The apparatus comprises a storage reel mounted on the tow vehicle for storing and paying out a cord, a pulley having a magnet for mounting the pulley temporarily on the trailer hitch, and a take up reel mounted on the tow vehicle for applying tension to the cord. As the tow vehicle is maneuvered, changes in relative position between tow vehicle and trailer cause the cord to change length and angular orientation relative to the tow vehicle. These changes are sensed as one or both of the storage reel and take up reel rotate responsive to cord changes. A plurality of switches make or break contact to a matrix of indicating lamps located in the cabin of the tow vehicle, the indicating lamps indicating position of the tow vehicle relative to the trailer. The reels are permanently or temporarily mounted on the tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: O. Dean Fairchild