Trailer jack-knife alarm device

Abstract

A jack-knife alarm device comprises a pivotable first plate and a first switch operably associated with one end of the first plate, the first plate being biased against the first switch to maintain the first switch in an open position; a pivotable second plate and a second switch operably associated with one end of the second plate, the second plate being biased against the second switch to maintain the second switch in an open position; and a circuit operably connected to the first and second switches, the circuit being configured to be connected to an indicator that is activated when one of the first and second switches is in a closed position. The first and second plates are disposed opposite each other at an angle opening toward a trailer being towed and on each side of a trailer hitch ball so that when a trailer tongue hits and depresses an opposite end of one of the first and second plates, the corresponding first or second switch is activated to a closed position to complete the circuit to activate an indicator to warn an operator of a towing vehicle of a potential jack-knife situation with the trailer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.