Object alignment device and method

An object alignment device, comprising:

• a first light source movable with a first object, said first light source capable of emitting a first light beam toward a target associated with a second object;
• and
• a second light source movable with said first object, said second light source capable of emitting a second light beam toward said target;
• wherein said first light source and second light source are positioned such that, when said first object is substantially aligned with said second object, said first light beam and said second light beam intersect said target, regardless of whether said first and second light beams intersect one another.

A trailer hitch alignment device for aligning hitching components used in coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle, comprising:

• a first light source movable with said towing vehicle, said first light source capable of emitting a first light beam toward a target associated with said trailer, said first light beam comprising at least one ray perpendicular to the latitudinal axis of said towing vehicle;
• and
• a second light source movable with a towing vehicle, said second light source capable of emitting a second light beam toward said target;
• wherein said first light source and second light source are positioned such that, when said first light beam and said second light beam intersect said target, said hitching components are substantially aligned for coupling said trailer to said towing vehicle.

A method of positioning a first object substantially in alignment with a second object comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing first and second light sources on the first object;
• (b) positioning said first object such that a light beam from said first light source substantially intersects a vertically oriented target movable with said second object;
• (c) moving said first object toward said second object such that said light beam from said first light source remains on said vertically oriented target;
• and
• (d) stopping movement of said first object toward said second object when a light beam from said second light source substantially intersects said vertically oriented target, at which point said first and second objects are substantially aligned.

An object alignment device, comprising:

• a first light source movable with a first object, said first light source capable of emitting a first light beam toward a target associated with a second object;
• a second light source movable with said first object, said second light source capable of emitting a second light beam toward said target;
• and
• wherein said first light source and second light source are positioned such that, when said first light beam intersects said target, and said first object is moved toward said second object while maintaining said first light beam on said target, said first object will be substantially aligned with said second object when said second light beam intersects said target.

A trailer hitch alignment device for aligning hitching components used in coupling a trailer to a towing vehicle, comprising:

• a first light source movable with said towing vehicle, said first light source capable of emitting a first light beam toward a target associated with said trailer;
• a second light source movable with a towing vehicle, said second light source capable of emitting a second light beam toward said target;
• and
• wherein said first light source and second light source are positioned such that when the first light beam is directed toward said target and said towing vehicle moves toward the target with the first light beam being maintained on the target, the second light will intersect the target to indicate to a driver of the towing vehicle that the hitching components are substantially aligned for coupling said trailer to said towing vehicle.

A method of positioning a ball on a towing vehicle substantially in alignment with a coupling unit on trailer for connection to the towing vehicle comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing first and second light sources on the towing vehicle;
• (b) positioning the towing vehicle such that a light beam from the first light source substantially intersects a vertically oriented target movable with the trailer;
• (c) moving the towing vehicle toward the trailer;
• (d) maintaining the first light beam on the target as the towing vehicle moves toward the trailer;
• and
• (e) stopping movement of the towing vehicle when a light beam from the second light source substantially intersects the vertically oriented target to indicate to a driver of the towing vehicle that the ball and coupling unit are in alignment for connection.