Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-24
2001-01-23
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
C340S436000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176505
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to trailer hitching aids, and more particularly to an optical guidance system which assists a driver to accurately maneuver a tow vehicle toward a trailer hitch connecting position.
2. Description of the Background Art
Hitching a trailer vehicle to a tow vehicle can be a difficult and time consuming task as the hitching components or other coupling means of the two vehicles are not in view of the driver of the tow vehicle as it is being maneuvered into position for coupling with the trailer. As a result, the driver of the tow vehicle has to back the tow vehicle toward the trailer's hitch by estimating its location and direction relative to the location of the tow hook or ball on the tow vehicle. This requires the driver to repeatedly exit the tow vehicle to check the alignment and distance between the hitching components, which is an inconvenient and time consuming process. Alternatively, the driver may enlist the assistance of another person or “spotter” who is situated outside the tow vehicle to provide directions to the driver as to the appropriate action to align and couple the trailer hitching components. When no other person is available for such assistance, the driver is left to attempt hitching the trailer to the tow vehicle using the time consuming process previously described. Additionally, neither of these methods of hitching a tow vehicle are as accurate or convenient as when the driver receives immediate visual feedback regarding trailer hitch and tow hook alignment while operating the tow vehicle.
Numerous types of trailer hitching aids have been devised, some examples of which range from mechanical linkages between vehicles to proximity sensors with alarms and to targeted light beams. One such system consists of an infrared light detector and two ultrasonic sound detectors mounted on the back of the towing vehicle, and transmitters are mounted on the front of the trailer. This system allows distances and angles to be determined by measuring the velocity differences of the signals, providing the data from the signals into a microcomputer which performs the calculations using a software program. However, the need for a microcomputer running a software program renders this system unnecessarily complex and expensive.
Another system consists of two light emitters mounted on a trailer. One light emitter sends a signal to the back of the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle has several sensors that indicate lateral alignment, and a display is provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle to give an indication of position. The other light emitter points downward from the hitch and gives an indication of when the hitch is over the ball for coupling. The alignment sensors utilize microelectronic circuits to sense the light beam and to determine its alignment. Unfortunately, the use of the microelectronic circuits wired to the display in the passenger compartment requires extensive installation time and equipment cost.
A third such system uses a single light mounted on the hitch of the trailer and a translucent target mounted on the back of the tow vehicle. The driver looks back at the target when backing up and, when the light hits the “bullseye” portion of the target, the driver knows that the hitch is aligned. The light beam position is initially set up when the trailer hitch is coupled so that the light shines on the “bullseye”. The source light mounted atop the trailer hitch increases the obtrusiveness of the system and unnecessarily subjects the light to theft and/or damage.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an easily adaptable and relatively inexpensive vehicle hitching system to assist the driver of a tow vehicle during a trailer hitching process that provides immediate feedback to the driver regarding the alignment and distance off center between the hitching components. The present invention satisfies this need, as well as others, and overcomes the deficiencies found in prior technology.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally comprises an apparatus and method for emitting a pair of narrowly focused light beams from the back of a tow vehicle at either the bumper level or the cab level. The light beams are of different colors and are angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle so that when the beams intersect on a reflective surface, a resulting third colored light is emitted. A target location is placed on the trailer such that, when the trailer hitch and trailer ball are in proper alignment for engagement, both light beams intersect at the target location and emit the third colored light. The third colored light indicates to the driver that the tow vehicle and the trailer are in the proper position for coupling. The light sources can be lasers, incandescent lights or LED's combined with collimators, other sources of highly collimated beams of light.
To facilitate viewing the emission of the third colored light, especially in sunlight, a strip of reflective material is placed over the target location. The target location can also comprise a horizontal bar which provides feedback to the driver regarding the relative distance and direction of the separation between the hitching components on the tow vehicle and the trailer. If the beams intersect at a point either to the left or to the right off from the center of the horizontal bar, this indicates to the driver that the tow vehicle is to the left or to the right of the trailer, respectively. The relative distance away from the center of the horizontal bar the beams intersect provides information regarding the relative separation between the hitching components, thus enabling the driver to make the necessary course corrections.
As a variation, the tow vehicle is equipped with a horizontal sensor plate adjacent the tow ball which detects the approach of the tow hitch from the trailer. The sensor plate is embedded with numerous photoelectric cells adapted to detect laser light. The tow ball is also equipped with a sensor. A laser emitter is placed adjacent the trailer hitch and directed at a pre-focused position. As the tow ball approaches the hitch, laser light from the emitter strikes various photoelectric cells on the sensor plate, which is in connection with a display within the driver's compartment. The display, which comprises an array of LED's in communication with the specific photoelectric cells, provides information and guides the driver regarding the tow vehicle's path towards the trailer hitch. The LED in the center of the display corresponds to the sensor on the tow ball and lights up when the trailer hitch is directly over the tow ball.
An object of the invention is to provide a compact, easily installed trailer hitching guide system which is reliable and simple to use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trailer hitching system which provides immediate feedback to the driver when the hitching components are aligned.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trailer hitching guide system which uses optical beams for indicating alignment and positioning of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle.
Yet another object of the invention is provide to an optically guided trailer hitching system which provides feedback indicating alignment and positioning of the trailer relative to the tow vehicle.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be brought out in the following portions of the specification, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention without placing limitations thereon.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4552376 (1985-11-01), Cofer
patent: 4852901 (1989-08-01), Beasley et al.
patent: 4938495 (1990-07-01), Beasley et al.
patent: 5108123 (1992-04-01), Rubenzik
patent: 5191328 (1993-03-01), Nelson
patent: 5285205 (1994-02-01), White
paten
Brown Adair
Capik Dan
O'Banion John P.
Rodriguez Pamela J.
Schwartz Christopher P.
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