Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1998-01-15
2000-09-19
Graham, Matthew C.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
280DIG14, 340431, B60D 1300
Patent
active
061200522
ABSTRACT:
A tow hitch alignment apparatus having a pair of light sources that emit different colored light beams. The light sources are positioned such that, when the trailer hitch components are in proper position for engagement, both light beams intersect at the target location and emit a the third colored light, which indicates to the driver that the tow vehicle is in the proper position for coupling with the trailer. In an alternate embodiment, the tow vehicle has a horizontal sensor plate embedded with photoelectric cells adjacent the tow ball which detects the approach of the tow hitch from the trailer. 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 provides information and guides the driver regarding the tow vehicle's path towards the trailer hitch.
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Brown Adair
Capik Dan
Graham Matthew C.
Lipka Pamela J.
O'Banion John P.
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