Land vehicles – Wheeled – Articulated vehicle
Patent
1989-01-05
1990-07-03
Hill, Mitchell J.
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Articulated vehicle
33264, 340431, 340686, B60Q 900, G08B 2100
Patent
active
049384953
ABSTRACT:
A trailer hitch positioning apparatus directs the driver of a pickup truck or other towing vehicle during backing up to a trailer or other towed vehicle for hitching the coupling elements of the vehicles together. The apparatus includes an infrared light unit mounted on the trailer for transmitting a first collimated light beam of a predetermined horizontal width toward the vehicle. A support bar mounted to the rear of the vehicle carries a plurality of infrared alignment sensors for detecting the first beam and hence when the truck is aligned with the trailer. A position emitter mounted on the trailer emits a second focused infrared light beam that is detected by a position sensor on the truck when the coupling elements of the vehicles are in position to be hitched together. An indicator coupled to the alignment sensors and to the position sensor indicates the direction of turning the steering wheel in the event of misalignment of the vehicles and also indicate when the vehicles are positioned to be hitched together.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2214161 (1940-09-01), Cater
patent: 2955778 (1960-10-01), Beveridge
patent: 2984011 (1961-05-01), Hamilton
patent: 3046549 (1962-07-01), Kalmus
patent: 3121228 (1964-02-01), Kalmus
patent: 3418628 (1968-12-01), Fenner
patent: 3605088 (1971-07-01), Sovelli
patent: 3771325 (1973-11-01), Sweeney et al.
patent: 3790276 (1974-02-01), Cook et al.
patent: 3825921 (1974-07-01), Marus et al.
patent: 3924257 (1975-12-01), Roberts
patent: 3947839 (1976-03-01), Zigmant
patent: 4199756 (1980-04-01), Dito
patent: 4552376 (1985-11-01), Cofer
Beasley Donald R.
Hanson Paul J.
LandOfFree
Trailer hitch positioning apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Trailer hitch positioning apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Trailer hitch positioning apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1885768