Docking guidance indicator

• US 20040084876A1
• Filed: 05/23/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jerry Lee Losee
• Original Assignee: Jerry Lee Losee
• Inventors: Losee, Jerry Lee
• Application Number:
  US10/444,750
• Publication Number:
  US 20040084876A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/477
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/48 for parking purposes

Abstract

A docking structure having an electrically conductive cable with a proximal end attached to a retractable cable reel assembly to be secured to a proximal vehicle and a distal end to be attached to a connector on a distal stationary apparatus. The electrically conductive cable runs between a left contact and a right contact. If the proximal vehicle is turned too sharply to the left in attempting to align a connector on the proximal vehicle and a connector on the distal stationary apparatus, a left light connected—either with a wire or through a transmitter and receiver—to the left contact, is illuminated. A right light operates similarly. And both lights are illuminated simultaneously when the connectors are properly aligned.

Claims

1. A docking structure for a proximal vehicle and distal stationary apparatus, to assist the operator of the vehicle in backing up, comprising:

an adapter;

an electrically conductive cable;

a retractable cable reel assembly having the proximal end of said electrically conductive cable connected to said cable reel assembly;

an electrically conductive nut movably attached to said cable, said nut being sized so that said nut can contact both said left and said right metal switches simultaneously;

left and right metal contact switches mounted respectively on a left and right side of said electrically conductive cable and connected to said adapter;

and a left and right light connected respectively to said left and right metal contact switches, wherein when said electrically conductive cable touches said left metal contact switch and said adapter has been connected to an electric power source, said contact powers said left light, and when said electrically conductive cable touches said right metal contact switch and said adapter has been connected to an electric power source, said contact powers the right light, thereby enabling the operator to adjust the vehicle when said retractable cable reel assembly is secured to said vehicle and the distal end of said electrically conductive cable is attached to said stationary apparatus, said movable nut, when said adapter has been connected to an electric power source, powering both lights simultaneously when said movable nut is adjusted to a preset position on the electrically conductive cable and said movable nut further comprising an acorn nut and a captive screw.

2. The docking structure for a proximal vehicle and distal stationary apparatus, to assist the operator of the vehicle in backing up as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a magnet securing said retractable cable reel assembly to said vehicle.

3. The docking structure for a proximal vehicle and distal stationary apparatus, to assist the operator of the vehicle in backing up as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

a magnet for securing said left light and said right light to said vehicle.

4. A docking structure for a proximal vehicle and distal stationary apparatus, to assist the operator of the vehicle in backing up, comprising:

an adapter;

an electrically conductive cable;

a retractable cable reel assembly having the proximal end of said electrically conductive cable connected to said cable reel assembly;

an electrically conductive nut movably attached to said cable, said nut being sized so that said nut can contact both said left and said right metal switches simultaneously;

left and right metal contact switches mounted respectively on a left and right side of said electrically conductive cable and connected to said adapter;

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a left and right light connected, through said transmitter and said receiver, respectively to said left and right metal contact switches, wherein when said electrically conductive cable touches said left metal contact switch and said adapter has been connected to an electric power source, said contact powers said left light, and when said electrically conductive cable touches said right metal contact switch and said adapter has been connected to an electric power source, said contact powers the right light, thereby enabling the operator to adjust the vehicle when said retractable cable reel assembly is secured to said vehicle and the distal end of said electrically conductive cable is attached to said stationary apparatus, said movable nut, when said adapter has been connected to an electric power source, powering both lights simultaneously when said movable nut is adjusted to a preset position on the electrically conductive cable and said movable nut further comprising an acorn nut and a captive screw.

5. The docking structure for a proximal vehicle and distal stationary apparatus, to assist the operator of the vehicle in backing up as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a magnet securing said retractable cable reel assembly to said vehicle.

6. The docking structure for a proximal vehicle and distal stationary apparatus, to assist the operator of the vehicle in backing up as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a magnet for securing said left light and said right light to said vehicle.