Trailer eye

• US 20040252019A1
• Filed: 06/10/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: George Emil Paull
• Original Assignee: George Emil Paull
• Inventors: Paull, George Emil
• Application Number:
  US10/457,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252019A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/431
• 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: B62D 53/061 of flat bed or low loader type or fitted with swan necks detachable swan necks B62D53/065; swan neck-fifth wheel couplings B62D53/08

Abstract

Most drivers experience the same problem when it comes to backing your vehicle up to your travel trailer or fifth wheel camper, you don'"'"'t know when to stop or if the ball of the receiver is left or right of the trailer coupler. This is a difficult time-consuming task and often a second person is required to help creating a hazardous situation as that person has a tendency to stand between the vehicle and the trailer. If a second person is not available then the driver has to get out of his vehicle several times and readjust the position of the towing vehicle relative to the trailer. Property damage can also occur if the towing unit hits the towed unit.

The intent is to provide the driver of the vehicle a visual source to confirm the position of the vehicle relative to the trailer. With the use of a laser light source and fluorescent target the desired results can be achieved. The laser light source is visible under all lighting conditions.

Claims

1. An alignment system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprised of a laser diode light source attached to an arm that is adjustable 360 degrees any direction, which in turn is attached to a main support arm that is attached to a magnetic base. The laser light source is then switched on to project a visible dot onto a fluorescent target. The visible light does not transmit any electronic signals nor does the target receive or emit any electronic signals.

8. The power of the laser diode according to claim 1 will be between 600 nm and 750 nm, at a max output of <

1.0 mW.

9. The visible source according to claim 1 will be a red dot of about one inch diameter at 15 feet.

10. The fluorescent target according to claim 1 is for the user to remember the location of the laser dot during setup. The fluorescent target is to be attached to the trailer.

18. The laser pointer according to claim 1, adjustment is three-dimensional, 360 degrees any direction.

2. Initial setup of alignment will be done with the towed unit and the towing unit aligned, the coupler of the towed unit will be directly above the ball of the receiver on the towing unit. In the case of a fifth wheel travel trailer the kingpin will be aligned directly above the connection point of the fifth wheel of the towing unit.

3. The base will be attached to the towing vehicle. The fluorescent target will be attached to the trailer.

4. The fluorescent target will be mounted on the front of the travel trailer or 5^th wheel travel trailer, in a location visible by the driver of the vehicle.

5. The magnetic base has an on off switch and can only be attached to metal. (Iron or steel).

6. The magnetic base can be attached to several locations, the bumper, the receiver, top of the towing unit (edge of the truck box), or the top of an SUV.

11. The user then attaches the magnetic base according to claim 6. This is usually adjacent to the edge of a piece of trim or molding to aid in remembering the location.

7. SUV'"'"'s and like vehicles may have plastic bumpers. Therefore placing the magnetic base with adjustable laser pointer on the top of the towing unit or the front side of the receiver is recommended.

12. The user should mark where the base was attached or make a mental note.

17. As an example according to claim 12 if the laser source is higher than the target the visible laser dot will start from the lower half and progress upwards towards the target area as the user brings the vehicle closer to the trailer.

13. The laser dot is visible under any lighting conditions.

14. The surface area of a fluorescent target will be 1 inch diameter or smaller for accuracy purposes.

15. There are no electrically generated signals the full function is visual only.

16. The laser light source will be visible from any direction depending on how close the user is to the trailer and which angle the user backs up to the trailer.