Hitch-Mounted Safety Detection System for Automobiles
First Claim
1. A detection system for an automobile, the automobile having a hitch and a hitch power plug, and a predetermined in-cabin power source, comprising:
- a hitch receptacle, disposed to be fitted to the hitch of the automobile, having a housing;
at least one detection element coupled to said housing, said detection element being adapted to scan the area behind said automobile and generate a detection signal;
a power cable adapted to releasably plug into said hitch power plug, for providing power said detection elements;
a wireless transmitter coupled to said detection element for transmitting said detection signal;
a wireless receiver for receiving said detection signal from said wireless transmitter;
a power connector adapted to be plugged into said predetermined in-cabin power source, for powering said wireless receiver;
a detection output device for receiving said detection signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a sensor or camera system that can be readily mounted to the existing hitch socket of an automobile such as an SUV, minivan or RV. The system also can use the existing hitch wiring for its power source. The sensor or camera system can fit into any automotive hitch system, whether the hitch is factory-installed or after-market. The installed sensor, camera, or illuminating devices can be easily secured or locked by a hitch pin or hitch locking pin. For simplicity, the overall system will be generally referred to, in the following description. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the detection system may include sensors, cameras or both.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A detection system for an automobile, the automobile having a hitch and a hitch power plug, and a predetermined in-cabin power source, comprising:
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a hitch receptacle, disposed to be fitted to the hitch of the automobile, having a housing;
at least one detection element coupled to said housing, said detection element being adapted to scan the area behind said automobile and generate a detection signal;
a power cable adapted to releasably plug into said hitch power plug, for providing power said detection elements;
a wireless transmitter coupled to said detection element for transmitting said detection signal;
a wireless receiver for receiving said detection signal from said wireless transmitter;
a power connector adapted to be plugged into said predetermined in-cabin power source, for powering said wireless receiver;
a detection output device for receiving said detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A detection system for an automobile, the automobile having a hitch and a hitch power plug, and a predetermined in-cabin power source, comprising:
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at least one detection element, adapted to fit on a ball mount, said ball mount being fitted onto said hitch, said detection element being adapted to scan the area behind said automobile and generate a detection signal;
a power cable coupled to said hitch receptacle, adapted to plug into said hitch power plug, for providing power said detection elements;
a wireless transmitter coupled to said detection element for transmitting said detection signal;
a wireless receiver for receiving said detection signal from said wireless transmitter;
a power connector adapted to be plugged into said predetermined in-cabin power source, for powering said wireless receive;
a detection output device for receiving said detection signal.
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12. A detection system for an automobile, the automobile having a hitch and a hitch power plug, and a predetermined in-cabin power source, comprising:
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a housing adapted to fit into said hitch power plug;
at least one detection element releasably coupled to said housing, adapted to scan the area behind said automobile and generate a detection signal;
a power cable coupled to said housing for releasably plugging into said hitch power plug, for providing power said detection elements;
a wireless transmitter coupled to said detection element for transmitting said detection signal;
a wireless receiver for receiving said detection signal from said wireless transmitter;
a power connector adapted to be plugged into said predetermined in-cabin power source, for powering said wireless receive;
a detection output device for receiving said detection signal.
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13. A safety detection system for an automobile having a hitch power plug, comprising:
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at least one detection element provided to a predetermined area of the automobile, disposed to scan a predetermined area for an object or a child;
a detection signal generator coupled to said detection element, adapted to generate a detection signal upon scanning;
a power connector for the detection element and the signal generator, adapted to plug into the hitch power plug for deriving power therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A back-up safety detection system for an automobile, the automobile having a hitch and a hitch power plug, and a predetermined power source, the safety detection system comprising:
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a hitch assembly, adapted to fit onto the hitch;
at least one detecting element coupled to said hitch assembly, disposed to scan a predetermined area around the automobile and generate a detection signal;
a wireless transmitter coupled to the detecting element, disposed to transmit said detection signal using a predetermined wireless frequency band;
a power connector adapted to be fitted to said hitch power plug, disposed to provide power to said detecting element;
a wireless receiver for receiving said detection signal;
an output unit coupled to said wireless receiver for outputting said detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A safety detection system for an automobile having a hitch power plug, comprising:
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a hitch accessory adapted to be installed onto the automobile;
at least one detection element releasably coupled to the hitch accessory, disposed to scan a predetermined area for an object or a child;
a detection signal generator coupled to said detection element, adapted to generate a detection signal upon scanning;
a power connector for at least one of the detection element and the signal generator, adapted to releasably plug into the hitch power plug for deriving power therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification