Optical ranging

• US 5,461,471 A
• Filed: 04/29/1994
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith M. Sommerfeld
• Original Assignee: Keith M. Sommerfeld
• Inventors: Sommerfeld, Keith M.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANS, FANNIE L
• Application Number:
  US08/236,910
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 356/3, 33/264, 116/28 R, 280/477
• US Class Current: 356/3
• 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

Abstract

Optical ranging (e.g. for hitching purposes) utilises at least one first reference indicium comprised by a subject (e.g. a vehicle); at least one reflector; at least one second reference indicium, for being comprised by an object behind the subject; and optionally at least one third reference indicium; such that during suitable relative motion towards each other of the subject and object, the first and second reference indicia and optionally the third reference indicium are observed suitably to come into coincidence whereby a predetermined distance of separation (e.g. a hitching distance will exist between the subject and object.

Claims

1. Optical ranging apparatus for assisting hitching of an object to a subject vehicle having an interior rear view mirror comprising:

an indicator plate having a window portion comprising two first reference indicia spaced apart to define a space there between, the indicator plate being fastenable to a rear view mirror of the subject vehicle'"'"'s interior so as to be pivotable upwards and downwards relative to the rear mirror, the rear view mirror being arranged forward of at least one view point within the vehicle'"'"'s interior, such that the rear view mirror and said two first reference indicia may be observed together from at least one said view point; and

at least one second reference indicium for being comprised by an object behind the subject vehicle, such that the appearance of said at least one second reference indicium may be reflected by the rear view mirror so as to be observed from at least one said view point;

wherein said two first reference indicia and said at least one second reference indicium are adapted in appearance and size such that during relative motion towards each other of the vehicle and said object the appearance of said at least one second reference indicium will be observed at said at least on view point to come into coincidence with said two first reference indicia and completely fill said space from one to the other of said first reference indicia, whereby a predetermined distance of separation is provided between the vehicle and said object to enable hitching of the object and the vehicle.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two first reference indicia are two upwardly directed indicium lines.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said window portion comprises a centrally located and upwardly directed indicium line.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one second reference indicium is comprised of a display area constituting a said second reference indicium.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said display area comprises a detectable line that is said second reference indicium in addition to at least one second reference indicium.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one second indicium has an appearance which changeable at selected times.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one second reference indicium is an adjustable matrix.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one third reference indicium comprised by the vehicle, the at least one third reference indicium being arranged behind the at least one view point, such that the at least one third reference indicium will be reflected from the rear view mirror so as to be observable at said-at least one view point;

wherein the two first reference indicia, the at least one second reference indicium, and the at least one third reference indicium are sufficient of such in appearance and size that during said relative motion towards each other of the vehicle and said object, the appearance of said at least one second reference indicium and the appearance of said at least one third reference indicium will be observed within said space between the two first reference indicia.