Trailer hitch positioning apparatus

• US 6,259,357 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Heider
• Original Assignee: Joseph Heider
• Inventors: Heider, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/476,709
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/435, 340/425.5, 340/687, 340/691.6, 332/64, 280/477, 280/504, 280/511, 280/431, 280/438
• 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

Abstract

A trailer hitch positioning apparatus is provided for directing the driver of a vehicle that is backing up to a trailer. The apparatus includes an infrared light and sensor unit mounted on the bumper or receiver of the towing vehicle for transmitting a light beam of predetermined vertical and horizontal width toward the trailer. A reflecting device mounted under the trailer tongue returns infrared light impulses with information back to the sensors which are analyzed by a microprocessor that controls a transmitter. The transmitter audibly guides the driver'"'"'s ball to the trailer hitch for coupling. A stop tone warns the driver to stop when the ball and hitch are accurately positioned for coupling.

Claims

1. A hitch positioning apparatus comprising:

a transceiver coupled to a towing vehicle, said transceiver including a plurality of spaced apart light emitters for generating a plurality of light beams and a light sensor for sensing reception of said light beams;

a reflector coupled to a towed vehicle for receiving said light beams from said light emitters and reflecting said light beams to said light sensor; and

a transmitter coupled to said light sensor for transmitting a signal to a built in vehicle radio within the towing vehicle which emits a plurality of tones indicating which portion of said light sensor receives said reflected light beams from said reflector.

2. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of light emitters further comprises two light emitters laterally spaced apart relative to a longitudinal axis of said towing vehicle.

3. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 2 wherein said light sensor further comprises three light sensors laterally spaced apart relative to a longitudinal axis of said towing vehicle such that said two light emitters are intermittently disposed between said three light sensors.

4. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light sensor further comprises three light sensors laterally spaced apart relative to a longitudinal axis of said towing vehicle.

5. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light beams further comprise infrared light beams.

6. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transceiver is mounted to a bumper of said towing vehicle.

7. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said reflector is mounted to tongue of said towed vehicle.

8. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of tones include a first tone sounding upon a first end of said sensor receiving said reflected light, a second tone sounding upon a second end of said sensor receiving said reflected light, and a third tone sounding upon a middle portion of said plurality of sensors receiving said reflected light.

9. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 8 wherein said plurality of tones further includes a stop tone sounding upon said middle portion of said sensor receiving a predetermined intensity of said reflected light.

10. A hitch positioning apparatus comprising:

a transceiver coupled to a towing vehicle, said transceiver including;

a first light sensor for sensing received light;

a first light emitter for emitting a first light beam adjacent but spaced apart from said first light sensor;

a second light sensor for sensing received light adjacent but spaced apart from said first light emitter;

a second light emitter for emitting a second light beam adjacent but spaced apart from said second light sensor;

a third light sensor for sensing received light adjacent but spaced apart from said second light emitter;

a reflector coupled to a towed vehicle for receiving said first and second light beams from said first and second light emitters and reflecting said first and second light beams toward at least one of said first, second, and third light sensors; and

a transmitter coupled to said first, second, and third light sensors for transmitting a signal to a built in vehicle radio of said towing vehicle which emits one of a plurality of tones according to which of said first, second, and third light sensors receives said first and second light beams reflected from said reflector.

11. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said first and second light beams further comprise infrared light beams.

12. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said transceiver is mounted to one of a bumper and a hitch of said towing vehicle.

13. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said reflector is mounted to a tongue of said towed vehicle.

14. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 10 wherein said plurality of tones includes a first tone sounding upon said first light sensor receiving either of said first and second light beams from said reflector, a second tone sounding upon said second light sensor receiving either of said first and second light beams from said reflector, and a third tone sounding upon said third light sensor receiving either of said first and second light beams from said reflector.

15. The hitch positioning apparatus of claim 14 wherein said plurality of tones further includes a stop tone sounding upon said second light sensor receiving a predetermined intensity of either of said first and second light beams from said reflector.