Vehicle positioning apparatus

• US 6,995,662 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2003
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joe W. Wortsmith
• Original Assignee: Joe W. Wortsmith
• Inventors: Wortsmith, Joe W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T.
• Application Number:
  US10/430,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20040222902A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 340/345, 340/346, 340/903, 340/932.2, 340/686.2, 340/431, 340/539.16, 340/539.22
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 49/00 Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0206 specially adapted to water vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/02 Anti-collision systems

Abstract

A vehicle positioning apparatus is shown and described. The positioning apparatus is adaptable for the guidance of a vehicle into a limited space, such as in the case of a boat approaching a dock, slip, or trailer. The vehicle includes two emitters, producing two images reflected to the operator of the vehicle. The emitters are spaced from each other in such a manner that the operator may determine direction, orientation, and other critical parameters of the vehicle during approach to the limited space by viewing of the reflected images. Targets may be employed to enhance the image seen by the operator.

Claims

1. A vehicle alignment apparatus, comprising:

(a) a first emitter mounted on the vehicle at about a centerline of the vehicle, said first emitter aligned such that an emission from said first emitter is directed along an axis parallel with the centerline of the vehicle;

(b) a second emitter mounted on the vehicle, said emitter positioned other than along a vertical plane passing through said first emitter and parallel to the centerline of the vehicles;

(c) a first target, wherein said first target is positioned externally to the vehicle, and said first target is positioned so as to receive the emission from said first emitter when the vehicle is in a desired alignment; and

(d) a second target, wherein said second target is positioned externally to the vehicle, and said second target is positioned so as to receive the emission from said second emitter when the vehicle is in the desired alignment.

2. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second emitter is aligned such that an emission from said second emitter is directed along an axis parallel with the centerline of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vehicle comprises a front portion and a rear portion, one of said first and second emitters is positioned in the front portion of the vehicle, and the other of said first and second emitters is positioned in the rear portion of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vehicle comprises a plurality of sides, and said second emitter is positioned along one of the sides of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 4, wherein said first emitter is positioned in the front portion of the vehicle, and said second emitter is positioned in the rear portion of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 5, wherein said first emitter comprises a laser crosshair generator and said second emitter comprises a laser line generator.

7. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first target comprises a diffusive material wherein emissions striking said first target are reflected in a wide angle.

8. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second emitters each comprise a laser generator.

9. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 8, wherein one of said first and second emitters comprises a laser crosshair pattern generator.

10. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 8, wherein one of said first and second emitters comprises a laser line pattern generator.

11. The vehicle alignment apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first target is mounted to one of a slip, a dock, and a trailer.

12. An apparatus for assistance in guidance into a limited space, comprising:

(a) a vehicle capable of entry within the limited space, said vehicle comprising a centerline;

(b) a first emitter mounted on said vehicle along a line parallel to said centerline of said vehicle;

(c) a second emitter mounted on said vehicle along a line parallel to said centerline of said vehicle;

(d) a first target mounted at the limited space, wherein said first emitters is aligned with said first target when said vehicle is aligned properly for entry into the limited space; and

(e) a second target mounted the limited space, wherein said second emitter is aligned with said second target when said vehicle is aligned properly for entry into the limited space.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said vehicle comprises a front portion and a rear portion, one of said first and second emitters is mounted in said front portion of said vehicle, and the other of said first and second emitters is mounted in said rear portion of said vehicle.

14. An alignment system, comprising:

(a) a vehicle;

(b) a first emitter mounted on said vehicle, wherein said first emitter is adapted to produce a first emission;

(c) a second emitter mounted on said vehicle, wherein said second emitter is adapted to produce a second emission; and

(d) a limited space adapted to receive said vehicle, wherein said limited space comprises first and second targets and is adaptable to receive said first and second emissions at said first and second targets, respectively, and reflect said first and second emissions to said vehicle when said vehicle is properly aligned for entry into said limited space.

15. The alignment system of claim 14, wherein said vehicle comprises a centerline and a side, said first emitter is mounted at about said centerline of said vehicle, and said second emitter is mounted at about said side of said vehicle.

16. The alignment system of claim 14, wherein said vehicle comprises a front portion and a rear portion, said first emitter is mounted at about said front portion of said vehicle, and said second emitter is mounted at about said rear portion of said vehicle.