Fifth wheel video monitor system

• US 7,176,958 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2002
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Martin G. Jones
• Original Assignee: Martin G. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Martin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/233,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20040041942A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,624 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/373
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/25 to the sides of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views

Abstract

At least one video camera mounted upon the tractor part of a truck. An anchor is affixed to the truck so as to prevent any relative motion of anchor and truck, and a rail is affixed to the anchor. A slider is moveably mounted upon the rail so that motion along the rail is allowed but the slider cannot depart from the rail. A camera rack is affixed to the slider but the camera rack and slider are angularly coupled to the trailer/semi-trailer of the truck, so that the rack and any cameras mounted thereon swivel with the trailer, not with the tractor. The angular coupling may be achieved with at least one roller affixed to the camera rack but urged against the trailer. There may be at least two cameras: one showing each side of the trailer.

Claims

1. A camera mount for a vehicle having a trailer hitch and trailer, the mount comprising:

at least one anchor affixed to such vehicle;

at least one rail affixed to the anchor,

at least one slider movably mounted upon the rail; and

at least one camera rack affixed to the slider, the camera rack further being angularly coupled to such trailer by an angular coupling having at least one roller affixed thereto, the angular coupling being dimensioned and configured to urge the roller and camera rack against one surface of such trailer; and

at least one video camera affixed to the camera rack.

2. The camera mount of claim 1, used in a vehicle having a fifth wheel trailer hitch wherein:

the anchor is affixed to such fifth wheel hitch.

3. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the anchor further comprises:

at least one clamp bracket.

4. The camera mount of claim 3, wherein the affixation of the clamp bracket to the vehicle further comprises:

affixing the clamp bracket to the trailer hitch of the vehicle.

5. The camera mount of claim 1, wherein the affixation of the camera to the camera rack further comprises:

positioning the camera below the level of the side of the trailer.

6. A method of viewing the blind spots of a towing vehicle having at least one towed vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

a) affixing at least one anchor to such towing vehicle;

b) movably mounting at least one camera rack having at least one video camera to the anchor by affixing a slider to the camera rack, and movably mounting the slider upon a rail affixed to the anchor in a position allowing the video camera to view a blind spot; and

c) angularly coupling the camera rack to the towed vehicle by urging at least one roller against the side of the towed vehicle, the roller being affixed to the camera rack.

7. The method of viewing of claim 6, wherein the anchor comprises a clamp bracket.

8. The method of viewing of claim 6, wherein the camera rack further holds the camera at an elevation lower than the bottom of the trailer in the vicinity of the camera.