Method and apparatus for alignment of trailer hitch

• US 7,568,716 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dan L. Dietz
• Original Assignee: Dan L. Dietz
• Inventors: Dietz, Dan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; George B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STABLEY, MICHAEL R
• Application Number:
  US10/908,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20060255560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,544 Days
• Field of Search: 280/432, 280/477, 280/504, 280/511, 332/86, 250/330, 250/491.1, 342/53, 356/51, 372/4, 340/691.6, 340/686.6, 340/473, 340/431, 340/435, 340/901, 340/902, 340/903, 340/937, 348/14.02, 348/207.99, 348/148, 396/155, 396/153
• US Class Current: 280/477
• 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 system for facilitating the backing of a vehicle to couple a hitch and trailer, the system including one or more cameras providing visual images to the vehicle driver to assist in backing the vehicle and making the coupling.

Claims

1. A vehicle backing apparatus for assisting in coupling a hitch supported by the vehicle with a trailer, the apparatus comprising:

a first camera positioned to provide an image of the trailer;

a second camera positioned to provide downward image of the hitch;

a support bracket, wherein the first camera and the second camera are mounted on the support bracket, and wherein the first camera and the second camera are positioned on the support bracket so that the second camera is at a farther distance from the vehicle than the first camera; and

a monitor system for displaying the image of the trailer and the image of the hitch.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first camera is suitable for capturing both visible light images and infrared light images, and comprises an infrared light source supported by the first camera and a visible light source supported by the first camera.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first camera or the second camera is adapted for positioning on the vehicle or the trailer to provide security monitoring of either the vehicle or the trailer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first or second cameras comprises a motion sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second camera is suitable for capturing both visible light images and infrared light images, and comprises an infrared light source supported by the second camera and a visible light source supported by the second camera.

5. A method of backing a vehicle with a hitch toward a trailer to couple the trailer with the hitch, the method comprising:

mounting a first camera and a second camera on a support bracket;

positioning the first camera and the second camera on the support bracket so that the second camera is at a farther distance from the vehicle than the first camera;

viewing the trailer through the first camera while backing the vehicle toward the trailer; and

viewing the hitch through the second camera while backing the vehicle toward the trailer.