Trailer coupler

• US 8,262,120 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2010
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jason Allen Ludlam, John G. Pitts, Kristopher Michael Lake
• Original Assignee: Jason Allen Ludlam, John G. Pitts, Kristopher Michael Lake
• Inventors: Pitts, John G., Lake, Kristopher Michael, Ludlam, Jason Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/798,745
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 280/477, 280504-511
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like

Abstract

A trailer coupler which has two cameras mounted at right angles at the rear of the towing vehicle. The cameras transfer images to a monitor inside the cab of the towing vehicle.

Claims

1. A trailer coupling system for assisting in aligning a hitch on a towing vehicle with a complimentary part on a trailer, wherein said system comprises:

a hitch adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle,

said hitch having a first portion connected to a second portion,

said first portion having means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle,

said second portion having means for securing a trailer to said hitch,

said first portion having means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle, and

said means for capturing an image having means for transferring said image to a remote location, and

said second portion having means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle, and

said means for capturing another image having means for transferring said another image to a remote location, and

wherein said image and said another image are different views of said means for securing a trailer to said hitch.

2. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is a camera.

3. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is a camera.

4. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is mounted in a position above said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle.

5. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is mounted in a position beside said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle.

6. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is mounted in a position vertically above said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle and is aimed downward.

7. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is mounted in a position horizontally adjacent said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle.

8. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to a screen in a position remote from said means for capturing an image.

9. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to a screen in a position remote from said means for capturing an image.

10. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to a screen in a position remote from said means for capturing an image, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to said screen.

11. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to a portion of said screen, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to another portion of said screen.

12. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to a portion of said screen, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to a portion of said screen at the same time.

13. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to said screen, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to said screen, and

said system has means for switching from said view to said another view.

14. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said means for switching from said view to said another view has a timer which automatically performs said switching.

15. A trailer coupling system for assisting in aligning a hitch on a towing vehicle with a complimentary part on a trailer, wherein said system comprises:

a hitch adapted to be attached to a towing vehicle,

said hitch having a first portion connected to a second portion,

said first portion having means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle,

said second portion having means for securing a trailer to said hitch,

said first portion having means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle, and

said means for capturing an image having means for transferring said image to a remote location, and

said second portion having means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle, and

said means for capturing another image having means for transferring said another image to a remote location, and

wherein said image and said another image are different views of said means for securing a trailer to said hitch, and

wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is mounted in a position above said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle is mounted in a position beside said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle.

16. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to a portion of a screen at said remote location, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to another portion of said screen.

17. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to a portion of said screen, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to a portion of said screen at the same time.

18. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means for capturing an image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits a view to said screen, and

wherein said means for capturing another image of said means for securing said hitch to a towing vehicle transmits another view to said screen, and

said system has means for switching from said view to said another view.

19. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means for switching from said view to said another view has a timer which automatically performs said switching.

20. The trailer coupling system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said means for capturing an image and said means for capturing said another image are cameras.