SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING VISUAL GUIDANCE TO ASSIST IN POSITIONING A BOAT AND TRAILER IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS

• US 20150061899A1
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aqualane, Llc
• Original Assignee: Aqualane, Llc
• Inventors: Wiegand, Nicholas Karl, Modaragamage, Dilshan Thilina
• Granted Patent: US 9,308,851 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/985
• 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: B60P 3/1033 on a loading frame, e.g. the vehicle being a trailer B60P3/1008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/1075 Guiding means for loading the boat using rollers B60P3/1066
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/166 comprising a light
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 3/02 by longitudinal movement of vessel
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 3/12 using cradles vehicles in general for transporting boats or the like B60P
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/00 Traffic control systems for marine craft marking of navigational route B63B22/16, B63B51/00

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include a visual guidance system for a boat trailer that can include a housing defining a cavity, the housing having a plurality of openings such that fluid can pass into the cavity, a first track and a second track, where the first track and the second track have a substantially vertical orientation, and a laser head mounted on the first track and the second track that can include a housing, a laser module positioned within the housing that is configured to provide a first illumination beam, and a float.

Claims

1. A visual guidance system for a boat trailer comprising:

a. a guidance system housing defining a cavity, the guidance system housing having a plurality of openings such that fluid can pass into the cavity defined by the guidance system housing;

b. a first track opposite a second track and positioned within the cavity defined by the guidance system housing, wherein the first track and the second track have a substantially vertical orientation;

c. a first laser head, the first laser head being coupled with the first track and the second track, wherein the first laser head is pivotally and vertically moveable relative to the first track and the second track, the first laser head comprising;

i. a first housing defining a first housing cavity;

ii. a first laser module positioned within the housing cavity configured to provide a first illumination beam;

iii. a first float coupled with the first housing; and

iv. a first window coupled with the first housing such that the first illumination beam is configured to pass through the first window;

d. a first position, wherein the first laser head is buoyed by fluid within the housing; and

e. a second position, wherein the first laser head is unbuoyed.

2. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser module is a laser from about 5 mW to about 100 mW having a collimated laser beam from about 3 mm to about 100 mm in diameter.

3. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser head further includes a grating to perform beam shaping.

4. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser head is substantially parallel to the surface of the fluid when buoyed in the first position.

5. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser head is substantially perpendicular to the first track and the second track in the second position.

6. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first window is a lens.

7. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first float buoys the first laser head such that the first illumination beam projects substantially along the surface of a body of water.

8. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first float buoys the first laser head such that the first illumination beam projects substantially below the surface of a body of water.

9. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser head further comprises a balancing weight.

10. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first illumination beam is activated when the first laser head contacts fluid.

11. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser module is controlled wirelessly.

12. The visual guidance system of claim 1, further comprising a second laser head, the second laser head being coupled with the first track and the second track, wherein the second laser head is pivotally and vertically moveable relative to the first track and the second track, the second laser head comprising;

a. a second housing defining a second housing cavity;

b. second laser module positioned within the second housing cavity configured to provide a second illumination beam;

c. a second float coupled with the second housing; and

d. a second window coupled with the second housing such that the second illumination beam is configured to pass through the second lens.

13. The visual guidance system of claim 12, wherein the first laser head is positioned substantially above the second laser head.

14. The visual guidance system of claim 12, wherein the first float buoys the first laser head such that the first illumination beam projects substantially along the surface of a body of water and the second float buoys the second laser head such that the second illumination beam projects substantially under the body of water.

15. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser head further includes at least one shock absorber.

16. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser head further includes a desiccant replacement window and an associated desiccant.

17. The visual guidance system of claim 1, wherein the first laser module is coupled with a pivot collar that is associated with a pivot shaft and a pivot bushing.

18. A visual guidance system for a boat trailer comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a tracking means associated with the housing;

c. an illumination means coupled with the tracking means and positioned at least partially within the housing; and

d. a floating means associated with the illumination means.

19. A method for providing visual guidance for a boat trailer comprising the steps of:

providing a visual guidance system including a housing, a track positioned within the housing, and a laser head having a laser module, wherein the laser head is coupled with the track such that the laser head is movable in a substantially vertical direction;

coupling the visual guidance system with a boat trailer;

illuminating the laser module of the laser head to create an illumination beam; and

guiding a boat onto the boat trailer using the illumination beam.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of providing a plurality of laser heads.