Fill and discharge service alignment device

• US 6,313,753 B1
• Filed: 09/27/2000
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Albert E. Butler
• Original Assignee: Albert E. Butler
• Inventors: Butler, Albert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/670,336
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/988, 340/431, 340/435, 340/438, 340/459, 340/691.6, 340/687, 340/686.2, 340/903, 340/901, 340/938, 340/517, 340/524, 340/815.4, 340/686.1, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 340/686.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/00 Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or refitting of vehicles vehicles adapted to carry a workshop for servicing or maintenance B60P3/14; servicing rail locomotives B61K

Abstract

Travel trailer and motor home users must periodically use various facilities for filling motor fuel tanks and water storage tanks of their vehicles, as well as dumping their waste water and sewerage receptacles. Typically the fill or discharge receptacles for these different tanks are located at different locations along the length of the vehicle, making it difficult to align the vehicle with the different service facilities. The present invention comprises a device whereby a driver can accurately line up fill and discharge receptacles with the corresponding service at a service station or dump station without the aid of a second person or the need for leaving the vehicle.

Claims

1. A device for aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, comprising:

means for measuring the linear distance traveled by said vehicle and generating a signal representative thereof;

a control module for receiving said signal, comprising;

means for storing data representative of at least one distance said vehicle must move from a reference point to be substantially aligned with at least one service point; and

a comparator operatively connected to said control module for comparing said signal with said data and generating an output signal indicating that said vehicle has traveled a distance substantially the same as said at least one predetermined distance; and

indicating means to alert an operator of said vehicle that said vehicle has traveled approximately said at least one predetermined distance.

2. A device for aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, as defined in claim 1, wherein

said means for measuring the linear distance traveled by said vehicle comprises:

at least one magnet mounted on the drive shaft of said vehicle and

at least one electronic sensor to record the magnetic field of said at least one magnet as it passes said at least one electronic sensor on each revolution of said drive shaft.

3. A device for aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, as defined in claim 1, wherein

said means for storing data representative of at least one distance said vehicle must move from a reference point to be substantially aligned with at least one service point comprises:

a micro processing chip and software contained thereon,

at least one service select button,

a calibrate button for initiating calibration of selected of said at least one service select button,

a set button for entering the calibration of selected of said at least one service select button; and

said comparator is a software application stored on said micro processing chip.

4. A device for aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, as defined in claim 1, wherein

said indicating means is an audible alarm.

5. A device for aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, as defined in claim 1, wherein

said indicating means is an illuminated, visual alarm.

6. A device for aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, as defined in claim 1, wherein

said indicating means is a decal bearing an arrow which can be mounted to the vehicle at a point clearly visible to the driver of said vehicle.

7. A device, for aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, comprising:

means for measuring the linear distance traveled by said vehicle and generating a signal representative thereof, comprising;

at least one magnet mounted on the drive shaft of said vehicle and

at least one electronic sensor to record the magnetic field of said at least one magnet as it passes said at least one electronic sensor on each revolution of said drive shaft;

a control module for receiving said signal, further comprising;

means for storing data representative of at least one distance said vehicle must move from a reference point to be substantially aligned with at least one service point, said means for storing data further comprising;

a micro processing chip and software contained thereon,

a plurality of service select buttons for selecting the desired one of said services to be used,

a calibrate button for initiating the calibration of said data for said one of said services to be aligned,

a set button for storing said data for said one of said services being aligned

a signal means, and

a power on/off switch; and

a comparator operatively connected to said control module for comparing said signal with said data and generating an output signal indicating that said vehicle has traveled a distance substantially the same as said at least one predetermined distance, said comparator being a software application stored on said micro processing chip.

8. A method of aligning fill and discharge service receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, in combination with a device for aligning fill and discharge receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points,

said device for aligning fill and discharge receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points comprising:

means for measuring the linear distance traveled by said vehicle and generating a signal representative thereof, comprising;

at least one magnet mounted on the drive shaft of said vehicle and

at least one electronic sensor to record the magnetic field of said at least one magnet as it passes said at least one electronic sensor on each revolution of said drive shaft;

a control module for receiving said signal, further comprising;

means for storing data representative of at least one distance said vehicle must move from a reference point to be substantially aligned with at least one service point, said means for storing data further comprising;

a micro processing chip and software contained thereon,

a plurality of service select buttons for selecting the desired one of said services to be used,

a calibrate button for initiating the calibration of said data for said one of said services to be aligned,

a set button for storing said data for said one of said services being aligned

a signal means, and

a power on/off switch; and

a comparator operatively connected to said control module for comparing said signal with said data and generating an output signal indicating that said vehicle has traveled a distance substantially the same as said at least one predetermined distance, said comparator being a software application stored on said micro processing chip; and

said method further comprising;

calibration of said device for aligning fill and discharge receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, comprising;

aligning a marked point at the front a said vehicle with said service point;

pressing the one of said at least one service select button corresponding to the type of said service point;

pressing said calibrate button;

moving said vehicle forward, with a second person assisting in sighting, until fill or discharge receptacle of said vehicle corresponding to said type of service point is aligned with said service point; and

pressing said set button to enter said data into said data storage means; and

repeating said calibration procedure for each of said at least one service select button; and

use of said device for aligning fill and discharge receptacles on a vehicle with corresponding fill and discharge service points, comprising;

aligning said marked point at the front a said vehicle with said service point;

pressing the one of said at least one service select button corresponding to the type of said service point;

moving said vehicle forward until said signal means is activated, signaling that said fill or discharge receptacle is substantially aligned with said service point.