Tractor/trailer back up kit

• US 7,184,074 B1
• Filed: 01/15/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rolf Jansen
• Original Assignee: Rolf Jansen
• Inventors: Jansen, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/232,566
• Time in Patent Office: 2,965 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148, 348/149, 348/151, 348/152, 348/169, 348/170, 348/61, 296/97.5, 296/97.8, 359/13, 397/184.13, 354/293, 340/903, 340/902, 340/435, 340/436, 340/932.2, 340/937
• US Class Current: 348/151
• 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 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

Two improvements of a closed circuit television system applicable to a motor-freight tractor/trailer rig, or a motor vehicle, to see to the rear when the unaided view is obstructed, comprising:

1. Sunvisor-mounted case (30), with a window (10), for cradling a camcorder-type LCD monitor (32), to provide protection for the monitor from heat, cold, vibrations, and bright sunlight, to allow a driver easy, direct, close-range viewing of the monitor screen, as if the screen were a rear-view mirror, while backing up a motor vehicle, or a tractor with attached trailer.

2. Weather-proofed enclosure (40) for mounting on the reverse side of a plate (34), such as a license plate, located at the rear of a motor vehicle, or trailer, to protect a micro-video, pin-holed lens camera (48).

These two improvements together meet a long-felt but unsolved need in the trucking industry.

Claims

1. An assembly of a camcorder-type liquid crystal display monitor, comprising means for mounting said assembly to the inner retracted side of a driver'"'"'s sunvisor of a motor vehicle,

whereby said sunvisor, when lowered, allows a driver easy, direct, close-range, sunlight-protected viewing of said monitor screen, as if the screen were a rear-view mirror, when used in conjunction with a video camera, to see to the rear when the unaided view is obstructed.

2. An assembly of a micro-video, pin-holed lens camera, comprising means for mounting said assembly on the reverse side of a license plate at the rear of a trailer or motor vehicle, so that said camera can see through a predetermined-sized hole put in said plate,

whereby said plate-mounted assembly conceals said pin-holed lens camera to lessen the risk of vandalism, whereby said camera is located in a position at the rear of a trailer or motor vehicle for viewing a backing, when used in conjunction with a monitor.