SINGLE CAMERA APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ALIGNMENT OF A TRAILER HITCH

Abstract

A system for facilitating the backing of a vehicle to couple a hitch and trailer, the system including a camera and a mirror for allowing capture of visual images of both the approaching vehicle and the trailer tongue, to assist in backing the vehicle and making the coupling.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of backing apparatus 100 mounted on trailer tongue 205.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of backing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, showing camera 110 and reflective surface 118.

FIG. 3 is a side view of backing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, showing camera 110 and reflective surface 118.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing the near approach of vehicle 215 and trailer tongue 205, with camera system 100 mounted thereon.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are illustrations of display screen 410 showing approaching vehicle 215 and trailer tongue 205.

FIG. 7 is a view of vehicle 215 and trailer 218, with camera system 100 mounted on vehicle 215 transmitting a view of trailer hitch 203 to monitor 410 inside of vehicle 215.

FIG. 8 is a side view, and FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment of camera system 100 of FIG. 7, showing, mounting bracket 101 having a magnetic coupler 103 to hold camera system 100 to vehicle 215, and swing arm 129 having light 114 controlled by switch 115, and camera 100.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention show in box 400 which serves not only to store the camera system, but also as a mounting system.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising: A storage and mounting container;A mounting member affixed to the container;A camera boom positioned within the box and adapted to slide in and out of the box;A camera affixed to the boom; andA monitor removably positioned within the box;Wherein during operation of the system the camera and monitor are in communication.

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is biased against movement.

3. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is magnetically biased against movement.

4. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is rotationally movable.

5. The camera system of claim 1, the mounting member is movably affixed to the container.

6. The camera system of claim 1, further comprising a light.

7. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is magnetically biased against movement, and wherein the boom is rotationally movable.

8. A system for backing a vehicle having a trailer hitch to a trailer, the sytem comprising: A storage and mounting container;A mounting member affixed to the container and adapted for mounting the container to the vehicle;A camera boom positioned within the box and adapted to slide in and out of the box;A camera affixed to the boom, wherein the boom may be operated to position the camera in a position to view the trailer hitch during backing; andA monitor removably positioned within the box and adapted to be viewed by an operator of the vehicle during backing; andWherein during backing the camera and monitor are in communication.

9. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is biased against movement.

10. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is magnetically biased against movement.

11. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is rotationally movable.

12. The camera system of claim 1, the mounting member is movably affixed to the container.

13. The camera system of claim 1, further comprising a light.

14. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the boom is magnetically biased against movement, and wherein the boom is rotationally movable.

15. A method of backing a vehicle using a camera system comprising a storage boom positioned within the box and adapted to slide in and out of the container; a camera affixed to the boom; and a monitor removably positioned within the box, the method comprising: mounting the container to the vehicle using the mounting member;operating the boom to position the camera as desired;removing the monitor from the container and positioning it as desired; and,operating the camera system during vehicle backing to capture images with the camera and transmit the images to the monitor.

16. A camera system comprising: A camera boom;A camera affixed to the boom; andA magnetic mounting member;Wherein the boom is swivelably mounted to the mounting member and swivelably positionable between a first position and a second position.

17. The camera system of claim 8, wherein the first position and the second position are 90 degrees apart.

18. A camera system comprising: A camera with a lens defining a field of view;A mirror positioned in a portion of the field of view, wherein said portion is less than the entire field of view.