# US 2014/0151979 A1 · Fifth Wheel Backup Camera System and Method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151979 A1 - Document ID: US20140151979A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/077,905 - Filed: 2013-11-12 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Fontaine Fifth Wheel Company - Applicants: Fontaine Fifth Wheel - Inventors: Aaron Puckett; Robert Laney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151979A1 ## CPC - B60D 1/36: for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers - B60D 1/62: involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like - B62D 53/08: Fifth wheel traction couplings {(tractors for handling trailers in terminals B62D49/007)} - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) ## Abstract A system for facilitating coupling between a trailer kingpin and a fifth wheel of a vehicle includes at least one camera mounted on the vehicle and adapted to provide an image of the kingpin. A monitor is in communication with the camera and is adapted to display the image of the kingpin. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for facilitating coupling between a trailer kingpin and a fifth wheel comprising a. a rearward facing camera adapted to be mounted to the vehicle in a position to provide an image of the kingpin b. a display in communication with the rearward facing camera and adapted to display the image of the kingpin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a pair of generally parallel frame rails and further comprising a bracket attached to and extending between the pair of frame rails and wherein the camera is mounted to the bracket. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the vehicle has and electrical power system, a transmission gear shifter and further comprising a relay in communication with the rearward facing camera, the transmission gear shifter and the vehicle electrical power system, said relay providing electrical power from the vehicle electrical power system to the rearward facing camera when the transmission gear shifter is moved into a reverse gear position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3 wherein the vehicle has a backup light and the relay provides electrical power from the vehicle electrical power system to the backup light to illuminate the backup light when the transmission gear shifter is moved into a reverse gear position, wherein the rearward facing camera is also powered when the transmission gear shifter is moved into the reverse gear position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 further comprising a forward facing camera adapted to provide an image of the fifth wheel and wherein the display is also in communication with the forward facing camera so that images from the rearward facing camera and the forward facing camera may be displayed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5 wherein the display includes a monitor that is adapted to display images from the forward facing camera and the rearward facing camera simultaneously. ### Claim 7 A system for facilitating coupling between a trailer kingpin and a filth wheel comprising: a. a rearward facing camera adapted to provide an image of the kingpin; b. a forward facing camera adapted to provide an image of the fifth wheel; c. a display; d. a controller in communication with the forward and rearward facing cameras and the display, said controller programmed to display images from the forward and rearward facing cameras on the display. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the fifth wheel is positioned on a truck having a cab and the display is adapted to be positioned within the cab of the truck. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 further comprising a distance sensor in communication with the controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the controller provides a marking on the displays from the forward and rearward facing cameras. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 further comprising a database in communication with the controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 further comprising a source of truck speed in communication with the controller. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein source of truck speed is a global positioning system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12 wherein the source of truck speed is the truck computer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the system controller is a wireless receiver device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the wireless device is a personal digital assistant. ### Claim 17 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the system controller is a microprocessor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7 wherein the forward and rearward facing cameras have night vision capability. ### Claim 19 A method of facilitating coupling a trailer kingpin to a fifth wheel of a vehicle comprising the steps of: a. displaying a view of the kingpin to a driver of the vehicle; b. displaying a marking on the kingpin view of step a.; c. displaying a view of the fifth wheel to the driver of the vehicle. ### Claim 20 A method of coupling a trailer kingpin to a fifth wheel of a vehicle comprising the steps of: a. viewing a display showing an image of the kingpin: b. viewing a marking on the display of step a.; c. adjusting the height of the kingpin; d. backing the vehicle and fifth wheel towards the trailer kingpin; e. viewing a display showing an image of the fifth wheel; f. coupling the kingpin to the fifth wheel.