US 2019/0283670 A1Published application

Novel vehicle-positioning-aid technology

Assignee21F Enterprises LLC

InventorThomas Freeman

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A vehicle-positioning aid includes a field unit and a cab unit. The field unit is configured to generate a vehicle-contact signal when physically contacted by a vehicle and to wirelessly transmit a signal indicative that the field unit has be contacted by a vehicle. The cab unit is configured to provide the vehicle operator with an indication that the vehicle has contacted the field unit; for example, by emitting a particular sound pattern. The operator places the vehicle-positioning aid at a desired location on, for example, a worksite, and is able to position the vehicle at the desired location by moving the vehicle until it contacts the field unit. Thus, the operator is able to position the vehicle at a desired spot without the need for other workers (spotters) to monitor the blind spots and relay information to the operator.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A vehicle-positioning apparatus comprising:

(a) a field unit comprising:
(i) a base;
(ii) a contact member connected to and extending upward from the base;
(iii) a first wireless-communication module;
(iv) a first controller;
and
(v) a contact sensor configured to generate a vehicle-contact signal if a vehicle physically contacts the field unit;
(vi) wherein the first controller is connected to the contact sensor and is configured to read signals generated by the contact sensor and to identify the vehicle-contact signal generated by the contact sensor;
and
(vii) wherein the first controller is connected to the first wireless-communication module and is configured to transmit a spot signal via the first wireless-communication module if the first controller receives a vehicle-contact signal generated by the contact sensor;
and
(b) a cab unit comprising:
(i) a second wireless-communication module;
(ii) a second controller;
and
(iii) an emitter;
(iv) wherein the second controller is connected to the second wireless-communication module and is configured to receive information via the second wireless-communication module;
and
(v) wherein the second controller is connected to the emitter and is configured to emit signals via the emitter;
and
(c) wherein the first wireless-communication module is configured to transmit information to the second wireless-communication module and the second wireless-communication module is configured to receive information from the first wireless-communication module;
and
(d) wherein the second controller is configured to emit a signal via the emitter on receipt of the spot signal from the field unit.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/429,118Filed 3 Jun 2019
Priority: 14 Jul 2017
Published: 19 Sep 2019
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

B60Q 9/003
For parking purposes, e.g. for warning the driver that his vehicle has contacted or is about to contact an obstacle: using physical contactors,…
G01V 9/00
Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups g01v1/00 -
B60Q
Arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or
G01V
Geophysics