Vehicle docking device using sensor matrix

A vehicle docking device for assisting the driver of a towing vehicle in positioning a hitch ball of the towing vehicle relative to a towing hitch of a trailer to be towed, said vehicle docking device comprising in combination:

• a. a matrix of sensors spaced apart from one another and disposed in a substantially common plane, said matrix of sensors being arranged to lie substantially in a plurality of rows and columns, said plurality of columns lying substantially perpendicular to said plurality of rows, said matrix having a center point, each of said sensors being adapted to generate an electrical signal when activated;
• b. mounting means for securing said matrix of sensors proximate said hitch ball and for positioning the common plane of said matrix of sensors in a substantially horizontal plane;
• c. activator means for activating a selected one of said sensors when said activator means is substantially aligned with said selected sensor;
• d. support means for supporting said activator means in a predetermined position relative to said towing hitch, said predetermined position being aligned with the center point of said matrix of sensors when said hitch ball is aligned with said towing hitch;
• e. a matrix of indicators for being viewed by the driver of the towing vehicle, said matrix of indicators being arranged to lie substantially in a plurality of rows and columns, said plurality of columns lying substantially perpendicular to said plurality of rows, each of said indicators being responsive to the electrical signal generated by a corresponding one of said sensors for providing a visual indication to the driver when the corresponding sensor is activated;
• and
• f. means for electrically coupling said matrix of indicators to said matrix of sensors.