Patent ID: 9723692
Date: 2017-08-01
CPC Classifications: B60Q,B62D,H05B,Y02B

Claim:
1. A system for monitoring a trailer hitch assembly having a hitch plate with a throat for receiving a kingpin of a trailer and a locking mechanism for locking the kingpin in the throat, the system comprising: a first sensor sensing the position of the kingpin of the trailer relative to the throat of the hitch plate; a second sensor sensing a position of the locking mechanism that is movable between an unlocked position wherein the kingpin is removable from within the throat of the hitch plate, and a locked position wherein the kingpin is secured within the throat of the hitch plate by the locking mechanism; a control circuit operably coupled with the first sensor and the second sensor and determining whether the first sensor indicates a proper location of the kingpin of the trailer relative to the throat of the hitch plate and determining whether the second sensor indicates that the locking mechanism is in the locked position; and a first light source located substantially proximate the throat of the hitch plate, wherein the first light source is activated when the control circuit determines that the kingpin of the trailer is in the proper location relative to the throat of the hitch plate and that the locking mechanism is in the locked position, such that the first light source illuminates the throat of the hitch plate and the kingpin assisting an operator in conducting a visual inspection to confirm the proper location of the kingpin relative to the throat of the hitch plate and that the locking mechanism is in the locked position.