Patent ID: 6886847
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: B60D

Abstract:
1. A method for aligning a vehicle with a gooseneck trailer, said gooseneck trailer having a downwardly extending hitch assembly for mating with a hitch ball mounted to said vehicle, said vehicle comprising a cab, a truck bed, and a bed box, said hitch ball being mounted within said bed box, said system comprising: transmitting one or more acoustic signals in a direction of said downwardly extending hitch assembly; receiving a first reflected signal from said downwardly extending hitch assembly; receiving a second reflected signal from said downwardly extending hitch assembly; determining a relative position between said downwardly extending hitch assembly and said hitch ball within said bed box from said steps of receiving said first reflected signal and said second reflected signal; and monitoring changes in said relative position between said downwardly extending hitch assembly and said hitch ball within said bed box while adjusting a relative position of said vehicle with respect to said gooseneck trailer to thereby align said downwardly extending hitch assembly with said hitch ball within said bed box.