Abstract:
A vehicle back-up assist system that can be set up by the vehicle driver or a spotter and provides a unique visual aid to assist with safely and efficient unloading, loading, or parking a vehicle without requiring assistance from another person. The back-up assist system includes a pair of differently colored portable markers. The markers can be placed near a target location toward which the vehicle is backing. The markers can be positioned for alignment with opposite sides of the vehicle during backing. The markers can be illuminated for better visibility and can include advance features, such as onboard measuring devices and/or lasers, to assist in proper placement of the markers and to provide enhance backing guidance to the driver.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/080,619 filed Nov. 14, 2013, which claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/726,330 filed on Nov. 14, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle safety. More particularly, the invention concerns a system for safely and efficiently assisting a driver with backing a vehicle to a desired location. 
     Prior Art 
     Safety of personnel and equipment is the main priority on any job site. When safety standards are compromised, accidents involving equipment can result in injury to personnel. Human assistance for backing a vehicle (e.g., a tractor trailer) to load or unload is often challenging because the spotter may become distracted, may be moving around, or may be difficult for the driver to see. Often there is not a clear understanding between the driver and the spotter as to where the vehicle needs to go. In some instances, drivers may be in situations where there is no spotter available to assist them. Thus, there exists a need for a system to assist drivers, especially drivers of large trucks, with backing to unload, load, or park. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a portable vehicle back-up assist system that can be set up by a vehicle driver or a spotter. The system provides a unique visual aid to unload, load, or park vehicles without requiring assistance from another person. The back-up assist system can include a pair of portable markers, each having a different color. The portable markers can include a base and an upright member. The base is configured to engage the ground, while the upright member is coupled to and extends upwardly from said base. 
     In certain embodiments, one of the portable markers is red and the other is green. In addition, each of the portable markers can include a light source for illuminating the upright member. 
     In certain embodiments, the backup-assist system can include a guidance system for assisting with backing up the vehicle. The guidance system can include lights for guiding the vehicle and/or sensors for detecting the location of the vehicle relative to the markers. 
     The back-up assist system can also include a marker spacing system coupled to one or both of the portable markers. The marker spacing system can be used to ensure proper spacing between the markers and can include an elongated flexible measuring member (e.g., a cord or measuring tape) coupled to one of the portable markers. 
     To operate the back-up assist system, the portable markers are first positioned manually near a target location. This manual positioning of the markers can be done by a spotter or by the driver of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle then backs up the vehicle towards the portable markers, while maintaining substantial alignment of the driver&#39;s side of said vehicle with one of said portable markers and maintaining substantial alignment of the passenger&#39;s side of said vehicle with the other portable marker. 
     During positioning of the markers, care can be taken to consistently use one color of marker for the driver&#39;s side and another color of marker for the passenger side. For example, when the markers are red and green, the red marker can consistently be used for alignment of the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle and the green marker can consistently be used for alignment of the passenger&#39;s side of the vehicle. 
     The back-up assist system can provide a number of benefits including, for example, (1) eliminating the need for a spotter, (2) allowing the spotter to stay outside the danger zone, (3) providing a visual indication to other drivers/employees that backing is taking place, (4) enhancing safety in conditions of reduced visibility, (5) providing immediate feedback on the location of the vehicle relative to the markers, and (6) offering a system that is easy to set up and transport. 
     The inventive system can be used in conjunction with a variety of types of vehicles including, for example, straight trucks, semi-trailers, delivery trucks, dump trucks, tow trucks, box trucks, rental/moving trucks, buses, horse trailers, recreational vehicles, farm machinery, boat trailers, and construction equipment. 
     Locations at which the inventive system can be employed include, for example, loading docks, warehouses, construction sites, storage facilities, campsites for RV camping, other job sites involving heavy equipment, and other locations where backing of a large vehicle would occur. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the appended drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is an overhead environmental view showing a vehicle that is backing toward a target location with the assistance of a back-up assist system; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a plan view of two portable markers included in the back-up assist system; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a top view of two portable markers included in the back-up assist system; 
         FIG. 3 a    is an enlarged simplified sectional view of the base of a first one of the portable markers depicted in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   ; and 
         FIG. 3 b    is an enlarged simplified sectional view of the base of a second one of the portable markers depicted in  FIGS. 2 a    and  2   b.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , a back-up assist system  10  is illustrated as including a first portable marker  12   a  and a second portable marker  12   b . The back-up assist system can be used to help guide a vehicle  14  that is backing toward a target location  16 . As used herein, the term “vehicle” shall include not only self-propelled vehicles, but also apparatuses that can be permanently or temporarily attached to self-propelled vehicles (e.g., trailers, campers, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , each marker  12   a,b  can include a base  18   a,b  and an upright member  20   a,b . Each base  18   a,b  can include a bottom face that is configured to engage a substantially horizontal surface, such as the ground or a loading dock. Each upright member  20   a,b  can be coupled to and extend upwardly from a respective base  18   a,b . In certain embodiments, each base  18   a,b  is equipped with an internally-threaded collar  22   a,b  and the bottom of each upright member  20   a,b  can include a corresponding externally-threaded section, thereby allowing each upright section  20   a,b  to be threadably coupled to the respective base  18   a,b.    
     In certain embodiments, each marker  12   a,b  is equipped with a light source capable of illuminating all or part of the upright members  20   a,b . When the markers  12   a,b  are equipped with a light source, the markers  12   a,b  may also include a switch  24   a,b  for activating and deactivating illumination of the markers  12   a,b.    
     The upright members  20   a,b  can be differently colored to assist the driver with aligning the vehicle  14  with the proper marker  12   a,b . In certain embodiments, the upright member  20   a  of the first portable marker  12   a  is red and the upright member  20   b  of the second portable marker is green. It is internationally recognized in directing traffic that red indicates the left/port/driver&#39;s side and green indicates the right/starboard/passenger&#39;s side. Using these standard red and green colors can help ensure that the driver properly aligns the appropriate side of the vehicle  14  with the appropriate markers  12   a,b.    
     In the illustrated embodiment, the back-up assist system  10  includes a marker spacing system that is use to ensure proper spacing between the markers  12   a,b . A marker spacing system is used to check the distance between the markers  12   a,b  to ensure that the vehicle  14  will fit between them. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , the marker spacing system can include a flexible, elongated measuring member  26 , a first attachment member  28 , a second attachment member  30 , and a retention housing  32 . The measuring member  26  can be any flexible member of suitable strength and durability such as, for example, a nylon rope or cord. The retention housing  32  can be coupled to the first marker  12   a  and can be used to receive and store the measuring member  26  and first attachment member  28  when not in use. The measuring member  26  can be shifted between a retracted position, where the measuring member  26  is substantially received in the retention housing  32 , and an extended position, where the distal end of the extension member  26  is attached to the second marker  12   b  via the first and second attachment members  28 , 30 . 
     In certain embodiments, the retention housing  32  can be configured to automatically shift the measuring member  26  from the extended position to the retracted position. However, shifting of the measuring member  26  from the retracted position to the extended position requires manual pulling of the measuring member  26  out the retention housing  32 . Automatic retraction of the measuring member  26  helps eliminate a tripping hazard after the markers  12   a,b  have been positioned and before backing the vehicle  14 . 
     The first and second attachment members  28 , 30  can be used to releasably secure a distal end of the measuring member  26  to the second marker  12   b  when the measuring member  26  is in the extended position. In one embodiment of the invention, the first attachment member  28  is a hook and the second attachment member  30  is an eyelet. 
     The measuring member  26  is preferably slightly longer than the maximum width of the vehicle  14  being guided by the back-up assist system  10 . It is preferred for the measuring member  26  to have a length that is not less than the maximum width of the vehicle  14 , but that is not more than 1.25 times the maximum width of the vehicle  14 . More specifically, the length of the measuring member  26  can be in the range of 5 to 15 feet, 7 to 12 feet, or 8 to 10 feet. In certain embodiments, the length of the measuring member  26  can be about 8.5 feet, thereby allowing the markers  12   a,b  to be placed slightly outside the width of a standard tractor trailer, which is 8 feet wide. In addition, measuring member  26  can be marked in the middle for centering the vehicle  14  as needed. 
     In certain embodiments, the first marker  12   a  and/or the second marker  12   b  can be equipped with one or more guidance mechanisms  34   a,b . The guidance mechanisms can be used for helping to align the vehicle  14  during backing and/or for helping the driver to know when the vehicle  14  has reached the target location  16 . Although the guidance mechanisms  34   a,b  are depicted in the drawings as being coupled to the bases  18   a,b , it should be understood that the guidance mechanisms  34   a,b  can be attached anywhere along the height of the upright members  20   a,b  as well. 
     In certain embodiments, the guidance mechanisms  34   a,b  can include at least one laser that directs a beam of laser light on the ground in a direction that is perpendicular to a straight line extending between the markers  12   a,b . These lasers can act as temporary guide lines to help the driver maintain alignment of the vehicle  14  with the target location  16  during backing. Further, the laser guide lines can provide a highly visible alignment aid at night. 
     Additionally, or alternatively, the guidance mechanisms  34   a,b  can be used as a distance indicating system that provides real-time information about the location of the vehicle  14  relative to one or both of the markers  12   a,b . Such a distance indicating system can be configured to provide an alert signal on at least one of the markers  12   a,b  when the vehicle  14  is at or near the portable makers  12   a,b.    
     In certain embodiments, one or both of the guidance mechanisms  34   a,b  are sensors that sense the position of the vehicle  14 . These sensors can be motion sensors and/or distance sensors. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a laser that senses when the laser beam is interrupted by an object, such as the vehicle  14 . In other embodiments, the first guidance mechanism  34   a  can be a signal transmitter and the second guidance mechanism  34   b  can be a signal receiver. The signal transmitter and receiver can cooperate to provide an alert when the signal transmitted by one of the markers and received by the other marker is interrupted. The alert signal activated by the distance indicating system can include causing an alert light on at least one of the markers  12   a,b  to be turned on and/or to blink. The alert light can be the same light or lights used to illuminate the upright members  20   a  and/or  20   b  or the alert light can be a separate light (not shown). Alternatively, or additionally, the alert signal can be an audible alert. 
       FIG. 2 b    shows that the bases  18   a,b  of the markers  12   a,b  can be generally square in shape, while the upright members  20   a,b , can be generally cylindrical in shape. Alternatively, the base  18   a,b  can be circular and the upright member  20   a,b  can have a triangular, square, or other polygonal shape. 
     The upright members  20   a,b  should be sufficiently tall to be highly visible by the driver of the vehicle  14 . For example the upright members  20   a,b  can have a height in the range of 6 inches to 6 feet, 1 to 5 feet, or 2 to 4 foot. When the markers  12   a,b  are equipped with lights that illuminate the upright members  20   a,b , the upright members  20   a,b  can be made of semi-transparent/translucent material. The material may be colored itself or it may be covered with a colored, translucent film. 
     For enhance visibility, it is preferred for a large portion of the total outer surface area of the upright members  20   a,b  to be illuminated and for the total outer surface area of the upright members  20   a,b  to relatively large. For example, the upright members  20   a,b  can have a total outer surface area of at least 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 square feet. Further, at least 50, 75, or 90 percent of the total outer surface area of the upright members  20   a,b  can be illuminated. 
       FIG. 3 a    provides a simplified cross-sectional view of the base  18   a  of the first marker  12   a . As shown in  FIG. 3 a   , a light source  40   a  can be received in the base  18   a  and can be operable to shine light upwardly into the inside of the upright member  20   a , thereby causing illumination of the upright member  20 . The light source can include a plurality of LED lights for enhanced brightness and efficiency. One or more batteries  42   a  may also be received in the base  18   a  and used to power the light source  40   a , as well as any other electronic components associated with the first marker  12   a.    
     In certain embodiments, an electronic controller  44   a  is received in the base  18   a . The electronic controller  44   a  can be electronically coupled to the battery  42   a , the light source  40   a , the guidance mechanism  34   a , and/or the switch  24   a . The controller  44   a  can receive signals from the guidance mechanism  34   a  and then control the light source  40   a  based on the signal from the guidance mechanism  34   a  and, optionally, the position of the switch  24   a.    
     In one embodiment, the switch  24   a  can be a simple “on/off” switch. In other embodiments, the switch  24   a  can be used to choose between a variety of different modes of operation. For example, the switch can have an “off” mode, a “daytime” mode, and a “nighttime” mode. In the off “mode,” no power is provided to the light source  40 . In the “daytime” mode, the light source is not illuminated until an alert signal is receive from the guidance mechanism  34   a  indicating the that vehicle  14  is at or near the markers  12   a,b . In the “nighttime” mode, the light source  40   a  is illuminated until the guidance mechanism  34   a  indicates that the vehicle  14  is at or near the markers  12   a,b , at which time the controller  44   a  causes the light source  40   a  to blink on and off as a warning. 
     Many other modes of operation and warning/alert methods can be used. For example, the markers  12   a,b  can be equipped with speakers (not shown) to provide and audible alert. When the markers  12   a,b  are equipped with speakers, the switch  24   a  can include an “audible on” mode, where the speakers are used to provide an audible warning, and an “audible off” mode, where the speakers are not used to provided an audible warning. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 a   , a perimeter weight  46   a  can be received in the base  18   a . The perimeter weight  46   a  functions to add weight near the perimeter of the base  18   a  and to lower the center of gravity of the overall marker  12   a , thereby reducing the marker&#39;s  12   a  susceptibility to tipping. It is preferred for the center of gravity of the marker  12   a  to be located in the lower 40 percent, 30 percent, 25 percent, or 20 percent of the overall height of the marker  12   a.    
       FIG. 3 a    also shows that the retention housing  32  can include a reel  48  onto which the measuring member  26  is wound when the measuring member  26  is in the retracted position. In one embodiment, the reel  48  is spring loaded, so the reel  48  automatically retracts the measuring member  26  back into the retention housing  32 . 
       FIG. 3 b    shows that the base  20   b  of the second marker  12   b  can include many of the same components as the base  20   a  of the first marker  12   a . However, the base  20   b  of the second marker  12   b  is provided with the second attachment mechanism  30  to which the first attachment mechanism  28  of the measuring member  26  can be releasably coupled. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1, 2   a , and  2   b , in operation, the backing-up assist system  10  can be employed by first manually positioning the portable markers  12   a,b  near the target location  16 . This manual positioning of the markers  12   a,b  can be done by a spotter or by the driver of the vehicle. The positioning can include using the measuring member  26  to ensure proper spacing between the markers  12   a,b . If the markers are equipped with light sources  40   a,b , the light sources  40   a,b  can be turned on before backing of the vehicle  14  is initiated. 
     During positioning of the markers  12   a,b , care can be taken to consistently use one color of marker for the driver&#39;s side and another color of marker for the passenger side. For example, when the markers  12   a,b  are red and green, the red marker can consistently be used for alignment of the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle  14  and the green marker can consistently be used for alignment of the passenger&#39;s side of the vehicle  14 . 
     Next, the driver of the vehicle  14  backs up the vehicle  14  towards the markers  12   a,b , while maintaining substantial alignment of the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle  14  with the first portable marker  12   a  and maintaining substantial alignment of the passenger&#39;s side of the vehicle  12   b  with the second portable marker  12   b.    
     When the markers  12   a,b  are equipped with a distance indicating system, one or both of the markers  12   a,b  automatically provides an alert signal when the vehicle  14  reaches the desired location. After parking the vehicle  14 , the markers  12   a,b  can be manually moved to another location or place on/in the vehicle  14  for reuse with the same vehicle  14  at a different location.