US6592230B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Truck rearview mirror assembly having a display for displaying trailer coupling status information
Assignee: SW PELHAM FUND II LP
•
Filing: 2001-04-17
•
Granted: 2003-07-15
•
Expires: 2021-04-17
Abstract
Abstract The truck rearview mirror assembly of the present invention is used on a truck having a coupling status system for sensing trailer coupling status. The rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror housing adapted for mounting to a truck, a mirror disposed within the mirror housing, and a display carried by the housing. The display is coupled to the coupling status system for displaying trailer coupling status information to a driver of the truck.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven C Dupay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:42
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/04; B62D53/08; B62D53/12; B62D53/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a truck having a coupling status system for sensing trailer coupling status, said rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror housing adapted for mounting to a truck; a mirror disposed within said mirror housing; and a display carried by said housing, said display is coupled to the coupling status system for displaying trailer coupling status information to a driver of the truck.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A rearview mirror assembly for a truck having a coupling status system for sensing trailer coupling status, said rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirror housing adapted for mounting to a truck; a mirror disposed within said mirror housing; and a display carried by said housing, said display is coupled to the coupling status system for displaying trailer coupling status information to a driver of the truck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said mirror housing is configured for mounting to the outside of the truck.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said display is mounted in said mirror housing behind said mirror, wherein said mirror includes a region that is at least partially transparent for light from the display to transmit through said region so as to be visible to the driver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said display includes an icon that is illuminated when the system indicates that the truck hitch is in a ready to couple condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said display includes alphanumeric display for displaying an error code pertaining to a failed coupling attempt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said display includes an icon that is illuminated when the trailer is not properly locked to the truck.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said display includes an icon that is illuminated when the trailer is properly locked to the truck.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said display includes at least one indicator light indicating the alignment of the trailer to the truck prior to coupling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein said display includes a bright light aimed towards the driver to attract the driver's attention to said display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
123 words
A fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system for a truck equipped a fifth wheel hitch and at least one sensor for sensing whether a trailer kingpin is properly locked into the fifth wheel hitch, said system comprising: a rearview mirror assembly including a mirror housing, a mirror mounted in said mirror housing, and a support structure adapted for attachment to the exterior of the truck; a display carried on said mirror housing; and a control circuit disposed in said mirror housing and coupled to said display for receiving signals from said at least one sensor and for controlling said display in response to the signals from said at least one sensor to display coupling status information to a driver of the truck.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
123 words
A fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system for a truck equipped a fifth wheel hitch and at least one sensor for sensing whether a trailer kingpin is properly locked into the fifth wheel hitch, said system comprising: a rearview mirror assembly including a mirror housing, a mirror mounted in said mirror housing, and a support structure adapted for attachment to the exterior of the truck; a display carried on said mirror housing; and a control circuit disposed in said mirror housing and coupled to said display for receiving signals from said at least one sensor and for controlling said display in response to the signals from said at least one sensor to display coupling status information to a driver of the truck.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said display is mounted in said mirror housing behind said mirror, wherein said mirror includes a region that is at least partially transparent for light from the display to transmit through said region so as to be visible to the driver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said mirror housing is configured for mounting to the outside of the truck.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said display includes an icon that is illuminated when the system indicates that the truck hitch is in a ready to couple condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said display includes alphanumeric display for displaying an error code pertaining to a failed coupling attempt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said display includes an icon that is illuminated when the trailer is not properly locked to the truck.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said display includes an icon that is illuminated when the trailer is properly locked to the truck.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said display includes at least one indicator light indicating the alignment of the trailer to the truck prior to coupling.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fifth wheel hitch coupling status sensing system of claim 10 , wherein said display includes a bright light aimed towards the driver to attract the driver's attention to said display.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
96 words
An alignment warning system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising: a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit; at least one sensor attached to the towing unit for receiving light and for generating a detection signal; a control circuit that receives the detection signal and generates an indicator signal in response to the detection signal; and a display mounted in a rearview mirror assembly and responsive to said indicator signal for displaying whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
96 words
An alignment warning system for coupling a towed unit to a towing unit comprising: a light source for emitting a beam of light, said light source being attached to the towing unit; at least one sensor attached to the towing unit for receiving light and for generating a detection signal; a control circuit that receives the detection signal and generates an indicator signal in response to the detection signal; and a display mounted in a rearview mirror assembly and responsive to said indicator signal for displaying whether the towing unit is aligned with the towed unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The alignment warning system of claim 19 , wherein said display is mounted in an outside rearview mirror assembly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-14 | 2007-01-13 | 2007-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-14 | 2011-01-13 | 2011-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-14 | 2015-01-13 | 2015-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |