TruckSafe-Systems seeks license partner for patented docking aid

By AI, Created 5:31 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – TruckSafe-Systems is offering licensing or patent acquisition for BACKINGBuddy, a patented tool designed to help drivers back trailers at blind docks more safely. The company says the rugged device is market-ready, aimed at reducing collisions, downtime and driver strain in freight yards and other tight-space docking environments.

Why it matters: - Blind docking is a high-risk task for truck drivers, especially at dark or daytime docks where the trailer slot is hard to see from the cab. - TruckSafe-Systems says BACKINGBuddy is designed to reduce guesswork, prevent collisions and lower insurance claims tied to docking accidents. - The same core guidance system could also be used in military convoys, aircraft, boat docking, RVs, farming vehicles and hitch alignment.

What happened: - TruckSafe-Systems is seeking licensing offers or a patent acquisition for BACKINGBuddy, a patented docking tool. - The company says the device was conceived by a veteran driver and developed by a professional engineer. - The announcement was made May 12, 2026, from Brewster, Ohio.

The details: - BACKINGBuddy uses a bright white vectored light to mark a reference pivot point for the tractor-trailer in pitch-black docking conditions. - The device also projects a patented laser plane across the trailer slot and up the dock wall to create a visible runway for alignment. - If the trailer drifts over the laser line, the scattered light signals the driver to stop and realign before a collision occurs. - A vectored-light-only mode lets the driver scan the dock area for a better anchor location. - For daytime blind docks, the tool’s bright reflective exterior is designed to remain visible from the tractor seat. - The housing is engineered to survive being run over by a fully loaded tractor-trailer and to handle axle loads up to 1.5 times the legal USDOT limit. - TruckSafe-Systems says the unit is moisture-proof, corrosion-resistant, rechargeable and built for heavy use in mud, rain or snow. - A 3-way switch allows vectored lighting only, laser lighting only, or both at once. - The lighting parts are designed to be easy to swap, similar to replacing a standard truck bulb. - TruckSafe-Systems says field tests and market surveys at the Mid-America Truck Show show drivers need and want the tool. - The company also says stationary permanent dock lighting could reduce unnecessary lighting costs at large docks.

Between the lines: - The pitch frames BACKINGBuddy as both a safety product and a labor-efficiency tool. - The emphasis on rugged construction suggests TruckSafe-Systems is targeting fleet buyers who care about durability and downtime, not just convenience. - The broad list of possible uses points to a wider licensing strategy beyond trucking.

What’s next: - TruckSafe-Systems is looking for a strategic partner for either a licensing agreement or a full patent acquisition. - Interested parties are asked to contact Mark Belloni by text at (330) 265-9587 or by email at markbelloni@earthlink.net. - Technical inquiries should include “BACKINGBuddy” in the text message or email subject line. - The company wants to place the device in more trucks and docks after securing a partner.

The bottom line: - TruckSafe-Systems is trying to turn BACKINGBuddy from a patented concept into a commercial safety tool for blind docking across freight yards and beyond.