Geometrical instruments – Straight-line light ray type – Alignment device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-12
2001-03-13
Bennett, G. Bradley (Department: 2859)
Geometrical instruments
Straight-line light ray type
Alignment device
C116S02800A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199287
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally related to a spatial reference guide and, more particularly, to a vehicle parking guide used to position a vehicle at a predetermined location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When parking a vehicle such as a car in a garage, it is often difficult to precisely or accurately gauge distances, particularly the space between a bumper and a wall. This inability to accurately gauge distances can lead to adverse results, such as damage to the vehicle or the garage, impingement into walkways, and interference with storage space, to name a few. One method of avoiding such results is to enlist a spotter to assist in parking the vehicle. This method works when a spotter is available, however, there are many instances when a spotter is not available to provide such assistance. Consequently, attempts have been made to provide devices which enable a single person to accurately and precisely position a vehicle within a garage. One example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,706, issued to Smith, Mar. 24, 1981, discloses a motor vehicle back-up limit gauging method and apparatus. This apparatus enables a driver of a vehicle to gauge distances when backing-up. The apparatus includes a pair of sights which are attached to the vehicle. These sights are then used by aligning them with the ground line of a wall or with another marker. Alignment is accomplished by viewing the sights through a side-view mirror. This apparatus has several drawbacks. It is only useful when a vehicle is being driven in reverse. It requires additional structure to be added to the side of a vehicle. It also requires a great deal of skill to use. Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,758, issued to Sanders Mar. 21, 1989, discloses a vehicle parking guide. This guide enables a driver to position a vehicle within a garage. The guide is positioned at an end wall of a garage so that it faces the garage door. It comprises lateral positioning members and a longitudinal positioning member. The lateral positioning members comprise lateral positioners which are offset from each other. Alignment of the lateral positioning members indicates that the operator of a vehicle is in the correct lateral position within a garage. Longitudinal alignment is indicated by the reflection of a headlight in a driver's eyes. This guide has several drawbacks. It must be positioned on the rear wall of a garage so that it faces the front end of an oncoming vehicle. It must be positioned above the hoodline of the vehicle. And it may be only used in front-facing parking situations. Yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,802, issued to Bergfield, Mar. 2, 1993, discloses a vehicle parking guide. This device comprises a rotary mechanical arm which is attached to a string. As a bumper of a vehicle encroaches upon the string, the arm rotates to indicate relative positioning of the vehicle. This guide, too, has its drawbacks. The device is designed for front facing parking. It can be easily moved or dislodged, and thus lead to damage of the vehicle and/or garage. It also has many components which could be damaged, lost, or disabled.
There is a need for a spatial reference guide which can be used to assist in frontal and rearward parking of a vehicle in a structure such as a garage. There is a need for a spatial reference guide which can be positioned and effectively used in a plurality of positions and locations. Also, there is a need for a spatial reference guide which does not impinge upon a user, is not easily moved or disabled, and which does not require a great deal of skill to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a spatial reference guide for positioning a user at a predetermined location. The reference guide includes a distal or far portion with a first surface and a proximal or near portion with a second surface. The first surface defines a first planar outline and the second surface defines a second planar outline. The distal portion is operatively connected to the proximal portion in a spaced relation therefrom so that the proximal portion is relatively closer to the predetermined location along the sight line of the predetermined location than the distal portion. The second planar outline is sized so that when the guide is viewed from a predetermined location, the second planar outline substantially obscures the first planar outline of the distal portion. In use, a variable amount of the distal portion is observable along the sight line of a user, as the user moves toward and away from the sight line of a predetermined location. When the user reaches the predetermined location, coverage or obscuring of the distal portion by the proximal portion will be at a maximum.
To facilitate use, the guide is provided with a background member with a surface which extends beyond the first planar outline of the first portion. The background surface and the proximal second surface are treated so that they contrast with surface treatment of the distal portion surface. Preferably, the background surface and the proximal second surface are provided with a relatively dark surface treatment, such as black paint; and the distal first surface is provided with a relatively lighter surface treatment. It has been found that a suitable surface treatment for the first surface is to provide it with retro-reflective material of a contrasting color (e.g. white), commercially available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing under the name 3M series 580 road reflective tape. However, other light emitting or light reflective materials may be used.
The guide may be attached to a suitable support by fasteners such as nails, screws, hooks, adhesives, magnets, cords, elastic bands, and the like. Alternatively, the guide may be provided with an articulation which allows movement of the guide along a plurality of axes. The articulation is preferably of the ball-and-socket type, which permits a myriad of positions. This embodiment may also be attached to a suitable support by the fasteners mentioned above.
In an alternative embodiment, the guide is provided with hinges which permit the web and the second portion to be folded relative to the first portion. This allows the guide to be compacted for transport and storage. Portions of the guide may be provided with suitable fasteners to enable the guide to be maintained in the folded state.
In another embodiment, the guide is provided with removable proximal and distal portions. The proximal and distal portion may be attached to the web and background, respectively, by appropriate fasteners such as hook-and-loop fastening elements, magnets, adhesives, mechanical elements, and the like. The distal portion and the proximal portion need not be planar. And, it is important that the first planar outline and the second planar outline, when viewed along the sight line from the predetermined location, are similarly shaped to enable the proximal portion to substantially obscure the distal portion when a user views the device from the predetermined location. The distal portion may be provided with suitable light emitting or reflecting materials.
Although the present invention intended to assist in parking a vehicle such as a car in a structure such as a garage, it may also be used in other situations. For example, to position an airplane within a hanger, to assist in docking watercraft, to assist in parking trailers, or to provide orientation of lifting mechanisms in warehouse environments. Obviously, it may be used for frontal parking as well as rearward parking.
The guide may also be used by individuals, such as hunters, to enable them to select and easily return to a predetermined location.
A plurality of guides may be used for increased spatial positioning precision. For example, one guide could be used for proximal-distal alignment, while another guide could be used for medial-lateral alignment.
Spatial positioning need not be restricted to horizontal environs. Spatial positioning in a vertical orientation may be easily achieved by rotating the guide 90°
Bennett G. Bradley
Patterson Thuente Skaar & Christensen P.A.
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