Communications: electrical – Vehicle parking indicators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-29
2001-02-20
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Vehicle parking indicators
C340S933000, C340S686300, C340S539230, C340S550000, C340S551000, C340S552000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191706
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is parking guide for use with a garage door opener.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,997 a photoelectric vehicle position indicating device which is for use in parking and otherwise positioning vehicles and is employed to assist in parking and otherwise positioning a vehicle on a supporting surface. A photoelectric control unit is mounted on an overhead structure spaced above the supporting surface and has a beam emitting device for directing a light beam downwardly for interception by the vehicle, while minimizing the likelihood of interception by pedestrians, pet animals and other moving things. The light beam is initially reflected back to a photoelectric transducer on the control unit by a reflective device or mirror. The light beam is pulsed so that the transducer supplies electrical pulses to an amplifier that is correspondingly gated. When the vehicle interrupts the light beam, the amplifier produces a beam interruption output signal which causes a one-shot timer to energize an alarm device, through an output relay. The operator then stops the vehicle in the desired position. The one-shot timer de-energizes the alarm device after a brief interval. Alternatively, the mirror is not employed, and the light beam is not significantly reflected back to the transducer until the light beam is intercepted by the vehicle, whereupon reflection from the vehicle produces a reflected light beam to the transducer. The corresponding pulsed signals from the transducer operate the amplifier, which is modified so that it actuates the timer, whereby it energizes the alarm device for a timed interval.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,368 teaches a parking assist device which is removably affixed in relation to a surface and is adapted to engage the on coming wheels of a vehicle and provide upon being engaged by the wheels of a vehicle a signal to the operator to stop the vehicle. The signal may be produced by either a mechanical mechanism or an electrical apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,907 teaches a sensing and indicating device. The device is mounted at a fixed location to determine the distance between the sensor and an approaching vehicle. The sensor provides visual and/or audible indication of the distance between the vehicle and the sensor. The driver of the vehicle uses that displayed or audible information to locate the vehicle within a defined space or envelope, e.g., within a garage. The sensor and indicator may also be located laterally with respect to the vehicle so that the distance between the vehicle side and the sensor can be determined whereby the vehicle can be located laterally within the defined space or envelope.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,157 teaches a visual vehicular parking aid which includes a plurality of vertically suspended position indicators to direct a person driving an automobile into a parking space when the normal pavement markings are not visible or present.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,571 a motor vehicle driver-indicator guide-device for signifying when it is safe to advance which includes a support structure mounting a light signaling structure and mechanism therefor, that displays a signal light viewable by a driver of a motor vehicle with an actuating lever which the bumper actuates. A green light of the light signaling structure has an electrical circuitry and an electrical switch that is normally closed providing a go signal evidencing that further advancement of the motor vehicle may be continued, actuation of the actuating lever serving to open the normally closed electrical switch when the actuation switch is pressed beyond a predetermined position indicative of maximum allowable forward advancement permissible for the advancing motor vehicle, the support structure having a tape mounted thereon carrying an adhesive backing for mounting the mounting structure on an upright surface of a wall or the like, the green light carrying a symbol viewable when the switch is closed indicative of permissive further advancement.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,322 teaches a movable vehicle parking position indicator. The indicator moves in conjunction with a garage door used to close off the parking area. As the garage door is opened, a ball-like indicator is lowered into a position clearly visible from the driver position of a vehicle entering or properly parked in the garage. As the door is closed, the indicator is retracted.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,205 teaches a vehicle-guidance and positioning system. The system utilizes a laser. The emitted beam from the laser is directed over the path along which a vehicle is to be guided. The laser beam impinges on a target area located on the vehicle in such a manner that the impingement of the laser beam on the target is continuously observable by the vehicle's operator. The operator steers the vehicle so that the laser beam continuously impinges on the target area until the vehicle reaches a pre-selected position in a confined space such as a garage, a drive-through service lane and a loading dock.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,376 teaches a laser pointer which includes a laser module fitted into a conductive cylindrical casing and attached with a laser firing lens assembly and connected to a battery set and controlled by a switch to fire a laser beam for pointing. The laser module includes a focus adjusting element threaded into the inner thread on the cylindrical shell thereof whereby rotating the focus adjusting element on the cylindrical shell in either direction causes change of distance between the lens of the laser firing lens assembly and the laser diode of the laser module so that the focus is adjusted. The switch has a switching control press rod for switch control and for fastening to the pocket as the laser pointer is not in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,395 teaches an optical parking alignment system which includes at least one projector located on a vehicle for projecting a respective image forwardly of the vehicle. The alignment of the vehicle is indicated when each respective image is in focus on a screen disposed in front of the vehicle. The projector includes either a transparency and an imaging lens or a hologram and a narrow-band light source.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,357 teaches a garage parking guide which assists a driver to park very conveniently in the same desired location of an enclosure, such as, a garage. The guide consists of an adjustable mirror and housing affixed adjacent to the garage door opening for the purpose of reflecting the vehicle's brake lights and/or view of rear bumper to the driver via the vehicle's side view mirror. The guide, properly positioned, will direct a visual image, to the driver, indicating the vehicle's relative position to the garage opening. As the vehicle enters the garage, the brake lights, will reach a predetermined alignment with that of the parking guide, so as to transmit the glow of the brake lights to the driver signifying that the vehicle has reached the final predetermined position. The vehicle guide will function with any vehicle and/or driver, once properly mounted, for any space equipped with a parking guide. The guide is capable of providing three images to the driver: normal for most occasions, magnified if driver wishes a larger brake light image, and wide angle for use when different with varying heights of brake lights from the floor use the same parking space. One parking guide must be used for each parking space. For example, a two car garage would require two parking guides, one for each side of the garage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,087 teaches a parking device for vehicles entering a ceiling-covered parking garage which includes a housing. The housing substantially encloses an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit includes a light-emitting bulb and a switch. The switch opens and closes the electrical circuit to light and unlight the bulb. A power supply and a cord suspend the housing from the ceiling of the parking garage so that the housing may intercept the vehicle to be parked, close the switch of the circuit, thereby emitting a light s
Johansen W. Edward
Nguyen Hung
Wu Daniel J.
LandOfFree
Parking guide for use with a garage door opener does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Parking guide for use with a garage door opener, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Parking guide for use with a garage door opener will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2586138