Communications: electrical – Vehicle parking indicators
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-27
2001-02-06
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Vehicle parking indicators
C340S958000, C340S988000, C116S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06184800
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a parking aid and, more particularly, to an improved visual parking aid comprising a Class IIIA laser pointer supported by a mounting bracket configured for removable attachment to the interior of a vehicle's windshield. The power source for the laser is housed within the laser housing but is provided with a break in the power circuit that may only be completed by mating the laser with its mounting bracket. Thus, the laser is only made operational when it is correctly positioned upon the mounting bracket. In use, the laser is focused forward from the vehicle so that it displays an image on the wall surface in front of a moving vehicle forwardly moving into a parking space, or behind a vehicle backing into a parking space. As the front or rear of the vehicle approaches the wall, the image on the wall surface descends until it reaches a predetermined stopping point, informing the driver that they have reached the optimal parking position.
2. Description of the Background
Many automobile operators experience difficulty when attempting to judge the distance between the front of their vehicle and an obstruction in front of the vehicle or between the rear of their vehicle and an obstruction behind the vehicle. This problem is especially perplexing in the context of parking a vehicle in a garage or in a parking space facing a wall. For example, owners of larger vehicles may wish to park their vehicle in a garage while leaving some space between the rear of the vehicle and the garage opening to ensure easy maneuvering around the parked vehicle. Such an effort requires the driver to strike a delicate balance between the front and rear space forward of and behind the vehicle. Unfortunately, in an attempt to optimize such space, a driver having difficulty judging the distance between the front of her vehicle and the wall in front of the vehicle may inadvertently impact the wall with the vehicle's bumper, causing unwanted and potentially costly damage to both the vehicle and structure. While through continued trial and error, skilled vehicle operators may eventually find an optimal position in which to park their vehicle, many vehicle operators find this a hopeless task, and as a result leave an unnecessarily large amount of space between the front of the vehicle and any obstruction in front of the vehicle.
Several optical systems have been developed in the past in an attempt to assist drivers in parking their vehicles in an optimal position without risking a destructive impact between the vehicle and an obstruction. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,257,706 to Smith discloses a vehicle reversing guide comprising a pair of line-of-sight posts positioned to allow a driver to establish a line of sight along the left side of his vehicle to target the intersection of the wall and the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,758 to Sanders discloses a vehicle parking guide comprising vertical strips for informing a driver of his lateral position within a garage, and a downwardly angled mirror for informing a driver of his forward position within a garage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,263 to Hirshberg discloses a vehicle parking guide comprising an incandescent lamp which directs a “virtual” image into the driver's field of view. The driver must judge the point at which this virtual image lies in the same plane as the wall or other obstruction in front of the vehicle to determine the optimal point at which to stop forward motion of the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,357 to Viskovich discloses a vehicle parking guide comprising an adjustable mirror positioned next to a garage door opening which reflects the vehicle's brake lights to the driver through the driver's side view mirror, indicating to the driver that they have achieved the desired parking position.
Finally, both U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,571 to Jones, and 5,341,132 to Dorey et al. disclose vehicle parking guides having mechanically-actuated indicators which activate a light or other signal when a portion of the vehicle engages the respective actuator, indicating to the vehicle operator that they have achieved the desired parking position.
Each of the above described devices have associated therewith deficiencies which heretofore have prevented their widespread acceptance or usage. Many of the prior art devices rely on the driver's line of sight. Thus, when a different driver operates the vehicle, such driver naturally having a different perspective and thus a different line of sight from the driver for whom the device was originally configured, the new driver's view and line of sight will either require adjustment of the device or will result in a different parking location resulting for each new driver. Other prior art devices require mechanical actuators which themselves are at risk of damage should the vehicle operator misjudge the distance between their vehicle and the mechanical actuator. Accordingly, it would be a great advantage to provide a visual parking aid which was safe, easy to use, and usable by any vehicle operator without the need for adjustment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved visual parking aid which provides any operator of a given vehicle a mechanism to judge the distance between the front of the vehicle and an obstruction immediately in front of the vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a visual parking aid which indicates a vehicle's distance from an obstruction in front of the vehicle irrespective of the point of view of the driver.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual parking aid which projects an indicator image on an obstruction in front of the vehicle which lies within the vehicle operator's normal forward field of vision.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual parking aid in the form of a laser which may only be operated when placed within a housing affixed to a vehicle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a visual parking aid which has no moving parts.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a visual parking aid which indicates both longitudinal and latitudinal position of a vehicle simultaneously from a single indicator.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual parking aid which is entirely self contained and independent of any components or elements outside of the vehicle.
It is even still yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual parking aid in the form of a laser having an indicator for indicating operation of the laser.
These and other objectives are accomplished through an improved visual parking device comprising a Class IIIA laser pointer mounted on the interior of a vehicle's windshield, and directed outward towards the front of the vehicle. The laser is mounted on a cradle assembly having a top panel which is pivotally attached to a forwardly extending support arm. The front most portion of the support arm is provided with a suction cup for removably attaching the combined cradle and laser assembly to the interior of a vehicle windshield. The cradle is also provided with a support lip extending upward from its bottom laser support panel for holding the laser in place during use. The rear most portion of the bottom laser support panel is provided with male electrical connectors configured to be received by female electrical connectors located on the bottom face of the laser housing. The female electrical connectors extend into the laser housing and interrupt the power circuit held therein, such that the laser is made inoperable until the male electrical connectors on the support panel are received. In use, the laser power supply is prevented from operating the laser until the laser is properly seated in its support cradle with the male and female electrical connectors engaged. In this way, the operator is ensured that any safety
Law offices of Royal W. Craig
Pope Daryl
LandOfFree
Visual automobile alignment parking device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Visual automobile alignment parking device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Visual automobile alignment parking device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2587141