Off-highway vehicle trail map directory

• US 20070009863A1
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan Hart, Charles C. Hart
• Original Assignee: Alan Hart, Charles C. Hart
• Inventors: Hart, Charles, Hart, Alan
• Application Number:
  US10/964,955
• Publication Number:
  US 20070009863A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/150
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/02 sectional
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A trail map directory for off-highway vehicles is disclosed. The directory includes a binder having a plurality of individual map pages laminated for dry ease writing and for ease of cleaning. A mechanism is provided for releasably attaching each map page to the binder. A key map is positioned towards the front of the binder, and the key map is subdivided into individual regional map display portions corresponding to the individual map pages. Each map page is preferably a substantially flat, relatively stiff laminated panel. The panel has first and second faces located on opposite surfaces thereof, and first and second side edges which define the width dimension of the panel. Each panel first face includes an enlarged map display portion indexed relative to the key map and is in the form of an enhanced topographical map overlaid with off-road trails present within the map boundary. The trails are color-coded to indicate relative difficulty of use. The first face further includes trail symbols relative to the indicated off-road trails. Each second face includes an index to trail symbols appearing on the first face. The second face may also include GPS coordinates pertinent to the geographical points on the topographical map as well as driving directions to the off-road trails. Finally, an apparatus is disposed along each panel first side edge for releasably attaching the panel to the binder for removal for individual use.

Claims

1. A trail map directory for off-highway vehicles comprising:

a binder having a plurality of individual map pages laminated for dry ease writing and ease of cleaning;

a mechanism for releasably attaching each said map page to said binder;

a key map positioned towards the front of said binder, said key map being subdivided into individual regional map display portions corresponding to said individual map pages;

each said map page comprising a substantially flat, relatively stiff laminated panel having first and second faces located on opposite surfaces of said panel and first and second side edges defining one dimension of said panel, each said first face including an enlarged map display portion indexed relative to said key map and in the form of an enhanced topographical map overlaid with off-road trails present within the map boundary and color-coded to indicate relative difficulty of use, and further including trail symbols relative to the indicated off-road trails, and each said second face including an index to said trail symbols appearing on said first face; and

an apparatus disposed along each said panel first side edge for releasably attaching said panel to said binder for removal for individual use.

2. The directory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enhanced topographical map of each said removable panel defines a limited geographical area sized for use during a limited duration, off-road vehicle trip.

3. The directory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enlarged map display portion of each said first face is color indexed relative to said key map.

4. The directory as claimed in claim 3, wherein said one side edge of each said panel includes a colored strip disposed therealong.

5. The directory as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enhanced topographical map comprises a shaded topographical map having a three-dimensional appearance on said first face surface, and wherein said second face includes GPS coordinates pertinent to the geographical points on said topographical map and driving directions to said off-road trails.

6. The directory as claimed in claim 1, wherein said page attachment mechanism comprises a ring binder having a plurality of rings adapted for selective opening and closing, and wherein said first side edge attachment apparatus comprises a plurality of apertures disposed along said first side edge of each said panel for removable insertion within said plurality of rings when said rings are in an open position.

7. The directory as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first face further includes text box inserts used to label forest road numbers on said trails, and said second face further includes text box inserts used to clarify directions or features relative to the enhanced topographical map displayed on said first face.

8. The directory as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said enhanced topographical map of each said first face enlarged map display portion further includes game management unit numbers for hunters and parking area indicators at the head of each off-road trail present within said map boundary, and wherein said second face further includes photographs pertaining to the specific off-road trails in the enhanced topographical map appearing on said first face.

9. A map panel relating to a key map subdivided into individual map display portions corresponding to a plurality of said map panels, said map panel comprising a substantially flat panel member having first and second faces, said first face including an enlarged map display portion indexed relative to the key map and in the form of an enhanced topographical map overlaid with off-road trails present within the map boundary, the trails being color-coded to indicate relative difficulty of use, and further including trail symbols relative to the indicated off-road trails, and said second face including GPS coordinates pertinent to the geographical points on said topographical map, driving directions to said off-road trails, an index to trail symbols appearing on said first face, and photographs relative to off-road trails in the enhanced topographical map appearing on said first face.

10. The map panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein said panel is laminated and said first and second faces are located on opposite surfaces of said laminated panel member with first and second side edges defining one dimension of said panel member, and wherein said panel further comprises an apparatus disposed along said panel first side edge for releasably attaching said panel to a binder for removal for individual use.

11. The map panel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the binder includes a plurality of rings adapted for selective opening and closing, and wherein said first side edge attachment apparatus comprises a plurality of apertures disposed along said first side edge of said panel for removable insertion within the plurality of rings when the rings are in an open position.

12. The map panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the enhanced topographical map of each said removable panel defines a geographical area sized for use during a limited duration, off-road vehicle trip thereby enabling a person to use only one panel at a time.

13. The map panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the enlarged map display portion of said first face is color indexed relative to the key map, and said enhanced topographical map comprises a shaded topographical map having a three-dimensional appearance on said first face surface.

14. The map panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first face further includes text box inserts used to label forest road numbers on said trails, game management unit numbers for hunters, and parking area indicators at the head of each off-road trail present within said map boundary, and wherein said second face further includes text box inserts used to clarify directions or features relative to the enhanced topographical map displayed on said first face.

15. A book-type map comprising:

a book binder having a plurality of individual map pages;

a mechanism for attaching each said map page to said binder;

a key map positioned towards the front of said binder, said key map being subdivided into individual map display portions each covering a small portion of the geographic area covered by said key map and each corresponding to one of said individual map pages;

each said map page comprising a substantially flat, relatively stiff-panel having first and second faces located on opposite surfaces of said panel and first and second side edges defining the width dimension of said panel, each said first face including an enlarged map display portion color indexed relative to said key map and in the form of an enhanced topographical map overlaid with off-road trails present within the map boundary and color-coded to indicate relative difficulty of use, and further including trail symbols relative to the indicated off-road trails, and each said second face including GPS coordinates pertinent to the geographical points on said topographical map, driving directions to said off-road trails, an index to trail symbols appearing on said first face, and photographs relative to off-road trails in the enhanced topographical map appearing on said first face; and

clear laminate covering each said face of each said page to provide stiffness to said page and an erasable writing surface for dry ease writing and ease of cleaning.

16. The book-type map as claimed in claim 15, wherein said book binder includes a plurality of individual laminated section pages, each said section page being color coded and titled to correspond to one said individual map display portion of said key map.

17. The book-type map as claimed in claim 15, wherein said enhanced topographical map comprises a shaded topographical map having a three-dimensional appearance on said first face surface.

18. The book-type map as claimed in claim 17, wherein each said map page panel further comprises an apparatus disposed along each said panel first side edge for releasably attaching said panel to said binder to permit selective removal for individual use. And wherein said enhanced topographical map of each said removable panel defines a geographical area sized for use during a limited duration, off-road vehicle trip.

19. The book-type map as claimed in claim 18, wherein said first face further includes text box inserts used to label forest road numbers on said trails, and said second face further includes text box inserts used to clarify directions or features relative to the enhanced topographical map displayed on said first face.

20. The book-type map as claimed in claim 19, wherein each said enhanced topographical map of each said first face enlarged map display portion further includes game management unit numbers for hunters and parking area indicators at the head of each off-road trail present within said map boundary.