Path finder/tracker system

• US 5,394,161 A
• Filed: 11/29/1993
• Issued: 02/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Ubaldo, Richard Ubaldo
• Original Assignee: John Ubaldo, Richard Ubaldo
• Inventors: Ubaldo, Richard, Ubaldo, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US08/158,208
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/760, 343/894, 343/793, 343/808, 343/809, 343/711, 33/290, 364/444, 364/457
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles

Abstract

A path finder/tracker system for assisting a person in finding the way back to a home base comprising a transmitter having a housing with electronic components therein, the electronic components including a emitter to emit a signal of a predetermined magnitude and frequency, the transmitter couplable to a power source with an on/off switch; and a receiver having a housing with electrical components including associated electrical components to receive the signal of the predetermined magnitude and frequency in the citizen band range tuned to that emitted by the transmitter, an antenna adapted to be retracted to a storage position within the receiver housing and extendable from the front edge thereof in a horizontal plane which is within the plane of the receiver, the receiver also including an array of lights across the front edge and adapted to sequentially light as a function of the strength of the signal received by the antenna whereby when the antenna is pointing directly at the transmitter, a predetermined light will be lit but when not pointed directly at the signal, another light will be lit, a panel to display the distance of the receiver from the transmitter.

Claims

1. A path finder/tracker system for assisting an outdoors person in finding the way back to a home base comprising, in combination:

a transmitter having a housing with electronic components therein, the electronic components including emitter means to emit a signal of a predetermined magnitude and frequency in the citizen band range, the transmitter also couplable a power source with an on/off switch to activate and inactivate the emitter means by coupling and uncoupling the power thereto from the power source, the power source including an electrical line having an outboard terminal couplable to the opening of a cigarette lighter in a vehicle in which the transmitter is located, the transmitter when coupled to a source of power constituting the home base; and

a receiver having a housing with electrical components therein including means to receive the signal of the predetermined magnitude and frequency in the citizen band range tuned to that frequency being emitted by the transmitter, a dipole antenna adapted to be retracted to a storage position within the receiver housing and extendable from the front edge thereof in a V-shaped configuration in a horizontal plane, when the receiver is held in a horizontal plane, the receiver also including an array of lights adjacent to the front edge thereof and adapted to sequentially light as a function of the strength of the signal received by the dipole antenna whereby when the dipole antenna is pointing directly at the transmitter, the central light will be illuminated but when not pointed directly at the transmitter, another light will be illuminated, a panel to display an output indicative of the distance of the receiver from the transmitter as a function of the strength of the received signal and a compass to determine the magnetic direction of the transmitter with respect to the receiver after the dipole antenna is directly facing the transmitter whereby a user may determine the location and distance from the transmitter.

2. A path finder/tracker system for assisting a person in finding the way back to a home base comprising:

a transmitter having a housing with electronic components therein, the electronic components including means to emit a signal of a predetermined magnitude and frequency, the transmitter couplable to a power source with an on/off switch; and

a receiver having a housing with electrical components including means to receive the signal of the predetermined magnitude and frequency in the citizen band range tuned to that emitted by the transmitter, an antenna adapted to be retracted to a storage position within the receiver housing and extendable from the front edge thereof in a horizontal plane which is within the plane of the receiver, the receiver also including an array of lights across the front edge and adapted to sequentially light as a function of the strength of the signal received by the antenna whereby when the antenna is pointing directly at the transmitter, a predetermined light will be lit but when not pointed directly at the signal, another light will be lit, means to display the distance of the receiver from the transmitter.

3. The system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a compass to determine the direction of the transmitter with respect to the receiver after the antenna is directly facing the transmitter whereby a user may determine his location and distance from the transmitter.

4. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the signal is in the citizen band range.

5. The system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the antenna is a dipole antenna in a V-shaped configuration.

6. The system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a case for receiving and supporting the receiver and means to removably couple the case to an item of apparel of the user.