Visual automobile alignment parking device

• US 6,184,800 B1
• Filed: 01/27/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Homer B. Lewis
• Original Assignee: Homer B. Lewis
• Inventors: Lewis, Homer B.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/238,215
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/958, 340/988, 116/202, 116/28.R
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/48 for parking purposes

Abstract

A visual parking aid comprising a laser pointer supported by a mounting bracket configured for removable attachment to the interior of a vehicle'"'"'s windshield. The mounting bracket houses the laser power source such that 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 the moving vehicle. As 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 proper parking position.

Claims

1. A visual automobile parking device comprising:

a light emitting source, said light emitting source further comprising a power source for powering said light emitting source and a plurality of first electrical connectors in open electrical communication with said power source;

a cradle support, said cradle support further comprising a plurality of second electrical connectors in open electrical communication with an electrical switch; and

means for connecting each of said first electrical connectors to one of said second electrical connectors to form a closed circuit between said power source and said electrical switch.

2. The visual automobile parking device of claim 1, said cradle support further comprising:

an upper elongate support panel configured to receive said light emitting source;

a bridge member extending upward from and overlapping said support panel; and

a support bracket pivotally attached to said bridge member.

3. The visual automobile parking device of claim 2, said support bracket further comprising:

an elongate shaft having a front end and a downwardly extending flange, said downwardly extending flange being pivotally attached to said bridge member;

means for locking the angular position of said support cradle with respect to said support bracket; and

attachment means fixedly attached to said front end of said elongate shaft for removably attaching said support bracket to a vehicle window.

4. The visual automobile parking device of claim 3, said means for locking the angular position of said support cradle with respect to said support bracket further comprising a threaded pin extending through said downwardly extending flange and an upwardly extended projection on said bridge member, said threaded pin pivotally attaching said flange to said projection, and a threaded nut applied to an end of said threaded pin to clamp said flange against said projection.

5. The visual automobile parking device of claim 3, wherein said attachment means comprises a suction cup.

6. The visual automobile parking device of claim 1, said cradle support further comprising an upper elongate support panel configured to receive said light emitting source, and said plurality of second electrical connectors comprising elongate metal pins extending through said upper elongate support panel.

7. The visual automobile parking device of claim 6, said first electrical connectors comprising a metal clip positioned within said light emitting source.

8. The visual automobile parking device of claim 7, said means for connecting each of said first and second electrical connectors comprising an aperture in said metal clip, said aperture being configured to receive therein one of said elongate metal pins to place said first electrical connectors in electrical communication with said second electrical connectors to form a closed circuit.

9. The visual automobile parking device of claim 1 wherein said electrical switch comprises a timer switch.

10. A visual automobile parking device comprising:

a light emitting source, said light emitting source further comprising a first plurality of electrical connectors in electrical communication with a power source for powering said light emitting source and defining a first open electrical circuit;

a cradle support, said cradle support further comprising a support panel configured to receive said light emitting source, said support panel further comprising a second plurality of electrical connectors in electrical communication with an electrical switch defining a second open electrical circuit; and

means for connecting said first open electrical circuit to said second open electrical circuit to form a closed circuit between said power source and said electrical switch.

11. The visual automobile parking device of claim 10, said cradle support further comprising:

a bridge member extending upward from and overlapping said support panel; and

a support bracket pivotally attached to said bridge member.

12. The visual automobile parking device of claim 11, said support bracket further comprising:

an elongate shaft having a front end and a downwardly extending flange, said downwardly extending flange being pivotally attached to said bridge member;

means for locking the angular position of said support cradle with respect to said support bracket; and

attachment means fixedly attached to said front end of said elongate shaft for removably attaching said support bracket to a vehicle window.

13. The visual automobile parking device of claim 10, said second electrical connectors comprising elongate metal pins extending through said support panel.

14. The visual automobile parking device of claim 13, said first electrical connectors comprising a metal clip positioned within said light emitting source.

15. The visual automobile parking device of claim 14, said means for connecting said first open electrical circuit to said second open electrical circuit comprising an aperture in said metal clip, said aperture being configured to receive therein one of said elongate metal pins to place said first electrical connectors in electrical communication with said second electrical connectors to form a closed circuit.

16. The visual automobile parking device of claim 10 wherein said electrical switch comprises a timer switch.

17. A visual automobile parking device comprising:

a light emitting source, said light emitting source further comprising a power source for powering said light emitting source and a first plurality of electrical connectors fixedly attached to said light emitting source and in electrical communication with said power source, said power source and said first plurality of electrical connectors defining a first open circuit;

a cradle support, said cradle support further comprising an upper support panel and a second plurality of electrical connectors fixedly attached to said upper support panel, said second plurality of electrical connectors being in electrical communication with an electrical switch, and said second plurality of electrical connectors defining a second open circuit;

said light emitting source being positioned on said upper support panel, and said first plurality of electrical connectors being in electrical communication with said second plurality of electrical connectors to define a closed circuit between said electrical switch and said power source.

18. The visual automobile parking device of claim 17, said cradle support further comprising:

a bridge member extending upward from and overlapping said support panel; and

a support bracket pivotally attached to said bridge member.

19. The visual automobile parking device of claim 18, said support bracket further comprising:

an elongate shaft having a front end and a downwardly extending flange, said downwardly extending flange being pivotally attached to said bridge member;

means for locking the angular position of said support cradle with respect to said support bracket; and

attachment means fixedly attached to said front end of said elongate shaft for removably attaching said support bracket to a vehicle window.

20. The visual automobile parking device of claim 17, said second electrical connectors comprising elongate metal pins extending through said upper support panel, and said first electrical connectors comprising a metal clip positioned within said light emitting source.