Parked vehicle locator

• US 6,429,791 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2001
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quinn, Sharon
• Original Assignee: Quinn, Sharon
• Inventors: Quinn, Sharon
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/800,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20010045896A1
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539, 340/932.2, 340/902, 340/904, 340/815.4, 340/815.53, 340/815.64, 340/815.69, 340/815.86, 705/418, 705/13, 368/90, 368/78
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator

Abstract

A hand-held device which is used to record the site of a vehicle that is parked in a marked location in a lot or garage. The device may be applied to record the level, section and row in which the vehicle is parked. An array of alpha-numeric indicia is adaptable to accurately record almost any parking scheme. The device may be either electronic or mechanical.

Claims

1. A hand-held device for recording the site location of a parked motor vehicle, said device comprising:

a body member, said body member having a front face, a rear face, a first end and a second end;

a viewing area disposed on said front face at a first portion of said body member;

an array of alpha-numeric indicia disposed on said front face at a second portion of said body member;

first means for positioning selected ones of said alphanumeric indicia from said second portion of said body member at said viewing area;

a set switch disposed on said body member for locking said selected ones of said alpha-numeric indicia at said viewing area;

a recording and play-back device, said recording and play-back device disposed in said rear face of said body member; and

an emergency button for activating an audible alarm, said emergency button disposed on said rear face of said body member.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of push-buttons is disposed on said front face adjacent said second end, said array of alpha-numeric indicia being individually inscribed on a respective push-button.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said first means for positioning includes a battery powered electronic circuit.

4. The device according to claim 3, including a clear switch for deleting said selected ones of said alpha-numeric indicia from said viewing area, said clear switch disposed on said front face.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said body member is fabricated from plastic material.

6. The device according to claim 5, including a key chain attached at said first end.

7. A device for recording the site location of a parked motor vehicle, said device comprising:

a body member, said body member having a cylindrical configuration with a longitudinal axis and a circumferential surface area;

a viewing area including an alignment window disposed at a first portion of said body member adjacent said circumferential surface area;

an array of alpha-numeric indicia disposed on said circumferential surface area;

first means for manually positioning selected ones of said alpha-numeric indicia at said viewing area; and

a set mechanism for locking said selected ones of said alpha-numeric indicia at said viewing area.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said first means for positioning includes a plurality of tumblers rotatable around said longitudinal axis.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said body member has a free end and a key chain attached to said free end.