Vehicle positioning device

• US 6,853,313 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2002
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald E. Newcomer
• Original Assignee: Ronald E. Newcomer
• Inventors: Newcomer, Ronald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk, Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/320,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20040113815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 340/958, 180/199, 250/491.1, 399/400, 116/28.R
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/00 Steering not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/161 Decentralised systems, e.g. inter-vehicle communication

Abstract

A method and apparatus for guiding a vehicle into an optimal position within a parking space. A first linear ray of light is projected along the centerline of a parking space. A second linear ray of light is projected at an angle to and intersecting the first linear ray within the parking space. The first linear ray of light guides the driver while moving into and through the space when the driver aligns an indicator on the vehicle with the first linear ray of light. As the driver nears the optimal position, the second linear ray of light will move towards the indicator. When the indicator coincides with the intersection of the first and second linear rays of light, the vehicle is in the optimal position.

Claims

1. A method for moving a vehicle into a predetermined location, comprising the steps of:

projecting a first linear beam of light in the vicinity of the predetermined location;

projecting a second linear beam of light at an angle to and intersecting the first linear beam of light; and

moving the vehicle into the vicinity of the predetermined location along a path relative to the first linear beam of light until an indicator on the vehicle coincides with the intersection of the first and second linear beams of light;

wherein rotating lasers having guard tubes project the first and second linear beams;

wherein guard tubes placed on each of the rotating lasers reduce a throw pattern of each of the first and second linear beams of lights respectively.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined location is in a garage.

3. The method according to claim 2, comprising the step of:

projecting the first and second linear beams when a garage door of the garage opens to allow a vehicle to enter.

4. The method according to claim 2, including comprising the step of:

projecting the first and second linear beams concurrently with an activation of an overhead light of a garage door opener.

5. The method according to claim 1, including comprising the step of:

projecting the first linear beam of light along a centerline centered in of the predetermined location and aligned with a direction of moving the vehicle into the predetermined location.

6. The method according to claim 5, comprising the step of:

projecting the second linear beam of light along a line perpendicular to the centerline.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pair of rotating lasers project the first and second linear beams of light.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 140°

to about 90° and

the second linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 100 to about 90°

.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 140°

to about 90° and

the second linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 10°

to about 90°

.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 45°

to 90°

starting from 0°

to about 5°

downstream of an imaginary line perpendicular to the first means for projecting said first linear beam of light and ending further downstream of said imaginary line and the second linear beam sweeps across an arc about 10°

to about 90°

.

11. A system for moving a vehicle into a predetermined location, comprising:

an indicator on the vehicle;

a first rotating laser for projecting a first linear beam of light onto the vehicle when the vehicle enters the vicinity of the predetermined location; and

a second rotating laser for projecting a second linear beam of light at an angle to and intersecting with the first linear beam;

wherein the indicator coinciding with the first linear beam provides a guide for the vehicle to travel in a direction along the first linear beam and when the indicator coincides with the intersection between the first and second beams, the vehicle is in the predetermined location;

wherein guard tubes are paced on each of the first and second means for projecting for reducing a throw pattern of each of the first and second linear beams of light, respectively.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined location is within a parking space.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the first and second means for projecting rotating lasers are electronically connected to a garage door opener.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the parking space is in a garage.

15. The system according to claim 14 wherein the first linear beam is projected along a portion of the floor and up a back wall of the garage.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the first linear beam is projected along a centerline centered in of the parking space in the garage.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the angle between the first and second linear beams is 90°

.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first and second rotating lasers are part of a unit mounted above the predetermined location.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the unit is a garage door opener.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the first and second rotating lasers operate concurrently with the operation of an overhead light in the garage door opener.

21. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 140°

to about 90° and

the second linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 10°

to about 90°

.

22. The system according to claim 11, wherein the first linear beam sweeps across an arc of about 45°

to 90°

starting from 0°

to about 5°

downstream of an imaginary line perpendicular to the first means for projecting said first linear beam of light and ending further downstream of said imaginary line and the second linear beam sweeps across an arc about 10°

to about 90°

.