Vehicle positioning apparatus

• US 7,161,498 B1
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xinyue Fan
• Original Assignee: Xinyue Fan
• Inventors: Fan, Xinyue
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope; Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/897,172
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 340/942, 340/988, 340/686.1, 340/686.2, 340/686.6, 340/693.1
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/426 Parking guides

Abstract

Vehicle positioning apparatus for facilitating the positioning of a vehicle in a specific position within an enclosure having an automatic door opening device with concurrently activated light source is disclosed. The vehicle positioning apparatus includes a light generating device mounted to the enclosure for generating a targeting mark. A photovoltaic cell generates electrical power from light emitted by the light source when the automatic door opening device is activated. The photovoltaic cell is coupled to the light generating device to provide electrical power for the generation of the targeting mark when the light is illuminated.

Claims

1. Vehicle positioning apparatus for facilitating positioning a vehicle in a specific position within an enclosure, the apparatus comprising:

an enclosure having a door movable between an open position allowing vehicle access, and a closed position preventing vehicle access;

an automatic door opener carried in the enclosure and coupled to the door for moving the door between the open position and the closed position;

a light source activated by actuation of the automatic door opener;

a light generating device mounted to the enclosure for generating a targeting mark; and

a photovoltaic cell generating electrical power from light emitted by the light source, the photovoltaic cell coupled to the light generating device to provide electrical power for the generation of the targeting mark when the automatic door opener is actuated.

2. Vehicle positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light generating device includes a laser device generating a downwardly directed beam of light.

3. Vehicle positioning apparatus for facilitating positioning a vehicle in a specific position within an enclosure having an automatic door opening device with concurrently activated light source, the apparatus comprising:

a light generating device mounted to the enclosure for generating a targeting mark; and

a photovoltaic cell generating electrical power from light emitted by the light source when the automatic door opening device is activated, the photovoltaic cell coupled to the light generating device to provide electrical power for the generation of the targeting mark when the light is illuminated.

4. Vehicle positioning apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the light generating device includes a laser device generating a downwardly directed beam of light.