Remotely activated trail marker system and its method of use

• US 7,301,469 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leo J. Hoffman Jr, Robert A. Hoffman
• Original Assignee: Leo J. Hoffman Jr, Robert A. Hoffman
• Inventors: Hoffman, Robert A., Hoffman, Leo J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/073,176
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 3405391-53916, 340/815.53, 340/815.54, 340/815.78, 340/815.79, 340/815.8, 340/825.36, 340/7.5, 340/825.49, 340/825.71, 340/825.72, 340/693.5, 340/693.9, 116/1, 116/173, 116/202, 359/527, 343/720, 343/721
• US Class Current: 340/815.54
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip

Abstract

A trail marking system having a plurality of trail markers, a remote control handset for selectively activating the trail markers, and a setting tool for setting and removing the trail markers. To use the trail marking system, a hunter attaches a trail marker into a tree using the setting tool. The trail markers contain externally perceivable indicators that can be selectively turned on an off. When the indicators in the trail markers are off, the trail markers are inconspicuous. However, when the indicators are activated, they are highly visible. The trail markers are selectively turned on an off using the remote control handset. As such, a hunter can selectively turn on and off the trail markers as he/she walks along the trail.

Claims

1. A trail marker system comprising:

a portable signal transmitter that transmits an activation signal;

a plurality of illumination devices, wherein all of said illumination devices activate when said activation signal is received from said signal transmitter, wherein each of said plurality of illumination devices includes;

a housing having a solid rear surface and an open face, wherein said housing defines an interior having a volume of less than one cubic inch between said open face and said rear surface;

a circuit board contained within said housing, said circuit board containing a signal detector and at least one LED oriented toward said open face, wherein said circuit board causes said at least one LED to activate when said activation signal is received by said signal detector;

a lens element covering said open face of said housing, wherein said signal detector and said at least one LED are confined under said lens element in said housing;

a spike extending outwardly from said rear surface of said housing, wherein said spike is configured to selectively pierce a tree, thereby joining said housing to the tree.

2. The system according to claim 1, further including at least one battery contained within said housing for powering said at least one LED.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said signal detector is an infrared signal detector.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said activation signal is an infrared signal.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said activation signal is a radio signal.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said housing has an exterior surface that is camouflaged.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one LED automatically deactivates when said activation signal is no longer detected by said signal detector.

8. A method of marking a trail so that the trail can only be identified by an authorized individual, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a light transmitter that emits a light signal;

providing a plurality of trail markers that activate by illuminating the trail markers when said light signal from said light transmitter shines thereon and deactivate when said light signal is absent, wherein each of said trail markers contains a housing and a spike that extends from said housing;

placing said trail markers at positions along a selected trail;

providing an authorized person with said light transmitter; and

having said authorized person travel along said selected trail shining said light transmitter, wherein said trail markers in direct sight of said light transmitter activate.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein each of said trail markers contains signal detector supported by said housing that detects said light signal, and a light source that shines light away from said housing when activated, wherein said light source becomes activated when said signal detector detects said light signal.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein each of said trail markers contains signal detector supported by said housing that detects said light signal, and a noise generator that produces an audible sound when activated, wherein said noise generator becomes activated when said signal detector detects said light signal.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein each said housing has a volume of less than one cubic inch.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein each said spike is between ¼

of an inch and one inch long.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein said light signal is an infrared signal.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein said housing has an exterior surface that is camouflaged.

15. A trail marking kit, comprising;

a plurality of trail marking lights that can be selectively activated by remote control, wherein each of said trail marking lights has a housing with a small spike extending therefrom;

a hand tool that temporarily engages said housing of said trail marking lights to facilitate the attachment and removal of each of said trail marking lights to a tree; and

a remote control handset that transmits an activation signal for remotely activating said trail marking lights.