Vehicle positioning guide and method

• US 7,812,742 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Michael Pankowski
• Original Assignee: Joseph Michael Pankowski
• Inventors: Pankowski, Joseph Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson; Bradley E
• Application Number:
  US12/029,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20090201175A1
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932.2, 362/511, 116/28.R
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/426 Parking guides

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided three bars of light to help a user maneuver a vehicle into a space accessed by a garage door that is controlled by an electric door opener. The three bars of light are powered by an electric garage door opener using one of the two electric lamp outputs of the garage door opener. A simple screw-in plug base and triple tap adapter allows one outlet to power the three bars of light. When a vehicle approaches the garage and signals for the garage door to open the three bars of light are activated. The driver of the vehicle need only keep the center bar of light centered between the outside bars of light to properly align the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle positioning guide and method for guiding a vehicle into a position within a parking space using a guidance positioning arrangement:

Wherein there is a left bar of light attached to the rear wall of a garage;

a right bar of light attached to the rear wall of a garage;

a center bar of light attached to the ceiling of a garage;

a left power line attached to the left bar of light;

a right power line attached to the right bar of light;

a center power line attached to the center bar of light;

a triple tap adapter attached to the left power line, the right power line and the center power line;

a plug base attached to the triple tap adapter;

a plug base attached to an electric outlet on a automatic garage opener; and

a garage door opener with remote control.

2. The method of positioning the vehicle in a designated parking position comprises the steps of:

approaching a garage in a vehicle;

signaling the garage door to open using a remote control device;

aligning the center bar of light directly in the center of the right bar of light and the left bar of light, as seen through the windshield while approaching the garage opening;

stopping the vehicle when the center bar of light touches the windshield of the vehicle.