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CLAIM FOR PRIORITY  
       [0001]    A claim for priority is made in this application for the provisional application No. 60/352,358 filed on Dec. 14, 2001. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the fields of visual signals and visual safety devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a visual signaling system for enabling a driver of a vehicle to precisely and safely position the vehicle in a parking space, garage or relative to some other objects.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Parking a vehicle in a confined space can be difficult. When the vehicle is moved into the space, traveling in either forward or backward direction, the potential exists for the driver to incorrectly estimate the confines of the space in relation to the physical dimensions of the vehicle. The consequence of this is the possibility of contact between the vehicle and other property (wall, garage door, another vehicle, etc.) within close vicinity to the vehicle. This contact may result in damage to the vehicle and/or the other property.  
           [0004]    The driver&#39;s incorrect estimation is a concern even if the driver is exercising due care. There are several reasons for this. First, it can be difficult to judge the appropriate target position for the vehicle. Factors that are weighed in this judgment include the appropriate amount of space needed for the operation of certain features of the vehicle (car doors, car hoods, car trunks, etc.), the appropriate amount of space needed for the operation of features of property in the vicinity of the vehicle (garage doors, structural doors, etc.), and access to other property (other vehicles, storage, etc.). Second, it is difficult to judge the size of a vehicle while it is being operated. Third, the confined space in which to park the vehicle may be so physically confining that the margin of error for the driver&#39;s judgment can be extremely small.  
           [0005]    Property damage due to vehicle parking mistakes is also a risk management problem from the point of view of insurance companies. If a way can be found to minimize such accidents, then insurance claims would decrease. A competitive advantage could be realized by an insurance company if they can manage risk for their own policy holders so as to minimize such accidents.  
           [0006]    One solution to the problem is to employ the assistance of a separate person not positioned within the vehicle to aid the driver in navigating the vehicle into the appropriate position within the confined space. However, in most instances, this is not a practical solution. Other solutions use range finding devices to convey to the driver the amount of distance between the vehicle and other objects. This solution is cost prohibitive and is not pragmatic. The solution to this problem must be one that is exercisable by the driver alone without any assistance from another person and must be affordable to the average driver.  
           [0007]    There have been previous attempts to solve this problem under the above criteria which have employed the use of various devices in order to allow a single driver to appropriately position a vehicle. One example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,287 to Rankila, Mar. 13, 2001, discloses a device for positioning a vehicle in a predetermined location. This device is comprised of two spatially separated but conjoined planar surfaces, the first of which is mounted on a wall and the second is extended toward the driver. While this device will assist the driver in positioning the vehicle when the second planar surface is aligned with and obscures a portion of the first planar surface, it has several drawbacks. In its rigid form, the device actually provides another obstruction that could cause damage to a vehicle because the distance required to separate the first and second surfaces must be of more than negligible in order for this device to operate properly (too short of a distance would provide too great of a tolerance in the desired parking position). In its retractable embodiment, the device would require a driver to exit the vehicle in order to reset the device into its operable position before attempting to position the vehicle. This is extremely inconvenient to the driver. Finally this device requires the driver&#39;s attention to be focused on the device and not on the pertinent surroundings in the parking space. This lack of attention on the pertinent surroundings could cause more extensive damage than what the device is attempting to correct.  
           [0008]    Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,758 to Sanders, Mar. 21, 1989, which discloses a device for positioning a car in a garage. This device comprises lateral and longitudinal positioning members. Lateral alignment is achieved when the lateral positioning members are aligned. Longitudinal alignment is achieved when the headlights of the vehicle being operated are reflected, through the use of a mirror, into the driver&#39;s eyes. This device also has several drawbacks. First, it can only be used when parking in a forward moving direction since it must be mounted on the wall opposite the entry to the parking space. The device could not be mounted on the garage door to allow for backing into the parking space, by virtue of the obvious fact that the garage door must, necessarily, be in the open position to allow for access to the parking space. Secondly, it requires the driver&#39;s strict attention to the device to perceive the lateral alignment of the lateral positioning members, thus distracting the driver from the other pertinent surroundings. Thirdly, the operation of the device requires the device to reflect the vehicle&#39;s headlights directly into the driver&#39;s eyes, thus creating a hazardous situation. Finally, relying on the driver&#39;s headlights for alignment may be difficult during the day if the parking space is exposed to light. Also, using headlights during the day increases the opportunity for drivers to leave their headlights on after exiting the vehicle, thus depleting the battery of the vehicle.  
           [0009]    Yet another example of a car positioning device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,357 to Viscovich, Jul. 7, 1992, which utilizes a mirror mounted on a surface in a garage to reflect light to the side rear-view mirror on a vehicle. The invention operates by reflecting the illuminated brake lights into the side rear-view mirror when the vehicle is properly positioned. The shortcomings of this invention involve requiring the driver&#39;s attention to be focused on the rear-view mirror, thus distracting the driver from other pertinent surroundings. In addition, the tolerance of proper positioning is inherently large as the mirrors will reflect all incident light and the driver must judge the magnitude or intensity of the reflected light in order to properly position a vehicle. This could lead to imprecise positioning of the vehicle.  
           [0010]    All of the previous attempts do not adequately solve the vehicle positioning problem. Thus, what is needed is a device and method for using that device that 1) helps drivers park their cars more accurately, 2) does not require strict attention to the device, 3) functions properly while a vehicle is traveling in both forward and backward directions, and 4) provides for moderately precise positioning of a vehicle without creating further hazards in the parking space.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a way to signal a driver when to stop a vehicle in a parking space without requiring the help of an assistant or expensive technology.  
           [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual signal device that signals a driver when to stop a vehicle in a parking space without requiring the focused attention of the driver to be on the signal device.  
           [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual signal device that signals a driver when to stop a vehicle in a parking space that can be utilized while traveling in either forward or backward directions.  
           [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual signal device combined with a medium for visual advertising.  
           [0015]    It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a visual signal device that works in poorly-lighted conditions as well as well-lighted conditions.  
           [0016]    It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide an adjustable visual signal device that signals a driver when to stop a vehicle in a parking place when that vehicle is properly positioned.  
           [0017]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a visual signal device that will not damage a vehicle if that vehicle collides with the device.  
           [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system that helps drivers park their vehicles more accurately, which can be mass distributed at an economically reasonable cost.  
           [0019]    The foregoing and other objects will be apparent from the drawings and the description set forth herein.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0020]    This invention relates to a visual signal device that aids a driver of a vehicle to position that vehicle in a precise location. The signal device allows the driver to use his peripheral vision to properly position the vehicle. The signal device is positioned on a wall or other structure adjacent a parking space, where such wall or other structure has a surface that is at least approximately parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle. In one embodiment, as a vehicle first travels into the parking space, the proximal side of the device obstructs the distal side of the device and, therefore, only the proximal side is within the driver&#39;s field of view. Upon attaining the optimal position within the parking space, the distal side of the device comes within the driver&#39;s field of vision, engaging the driver&#39;s peripheral vision, and signaling the driver to stop the vehicle. The proximal and distal sides of the device are of colors and/or materials such that the contrast between the proximal and distal sides is readily apparent. In a different embodiment, as the vehicle first travels into the parking space, both the proximal and distal sides are within the driver&#39;s field of view. Upon attaining the optimal position within the parking space, the proximal side of the device disappears from the driver&#39;s field of view signaling the driver to stop the vehicle. The proximal and distal sides of the device are of such colors and/or materials that again, the contrast between the proximal and distal sides is readily apparent. These proximal and distal sides can be formed by folding the device along designated lines or manipulating the device using multiple layers of signal surfaces  
           [0021]    The invention, when placed in operational configuration, is entirely passive as there are no moving parts. The stop signal is effective simply by the movement of the car relative to the stationary device such that either the distal side suddenly is within the field of view of the driver or the proximal side disappears from the field of view of the driver when the vehicle attains an optimal position within the parking space.  
           [0022]    The invention is uniquely advantageous over the prior art in that it is converted from a shipping configuration to the operational configuration with relative ease. The shipping configuration is such that it can be mass mailed and is no larger nor heavier than an ordinary mailer of conventional size. The invention converts from the shipping configuration to the operational configuration by manipulation of the various surfaces. Some embodiments require at least one folded surface to be releasably attached to the mounting surface surfaces in order to function appropriately while in operational formation. The invention is further advantageous in that the material of the device is of such a quality so that it remains durable when attached to wall in the operational configuration but does not provide any additional obstacles within the parking space nor is capable of causing damage to the vehicle if a driver improperly negotiates the parking space. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of the operational formation of the signal device according to various embodiments of the present invention with a vehicle traveling in a forward direction.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the signal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the signal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 4 illustrates the use of the device when in operational formation as attached to a opposing surface.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of the operation of a signal device according to various embodiments of the present invention with a vehicle traveling in a backward direction.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 6A illustrates a lay-out view of a first side of the invention in the unfolded shipping formation.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 6B illustrates a lay-out view of a second side of the invention in the unfolded shipping formation.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7 illustrates a close up view of the locking mechanism used to convert the invention from shipping formation to operational formation.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of the signal device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 illustrates a close up view of the device of FIG. 8 in the unfolded shipping formation. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the signal device  11  in its operational formation. The signal device  11  comprises a proximal surface  13 , a distal surface  15 , a mounting surface  17 , and a graphic display surface  31 . The mounting surface  17  of the signal device, which is shown in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, is engaged with an opposing surface  18  through the use of any adhesive (not shown) which is known in the art. The signal device  11  is mounted at a height such that it can be viewed by a driver  19 , having a seated position within a vehicle  21 . This height is such that any information contained on the graphic display surface  31  will be prominently displayed within the confined parking space. The use of graphic display surface  31  is further discussed with reference to FIG. 2. Further the signal device  11  is longitudinally mounted such that when the vehicle  21  is positioned appropriately within the confined parking space, the driver  19  is able to recognize a contrast in color and/or material between proximal surface  13  and distal surface  15 .  
         [0034]    With further reference to FIG. 1, driver  19  of vehicle  21  traverses a confined parking space in a forward motion. In first position  23 , the driver  19  only has the ability to see the proximal surface  13  and not the distal surface  15  of signal device  11 . The driver  19  then navigates the vehicle  21  to a second position  25 . Second position  25  represents the precise position in which color and/or material contrast between the proximal surface  13  and the distal surface  15  of the signal device  11  first comes into said driver&#39;s field of view, represented by peripheral view line  27 . Upon reaching position  25 , the driver  19  will stop the vehicle  21 , which will be properly positioned in the confined parking space.  
         [0035]    In an alternate embodiment, with further reference to FIG. 1, driver  19  will have the ability to see both proximal surface  13  and distal surface  15  at first position  23 . The driver  19  then navigates the vehicle  21  to second position  25 . Second position  25 , in this embodiment, represents the precise position in which proximal surface  13  is no longer within the field of view of driver  19 . In both embodiments, proximal surface  13  is substantially perpendicular to mounting surface  17 . The two embodiments above differ in the value of the interior angles formed by proximal surface  13 , distal surface  15 , and mounting surface  17 . These angles are discussed in detail with reference to FIG. 2.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the signal device in operational formation. Distal surface  15  is obscured from vision by proximal surface  13  of the signal device until a driver (not shown) attains the peripheral view line  27 . FIG. 2 further illustrates mounting surface  17  which can be affixed to a wall or other structure (not shown). This affixation is accomplished thought the use of any adhesive (not shown) which is known in the art. FIG. 2 further illustrates the use of a display surface  31 , which is adjacent distal surface  15 . This display surface is useful as advertisement, solicitation or promotional space. This use of space for advertising aids in maintaining a prominent profile for the company that bears the cost of manufacturing and/or distributing the signal device. Additionally, or as an alternative, the display space is useful to convey any message, for example a public service message or a safety encouragement.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 further illustrates the angles formed by surfaces  13  and  15  when in operational formation according to this embodiment. Signal device  11  comprises first, second, and third angles,  33 ,  35 , and  37 . The first angle  33  formed by the proximal surface  13  and the mounting surface and is substantially 90°. The second angle  35  formed between proximal surface  13  and distal surface  15  can vary from between 0° and 90°. Finally the third angle  37  formed between the distal surface  15  and the mounting surface  17  can vary from between 0° and 90°. As is shown, FIG. 2, angles  35  and  37  must cumulatively equal approximately 90°. In order for proximal surface  13  to obscure distal surface  15  from being within the field of view of the driver  19  (not shown), according to one embodiment, angle  35  must be relatively small as compared to angle  37 . In this embodiment, the device will function by signaling the driver  19 (not shown) to stop vehicle  21  (not shown) when distal surface first comes into the field of view of driver  19 (not shown). As angle  35  becomes larger, and angle  37  becomes correspondingly smaller, it is more likely that distal surface  15  will be within the field of view of driver  19 (not shown) upon first entering a parking space, thus relating to a different embodiment. In this different embodiment, the device will function by signaling the driver  19 (not shown) to stop the vehicle  21 (not shown) when proximal surface  13  first disappears from the field of view of driver  19 (not shown).  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, third angle  37  is substantially 90° and angles  33  and  35  vary from between 0° and 90° and cumulatively equal approximately 90°. In this embodiment, the device will function by signaling the driver  19  (not shown) to stop vehicle  21  (not shown) when distal surface first comes into the field of view of driver  19  (not shown).  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is a cut away view of a driver  19  in a vehicle  21  after the vehicle  21  is navigated to second position  25  (not shown) where the distal portion  15  of the signal device  11  is just visible to driver  19 , thus signaling to driver  19  that vehicle  21  has attained an appropriate stopping position.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 illustrates the invention of FIG. 1 with the modification that the driver and vehicle are traversing the confined parking space in a backward motion from a first position  23  to a second position  25 . The height of the device will remain constant but the device will be longitudinally mounted in a different location in order to assure proper positioning of the vehicle within the confined parking space. Signal device  11  functions in precisely the same manner according to one embodiment described above in that at the instant the distal surface  15  of the signal device  11  comes within the driver&#39;s peripheral view line  27 , the vehicle will be properly positioned within the confined parking space.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the shipping formation of the signal device  11  in its completely unfolded shipping (or storage) configuration. The shipping formation of the signal device includes first and second surfaces,  43  and  45  respectively. First surface  43  includes proximal surface  13 , distal surface  15  as disclosed with reference to FIG. 1, and display surface  31  as disclosed with reference to FIG. 2. First side  43  also includes a tab  47 . Tab  47  is of a shape such that it will engage and become detachably connected to slot  49  when the signal device  11  is in its operational formation. First side  43  additionally includes surfaces  51 ,  55 , and  57 . These surfaces can be used for the display of various information, including but not limited the return address for a business reply card, directions of on the use of the signal device, or any promotional advertising and/or logo.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 6A further illustrates that first surface  43  of signal device  11  is perforated along three perforation lines  59 ,  61 , and  63 . These perforation lines, as is known in the art, are used to easily separate two previously conjoined portions of the signal device  11 . Therefore, surfaces  51 ,  55  and  57  can be separated from the remainder of the signal device before the device is manipulated into its operational formation. FIG. 6A further illustrates fold lines  67 ,  69 , and  71  by which a recipient of the signal device in the shipping formation will fold the device. In an alternate embodiment, fold line  71  can be eliminated such that, when in its operational formation, surfaces  15  and  31  will be substantially planar. In this embodiment, surfaces  15  and  31  may be of substantially the same color and/or material. First side  43  can be further configured to contain slots  73  and  75 . Slots  73  and  75  are positioned on surface  31  such that a normally sized business card can fit between the slots. Finally, first side  43  includes mounting surface  17  as disclosed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0043]    As illustrated in FIG. 6B, second side  45  is the opposite side of first side  43  and therefore maintains the many of the same attributes as first side  43 . Tab  47 , slot  49 , perforation lines  59 ,  61 , and  63 , fold lines  67 ,  69 , and  71 , and slots  73  and  75  are in the same position as disclosed with reference to first side  43  of the signal device  11  and are therefore not shown. Second side  45  further includes surfaces  81 ,  85 ,  87 . These surfaces can be used for, but are not limited to, the display of advertising, promotional logos, survey questionnaires, and addresses of recipients of the signal device  11 . Because surfaces  81 ,  85  and  87  are simply the reverse side of surfaces  51 ,  55  and  57 , they can be separated from the remainder of the device as discussed above with reference to FIG. 6A. If the manufacturer of the device should wish to place a survey questionnaire in the signal device, the questionnaire must be directly opposite the business reply address as disclosed with reference to side  43  in FIG. 6A.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the portion of the signal device  11 . More particularly, FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the attaching mechanism of the signal device  11 . Tab  91  is used to engage slot  49  of the signal device  11  instead of tab  47  which is disclosed with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. All other features of the invention in this embodiment are identical to those disclosed with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 8 illustrates still another embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 8, proximal surface  13  and distal surface  15  are disposed such that they are substantially co-planar with each other and substantially perpendicular with mounting surface  17 . In addition, FIG. 8 illustrates the use of a third surface  93 . Third surface  93  is adjacent distal surface  15 , substantially co-planar with mounting surface  17 , and, thus substantially perpendicular with surfaces  13  and  15 . Third surface  93  can be of the same color of distal surface  15  or can be a third color. In operation, this alternate embodiment will function in such a way that as a driver  19  (not shown) of a vehicle  21  (not shown) enters a parking space, only proximal surface  13  will be visible. Upon attaining an the desired second position  25 , distal surface  15  and third surface  93  will some within the driver&#39;s field of view thus signaling to driver  19 (not shown) to stop the vehicle  21 (not shown).  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 9 illustrates the embodiment as discussed with reference to FIG. 8 above in the unfolded or storage configuration. Surface  93  is adjacent distal surface  15  and graphic display surface  31 . Line  95  distinguishes between surface  93  and graphic display surface  31 . All other features of the invention in this embodiment are identical to those disclosed with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B.  
         [0047]    Whereas the drawings and accompanying description have shown and described the preferred embodiments, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

Summary:
The Signal Device for Positioning a Vehicle, according to the present invention relates to utilizing the peripheral vision of a driver of a vehicle in assessing the proper position of a vehicle relative to a confined parking space. The device is comprised of at least two surfaces, the first obscuring the second until the vehicle has attained the desired position within the parking space. Upon attaining this position, the second surface will come within the operator&#39;s field of vision thus notifying the operator to stop the vehicle. Alternately, the operator will stop the vehicle when the second surface obscures the first surface. Additionally, this invention includes a method for parking a vehicle in a confined parking space. Finally, this invention describes a method of distributing advertising and/or solicitation through mass mailing techniques, such advertising accompanying the signal device.