Abstract:
An apparatus adapted to provide a locating means for a vehicle lost in a parking facility includes a telescoping device installed on the vehicle and is selectively activated by remote control. When activated, the apparatus will upwardly extend an illuminated beacon to provide a visual indication from a distance.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/032,151 filed Aug. 1, 2014, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a telescoping device adapted to provide a locating means for a vehicle. The device is capable of being activated by remote control. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Just about everyone has suffered that embarrassing moment when returning to their parked car, and forgetting where he or she parked it. Even setting aside the embarrassment, much valuable time is lost wandering around the parking lot looking for the wayward vehicle. The longer the search continues the greater the anxiety that perhaps the vehicle was towed or stolen. However, setting embarrassment and considerations of time aside, for those individuals who live in intemperate climates, misplacing one&#39;s vehicle may subject the person to potentially life threatening exposure. 
     This is not only a problem in parking lots, but also in parking garages. In fact a parking garage might present an even more challenging task of vehicle location especially in garages where every level is nearly identical. This problem has an upfront solution; however, most people do not take the time to jot down on a scratch of paper where his or her car is parked. But even if the person did, the paper itself is subject to becoming misplaced, usually when needed most. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the location of a parked vehicle can be easily found without the disadvantages as described above. The use of the telescoping beacon provides a handy reminder device to allow for location of a parked vehicle in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a locating beacon capable of being activated by remote control. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a locating beacon, comprising a housing assembly, adapted to be removably mounted to a vehicle. The beacon further comprises a housing. Within the housing is a mast enclosure and a control means. The housing may have a removable cover. The control means further incorporates a power source and a receiver. A deployment mechanism within the housing is in electrical communication with the power source. A telescoping mast assembly is housed within the mast enclosure and has a bottom end operably attached to the deployment mechanism and deployable therefrom. A dome is affixed to an upper portion of the telescoping mast assembly, having an illumination means for providing illumination and in electrical communication with the power source. The locating beacon comprises a remote control device in wireless communication with the receiver, for remotely controlling the control means to operate the telescoping mast assembly and the illumination means. 
     The housing assembly further comprises a plurality of pads each affixed to a bottom surface of the housing and a magnet affixed to the bottom surface of the housing. The housing assembly further incorporates a solar energy collecting and generating means for collecting solar energy and generating electricity therefrom. The solar energy collecting and generating means is in electrical communication with the control means. 
     The housing assembly further incorporates a DC charging jack in electrical communication with the power source. The housing comprises an aerodynamic shape having an inclined forward surface and a widening base portion along the bottom surface. 
     The deployment mechanism further comprises a drive band attached to a topmost portion of the telescoping mast assembly and disposed within a guide enclosure and a prime mover attached to and operably controlling the drive band opposite the telescoping mast assembly. The prime mover is capable of forward and reversible movement and the drive band conducts electricity between the control means and the illumination means. The telescoping mast assembly further comprises a plurality of interlocking sections. 
     The locating beacon also comprises a sealing means located between each of the plurality of interlocking sections for sealing internal components from the environment. The dome further comprises a generally hemispherical transparent or translucent body. 
     The remote control device comprises a vehicle key fob which further comprises a housing with a plurality of buttons containing. Within the housing is a circuit board, a transmitter and a battery. The plurality of buttons, circuit board, transmitter and battery are in electrical communication with each other thereby facilitating radio communication with the receiver. The first button raises the mast assembly and illuminates the illumination means when pressed. The second button lowers the mast assembly and extinguishes the illumination means when pressed. The third button enables a user to independently illuminate and extinguish the illumination means in an alternating manner when pressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a vehicle locating beacon  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 a    is a side view of the vehicle locating beacon  10  depicting a collapsed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a side view of the vehicle locating beacon  10  depicting a deployed state, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the vehicle locating beacon  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 b   ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is an electrical block diagram of the vehicle locating beacon  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  vehicle locating beacon 
               20  mast assembly 
               22   a  first mast section 
               22   b  second mast section 
               22   c  third mast section 
               22   d  fourth mast section 
               24  seal 
               30  dome 
               31  illumination 
               32  lamp 
               40  drive band 
               42  spool 
               44  guide enclosure 
               46  slip ring 
               50  motor 
               52  battery 
               54  control module 
               55  receiver section 
               56  solar panel 
               58  charging jack 
               60  housing assembly 
               62  housing 
               64  mast enclosure 
               66  base 
               68  magnet 
               70  pad 
               80  wiring 
               82  signal 
               84  transmitter 
               86   a  first button 
               86   b  second button 
               86   c  third button 
               100  vehicle 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a vehicle locating beacon (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means to help locate where a parked vehicle  100 . The apparatus  10  includes a transmitter  84  and a telescoping mast assembly  20  which deploys upwardly from a housing assembly  60  mounted upon a roof portion of the vehicle  100 . The mast assembly  20  includes an illuminating dome portion  30  being visible at a distance. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  provides a telescoping mast assembly  20  mounted upon a housing assembly  60  which is in turn removably mounted upon the roof portion of the vehicle  100 . The mast assembly  20  includes a plurality of interlocking cylindrical sections which deploy upwardly in a telescoping manner from a collapsed height of approximately five inches (5 in.) to a deployed height of approximately sixteen to eighteen inches (16-18 in.). 
     The transmitter  84 , being similar in size, appearance, and function as a vehicle key fob, includes internal electrical and electronic portions such as, but not limited to: a printed circuit board, a transmitter, and a battery. Along one (1) side of the transmitter  84  is a first button  86   a , a second button  86   b , and a third button  86   c . The first button  86   a  raises the mast assembly  20  and illuminates the lamp  32  when pressed. The second button  86   b  lowers the mast assembly  20  and extinguishes the lamp  32  when pressed. And the third button  86   c  enables a user to independently illuminate and extinguish the lamp  32  and dome  30  portions in an alternating manner when desired. Upon pressing a button  86   a ,  86   b ,  86   c  a radio signal  82  is transmitted to a receiver section  55  contained within a control module portion  54  of the housing assembly  60  to motion the mast assembly  20  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     The mast assembly  20  includes a permanently affixed and generally hemispherical beacon dome  30  upon a top end portion, containing a lamp  32  which illuminates upon deployment of the mast assembly  20 . It is envisioned that the lamp  32  be capable of displaying various colors as well as illuminating in a flashing pattern to help a user locate their vehicle  100 . Once arriving at the vehicle  100 , the user simply presses the second button  86   b  on the transmitter  84  to lower the mast assembly  20  and deactivate the lamp  32 . 
     The mast assembly  20 , housing assembly  60 , and dome  30  portions are envisioned to be introduced in various colors and patterns based upon a user&#39;s preference or may be colored to match that of a vehicle  100  onto which the apparatus  10  is to be mounted. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the housing assembly  60  may be provided with a “snap-on” cover having a desired color, thereby allowing the apparatus  10  to be easily reconfigured for use upon another vehicle. Finally, the dome  30  is envisioned to be made using a translucent plastic material, and be introduced in various forms so as to personalize the apparatus  10  by displaying various colors, indicia, and logos based upon a user&#39;s preference, which correspond to an athletic team, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , side views of the apparatus  10  depicting collapsed and deployed states, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. An embodiment of the housing assembly  60  is shown here having a plurality of pads  70  and a magnet  68  adhesively bonded, or otherwise affixed, to a bottom surface portion to securely mount the apparatus  10  to the roof portion of the vehicle  100 . The pads  70  are envisioned to be made using a dense foam rubber material and are arranged along a perimeter edge of a base portion  66  of the housing assembly  60 . The attraction of the magnet  68  to the roof compresses the pads  70  against the roof of the vehicle  100  providing a lateral friction means. However, it is understood that other means and mechanisms may be utilized such as adhesives, double-face tape, suction cups, and the like, may be utilized to affix the apparatus  10  upon the roof or to other exterior surfaces of the vehicle  100  with equal benefit, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . Preferably, the magnet  68  is disposed on the center of the bottom of the base portion  66 . 
     When in a “ready” collapsed state, the apparatus  10  presents an inconspicuous low-profile form upon the vehicle  100 . Furthermore, while in the collapsed state, a solar panel portion  56  integrated into the housing assembly  60  provides an electrical current to charge an internal battery  52  (also see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a sectional view of the apparatus  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 2 b   ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The housing assembly  60  provides an aerodynamic shape having an inclined forward surface, a widened base portion  66  along a bottom surface for stability, and a mast enclosure  64  along a top surface. The mast enclosure  64  provides a cylindrical shape having an open top portion which insertingly receives the first section portion  22   a  of the mast assembly  20 . The housing assembly  60  also includes electrical and electronic equipment necessary to receive radio signals  82  from the transmitter  84  to motion the mast assembly  20  up and down. 
     The telescoping sections  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  of the mast assembly  20  provide features to enable interlocking attachment to each other via perpendicularly flanged portions along top and bottom perimeter edges which provide a mechanical limitation to an upward deploying motion of each section  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  while allowing the sections  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  to collapse into each other and compactly into the subjacent mast enclosure portion  64  of the housing assembly  60 . Additionally, each section  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  includes a seal  24  along a top edge which bears upon an adjacent inserted section  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  to prevent entry of moisture and/or debris. 
     The apparatus  10  provides a means to acquire and store an electrical charge to power the motor  50  and the lamp  32 . The housing assembly  60  includes internal battery  52  and control module  54  portions, and an external solar panel  56 . The solar panel  56  is mounted upon an inclined surface portion of the housing assembly  60 , converting solar energy into an electric current which is then conducted to a control module  54 . The control module  54  regulates and delivers the current from the solar panel  54  to a rechargeable battery  52  for charging. The battery  52  in turn powers the motor  50  and lamp  32  portions. The housing assembly  60  also provides an alternate method to charge the battery  52  via a charging jack  58  which allows connection to an existing DC power source such as a wall-mounted charger or a cigarette lighter socket during times when the apparatus  10  is removed from the vehicle  100 . Software instructions within the control module  54  activate the lamp  32  when the first button  86   a  is pressed and turns off the lamp  32  when the second button  86   b  is pressed. 
     The control module  54  provides a “black-box” unit which contains electrical and electronic equipment necessary for the operation of the apparatus  10  including, but not limited to: a circuit board, microprocessors, relays, embedded software, and a radio receiver section  55 . The radio receiver  55  receives the radio signal  82  from the transmitter  84  to activate and motion the mast assembly  20  when a need arises. 
     The sections  22   a ,  22   b ,  22   c ,  22   d  are deployed upward via an upwardly protruding drive band  40  which is attached to the fourth section  22   d  at a top end, and drive mechanism within the housing assembly  60  at a lower end. The drive mechanism includes a spool  42  around which the drive band  40  is wound, a guide enclosure  44  which helps direct the drive band  40  around the spool  42 , and a reversible DC motor  50  which turns the spool  42 . The drive band  40  is envisioned to be a strip of spring steel or similar resilient material, being similar to a roll-up-type tape measure, a slapstick bracelet, and the like, having a slight lateral camber so as to retain a linear form as it is unwound from the spool  42 . 
     Additionally, the drive band  40  acts as an electrical conductor to provide current to the lamp  32  via a slip ring  46  type connection which is incorporated into the spool  42 . Electricity from the control module  54  is delivered through wiring  80  to the slip ring  46  which in turn electrifies the spool  42  and drive band  40  portions. A top end portion of the drive band  40  is in electrical and mechanical communication with the lamp  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an electrical block diagram of the apparatus  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  includes a standard voltaic-type solar panel  56  which during times of sunlight conducts a current to the control module  54 . The control module  54  in turn regulates and delivers a charging current to the rechargeable battery  52 . The control module  54  uses the electricity from the battery  52  to power to the motor  50  and lamp  32  portions of the apparatus  10 . The apparatus  10  also provides a charging jack  58 , being mounted upon the housing assembly  60 , which allows connection to an external DC power source to recharge the battery  52 . 
     The control module  54  also includes an integral radio receiver section  55  which receives a user-initiated radio signal  82  from the transmitter  84  to activate the motor  50  and to energize the lamp  32 . Electric power is also directed from the control module  54  via wiring  80  to slip ring  46  and drive band  40  portions which deliver electricity to the lamp  32 , thereby providing illumination  31  to find the vehicle  100  in both night and daylight situations. 
     The radio signal  82  is envisioned to be a one-way signal and does not provide for duplex communication or confirmation of a received radio frequency signal  82 . It is envisioned that the radio signal  82  would be of a frequency modulated (FM) signal on a frequency authorized for such use; however, other methods of modulation such as amplitude modulation, single side band, digital, continuous wave and the like would work equally well, and as such, should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having housing assembly  60  and dome  30  portions which provide desired colors and/or logos; charging the battery  52  by connecting the charging jack  58  to a remote DC power source, or by exposing the solar panel  56  to sunlight for a sufficient period of time to charge the battery  52 ; mounting the apparatus  10  to a roof portion, other desired surface of the vehicle  100  by lowering the base portion  66  of the housing assembly  60  onto the vehicle  100 ; allowing the attraction of the magnet  68  to the roof to compress the foam rubber pads  70  to provide sufficient friction to hold the apparatus  10  in place; pressing the second button portion  86   b  of the transmitter  84  to lower the mast assembly  20 , if not previously lowered; leaving the apparatus  10  attached to the vehicle  100  in a lowered collapsed state until a need arises to locate a vehicle  100  parked in a shopping mall parking lot, an airport parking lot, or the like; pressing the first button portion  86   a  of the transmitter  84  to raise the mast assembly  20  and to illuminate  31  the dome  30 ; scanning for, and observing the illuminated dome portion  30  of the apparatus  10  at a distance; locating and occupying the vehicle  100 ; pressing the second button portion  86   b  of the transmitter  84  to lower the mast assembly  20  and turn off the lamp  32 ; and, benefiting from a means to locate one&#39;s vehicle  100  from a significant distance away, afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     Additionally, the third button portion  86   c  of the transmitter  84  may be pressed by a user to independently illuminate and extinguish the lamp  32  and dome  30  portions in an alternating manner if desired. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.