Illuminated trail marker apparatus

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1, is a perspective illustration of a portion of a forest trail as marked with an illuminated trail marker apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2, is an overhead map of a wilderness trail defined by a plurality of pre-positioned inventive trail marker receiver units;

FIG. 3, is perspective plan view of the preferred embodiment of the trail marker receiver unit;

FIG. 4, is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5, is a front plan view of the preferred embodiment of the trail marker transmitter unit;

FIG. 6, is a perspective, cross-section view of a supplemental trail marker receiver unit attachment clip, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 7, is a broken, cross-sectional view of a portion of the trail marker receiver unit of FIGS. 3 and 4, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 8, is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the trail marker receiver unit;

FIG. 9, is a perspective view of an accessory message panel for use with a trail marker receiver unit to convey information to a searcher, rescuer or subsequent passer by;

FIG. 10, is a schematic illustration of the trail marker transmitter and receiver units of a second alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11, is a perspective view of the transmitter portion of the second alternative embodiment of the invention illustrated schematically in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12, is a cross-sectional view of the receiver-trail marker portion of the second alternative embodiment of the invention which can be employed with the transmitter unit of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13, is a plan view in partial cross-section of a hand-held tool for precisely positioning, mounting and removing trail marker receiver units at predetermined trail waypoints.

Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to illustrate and explain the present invention. The exemplification set forth herein illustrates an embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is primarily intended for hunters, fishermen and other sportsmen who have identified good hunting/fishing cites in the woods/wilderness to which they wish to return, and will be described in that context. Because sportsmen frequently walk through the woods during hours of dawn/dusk, or even in total darkness, the present invention provides a simple to use, hands-free device which provides a self-illuminating succession of waypoint markers defining a preferred trail. After a given time, the markers self-extinguish to enhance battery life. Only an appropriately coded transmitter carried by the user will activate the waypoint markers, ensuring secrecy and effectively hiding the trail from non-authorized users. Although described in the context of its preferred sporting usage, the present invention can be applied for many applications such as covert military and police missions, rescue/recovery of lost or injured parties, survival equipment packages and the like. Accordingly, the following description is deemed illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a trail marker apparatus or system 10 including a transmitter unit 12 (FIG. 5) and at least one trail marker device/receiver unit 14 (FIG. 3). The transmitter unit 12 contains a battery powered, digitally encoded radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuit. In application, the transmitter unit 12 is carried by the hunter by a lanyard or other suitable means and, when activated, periodically broadcasts an interrogation signal. A plurality of trail marker units 14 are pre-positioned at fixed waypoints along the trail. Successive marker units 14 are spaced to be well within the nominal effective range of the transmitter unit 12. Preferably at least several of the closest trail marker units 14, in both directions, are easily within the range of the transmitter unit 12.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the operation of the present invention will be described. It is contemplated that the trail marker system 10 would be provided with one or two transmitter units 12 and a relatively large number (perhaps 30-50) trail marker devices 14. Additional/replacement tree marker devices 14 can also be provided separately. When a desirable location is identified in a remote area, such as a tree 16A suitable for a hunting tree stand 18, the user will attach a first trail marker device 14A to tree 16A in a position such that it will be viewable from a distance in the general direction of the proposed trail and oriented such that its longitudinal axis A-A (FIG. 4) extends in that direction. The trail marker device 14A is then activated by completing an electrical circuit, as will be described in greater detail herein below. Next, the user would walk for a distance and identify a first waypoint, such as a tree 16B. After confirming that trail marker device 14A is along a direct line of sight to tree 16B, a second trail marker device 14B is installed on tree 16B and energized. Thereafter, the process is repeated whereby trail marker devices 14C-14E are installed on respective trees 16C-16E. Thus, a “marked” trail is established by the pre-positioning of a series of trail marker devices 14A-14E, which are attached to a series of trees 16A-16E, respectively.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the placement of the trail marker devices 14A-14E in highly visible locations, in practice, they would be secreted within foliage, branches and the like, while maintaining their direct line of sight orientation with at least both immediately adjacent waypoints. This results in their being very difficult to discern unless in the illuminated state. Furthermore, although FIG. 1 suggests placement of the trail marker devices 14A-14E such that they are viewable only to a user who is moving along the trail in a direction toward the tree stand 18, in practice, they may be placed so as to be visible while walking towards and away from the tree stand 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, an overhead view or map perspective of a marked trail 20 extending from a parked user vehicle 22 on the side of a well defined road 24 to a camouflaged hunting blind 26, is illustrated. Trail 20 is defined by a series of fourteen (14) trail marker devices 28A-28N extending from a start point 30 at or near the vehicle 22 to an end point 32 at or near the hunting blind 26. In laying out the trail 20, the user sought to avoid natural obstacles such as a river 34, swamp 36 and extremely heavy vegetation 38, as well as man-made impediments such as private/posted property 40. In addition, the trail 20 takes advantage of natural features such as rocks 42 defining a suitable river ford, and a dead-fall (tree) 44 across a narrow portion of the swamp 36.

Beginning before sunrise, the user can drive along the road 24 with a transmitter unit 46 already energized. As he (in his car 22) approaches the start point 30 of the trail 20, trail marker device 28A will become illuminated as he approaches, providing an initial orientation. After parking the car 22, he approaches trail marker device 28A and looks for device 28B, which is now also illuminated. He then walks directly toward marker 28B. As he approaches marker 28B, marker 28C has become illuminated. Thus, as he approaches marker 28B, he changes his direction to head directly for marker 28C. As he approaches marker 28C, marker 28D has become illuminated. Markers 28C and 28D are preferably placed strategically to highlight the beginning and end of the hazard (rocks 42/stream34).

After traversing the stream 34, the user continues to sequentially locate and walk toward trail marker devices 28E, 28F, 28G and 28H in succession. As the user 48 approaches marker 28H, both markers 281 and 28J become illuminated nearly simultaneously to highlight a particularly dangerous hazard, the dead-fall 44. Up to this point the user 48 has the transmitter 46 set at a low output power setting, wherein the transmitter has an effective range designated by arrow R1 and typically illuminates only one marker at a time, to minimize the possibility of being observed. If he so chooses, the user 48 can select a higher output power setting, giving the transmitter 46 an extended effective range designated by arrow R2. Insodoing, he will also illuminate markers 28K and 28L on the far side of the dead-fall 44 to assist in its traversal.

As the user 48 approaches marker 28K, he will reduce the power of the transmitter, and then continue along trail 20 by sequentially locating and then walking toward markers 28L, 28M and finally 28N, having arrived at the trail end point 32 at the hunting blind 26. Thereafter, he de-energizes the transmitter to immerse himself in darkness and begin hunting. As will be described in detail herein below, each of the trail marker devices 28 will be de-illuminated as soon as they fall outside of the effective range of the transmitter 46, or alternatively, will turn themselves off after a predetermined period of time. At the end of the hunting day, the user 48 will reverse the above described process, traversing the trail 20 from the end point 32 to the vehicle 22 near the start point 30. An extra trail marker device 28P can also be mounted or temporarily placed in an open or visible location on the vehicle 22 to further assist its location by the user 48.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a preferred embodiment of an illustrative trail marker device 50 is illustrated. Each trail marker device 50 is adapted for pre-positioning at a specific trail waypoint, target or destination and is operative to self-illuminate in response to an actuation signal, as will be described herein below. The trail marker device 50 is designed to be relatively low cost whereby the user will not hesitate to employ them in adequate numbers (i.e., with minimized spacing there between) to maximize trail delineation and provide a degree of redundancy between adjacent devices 50, and will not be unduly concerned if a limited number of devices 50 malfunction or are lost.

Trail marker device 50 includes a housing 52 and a closure member 54, which cooperates with the housing 52, in assembly, to define a substantially closed cavity 56. Housing 52 preferably is formed of stamped mild steel, or other suitable material such as plastic, in the shape of a cup, having a bottom 58 integrally formed with a sidewall 60 which radially transitions step-wise along its longitudinal axis A-A from a maximum diameter portion 62 adjacent the open end 64 of the housing 52, to an intermediate diameter portion 66, to a minimum diameter portion 68 adjacent the bottom 58. The closure member 54 is preferably formed of optically clear plastic or other suitable material and is slip fit within the maximum diameter portion 62 of sidewall 60 and nestingly engages the radially extending portion 70 of the sidewall 60 transitioning from the maximum diameter portion 62 to the intermediate diameter portion 66. A resilient annular seal 72, formed of rubber or other suitable material, provides a hermetic seal between the inner surface 74 of closure member 54 and radially extending portion 70 of sidewall 60.

A generally annular printed circuit board (PCB) 76 is slip fit within the intermediate diameter portion 66 of the sidewall 60 and nestingly engages the radially extending portion 78 of the sidewall 60 transitioning from the intermediate diameter portion 66 to the minimum diameter portion 68 via an adhesive ring seal 77. The PCB 76 is preferably constructed of monolithic or composite plastic material, ceramic or other suitable electrically insulating material and serves to carry an array of suitable integrated circuits and discrete electrical components making up a control circuit 80 and a light source 82, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The PCB 76 also carries conductive circuit traces (not illustrated) on one or both surfaces thereof to electrically interconnect the electrical components to complete the control circuit 80 and to establish an electrical ground path from the circuit to the (electrically conductive) housing 52. A resilient electrical power input contact 84 extends below the PCB 76.

A source of electrical power such as a battery 86 is slip fit within the minimum diameter portion 68 of the sidewall 60 and nestingly engages the inner surface of the bottom 58 of the housing 52. The outer case (negative terminal) of the battery 86 is grounded to the housing 52 and the positive terminal 88 extends upwardly to engage contact 84 to provide electrical power to the control circuit 80. Many types of battery (liquid/dry cell, alkaline, lithium, silver oxide, cadmium, titanium, and the like) can be satisfactorily employed. As will be apparent herein after, other sources of electrical energy, such as a charged capacitor, a rotating induction machine or the like could be used in conjunction with or in place of a battery. This can be important in circumstances where the trail marker device 50 has been in long term storage/use and a fresh, charged battery 86 is unavailable.

Prior to usage of the trail marker device 50, the control circuit 80 can be de-energized by inclusion of an electrically insulating material such as a Mylar strip 90 to separate (and electrically isolate) the positive terminal 88 of the battery 86 and the electrical contact 84. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the Mylar strip 90 is elongated to extend outwardly through a small opening 92 in housing 52 and terminate in an enlarged end portion 94 suitable for manual gripping and removal. The enlarged end portion 94 of the Mylar strip 90 preferably has instructional indicia 96 imprinted thereon. Accordingly, with the Mylar strip 90 in place, the trail marker device 50 can be stored for long periods of time without risk of the battery 86 becoming discharged. When the trail marker device 50 is to be activated before being mounted to define a trail, the Mylar strip 90 is simply removed, as indicated by arrow 97 (FIG. 4) and discarded or preserved for reuse when the marker is de-activated. The annular seal 77 is sufficiently resilient to self-seal the opening 92 after removal of the Mylar strip 90.

Fixation means, such as a metal spike 98, includes a generally flat head portion 100 affixed, such as by welding, to the outer surface of the bottom 58 of the housing 52 of the trail marker device 50 and rigid elongated member 102 depending outwardly there from. The elongated member 102 is preferably pointed to facilitate its impaling trees, fence posts, wooden structures, and the like with relative ease during the mounting process. Barbs 104 are formed along elongated member 102 to prevent its unintended disengagement over time due to ambient temperature cycles, relaxation of the host wood fibers/grain, contact with moving foliage or wildlife and the like.

Referring to FIG. 7, closure member 54 comprises an optically clear structural lens portion 106, an intermediate annular light scattering reflector portion 108, and an outer translucent filter portion 110. Reflector portion 108 has a mirrored second surface 112 adhered to the top surface 114 of lens portion 106. Reflector portion 108 has a geometrically scribed outer or first surface 116, preferably a series of concentric saw-tooth circles, providing a large number of reflective facets which tend to reflect received ambient and remotely projected light as well as light generated by the LED 82 outwardly in a wide conical field defined by lines 118 (refer FIG. 4) symmetrically about axis A-A.

Filter portion 110 can be made of Mylar or other suitable material which self-adheres to first surface 116 of reflector portion 108 whereby it could be easily removed and replaced by another filter portion which passes light of a different wave length (color) or, alternatively, eliminated all together.

As best viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the center of lens portion 106 has an integral convex lens 120 extending outwardly concentrically with axis A-A. LED 82 is located in a recess 122 formed in the inner surface 74 of lens portion 106. Thus, the lens 120 cooperates with the LED 82 body to establish a composite lens, which can be easily modified to vary its effective focal length and other operating characteristics. Lens 120 extends through a central opening in reflector portion 108. Lens 120 can be overlaid by filter portion 110 whereby all reflected/emitted light from the trail marker device 50 is a single color or, alternatively, lens 120 can also extend through a concentric central opening (not illustrated) in filter portion 110 to effect emitted light of a first color and reflected light of a distinctly different color. Furthermore, reflective portion 108 can be integrally molded with lens portion 106 with its first surface 116 being reflective. Also, filter portion 110 can be a permanent coating or integrally formed as a color pigment of the material forming lens portion 106 and/or reflector portion 108.

Referring to FIG. 7, a tool receiving recess 124 is formed in preferably three circumferentially equally spaced locations on the outer periphery of closure member 54. A localized portion of the maximum diameter portion 62 of housing 52 adjacent each tool receiving recess 124 is deformed radially inwardly to form an engagement tab 126 which extends within tool receiving recess 124 to resiliently retain closure member 54 in its illustrated position. Should the battery 86 require replacement the engagement tab(s) 126 are deformed radially outwardly by a screwdriver, knife blade or other suitable elongated tool. In usage, the tool is inserted within recess 124 and levered outwardly against the tab 126. The closure member 54 and PCB 76 are then removed to provide access to the battery 86. Once the battery 86 is replaced and the PCB 76 and closure member 54 returned to their illustrated positions, the tabs 126 are bent radially inwardly to their illustrated original positions.

Referring to FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment of a transmitter unit 128 for use with the trail marker device 50 of FIGS. 3, 4 and 7 comprises a housing assembly 130 including a keypad portion 132, an identification portion 134 and a mounting portion 136. The housing assembly 130 is preferably two substantially mirror image housing halves constructed of injection molded plastic, which snap together to form a substantially hermetically sealed cavity containing a battery, a radio frequency transmitter and a control circuit, which will be described in greater detail herein below.

The mounting portion 136 of transmitter unit 128 defines a through hole 138 for receiving a lanyard or, alternatively, a split retaining ring 140 for use as a key fob or secured attachment to the user while he approaches/traverses a marked trail 20 (FIG. 2). Overall, the transmitter unit 128 is generally similar in size to a typical automotive remote entry system transmitter. The keypad portion 132 provides a user interface for programming and controlling operation of the transmitter unit 128. The keypad portion 132 preferably includes function specific switches, indicators and devices such as an “on-off” (i.e. push-push) switch 142, a “power on” indicator light 144, an array of digital code program set/dual inline package (DIP) switches 146 and a “code set” (i.e. push) switch 148, along with associated function indicia. As will become apparent from a reading of the description of an alternative embodiment of the invention herein below, controls/readouts for additional functions (such as continuous transmission mode or periodic transmission mode) can be added. The identification portion 134 of the transmitter unit 128 can include instructional or promotional indicia 146.

Referring to FIG. 6, a mounting clip 148 can be applied to assist in the mounting of the trail marker device 50 (FIGS. 3 & 4) to a mounting structure providing only thin-sectioned material, such as fabric, to support the device 50. Examples could be the canvas wall of a hunting blind or shelter, or an article of clothing (either fixed to another object or worn by a guide/hunter or the like). The mounting clip 148 can be applied as a backer when the elongated member 102 of a mounting spike 98 penetrates the mounting material and extends outwardly beyond its far side.

The mounting clip 148 is generally u-shaped, and includes a base portion 150 and opposed side portions 152 and 154 cantilevered there from. A pair of opposed lanced tabs 156 and 158 are formed in the center of the base portion and extend angularly there from in the general direction of extension of the side portions 152 and 154. The lanced tabs 156 and 158 cooperate to define a through passage 160 dimensioned to establish an interference fit with the elongated member 102 of a mounting spike 98.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flexible hood 162 can be employed with the trail marker device 50 to controllably limit the effective operational viewing sector from a maximum field depicted by lines 164, to a reduced field depicted by lines 166. The viewing sector is disposed symmetrically about axis A-A, and is defined as the sector of space facing the closure member 54 of an operational trail marker device 50 within which the user can observe light emitted there from when no intermediate obstacles are present. The hood 162 would be employed when the trail marker system 10 is employed for clandestine purposes, or it is desired to define a precise line of approach to a specific trail marker device 50.

The hood 162 is preferably constructed of relatively soft, pliable vinyl, rubber, or other suitable material. The hood 162 is generally shaped as an open-ended cylinder with a tapered first end 168 and a stepped reduced radius second end 170. The first end 168 defines a restricted opening 172, which defines the size of the viewing sector based upon its effective diameter and axial spacing from the LED. The second end is configured for attachment to the trail marker device 50. The second end 170 of the hood 162 defines a step portion 174, which resiliently embraces the outer peripheral surface of the maximum diameter portion 62 and the radially extending portion 70 of the housing 52 of the trail marker device 50. As illustrated, the hood 162 has an outer surface 176 configured/colored in a camouflage motif to render it inconspicuous to an unknowing passerby and an inner surface 178 which is brightly colored (such as fluorescent or “hunter's orange) to maximize its attention attracting quality. Depending upon the user's intentions, the hood 162 can be easily removed from the trail marker device 50, inverted, and reapplied, rendering it highly visible.

As an aid in setting up a hooded trail marker device 50 so as to have a specific predetermined viewing sector size, calibration marks 180, 182 and 184 are provided on the outer surface 176 of the hood 162 which, when aligned with the opening 64 (FIG. 4) of the housing 52 of the trail marker device 50, provide viewing sectors with 60°, 90° and 120° ranges, respectively. The forgoing is to be viewed as an example only.

In application, the elongated member 102 of the mounting spike 98 would be pushed through its host fabric until the head portion 100 abuts the front surface of the fabric. The mounting clip 148 is there after applied from the rear with the elongated member 102 passing through the passageway 160 and the side portions 154 and 156 projecting rearwardly. The mounting clip 148 is displaced fully along the elongated member 102 until the leading surface of the base portion 150 abuts the rear surface of the fabric. The mounting clip 148 is removed by momentarily resiliently manually deflecting the free ends of the side portions 152 and 154 away from one another (as well as the elongated member 102). This releases the engagement of the sharp free ends of the lanced tabs from the elongated member 102. The mounting clip 148 can then be simply removed from the elongated member 102. The mounting clip 148 can be constructed of spring steel, injection molded plastic or other suitable material.

Referring to FIG. 9, a message panel/form 186 which can be used in conjunction with the trail marker system 10 is illustrated. Message form 186 is preferably constructed of opaque, lightweight material such as Mylar which is water resistant and can be rolled up for convenient, compact storage when in the field. The form 186 can be colored with either a camouflaged or brightly colored motif, depending upon its intended application. The form 186 can be color reversible, rendering it useful for both applications. The form preferably has certain instructional indicia 188 imprinted thereon and has a surface texture suitable for being used with a common writing instrument such as a pencil 190 or water resistant permanent marker.

The form 186 has one end folded over to form a hermetically sealed pocket 192 for receiving and storing the pencil 190, until its usage is required. Perforations 193 are provided in the Mylar material near one end of the pocket 192 as an aid to opening the pocket 192 for removal of the pencil 190. The form 186 also defines a fastening tab 194 adapted for securing it to an object in a fixed orientation adjacent to a trail marker device 50 by passing the elongated member 102 through a pre-punched hole 196 in fastening tab 194.

Referring to FIG. 10, a functional schematic diagram of a second alternative embodiment of the invention, including a transmitter unit 198 and a receiver unit 200 is illustrated. As in the case of the preferred embodiment of the invention described in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5, the transmitter unit 198 is designed to be carried with the user and the receiver unit or trail marking device 200 is designed for pre-placement at a waypoint along a marked trail.

The transmitter unit 198 includes a control circuit 202 including a radio frequency (RF) transmitter 204, which either continuously or periodically broadcasts an RF interrogation signal 206 via a transmitting antenna 208. A power supply 210, such as a battery, provides power to the transmitter unit 198. A timer circuit 212 provides timing pulses to effect periodic broadcast of RF signals 206 when in a certain operating mode.

The transmitter unit 198 also includes operator interface circuits 214 including a power on-power off switch 216, a power level set switch 218 which controls the power level (and thus range) of the RF signal 206, a digital code set circuit 220 which, with the control circuit 202, incorporates a digital identification code within the RF signal 206, and a digital code mode set circuit 222, which causes the RF transmitter to broadcast RF signals either continuously on in accordance with a timed period.

The receiver unit 200 includes a control circuit 224 including a RF receiver 226, which receives and decodes the RF interrogation signal 206 through a receiving antenna 228. A power supply 230, such as a battery or a battery in combination with a storage capacitor, provides power to the receiver unit 200. A photovoltaic device 232 provides a continuous charge current to the power supply capacitor in the presence of sufficient ambient light and provides an input signal to the control circuit 224 which can be used to control the intensity of a light source 234, such as a LED, as a function of ambient lighting conditions. A timer circuit 236 is provided to trigger a wake-up circuit 238, which, in turn, energizes the power supply 230 and the control circuit 224.

The receiver 200 also includes operator interface circuits 240 including a power on switch 242 and a digital code set circuit 244, which mimics the code established by the digital code set circuit 222 of the transmitter circuit 198. The digital encoding-decoding feature enhances operational security inasmuch as a user must have knowledge of the code settings. Preferably, the code set circuits 220 and 244 include identical DIP switches which can be identically preset by the user.

The rapid recent growth of microelectronic device technology, and particularly, the widespread usage of digital electronic systems provide one of ordinary skill in the art with many options in practicing the present invention. By way of example, systems that might be of interest in practicing the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,065 to Murray, entitled “Remote Control Transmitter and Method of Operation”, U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,649 to Nielson et al., entitled “Light-Energized Electronics Energy Management System” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,845 B1 to Friedman et al., entitled “Active RF Tag with Wake-Up Circuit to Prolong Battery Life”. All three (U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,065, U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,649 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,845 B1) patents are hereby incorporated within this application by reference.

Referring to FIG. 11, an exemplary configuration of the transmitter unit 198 from FIG. 10 is illustrated. Transmitter unit 198 includes a hermetically sealed housing assembly 246 formed of injection-molded plastic or other suitable material. The housing assembly 246 is generally rectangular in shape and is elongated and dimensioned to facilitate being held in the palm of the user's hand. The housing assembly 246 has a first end 248 from which an integral retention loop 250 depends. Retention loop 250 defines a through passage 252 which receives a lanyard 254 which, in use, would be worn around the user's neck for hands-free operation.

The housing assembly 246 has a second end 256 opposite the first end 248 from which extends an integral pry bar tool 258 used for removing trail marker devices from their mounted position on a tree or the like. The pry bar tool 258 is of robust design, having a nominal thickness designated “T” which is slightly less than the axial dimension of the minimum diameter portion 68 of the housing 52 of the trail marker device 50 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Tool 258 is employed by inserting a leading edge 260 or side edge 262 intermediate the radially extending portion 78 of the trail marker device 50 and the adjacent surface of the tree trunk and then applying a prying motion to the housing assembly 246 to draw the elongated member 102 from the tree trunk.

The pry bar tool 258 has a wrench tool 264 integrally formed therein. The wrench 264 is defined by two parallel surfaces 266 and 268 spaced by a dimension “W” which corresponds with a characteristic flat-to-flat dimension of a hexagonal feature on an alternative design trail marker device/receiver unit 200 as will be described herein below.

All user settable controls of the operator interface circuits 214 are disposed on the upper surface 270 of the housing assembly 246. A power on-off switch 272, a range select switch 274 and a broadcast mode select switch 276, as well as a digital code select switch array 278 are carried on the upper surface 270 of housing assembly 246. A compass 280 and a laser pointer 282 are integrated within housing assembly 246. A laser on-off switch 284 is carried on the upper surface 270 of housing assembly 246. The laser pointer 282 and compass 280 are extremely valuable additions to the trail marking system, particularly in meets and bounds plotting or laying out a trail as it is being marked.

Although the housing assembly 246 is preferably of minimal size and weight for use in the field, its utility is enhanced by the inclusion of a first closable compartment 286 for holding an adequate supply of trail marker devices and a second closable compartment 288 for holding extra batteries and mounting clips. Multiple storage nitches 290 for a supply of message forms 186 (FIG. 9) are formed in a side surface 292. When the trail marker system is employed as survival gear, matches, a reflective signaling device, first aid essentials and the like could also be stored within the housing assembly 246.

Referring to FIG. 12, an alternative embodiment of a trail marker device 294 comprising the receiver unit 200 (FIG. 10) is illustrated for usage with the transmitter unit 198 of FIG. 11. The trail marker device 294 is similar in many respects to trail marker device 50 described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 herein above. Thus, for the sake of brevity, only the differences will be highlighted here.

The trail marker device 294 includes a housing 296 and a closure member 298, which cooperates with the housing 296, in assembly, to define a substantially closed cavity 299. Housing 296 is formed in the shape of a cup, having a bottom 300 integrally formed with a sidewall 302 which radially transitions step-wise along its longitudinal axis B-B from a maximum diameter portion 304 adjacent the open end 306 of the housing 296, to an to a minimum diameter portion 310 adjacent the bottom 300. The closure member 298 is preferably formed of optically clear plastic or other suitable material and is removably attached to the housing 296 by cooperating thread forms 312 and a resilient gasket 314 to form a hermetic seal.

A generally annular PCB 316 is slip fit within the maximum diameter portion 304 of the sidewall 302 and nestingly engages the radially extending portion 318 of the sidewall transitioning from the maximum diameter portion 304 to the minimum diameter portion 310 via an adhesive seal ring 320. The PCB 316 serves to carry an array of suitable integrated circuits and discrete electrical components making up the receiver control circuit 200. The PCB 316 also carries conductive circuit traces (not illustrated) on one or both surfaces thereof to electrically interconnect the electrical components to complete the receiver control circuit 200 and to establish an electrical ground path from the circuit 200 to the (electrically conductive) housing 296. A resilient electrical power input contact 322 extends below the PCB 316.

A second PCB 324 supports a light source 326 such as a LED as well as additional circuit components 327. PCB 324 is affixed to the closure member 298 by a system of integral tabs 328 and a resilient spacer 330. Flexible conductors 332 interconnect the two PCBs 316 and 324.

A source of electrical power such as several serially arranged batteries 334 are slip fit within an insulating sleeve 336 disposed within the minimum diameter portion 310 of the sidewall 302. The negative terminal or case of the bottom battery 334 nestingly engages the inner surface of the bottom 300 of the housing 296 and establishes electrical contact therewith. As illustrated, the three batteries 334 are series connected, with the positive terminal of the top battery 334 electrically in circuit with the electrical contact 322.

An on-off (push-push) switch 338 and a programmable DIP switch array 340 are mounted on PCB 316. Switch 338 is part of the power on circuit 242 (FIG. 10) and includes a plunger type actuator 342 extending through a sealed bushing 344 within the sidewall 302 of housing 296. The receiver unit 200 is electrically powered by pushing and releasing the plunger 342 as indicated by arrow 346. DIP switch 340 is part of the digital code set circuit 244 (FIG. 10) and is accessed and programmed by removing the closure member 298 and manually presetting the individual switches to correspond to those of switch assembly 278 of the transmitter unit 198 (FIG. 11).

Closure member 298 is generally shaped as an inverted cup, including a top portion 348 and a circumferential skirt portion 350 integrally formed therewith from optically clear plastic. The lowermost or open end of skirt portion is affixed to the open end 306 of housing 296 via thread forms 312. An integral convex lens 352 is centrally formed on the outer surface of the top portion 348 of the closure member 298. A concave recess 354 is formed in the inner surface of the top portion 348 of closure member 298 positioned concentrically with lens 352 and axis B-B. LED 326 is disposed within recess 354. A light scattering reflector portion 356 is carried on the outer surface of the top portion 348 of the closure member 298 concentrically with lens 352.

The point of transition between the top portion 348 and skirt portion 350 of closure member 298 is thickened about its entire circumference to form a cylindrical lens 358. As depicted by lines 359 and 361, lens 358 is configured to omni-directionally focus ambient light upon a photovoltaic device 360 centrally located on PCB 316 within cavity 299. With this arrangement, sunlight received from any (360°) direction can be focused upon the photovoltaic device 360 for maintaining the electrical charge in a capacitor 362 or the batteries 334.

Fixation means 362, such as a screw shaped structure including a hexagonally shaped head portion 364, is affixed, such as by welding, to the outer surface of the bottom 300. A threaded elongated member 366 depends axially downwardly from the head portion 364. The elongated member 366 is preferably pointed and adapted to be screwed into trees, fence posts, wooden structures, and the like with relative ease during the mounting process. If necessary, the wrench 264 (FIG. 11) associated with the transmitter unit 198 can be employed to attach or remove the trail marker device 294 to its waypoint attachment structure.

The trail marker device 294 operates substantially in the same manner as the trail marker device 50 described herein above, with the principle differences that the trail marker device 294 can more easily/repeatedly be turned on and off, has a greater reserve of electrical energy by virtue of its multiple batteries, storage capacitor 363, and, most importantly, the ability to recharge itself during hours of sunlight. As a result, the trail marker device can remain in the field in an active state almost indefinitely.

Referring to FIG. 13, a hand tool 368, useful for installing and removing trail marker devices 50 is illustrated. The open end 64 of the housing 52 defines a tool receiving abutment surface 65 (FIGS. 3 and 7). Hand tool 368 has a generally inverted cup shape including a top portion 370 and a peripheral skirt portion 372 formed integrally from relatively heavy gauge cast or stamped steel. The hand tool is configured and dimensioned to nestingly receive a trail marker device 50 (in phantom) within a cavity formed therein. Top portion 370 defines an upstanding central portion 376 forming a central pocket 378 within the cavity 374. The upper surface of the upstanding portion 376 of the top portion 370 forms a striking surface 380. Two or more circumferentially opposed latches 382 and 383 are pivotally affixed to the outer surface of the hand tool 368 via hinges 384. Each latch 382 and 283 forms an upwardly facing abutment surface 386. Latch 382 is illustrated in an engaged position and latch 383 is illustrated in a released position.

The hand tool 368 operates to allow a trail marking device 50 to be affixed to a tree or other suitable object at a waypoint by a single blow from a hammer, rock, or other suitable device indicated by arrow 388. The hand tool is employed to install a trail marking device 50 by first nestingly positioning the trail marking device 50 within the cavity until the tool abutment surface 65 Contacts the inner surface 390 about the entire circumference of the housing 52. This allows the distribution of the striking force about the entire circumference of the housing 52 of the trail marker device 50. The pocket provides clearance is maintained from the relatively fragile closure member/lens assembly 54. Furthermore, the tool 368 aligns the striking surface 380 normally to and concentric with the axis C-C, ensuring that the force of the blow is directed axially through the elongated member 102 into the attachment object (tree).

The hand tool 368 can be employed to remove a trail marker device 50 from an installed position by first placing the tool in the illustrated position vis-à-vis the trail marker device 50 and then folding the latches from the release position to the engaged position. Finally, a lever device (not illustrated) is inserted between the lowermost surface 392 and the object to which the trail marker device is mounted. A prying motion of the lever device will withdraw the elongated member 102 from the object. This allows the application of relatively high force loads without damaging the relatively fragile components of the trail marker device.

It is to be understood that the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and variations to provide the features and advantages previously described and that the embodiments are susceptible of modification as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that many alternative, common inexpensive materials can be employed to construct the basis constituent components. Accordingly, the forgoing is not to be construed in a limiting sense.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, it is contemplated that a transmitter unit, such as that identified by reference numeral 198 in FIG. 11 could be integrated with a flashlight. The flashlight could emit light in either the visible frequency spectrum or in the non-visible frequency spectrum (ex. infrared, ultraviolet, and the like). The flashlight would preferably be oriented to emit light through the second end 256 of the housing assembly 246. The function switch 284 could be reconfigured to control both the flashlight and the laser pointer 282. Furthermore, the hand tool 368 described in connection with FIG. 13 would preferably also be integrated into the housing assembly 246 of FIG. 11 to enhance its overall utilitarian value. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, wherein reference numerals are merely for illustrative purposes and convenience and are not in any way limiting, the invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents, may be practiced otherwise than is specifically described.

Illuminated trail marker apparatus

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CPC

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