Patent Application
20220289105
The invention generally pertains to vehicle accessories, and more particularly to a vehicle access indicator that provides a visible means of notifying drivers that a vehicle in a parking space requires a certain amount of distance on the vehicle's side for persons or objects to enter and/or exit the parked vehicle.
Throughout the developed world, vehicles are the most common form of transportation for both personal and commercial purposes. For individuals and families, cars or variants thereof such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs), are preferred. While there are many varieties there are people who claim that there are too many vehicles in use today and that vehicles are responsible for causing problems such as environmental damage.
Whether vehicles, even single person driven cars, are a detriment, the use does not appear to be lowering. As populations increase and more people raise their living standard, the number of vehicles, particularly cars on the road will also increase.
As the number of and use of cars grows certain problems develop. One problem is that since so many people use cars for daily activities such as shopping there is a need to provide space for parking at the locations to which people drive. Since space is usually limited for parking one solution has been to reduce the size of individual parking spaces and to limit some spaces for use by compact cars. Unfortunately, this is difficult for large trucks or SUVs parked in compact designated spaces.
Because of the smaller parking spaces, vehicles are typically very close to each other. As a result there is often not enough room for adjacent vehicles to open the doors and people to enter or exit their vehicle. This problem is significantly exacerbated when a person has limited mobility or when large and/or cumbersome items such as a wheelchair or baby stroller must be placed into or removed from a vehicle.
In addition to smaller parking spaces, the new convertible car seat for babies is imparting accessibility. These allow the entire infant seat to he removed and placed onto a stroller, thus requiring a car door to be opened even more than before when just loading and unloading a child.
It would be extremely beneficial if there were a way to indicate that a particular vehicle requires extra space on a specific side. Many drivers are conscientious and courteous, and if made aware that a vehicle next to theirs requires additional space, would ensure that their vehicle does not inhibit that. Some vehicles users might require more space for several reason, such as but not limited to, being pregnant and/or having to unload and load a wheelchair or a child's car seat. A simple and effective solution would be to provide a visible indicator on, or preferably extending from, a vehicle that informs other drivers of the space requirement. A visual indicator could be carried within a vehicle and then, used when necessary, could be easily and affordably produced, and could be acquired by almost everyone who would need one. A vehicle access indicator allows all drivers to have a better situational awareness when parking their vehicles.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U.S. patents are considered related:
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,017 patent discloses a sporting events flag that includes a fabric flag attached to a flagstaff shaped numeral “1” and a structure for supporting it in use on an automobile.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,145 patent discloses an illuminated display vehicle ornament that an elongated power cord having an adaptor plug for engagement with a vehicle lighter socket. Sockets are spaced along the power cord, and mount replaceable ornamental bulbs. Magnetic, hook and loop, and resilient clips secure the sockets within a vehicle interior. A base includes suction cups for engagement with an interior vehicle window, and a sign is secured to the base. A light bulb is mounted within the base.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,504 patent discloses a method for displaying information in a vehicle window, A display apparatus includes a substantially planar body with a first and a second face. The body has an integrally formed pocket with a transparent viewing window on the first face and second face. A sheet with printed information is inserted into the pocket with the information visible through the viewing widow. The body is inserted into a window well of a vehicle, with the information visible through the widow of the vehicle.
The 2007/0113446 publication discloses a ear decoration which is similar to college flags that are attached to car windows, but instead of a flag there is a three-dimensioned projection reflecting the season (such as devil horns or cat ears for Halloween).
For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the patent search.
A vehicle access indicator (VAI) that is comprised of an elongated member such as a rod with a placard on the outward distal end. The placard displays indicia that can show a message and/or a symbol such as Baby on Board™ or the international symbol of access. Removable or permanent securing means facilitate the attachment of the VAI onto a side surface of vehicle. Positioning means allow the elongated member and placard to extend perpendicularly outward from the vehicle's side or to be angled 90 degrees such that the elongated member and placard are against the vehicle, which is an optimal position when the VAI is not in use and when the vehicle is in motion. Also, the user has the ability to remove the VAI and store it inside the vehicle. A break-off section allows the elongated member and placard to separate from the securing means when at least five pounds of pressure is applied to the VAI from any angle.
The preferred, but not limited to, use of the VAI is when a vehicle is transporting certain individuals with mobility issues or objects that are large and/or cumbersome such as a wheelchair or infant car seat. When a vehicle is in a parking space with the VAI extending outward, other drivers, especially those who are parking next to the VAI equipped vehicle, can see on the placard that an additional amount of distance is required on the side(s) of the parked VAI vehicle. By extending the placard outward or applying the removable version of the VAI, a physical indicator shows how much space between parked vehicles is required or at least desired.
In view of the above disclosure the primary object of the invention is to provide a vehicle access indicator that visibly shows drivers that a parked vehicle requires an additional amount of space from other vehicles palled next to the indicated vehicle.
In addition to the primary object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to provide a vehicle access indicator that:
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms that disclose a preferred embodiment of a vehicle access indicator. The use of a vehicle for transportation often requires that the vehicle is parked at a desired location such us a retail store. Due to the fact that there are a large and ever increasing number of vehicles, especially personal cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), and that there is only a limited amount of space for parking, it is necessary to provide as many parking spaces as possible in the limited space, with certain parking spaces designated for compact cars. Unfortunately, it is difficult to enforce only compact cars parking in the designated spaces. Also, due to the need to provide as many parking spaces as possible, even non-compact designated parking spaces are typically sized to provide the minimal amount of space necessary.
As a result, cars, trucks and SUVs usually are very close together when parked. This can make entering or exiting a vehicle difficult for an average person, and sometimes impossible for people with mobility difficulties. Also, large or cumbersome items that are transported are often impossible to place into or remove from a parked vehicle.
The VAI offers a solution to this problem by providing visible indication, extending from a parked vehicle, that an extra amount of space is required between the parked vehicle and other vehicles parked next to the vehicle with the VAI. The fact that the VAI extends outward from a parked vehicle allows the VAI to function as a sort-of barrier which another vehicle may impact if parking too close. The VAI will display various messages, images or symbols showing the reason for space requirement, such as, but not limited to an international symbol of access also known as the wheelchair symbol or a message stating baby and stroller on board. While the VAI extending outward as a barrier will typically not cause significant damage to vehicle next to the VAI, any driver parking next to a VAI equipped vehicle will find it impossible to claim he or she did not see the VAI and were unaware of the space requirement.
The VAI 10, as shown in
The elongated member 12, as shown in
There can be many variations/configurations of the removable securing means 30 including: a suction cup 42, as shown in
A second example of the removable securing moans 30 is an angled clip 44, as shown in
The third example of the removable securing means 3 is an adhesion base 56. As shown in
A fourth removable securing means is a slotted interface 68. As shown in
A fifth and final example of the removable securing means 30 is a magnet 92 with an inner surface 94 and an outer surface 96 as shown in
Along with any of the removable securing means 30, a positioning means 100 can be utilized. As shown in
If desired, instead of being removably secured onto a vehicle, the VAI 10 can be permanently secured, which would allow a vehicle manufacturer to implement the VAI 10 as an OEM component of a vehicle. One possible configuration would be to permanently securing only the elongated member 12 to a location such as a longitudinal area along the upper door panel or above the window opening. A removable placard could then be on the elongated member when needed. The permanent securing means 110 preferably would include a base 112 and the attachment means 114 could include an adhesive, at least one screw, at least one bolt and nut or integral molding during the vehicle manufacture. Furthermore, a car manufacturer can automate this VAI for ease of use, similar to way the mirrors fold inward. Additionally. the VAI 10 could be sold as an aftermarket kit for permanent attachment by a vehicle owner. As with the removable securing means 30, the permanent securing means 110 could include the positioning means 124 with the rotatable device 126 and the same attachment means 128 disclosed for the removable securing means 30.
It should be noted that both the removable and permanent securing means are limited examples, there can be numerous other securing means and similar structural designs that follow the inventive design of the VAI 10.
Additionally, in order to provide increased safety and prevent accidents, a break-off section 136, as shown in
While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.
