US3570445A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Map tracker
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-02-26
•
Granted: 1971-03-16
•
Expires: 1989-02-26
Abstract
Abstract Means to approximately automatically track on a map, the course and position of a vehicle. Motion reducing means connected to the vehicle move a pointer forward at a rate proportional to the speed of the vehicle. The pointer has a degree of freedom for additional motion. A map is positioned beneath the pointer and has a desired route marked with a material to magnetically interact with the pointer so that the pointer always remains in contact with the route and follows it by moving through the additional degree of freedom.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R7/00; B60R7/08; B60R7/081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A map tracker for connection to a vehicle odometer, comprising: a base, means on said base to support a map thereon; a bridge spanning said base transversely and being movable longitudinally with respect to said base, said bridge having a slot therein transverse to said base; a pointer supported on said bridge and freely movable in said slot; drive means to move said bridge longitudinally at a rate proportional to the speed of said vehicle, said drive means being connected to said odometer; and a map on said base below said bridge, said map having a route provided with a marking strip, said marking strip and said pointer being magnetically coacting so that said pointer follows said marked route upon movement of said bridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A map tracker for connection to a vehicle odometer, comprising: a base, means on said base to support a map thereon; a bridge spanning said base transversely and being movable longitudinally with respect to said base, said bridge having a slot therein transverse to said base; a pointer supported on said bridge and freely movable in said slot; drive means to move said bridge longitudinally at a rate proportional to the speed of said vehicle, said drive means being connected to said odometer; and a map on said base below said bridge, said map having a route provided with a marking strip, said marking strip and said pointer being magnetically coacting so that said pointer follows said marked route upon movement of said bridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 1 wherein a variable ratio means is provided in said drive means to permit selective change of the ratio between the rotation of said odometer and the rate of movement of said bridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 2 wherein said variable ratio means includes a pair of coacting bevel gears being mutually axially movable to change the gear ratio between said gears.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 2 wherein variable ratio means includes a pair of coacting spur gears, at least one of said gears being interchangeable with gears of different effective diameter to change the gear ratio between the gears.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 2 wherein said drive means comprises a drive screw extending longitudinally of said base, and said bridge comprises a support block provided with a threaded hole receiving and coacting with said drive screw, said drive screw being connected to and driven by said odometer cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 2 wherein said drive means comprises a chain extending longitudinally of said base and extending endlessly around sprockets, said bridge being attached to said chain, and at least one of said sprockets being connected to and driven by said odometer cable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pointer and said marking strip are of magnetic material and said pointer is magnetized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pointer and said marking strip are of magnetic material and said marking strip is magnetized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 8 wherein said marking strip is an elongated strip of pliable magnetic material at least partially coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A map tracker as set forth in claim 1 wherein both said pointer and said marking strip are magnetized.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |