Recreation vehicle distance measuring device

Claim 2

A battery operated, self-contained distance measuring device for use with a recreation vehicle having a plurality of ground contacting rotating wheels, said device comprising: (A) sensor means for sensing rotation of at least one of said wheels and for producing sensor signals in response thereto; (B) counter means preprogrammed for responding to said sensor signals by incrementing a count related to rotation of said at least one wheel corresponding to a preselected standard distance measuring unit, and hence distance moved by said recreation vehicle; (C) display means incremented by said count of said counter means for continuously displaying said measure of said distance moved by said recreation vehicle in said preselected standard units; (D) reset means operable by an operator of said vehicle for causing said display means and said counter means to reset; and (E) time limit means interconnecting said counter with said battery and responsive to said sensor signals for providing power to said counter means so long as a next received sensor signal occurs within a predetermined period of time with respect to a last received sensor signal to thereby conserve power of said battery.

Claim 3

The distance measuring device of claim 1 wherein said sensor means includes: (A) magnet means mounted to rotate with said at least one of said wheels; and (B) sensing means for sensing rotational movement of said magnet means and for providing said sensor signals in response thereto.

Claim 4

The distance measuring device of claim 1 wherein said sensor means includes: (A) housing means for mounting to said at least one of said wheels; (B) magnet means mounted to said housing means for rotating with said wheel and for creating a magnetic field; (C) sensing means rotatably mounted to said housing means for sensing rotational movement of said magnet means and for providing said sensor signals in response thereto.

Claim 5

The distance measuring device of claim 3 wherein said housing means comprises a plate that affixes to said at least one of said wheels.

Claim 6

The distance measuring device of claim 4 wherein said plate has a hole axially formed therethrough, and wherein said sensor means includes: (A) an axle rotatably mounted through said hole; (B) a mounting arm affixed to said axle; and (C) said sensing means affixed to said mounting arm.

Claim 7

The distance measuring device of claim 5 and further including conduit means operably connected to said axle for urging said axle to remain substantially stationary and to not rotate with respect to said plate.

Claim 8

The distance measuring device of claim 3 wherein said magnet means includes two magnets mounted substantially 180 degrees apart from one another on said housing means.

Claim 9

The distance measuring device of claim 3 wherein said magnet means includes three magnets mounted substantially 120 degrees apart from one another on said housing means.

Claim 10

The distance measuring device of claim 1 wherein said display means can display a measure having up to six digits.

Claim 11

The distance measuring device of claim 1 wherein said time limit means includes a timer for measuring said predetermined period of time.

Claim 12

The distance measuring device of claim 10 wherein said timer comprises a 555 timer.

Claim 13

A battery operated, self-contained distance measuring device for use with a recreation vehicle having a plurality of ground contacting rotating wheels, said device comprising: (A) sensor means for sensing rotation of at least one of said wheels and for producing sensor signals in response thereto; (B) counter means preprogrammed for responding to said sensor signals, including: a first counter incremented by said sensor signals for providing most significant digit count information; and a second counter incremented by said sensor signals for providing least significant digit count information; such that said counter means provides one output pulse when the combined count information for said first counter and second counter at least equals said preprogrammed value corresponding to a predetermined standard measurement unit of distance moved by said recreation vehicle; (C) display means incremented by said output pulse from said counter means for continuously displaying a measure of said distance moved by said recreation vehicle in said preselected measurement units; (D) reset means operable by an operator of said vehicle for causing said display means and said counter means to reset; and (E) time limit means interconnecting said counter with said battery and responsive to said sensor signals for providing power to said counter means so long as a next received sensor signal occurs within a predetermined period of time with respect to a last received sensor signal thereby conserving power of said battery.

Claim 14

A battery operated, self-contained distance measuring device for use with a recreation vehicle having a plurality of ground contacting rotating wheels, said device comprising: (A) sensor means for sensing rotation of at least one of said wheels and for producing sensor signals in response thereto; (B) counter means preprogrammed for responding to said sensor signals, including: a first counter incremented by said sensor signals for providing most significant digit count information; and a second counter incremented by said sensor signals for providing least significant digit count information; such that said counter means provides one output pulse when the combined count information for said first counter and second counter at least equals said preprogrammed value corresponding to a predetermined standard measurement unit of distance moved by said recreation vehicle; (C) display means incremented by said output pulse from said counter means for continuously displaying a measure of said distance moved by said recreation vehicle in said preselected measurement units; (D) reset means operable by an operator of said vehicle for causing said display means and said counter means to reset; and (E) time limit means interconnecting said counter with said battery and responsive to said sensor signals for providing power to said counter means so long as a next received sensor signal occurs within a predetermined period of time with respect to a last received sensor signal thereby conserving power of said battery.