GB2236610A

GB2236610A - Maps

Info

Publication number: GB2236610A
Application number: GB8921911A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Evan Parry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-09-29
Filing date: 1989-09-29
Publication date: 1991-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-29
Also published as: GB2236610B; GB8921911D0; HK1005325A1

Abstract

For enabling a pre-selected destination to be located, a board carries a plurality of maps which are arranged in a series, each map of which is to a progressively larger scale. Each map, except the last, has marked thereon, in a substantially central location, a neighbourhood of the said destination. Each map shows (to a larger scale) the neighbourhood marked in the immediately preceding map. The final map (2d) has the said destination clearly identifiable thereon.

Description

PORTABLE LOCATION FINDING AID This invention relates to a portable device for enabling a pre-selected destination to be located.

Conventionally, in order to plan a route to an intended destination it would be necessary to rely either on detailed verbal instructions or reference to a number of disjointed maps. Small-scale road atlases having supplementary larger-scale town maps may give sufficient detail to enable identification of a route to a specific street in a chosen town. However, the correspondence between the smaller and larger scale maps is often obscure and the selection, range and level of detail of the town maps frequently excludes the chosen destination and does not allow precise identification thereof.

Although aids do exist for enabling location of a specific pre-selected destination these aids are generally not flexible, indicating only the most popular routes to a specified destination.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which overcomes the above described problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a portable device for enabling a pre-selected destination to be located, said device comprising: a carrier means; and a plurality of maps mounted to be viewable on or in said carrier means, said maps being arranged on or in said carrier means in a series, each map of which is to a progressively larger scale and has marked thereon, in a substantially central location thereof, a neighbourhood of the said destination, each successive one of said maps in said series being a map of the said neighbourhood of an immediately preceding map in said series, a final map in said series having the said destination clearly identifiable thereon.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the portable location finding aid for the example destination of a building on North Bar Street, Banbury.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the location finding aid comprises a carrier means 1. The carrier means 1 is a board of plastics or cellulosic material. Onto the carrier 1 are printed four maps 2a,2b,2c and 2d arranged in a series clockwisely around the carrier 1. A first map 2a in the series is a small-scale map of a broad area surrounding and including the example destination town of Banbury. A rectangular box located substantially centrally of map 2a demarcates the town's immediate neighbourhood 3a. A second map 2b in the series is a larger-scale map of the town neighbourhood 3a of map 2a. Indeed map 2b has edges which correspond substantially identically with the edges of box 3a so that a user can immediately identify his location on map 2b, as soon as he enters the region covered by that map.

Map 2b similarly has a rectangular box located substantially centrally thereof and demarcating a central district neighbourhood 3b of Banbury town. The neighbourhood 3b marked on map 2b is shown to an expanded scale in a third map 2c. In turn, map 2c has a rectangular box marked thereon demarcating the immediate neighbourhood 3c of the destination building. A fourth and final map 2d in the series is a larger-scale map of neighbourhood 3c and has the destination building 3d identifiably marked thereon, together with, optionally, entry points or car parking spaces.

In the example shown in the drawing: the first map 2a is at a scale of 1:190,080; the second 2b at a scale of 1:50,000; the third 2c at a scale of 1:10,000; and the fourth 2d at a scale of 1:1,720. However other scales could be used in some circumstances.

Using the location finding aid embodying the present invention it is a simple matter to pick an individually suited route to a pre-selected destination, from a starting point in any orientation to the destination. The precise interrelationship and arrangement of the maps 2 enables any road or path to be followed on the series of maps from a starting point far distant from the destination directly to the destination without loss of coverage.

The example shown illustrates the use of four maps to locate the destination. Clearly, where the predetermined destination is in isolated surroundings, less maps may be needed. Conversely, where the destination is in a conurbation e.g. London, more than four maps may be needed.

Clearly the specific application of the apparatus of the present invention need not be restricted to location of a destination in a town or village. For example, the destination may be a hole on a golf course with the start point being anywhere within a large outdoor leisure complex.

One further advantage of the plurality of maps is that two different final destinations may be locatable using only five or six maps. For example, if the destination were in Castle Street, Banbury, only map 2d would need to be changed. This can lead to a saving in costs of production. Also, if road works or construction affect the area under consideration, it may be necessary only to change one or two of the maps.

The apparatus may be constructed from a range of materials. For example, in alternatives to having a plastic board carrier 1 with maps 2 printed directly thereon, the carrier 1 may be a board of card or a sheet of paper. Also, where the carrier 1 is constructed of plastics material the maps 2 may be enclosed within layers of the plastics material. A combination of materials may be used. For example, a plastic board carrier 1 may have maps printed on paper adhered thereto. The carrier may also be used for advertising purposes.

In another embodiment which is not illustrated, the carrier 1 may be hinged or folded about a centre line.

In this case the maps may be disposed on one side of the carrier with some disposed to one side of the centre line and others to the other. When the carrier is folded, the maps will not be viewable, but they become visible once the carrier is unfolded.

Alternatively, where the carrier is of transparent material, the maps may be disposed to face outwardly when the carrier is folded. In this case, the maps would be protected by the carrier which could even remain folded during use. Such an arrangement would facilitate interchange of maps when one or more needed to be replaced.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable device for enabling a pre-selected destination to be located, said device comprising: a carrier means; and a plurality of maps mounted to be viewable on or in said carrier means, said maps being arranged on or in said carrier means in a series, each map of which is to a progressively larger scale and has marked thereon, in a substantially central location thereof, a neighbourhood of the said destination, each successive one of said maps in said series being a map of the said neighbourhood of an immediately preceding map in said series, a final map in said series having the said destination clearly identifiable thereon.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier means comprises a board of plastics material.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier means comprises cellulosic material.

4. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier means is hinged or folded about a centre line, with at least one map disposed on a first side of the centre line and at least one map disposed on a second side of the centre line.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the maps are disposed on an inwardly facing surface of the foldable carrier.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carrier means is transparent and the maps are disposed to face outwardly of the folded carrier.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the entire area of a subsequent map is marked on the immediately preceding map, substantially centrally thereof and delineated by a marked zone.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said marked zone is edged by a visible line.

9. A portable device, for enabling a pre-selected destination to be located, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.