Overhead obstacle detector for vehicles carrying roof top articles
First Claim
1. An overhead obstacle detector for detecting the presence of and evaluating the approach to obstacles situated in the path of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle is attached, the overhead obstacle detector comprising:
- an ultrasonic transducer capable of emitting an ultrasonic signal that can ping objects in the path of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached, a receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals reflected from objects in the path of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached, circuitry capable of using said reflected signals to calculate the distance between the vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached and an object in the path of the vehicle, apparatus for calculating a risk of collision between an obstacle pinged and the vehicle based on the calculated distance said transducer and a detected obstacles and the relative speed between the transducer and a detected obstacle, and means for signaling the driver of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached that said risk of collision is high.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods for detecting the presence of and evaluating the approach to obstacles situated in the path of articles attached to the roof of a vehicle and alerting the driver of the vehicle when an impact or collision between the articles and the obstacles is likely to occur. An example device includes an ultrasonic transducer and circuitry to measure the distance to obstacles, an audible warning device, a microprocessor to perform such tasks as controlling the generation of ultrasonic pulses, measuring the echo delay, calculating the risk of collision, and signaling the warning device, and a housing which protects the components of the device and can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from the vehicle.
66 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An overhead obstacle detector for detecting the presence of and evaluating the approach to obstacles situated in the path of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle is attached, the overhead obstacle detector comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer capable of emitting an ultrasonic signal that can ping objects in the path of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached, a receiver for receiving ultrasonic signals reflected from objects in the path of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached, circuitry capable of using said reflected signals to calculate the distance between the vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached and an object in the path of the vehicle, apparatus for calculating a risk of collision between an obstacle pinged and the vehicle based on the calculated distance said transducer and a detected obstacles and the relative speed between the transducer and a detected obstacle, and means for signaling the driver of a vehicle to which the overhead obstacle detector is attached that said risk of collision is high. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An overhead obstacle detector for mounting on an use with an over the road motor vehicle in order to detect overhead obstacles that the vehicle may encounter and warn the driver of the vehicle prior to contact between the vehicle and the overhead obstacles, the overhead obstacle detector comprising:
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a signal emitter capable of emitting a signal that can ping overhead objects in the path of the vehicle that the overhead obstacle detector is serving, a receiver for receiving signals reflected from overhead objects, a distance calculator for calculating the distance between the vehicle and an overhead object, a risk calculator for calculating a risk of collision the vehicle and an overhead obstacle that has been pinged, and means for warning the vehicle driver when risk of collision with an overhead obstacle is high. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An overhead obstacle detector for mounting on an use with an over the road motor vehicle in order to detect overhead obstacles that the vehicle may encounter and warn the driver of the vehicle prior to contact between the vehicle and the overhead obstacles, the overhead obstacle detector comprising:
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a signal emitter capable of emitting a signal that can ping overhead objects in the path of the vehicle that the overhead obstacle detector is serving, a receiver for receiving signals reflected from overhead objects, and a risk calculator for calculating a risk of collision the vehicle and an overhead obstacle that has been pinged.
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Specification