Vehicle accelerator and brake indicators

• US 20060125615A1
• Filed: 11/29/2004
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Won Moo Song
• Original Assignee: Won Moo Song
• Inventors: Song, Won Moo
• Application Number:
  US10/999,443
• Publication Number:
  US 20060125615A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/463
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

An improved accelerator and brake indicators for vehicles. Visual indicators of braking, coasting and acceleration are visible from the front, sides and rear of a vehicle. Such indicators may be used on any type of vehicle including cars, trucks, trailers, airplanes, motorcycles, bicycles, toy vehicles, etc. An accelerator indicator may be blue, green or any other color. An external accelerator indicator is not visible to an operator, and does not interfere with nighttime operation of vehicles. One or more indicator hues are chosen so as to be esthetically pleasing. Indicator design and placement are also chosen so as to be esthetically pleasing. Indicators are suitable for installation into any existing or future style of motor vehicle. Indicators may be positioned upon a motor vehicle in conventional and non-conventional locations. Preferentially, accelerator, brake, and running indicators comprise a housing including a reflective shell and one or more translucent lenses forming a sealed enclosure, a connector or socket, a removable light bulb or light emitting element, a means to electrically connect a socket to the brake light electrical system, and a means to electrically connect a socket to a sensor attached to the accelerator system of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle having an improved signaling system comprising:

(a) a brake indicator; and

(b) an accelerator indicator, wherein the accelerator indicator has at least a first and second intensity.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator comprises a bulb having a lens.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the bulb has a hue.

4. The vehicle of claim 2 wherein the lens has a hue.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the brake indicator comprises a bulb having a lens.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the bulb has a hue.

7. The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the lens has a hue.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator comprises a light source.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the light source is a bulb.

10. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the light source is an LED.

11. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the light source is a laser.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the light source is a LCD.

13. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the brake indicator comprises a light source. .

14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the light source is a bulb.

15. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the light source is an LED.

16. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the light source is a laser.

17. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the light source is a LCD.

18. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprises:

(c) a control circuit to illuminate the accelerator indicator at a first intensity when a vehicle is coasting.

19. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprises:

(c) a control circuit to illuminate the accelerator indicator at a first intensity when a vehicle is accelerating.

20. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprises:

(c) a control circuit to illuminate the accelerator indicator at a second intensity when a vehicle is coasting.

21. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprises:

(c) a control circuit to illuminate the accelerator indicator at a second intensity when a vehicle is accelerating.

22. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprises:

(c) means to illuminate the brake indicator at a first and second intensity.

23. The vehicle of claim 22 wherein the means to illuminate further comprises a control circuit to illuminate the brake indicator at least a first intensity when the vehicle is coasting.

24. The vehicle of claim 22 wherein the means to illuminate further comprises a control circuit to illuminate the brake indicator at a first intensity when the vehicle is accelerating.

25. The vehicle of claim 22 wherein the means to illuminate further comprises a control circuit to illuminate the brake indicator at a second intensity when the vehicle is braking.

26. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator is located on a rear surface of the vehicle.

27. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator is located on a front surface of the vehicle.

28. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator is located on a side surface of the vehicle.

29. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator is located on a top surface of the vehicle.

30. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the brake indicator is located on a rear surface of the vehicle.

31. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the brake indicator is located on a front surface of the vehicle.

32. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the brake indicator is located on a side surface of the vehicle.

33. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the brake indicator is located on a top surface of the vehicle.

34. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator is illuminated at an intensity based on a gear of the transmission.

35. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the indicator lights are triggered by a driver controlled input in a vehicle cabin.

36. The vehicle of claim 1 further comprises an indicator status to inform the driver of the status of the indicators.

37. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator further comprises a turn indicator.

38. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the accelerator indicator and brake indicator further comprise a turn indicator.

39. A method of improving driver safety by signaling the use of a brake or an accelerator in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

(a) illuminating a brake indicator upon the use of the brakes; and

(b) illuminating an accelerator indicator upon the use of the accelerator, wherein the accelerator indicator has a first and a second intensity.

40. The method of claim 39 further comprises illuminating the accelerator indicator at a first intensity level when the vehicle is coasting.

41. The method of claim 39 further comprises illuminating the accelerator indicator at a second intensity level when the vehicle is accelerating.

42. The method of claim 39 wherein the first intensity is less illuminating than the second intensity.

43. The method of claim 39 further comprises illuminating the accelerator indicator if the accelerator is active for greater than a predetermined amount of time.

44. The method of claim 39 further comprises blinking the accelerator indicator.

45. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said vehicle light apparatus is illuminated dependent upon the state of a vehicle'"'"'s gear switch.