Deceleration warning light assembly for a personal watercraft or other vehicle
First Claim
1. A warning light assembly for a watercraft, said assembly comprising:
- a selectively activatable light for mounting to the watercraft such that said light is clearly visible to persons in nearby watercraft;
a power source for being carried by the watercraft, said light being operatively connected to said power source through a switch that is alternatable between open and closed states;
a sensor that detects changes in acceleration of the watercraft;
a controller responsive to the sensor, which controller closes said switch to operate said light in response to deceleration of the watercraft; and
a flasher switch attached to the watercraft and operatively connected to said controller, said flasher switch being selectively actuated by an operator of the watercraft and said controller being responsive to actuation of said flasher switch for closing and opening said light switch intermittently to flash said light on and off repeatedly and generate an emergency warning signal.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A warning light assembly for a watercraft or land vehicle includes a selectively activatable light for mounting to the watercraft or vehicle such that the light is clearly visible to nearby operators/drivers. There is a power source for being carried by the watercraft/vehicle. The light is operatively connected to the power source through a switch that is alternatable between open and closed states. At least one mechanism is provided for sensing when the watercraft/vehicle is decelerating. A control device is responsive to the sensing mechanism for closing the switch only when the watercraft/vehicle decelerates in a longitudinal direction and simultaneously there is no change in acceleration in a transverse direction. This causes the light to activate so that a deceleration warning is provided to nearby persons.
31 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A warning light assembly for a watercraft, said assembly comprising:
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a selectively activatable light for mounting to the watercraft such that said light is clearly visible to persons in nearby watercraft; a power source for being carried by the watercraft, said light being operatively connected to said power source through a switch that is alternatable between open and closed states; a sensor that detects changes in acceleration of the watercraft; a controller responsive to the sensor, which controller closes said switch to operate said light in response to deceleration of the watercraft; and a flasher switch attached to the watercraft and operatively connected to said controller, said flasher switch being selectively actuated by an operator of the watercraft and said controller being responsive to actuation of said flasher switch for closing and opening said light switch intermittently to flash said light on and off repeatedly and generate an emergency warning signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A warning light assembly for a vehicle, said assembly comprising:
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a selectively activatable light for mounting to the vehicle such that said light is clearly visible to persons in nearby vehicles; a power source for being carried by the vehicle, said light being operatively connected to said power source through a switch that is alternatable between open and closed states; a sensor that detects changes in acceleration of the vehicle; a controller responsive to the sensor, which controller closes said switch to operate said light in response to deceleration of the vehicle in a forward direction of travel; and a flasher switch attached to the vehicle and operatively connected to said controller, said flasher switch being actuated by an operator of the vehicle and said controller being responsive to actuation of said flasher switch for closing and opening said light switch intermittently to flash said light on and off repeatedly and generate an emergency warning signal. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A warning light assembly for a personal watercraft, said assembly comprising:
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a selectively activatable light for mounting to the personal watercraft such that said light is clearly visible to persons in nearby watercraft; a power source for being carried by the watercraft; a sensor that detects changes in acceleration of the watercraft; and a deceleration control circuit responsive to said sensor, which deceleration control circuit actuates said light in response to deceleration of the personal watercraft in a forward direction of travel; and - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification