CRUISE CONTROL MODIFICATION

• US 20110082628A1
• Filed: 10/06/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Brendan J. Murnane
• Original Assignee: Brendan J. Murnane
• Inventors: Murnane, Brendan J.
• Application Number:
  US12/899,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20110082628A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/48
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/14 operated upon collapse of driver deadman's devices for electrically propelled vehicles B60L3/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/18 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/14 Adaptive cruise control

Abstract

A cruise control modification device includes a triggering mechanism that activates one or more sensors in the vehicle steering wheel. The sensors are adapted to sense that pressure is being continuously applied to the wheel by the vehicle'"'"'s operator. A kill switch mechanism is in communication with the sensors and is adapted to shut off the vehicle'"'"'s cruise control operation when a signal is received form the sensors that the operator has ceased applying pressure to the steering wheel, e.g. while falling asleep. The kill switch may be in further communication with the vehicle'"'"'s braking system, hazard lights, interior lights and a sound alarm to alert the driver.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle cruise control modification device comprising:

(a) a triggering mechanism that activates one or more sensors in the vehicle steering wheel, such sensors adapted to sense that pressure is being continuously applied to said wheel by an operator of said vehicle; and

(b) a kill switch mechanism in communication with said one or more sensors, wherein said kill switch mechanism is adapted to shut off the vehicle'"'"'s cruise control operation when a signal is received from said one or more sensors that the operator has ceased applying pressure to the steering wheel.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said kill switch mechanism is in further communication with the vehicle'"'"'s braking system to commence braking of the vehicle when a signal is received from said one or more sensors that the operator has ceased applying pressure to the steering wheel.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein said kill switch mechanism is in further communication with the vehicle'"'"'s hazard lights to commence the flashing of said hazard lights when a signal is received from said one or more sensors that the operator has ceased applying pressure to the steering wheel.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein said kill switch mechanism is in further communication with the vehicle'"'"'s interior lights to turn on said interior lights when a signal is received from said one or more sensors that the operator has ceased applying pressure to the steering wheel.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein said kill switch mechanism is in further communication with a sound alarm inside the vehicle to activate the alarm when a signal is received from said one or more sensors that the operator has ceased applying pressure to the steering wheel.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the vehicle'"'"'s braking system is in further communication with the device wherein the braking system is adapted to turn off the vehicle'"'"'s hazard lights, interior lights and sound alarm when the operator applies pressure to the brake of the vehicle.

7. The device according to claim 6 wherein the triggering mechanism may be manually turned on or off by the vehicle operator.