Acoustic backup alarm for providing acoustic and dual technology (acoustical and optical) operation

• US 20110102666A1
• Filed: 11/05/2010
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Company Incorporated (Grote Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Star Headlight & Lantern Company Incorporated (Grote Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: McCann, Daniel T., Neufeglise, Steven W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,669,852 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/005 automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

A reflex speaker which provides an acoustic signal generator for acoustic alarm signals is captured in a housing through which the acoustic signals project via ports at the exit end of the housing. The housing defines a compartment at the exit end with an opening which is covered so that the acoustic signals project out of the exit end around the compartment. The cover may be a transparent cover which provides a lens through which optical signals generated by optics in the compartment provided by either LEDs to provide an optical warning signal, or a video camera, such as a CCD, which responds to visual signals as from hazards at the rear of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An acoustic alarm which comprises:

an acoustic signal generator;

a housing in which said generator is mounted which direct sound around said generator out of an exit end of said housing, said housing and said generator defining a compartment between the generator and the exit end;

a member over said compartment on said exit end; and

ports around said member in said exit end through which said acoustic signals project.

2. The alarm according to claim 1 further comprising:

an apparatus operating in accordance with a technology other than acoustics mounted in said compartment of said housing and responsive to other signals propagating via said member with respect to said exit end.

3. The alarm according to claim 2 wherein said technology is optical and said other signals are optical signals transmitted or received by said apparatus.

4. The alarm according to claim 3 wherein said member is a lens via which said optical signals pass.

5. The alarm according to claim 1 wherein the generator comprises a speaker having a back end which also defines said compartment.

6. The alarm according to claim 5 wherein said speaker is a reflex speaker driving sound against a reflector in said housing.

7. The alarm according to claim 5 wherein said housing has a hub also defining said compartment.

8. The alarm according to claim 6 further comprising a circuit board disposed in said housing behind said reflector, and potting material which captures said reflector and said circuit board in said housing.

9. The alarm according to claim 3 wherein said technology comprises a light source element mounted in said compartment and a cover having a transparent member over said compartment enclosing said light source element therein.

10. The alarm according to claim 3 wherein said technology comprises an electronic camera captured in said compartment under a light transmissive cover.

11. A device providing an alarm capable of acoustic operation or both acoustical and optical operation comprising:

means for generating an acoustic signal;

means for covering a portion of one end of said device;

means for directing said acoustic signal from said one end of said device out of an uncovered another portion of said device; and

a compartment within said device disposed under said covering means, wherein in one mode said compartment has optical means and said covering means is part of said optical means for enabling operation of said optical means, and in another mode said device is provided without said optical means in said compartment.

12. e device according to claim 11 wherein said optical means is at least one of a camera or one or more light sources.

13. The device according to claim 11 wherein in said one mode said covering means comprises a lens.

14. A method providing a device for generating an alarm capable of acoustic operation or both acoustical and optical operation, said method comprising the steps of:

generating an acoustic signal;

covering a portion of one end of said device with a cover;

directing said acoustic signal from said one end of said device out of an uncovered another portion of said device; and

providing a compartment disposed under said cover capable of having at least one of a camera or one or more light sources to enable optical operation of the device, and said covering step provides said cover which is optically transparent to said camera or said one or more light sources when present in said compartment.