Collision Warning System

• US 20170243458A1
• Filed: 02/21/2017
• Published: 08/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Langford, McGinty, Joseph
• Original Assignee: David Langford, McGinty, Joseph
• Inventors: Langford, David, McGinty, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,865,147 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19 using infrared-radiation detection systems G08B13/194 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/02 Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A self-contained collision warning device warns of possible collisions between people and between people and moving objects on opposite sides of doors and other visual barriers. Motion sensors detect the presence of people or moving objects and activate indicators that warn of the presence of unseen people and moving objects. The device can be mounted to a door or wall without modification to the door or wall or access to electrical power.

Claims

1. A self-contained collision warning device comprising:

a support structure supporting a power supply, a microprocessor, a first motion sensor having a first filed of view (FOV), a second motion sensor having a second FOV, a first indicator, and a second indicator wherein;

the first motion sensor and the first indicator are positioned on a first side of the support structure;

the second motion sensor and the second indicator are positioned on a second side of the support structure such that the first FOV and the second FOV are non-overlapping;

the power supply provides power to the microprocessor, the first motion sensor, the second motion sensor, the first indicator, the second motion sensor, and the second indicator; and

the microprocessor is operationally coupled to the first motion sensor, the second motion sensor, the first indicator, and the second indicator and activates the first indicator and the second indicator when both the first motion sensor and the second motion sensor detect motion.

2. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is shaped to fit over the top of a swinging door and between the door and a door frame such that the first motion sensor and the first indicator are positioned on a first side of the door and the second motion sensor and the second indicator are positioned on a second side of the door opposite the first side.

3. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 2, wherein movement of the swinging door activates the first motion sensor and the second motion sensor to indicate detected motion.

4. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 2, further comprising a door motion detection means selected from the group consisting of a pendulum, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a rate gyroscope and wherein the microprocessor activates the second indicator when the first motion sensor and the door motion detection means both detect motion.

5. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 1, wherein the support structure is shaped for mounting to an inside or outside corner of an intersection of a first wall and a second wall such that the first FOV is directed to an area in apposition to the first wall and the second FOV is directed to an area in apposition to the second wall.

6. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 1, wherein the first motion sensor and the second motion sensor are each a passive infrared motion sensor.

7. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 1, wherein the first indicator and the second indicator each comprise a light emitting diode (LED).

8. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 1, wherein the first indicator and the second indicator each comprise a sound generator.

9. The self-contained collision warning device of claim 1, wherein the first FOV and the second FOV are each a cone having a detection distance of less than 2 meters.