VEHICLE PASSING DEVICE

• US 3,601,792 A
• Filed: 07/29/1969
• Issued: 08/24/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John Murray
• Original Assignee: John Murray
• Inventors: Murray, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leimer, Kenneth N.
• Application Number:
  US04/845,680
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 340/32-34,104,79,80,85
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking

Abstract

A light-sensing head and indicator light in combination with a passing vehicle'"'"''"'"'s conventional, directional signal system for use during nighttime driving to indicate when the passing vehicle can safely return to the driving lane in which the passed vehicle is proceeding.

Claims

1. A vehicle passing device in combination with the directional signal system of a passing vehicle for indicating, during nighttime driving conditions, when the passing vehicle has proceeded sufficiently in the passing lane to allow sufficient clearance and distance for the passing vehicle to safely return to the driving lane in which the passed vehicle is proceeding upon directional signalling by the passing vehicle for such return;

said directional signal system comprising a power source, a turn signal switch having a lever, a flasher unit, and right and left, front and rear turn signal filaments, said flasher unit being connected to said power source and, upon completion of a circuit to said flasher unit from said power source, said flasher unit supplying pulsing power, said signal switch being connected to said flasher unit and turn signal filaments such that upon appropriate manipulation of said turn signal lever a circuit is completed to said right front and rear turn signal filaments to intermittently light same, or a circuit is completed to said left front and rear turn signal filaments to intermittently light same;

said vehicle passing device comprising a substantially rearwardly directed, photosensitive, light-sensing head mounted adjacent the rear of the passing vehicle and an indicator light, said light-sensing head being connected to said indicator light and to said flasher unit through said signal switch, said lightsensing head having resistance to current flow and whose whose resistance is responsive to the intensity of illumination provided y the passed vehicle'"'"''"'"'s headlights to lower such resistance sufficiently to allow current flow; and

said lightsensing head operatively functioning to allow said indicator light to flash when the passing vehicle has proceeded sufficiently in the passing lane to allow clearance and distance for the passing vehicle to safely return to the driving lane in which the passed vehicle is proceeding and at which time the intensity of illumination directed upon said light-sensing head from the headlights of the passed vehicle lowers the resistance to current flow of said light-sensing head sufficiently to complete the pulsing power circuit to said indicator light.

2. The vehicle passing device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said light-sensing head is connected to said flasher unit through said signal switch such that when said signal switch lever is manipulated to intermittently light said right front and rear turn signal filaments, said indicator light will flash when the resistance of said light-sensing head is lowered sufficiently for current flow from said flasher unit to said indicator light.