REACTION ACTUATOR FOR VEHICLE OPERATORS

• US 3,611,344 A
• Filed: 08/07/1969
• Issued: 10/05/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John R. Couper
• Original Assignee: John R. Couper
• Inventors: Couper, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bobbitt, J. Michael
• Application Number:
  US04/848,166
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 340/279,309.1,223,52R 180/99,82,97
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 11/103 in combination with other control devices conjoint control of brake system and at least another sub-unit B60W10/188

Abstract

A system for initiating conscious activity of a vehicle operator utilizes a visual alarm signal which is automatically and periodically actuated and which signal must be promptly manually deactivated by the operator to prevent actuation of an audio alarm signal which in turn must be promptly manually deactivated by the operator to prevent simultaneous actuation of external emergency flashing lights, an automobile horn and an engine deactivator which temporarily deactivate the vehicle engine for stopping the engine.

Claims

1. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator comprising a. first timer means;

b. first alarm means periodically and automatically actuated by said first timer means;

c. means inclusive of a manually actuated switch for deactivating said first alarm means and restarting the timing sequence of said first timer means;

d. second timer means actuated by said first timer means on actuation of said first alarm means and deactivated by said means inclusive of said manually actuated switch; and

e. second alarm means inclusive of an audio signal activated by said second timer means in the event said second timer means is not deactivated by said means inclusive of said manually actuated switch.

2. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator according to claim 1 wherein said first timer means actuates said first alarm means in a range of from 10 seconds to 5 minutes.

3. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator according to claim 1 wherein said first alarm means includes a light in the road line of vision of the vehicle operator.

4. A system for periodically testing the alErtness of a vehicle operator according to claim 1 wherein said second alarm means includes an audio alarm.

5. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator according to claim 4 wherein said second alarm means includes an instrument panel mounted light and said audio alarm.

6. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator according to claim 3 wherein said light is a blue light.

7. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator comprising a. first timer means;

b. first visual signal means periodically and automatically actuated by said first timer means;

c. means inclusive of a first manually actuated switch for deactivating said first visual signal means;

d. second time delay means actuated on actuating said first visual signal means by said first timer means;

e. second circuit means actuated by said second time delay means and arranged to be deactivated by said first manually actuated switch;

f. second signal means connected to said second circuit means including an audio signal actuated by said second time delay means;

g. third time delay means actuated on activation of said second signal means and deactivated by said first manually actuated switch;

h. third circuit means actuated by said third time delay means;

i. third signal means actuated by said third circuit, including external emergency lights on said vehicle and means for deactivating the engine of said vehicle;

j. and means inclusive of second manual switch means for deactivating said third circuit thereby deactivating said emergency lights and reactivating the engine of said vehicle.

8. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator according to claim 7 wherein said first timer means provides a relatively long time interval for the periodical activation of said first signal means, and second and third time delay means provide a relatively short time interval.

9. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator according to claim 7 wherein said third circuit means includes a red light signal means.

10. A system for periodically testing the alertness of a vehicle operator according to claim 8 wherein said second and third time delay means provide a time interval of from 2 to 3 seconds.