AUTOMATIC ACCIDENT SIGNALLING APPARATUS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 3,646,583 A
• Filed: 08/18/1969
• Issued: 02/29/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scuderi, Santi (3097 Liebfeld
• Original Assignee: Scuderi, Santi (3097 Liebfeld
• Inventors: Scuderi, Santi (3097 Liebfeld
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Application Number:
  US04/850,821
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52H,61 200/61.45M,61.45
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/445 controlled by inertial devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/162 event-triggered
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002

Abstract

An automatic accident-signalling apparatus for motor vehicles, arranged inside the motor vehicle, comprising at least one device sensitive to collision and means-emitting signals controlled by said device sensitive to collision.

Claims

1. An automatic accident-signalling apparatus for motor vehicles with a storage battery and a main energy supply cable from said storage battery to the electric appliances of the motor vehicle, the apparatus being arranged inside the motor vehicle and comprising:

a casing, within the casing;

a radio transmitter for emitting accident signals, a first battery independent of said storage battery, at least one line connecting said first battery to said transmitter, interposed in said at least one line and connected in parallel to each other;

an impact switch and at least one manually operated switch; and

after said switches an acoustic alarm device and a signal lamp, both connected in parallel in said line,;

a general double-throw knife switch having one knife thereof interposed in said line between said first battery and said switches, a fuse in series with said knife and after said fuse a second signal lamp connected in parallel in said line, the apparatus further comprising within said casing a second battery, outside said casing;

a relay switch interposed in said main energy supply cable, at least another line connecting electrically said relay switch with said second battery;

interposed in said another line and within said casing;

a second impact switch, the other of the knives of said double throw knife switch being interposed between said second impact switch and said second battery, and after said impact switch a further signal lamp connected in parallel in said another line;

thereby to supply electric energy to said transmitter and cause it to emit accident signals and to energize said relay switch and maintain it open, when the motor vehicle is subjected to an impact capable of actuating said impact switches, said impact switches having each an input and an output terminal, a ferromagnetic sphere, a wire connecting electrically said sphere to one of said terminals thereof, a cylindrical base electrically insulated from said sphere, said cylindrical base having an upper end and a seat in said upper end defining a receiving space for said sphere, said seat having a circular periphery, said sphere resting against said circular periphery when in normal resting position, said circular periphery having a diameter less than the maximum diameter of said sphere thereby allowing a portion of said sphere to penetrate into said receiving space defined by said seat, a magnet member above said cylindrical base at a distance from said circular periphery thereof, conduit means electrically connecting said magnet member to another of said terminals, adjustable screw means connected with said magnet member, said adjustable screw means having an end thereof projecting outside said casing thereby to allow adjustment of said magnetic member from the outside of said casing, said second impact switch having its adjustable screw means adjusted to a less impact sensitivity than that of said first impact switch.