VEHICLE CURVE SPEED WARNING DEVICE

• US 3,798,593 A
• Filed: 06/30/1972
• Issued: 03/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raymond A. Sartor
• Original Assignee: Raymond A. Sartor
• Inventors: Sartor, Raymond A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Waring, Alvin H.
• Application Number:
  US05/268,206
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52H,62,63,65,52R,53,262,263,264 200/61.45,61.52,61.44,61.46,80 303/6,24 188/152
• US Class Current: 340/440
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/14 having an electrical switch which is caused to function by the centrifugal force
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/10 for indicating predetermined speeds

Abstract

A device is described which provides a visual and audible warning when a vehicle on which it is mounted exceeds a predetermined speed when going around a curve. The device comprises a double potentiometer switch actuated by a pendulum contact arm which acts under the influence of centrifugal force to vary the resistance in circuit with a warning light. The greater the speed of the vehicle in making the turn, the further the contact arm will move along the resistance, decreasing the total resistance in circuit with the lamp, causing it to glow more brightly. When the contact arm passes a predetermined point on either the left resistance or the right resistance, a pushbutton switch will be closed, actuating a buzzer, indicating that the safe speed has been exceeded. The pendulum actuated contact arm is adjustably mounted so that depending upon the particular application to which the device is put, the buzzer can be made to sound at a preselected point, representing the safe speed for any particular curve.

Claims

1. A safety signalling device for a turning vehicle comprising:

a. electrical signalling means mounted within said vehicle for indicating to the driver of said vehicle the relative safety of the turning speed of said vehicle;

b. centrifugal force actuated means rotatably mounted in said vehicle;

c. a source of electrical energy connected to said electrical signalling means; and

d. means actuated by said centrifugal force means for varying the quantity of electrical energy supplied to said electrical signalling means and thus varying the signal emitted thereby in relation to the relative safety of the turning speed of said vehicle.

2. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 1 wherein said centrifugal force actuated means comprises a pendulum having an arm and a weight and said means actuated by said centrifugal force means comprises variable resistance means linked to said pendulum arm.

3. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 2 wherein said variable resistance means comprises a potentiometer having its contact arm linked to said pendulum arm, so that increasing centrifugal force exerted on said vehicle will result in decreasing resistance and increasing electrical energy supplied to said electrical signaLling means.

4. A safety signalling device for turning vehicles comprising:

a. centrifugal force actuated means comprising a pendulum having an arm and a weight;

b. visual electrical signalling means connected to a source of electrical energy;

c. means actuated by said centrifugal force means comprising a potentiometer electrically connected to said signalling means and having its contact arm linked to said pendulum arm;

so that increasing centrifugal force exerted on said vehicle as it turns will result in decreasing resistance and increasing electrical energy supplied to said signalling means and a proportionate increase in the intensity of the indication provided by said signalling means.

5. A safety signalling device for vehicles comprising:

a. centrifugal force actuated means comprising a pendulum having an arm and a weight;

b. electrical signalling means connected to a source of electrical energy;

c. means actuated by said centrifugal force means comprising a potentiometer having left and right resistive segments, electrically unconnected to each other, said potentiometer being electrically connected to said signalling means and having its contact arm linked to said pendulum arm;

so that increasing centrifugal force exerted on said vehicle will result in decreasing resistance and increasing electrical energy supplied to said electrical signalling means.

6. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 5 wherein said centrifugal force is caused by said vehicle'"'"''"'"'s making a turn and said electrical signalling means comprises a visual indicator electrically connected to said potentiometer, so that increasing centrifugal force results in a proportionate increase in the intensity of the indication provided by said visual indicator.

7. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 6 including means for mounting said pendulum so that said contact arm contacts said right resistive segment when said vehicle is making a right turn and said left resistive segment when said vehicle is making a left turn.

8. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 4 further including audible signalling means for providing an audible signal when said centrifugal force exceeds a predetermined limit.

9. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 8 further including means linked to said pendulum for actuating said audible signalling means when said pendulum undergoes a predetermined displacement under the influence of said centrifugal force.

10. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 7 further including audible signalling means for providing an audible signal when said centrifugal force exceeds a predetermined limit.

11. The safety signalling device set forth in claim 10 further including means linked to said pendulum for actuating said audible signalling means when said pendulum undergoes a predetermined displacement under the influence of said centrifugal force.