Accelerometers

• US 4,009,619 A
• Filed: 04/18/1975
• Issued: 03/01/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mattheus Johannes Snyman
• Original Assignee: Mattheus Johannes Snyman
• Inventors: Snyman, Mattheus Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): Gill, James J.
• Application Number:
  US05/569,406
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 73/492, 73/510, 73/514-517, 200/61.51, 235/92 AE
• US Class Current: 73/504.03
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/135 by making use of contacts which are actuated by a movable inertial mass

Abstract

The invention provides for an accelerometer having an acceleration responsive means associated with a presence detector for detecting the continuous activation of the acceleration responsive means for a predetermined time duration. The accelerometer may further have recording and indicating means responsive to the presence detector. The accelerometer may particularly be used in a motor vehicle to detect excessive acceleration thereof.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting and recording abuse of a motor vehicle, including:

an acceleration responsive means which provides a first output signal responsive to acceleration of the vehicle above a preset level;

a signal presence detector means connected to the acceleration responsive means providing a second output signal when the first output signal persists for a first predetermined period of time;

a recorder;

means responsive to the second output signal for actuating the recorder and then preventing the recorder from recording any further signals during a second period of time substantially greater than the first period of time.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the signal presence detector means is variable to vary the first time period.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the means responsive to the second output signal is variable to vary the second time period.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the acceleration responsive means is responsive to linear and centripetal inertial forces.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which includes visual indicating means and the means responsive to the second output signal also activates the indicating means.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which includes audible indicating means and the means responsive to the second output signal also activates the indicating means.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, which includes test means for supplying an artificial first output signal to the signal presence detector means to test the operation of the apparatus.