Driver alertness device

• US 4,234,051 A
• Filed: 07/26/1978
• Issued: 11/18/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Solon S. Morris Jr
• Original Assignee: Solon S. Morris Jr
• Inventors: Morris, Solon S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, David M.
• Application Number:
  US05/928,055
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 180/99, 180/105 E, 180/109, 180/272, 180/178, 340/575, 340/576, 303/19, 303/20
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 31/02 including electrically actuated servomechanism including an electric control system or a servomechanism in which the vehicle velocity affecting element is actuated electrically

Abstract

A driver alertness device is disclosed. The device includes a timing counter that decrements from the time set towards zero. When the timer reaches zero, a solenoid is energized to urge the throttle to the idle position. A reset button is manually operable by the driver of the vehicle, a predetermined amount of time being added to the timer for each push of the reset button, and an on/off switch is accessible to the driver.

Claims

1. A driver alertness device, for a vehicle having a throttle, a linkage for positioning said throttle, said throttle having an idle position, said driver alertness device comprising counting means for decrementing from a given quantity towards a predetermined quantity, said predetermined quantity being lower than said given quantity, display means for displaying said given quantity and all decremented quantities in readable form, reset means for increasing the quantity of said counting means, said reset means comprising a button selectively operable by said driver for increasing the quantity by a predetermined increment or in multiple increments for selectively establishing a given quantity, switch means operable by said counting means when said counting means reaches said predetermined quantity, and throttle return means for placing said throttle at said idle position in response to the closing of said switch means.

2. A driver alertness device as claimed in claim 1, said vehicle further including an emergency warning system, said driver alertness device including means for activating said emergency warning system in response to the closing of said switch means.

3. A driver alertness device as claimed in claim 2, said vehicle further including cruise control means for maintaining said vehicle at a constant speed, said driver alertness device including means for deactivating said cruise control means in response to the closing of said switch means.

4. A driver alertness device as claimed in claim 2, said throttle return means including a solenoid having an armature, means connecting said armature to said linkage for positioning said throttle such that said throttle is placed in idle position when said solenoid is energized.

5. A driver alertness device as claimed in claim 4, said vehicle further including an accelerator pedal for operating said linkage for positioning said throttle, said solenoid being so constructed and arranged that energization of said solenoid moves said linkage for positioning said throttle and said accelerator pedal.

6. A driver alertness device as claimed in claim 5, and further including time delay means for delaying operation of said throttle return means after closing said switch means.

7. A driver alertness device as claimed in claim 6, and further including second switch means for disabling said driver alertness device, said second switch means being accessibly located with respect to said driver.