Grip-responsive dozing driver alarm
First Claim
1. A driver alarm system for a vehicle having a steering wheel rim, said system comprising:
- a hand-grippable body;
means for attaching said body to the steering wheel rim at a location to be gripped by the hand of the driver applied to the rim for normal steering of the vehicle;
a pair of push buttons on said body projecting therefrom in generally opposite directions at locations to be depressed when said body is gripped by the hand of the driver of the vehicle for steering;
means for urging each push button to an extended position, said urging means yielding to permit movement of each push button to a depressed position when said body is gripped by the hand of the driver of the vehicle;
a normally completed electric circuit having a completed condition when either push button is in the extended position and an interrupted condition only when both push buttons are in the depressed condition; and
an alarm signalling device in said circuit energized to produce an alarm signal when said circuit is in the completed condition, whereby the alarm signal is produced whenever the driver of the vehicle fails to grip said body sufficiently to maintain both push buttons in the depressed condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system for signaling incapacity of a vehicle driver to sustain a safe level of attention to his driving as may be occasioned by want of sleep or the influence of alcohol or drugs, with such system including an electric enabling switch in series with the ignition switch and the battery. A normally closed push button alarm switch is mounted on the steering wheel whereby a driver'"'"'s hand can concurrently grip the steering wheel and depress the button to keep the alarm switch open. The alarm switch is in series with the other switches as well as with an alarm signaling device so that an alarm is given when the driver'"'"'s grip on the steering wheel is relaxed. Another signal device is connected in series with the battery and the ignition and enabling switches whereby passengers may be assured that the alarm system is energized and has not been disabled by an overconfident driver.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A driver alarm system for a vehicle having a steering wheel rim, said system comprising:
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a hand-grippable body; means for attaching said body to the steering wheel rim at a location to be gripped by the hand of the driver applied to the rim for normal steering of the vehicle; a pair of push buttons on said body projecting therefrom in generally opposite directions at locations to be depressed when said body is gripped by the hand of the driver of the vehicle for steering; means for urging each push button to an extended position, said urging means yielding to permit movement of each push button to a depressed position when said body is gripped by the hand of the driver of the vehicle; a normally completed electric circuit having a completed condition when either push button is in the extended position and an interrupted condition only when both push buttons are in the depressed condition; and an alarm signalling device in said circuit energized to produce an alarm signal when said circuit is in the completed condition, whereby the alarm signal is produced whenever the driver of the vehicle fails to grip said body sufficiently to maintain both push buttons in the depressed condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification