Mileage recording and service reminding accessory for a shared-use vehicle

• US 4,593,263 A
• Filed: 07/29/1983
• Issued: 06/03/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph H. Peckworth
• Original Assignee: Ralph H. Peckworth
• Inventors: Peckworth, Ralph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US06/518,812
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 D, 340/688, 40/514, 40/515, 235/97, 377/82, 377/87, 70/258, 70/339, 70/434
• US Class Current: 340/457.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0841 Registering performance data recording measured values G01D; information storage G11B

Abstract

A mileage recording and service reminding accessory for a shared-use vehicle is provided as a self-contained unit which may be installed as original equipment at the time of manufacture or added as a modification accessory to an existing vehicle. The console includes auxiliary individual odometers or hour meters for different persons authorized to use the vehicle, a master meter within the console, an electric circuit operable to selectively connect a desired auxiliary odometer or hour meter to the master meter, and a service warning meter for registering and displaying pre-selected target mileages for prescribed service. The console also includes a key actuated switch for each of said individual odometers or hour meters. Actuation of each switch activates the ignition and contemporaneously activates only its respective odometer or hour meter to record the vehicle usage for the then current user independently of the usage recorded for the other users.

Claims

1. A shared-use vehicle having a master meter responsive to cumulative use of the vehicle and also having a group of auxiliary meters each of which is selectively operable to register only the use of the vehicle by a specific person, said shared-use vehicle including an additional electric odometer controlled by two switches in series with each other and with the said additional odometer, whereby the combined use of selected ones of the group of auxiliary odometers and of the additional car pool odometer enables the breakdown of commuting trips into private and car pool portions.

2. An accessory for a shared use vehicle having a meter responsive to cumulative use of the vehicle and also having a group of auxiliary meters, each auxiliary meter being selectively operable to register only the use of the vehicle by a specific user, the above meters being combined with an additional meter for car pool use, means requiring a plurality of users to activate the said additional meter for car pool use, and means for informing the then current user that the said target mileage has been reached and that the said scheduled maintenance is actually due.

3. A structure according to claim 2 which also includes means for warning all users of the pending target mileage when the next scheduled maintenance of the the vehicle will be due.

4. A structure according to claim 3 which also includes means for presenting to the then current user a printed list of the service work recommended for the scheduled maintenance that is then due.