Auxiliary vehicle warning system

• US 4,631,516 A
• Filed: 09/03/1985
• Issued: 12/23/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald Clinker
• Original Assignee: Gerald Clinker
• Inventors: Clinker, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rittmaster, T.
• Application Number:
  US06/771,249
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 340/110, 340/22, 340/75, 340/85, 340/87, 340/94, 340/104, 340/107, 340/66, 340/752, 340/762, 340/332, 340/815.03, 340/52 B, 340/69
• US Class Current: 340/464
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5037 the display content changing automatically, e.g. depending on traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/535 to prevent rear-end collisions, e.g. by indicating safety distance at the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/545 for indicating other traffic conditions, e.g. fog, heavy traffic

Abstract

The auxiliary alarm system can be mounted at eye level on a trunk lid or the like or can be seated on or secured to a vehicle rear window shelf for viewing by a trailing vehicle driver, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. The system includes a housing containing a display window with a visual warning display device, such as a bulb-lighted printed sheet, or an L.E.D. array mounted therein to provide a traveling message and activatable through an electrical circuit connected to the vehicle rear brake light or turn signal circuit. The housing can include a timer and battery to prolong the display, once it is activated by the rear brake light circuit and/or a sensor-discriminator to select one of a number of visual warning displays in response to multiple brake pedal or turn signal circuit activations. An audible alarm can also be connected in the housing. The housing can further include a radio signal or radar signal activatable switch and battery to activate the visual display device upon receipt of a radio or radar signal. The system is compact, inexpensive, easily installed and needs no complicated wiring.

Claims

1. An information display system for vehicles, said system comprising, in combination:

(a) a housing containing a visual display means for providing a plurality of individually selectable messages,

(b) mounting means for removeably securing said display means to a vehicle,

(c) a multiple message display storage unit,

(d) sensor-discriminator means,

(e) pulse generation means capable of generating a plurality of different signals and which is adapted to be selectively activated by the operator of said vehicle said pulse generation means comprising existing electrical equipment for actuating standard vehicle functions, wherein the method of operation of the existing electrical equipment generates pulses,

(f) an electfical power source,

(g) electrical circuit means interconnecting said power source, said pulse generating means, said sensor-discriminator means, said multiple message display storage unit, and said visual display means,

(h) whereby the transmission of a particular signal from said pulse generation means to said sensor discriminator means will cause a predetermined message to be displayed on said visual display means.

2. The information display system of claim 1 wherein,

(a) said pulse generation means is capable of producing a timed sequence of electrical current transmissions and interruptions, and

(b) said sensor-discriminator means is capable of detecting said timed sequence of electrical current transmissions and interruptions.

3. The information display system of claim 2 and further including a timer electrically connected to said display system to allow for a preselected, timed display of a preselected message in said visual display means.

4. The auxiliary warning system of claim 1 wherein said visual display means includes a light-emitting diode array adapted to display visual warning indicia when electrically activated through said ciruitry.

5. The auxiliary warning system of claim 4 wherein said light-emitting diode array is constructed to provide a traveling message thereacross when activated.

6. The information display system of claim 2, further including audible signaling means electrically connected to said electrical circuit means.

7. The information display system of claim 1 wherein said pulse generation means includes at least one of a brake light circuit and turn-signal circuit.

8. The information display system of claim 7 wherein the message displayed on the visual display means is dependent on the number of brake taps performed per unit time or the number or type of signal arm movements performed per unit time.