Visual and auditory signaling system

• US 4,847,589 A
• Filed: 07/26/1988
• Issued: 07/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hugh L. Dobbins
• Original Assignee: Hugh L. Dobbins
• Inventors: Dobbins, Hugh L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/224,168
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 340/326, 340/321, 340/52 H, 340/331, 340/908, 340/84, 340/87, 340/88, 340/83, 340/90, 340/94, 340/81 R, 340/815.02, 340/815.15, 340/815.16, 340/815.21 , 340/815.22, 116/63 P
• US Class Current: 340/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

An emergency signal sending apparatus for emitting a preset sequence of visual and auditory signals. The apparatus can be manually or automatically switched so as to indicate the nature of assistance required by the signal sender. The signal sending apparatus can be equipped with a sudden or rollover motion sensing automatic switching device so that the preset signalling sequences will be initiated regardless of operator input. The signal sending apparatus includes an auditory signalling unit so that signalling can be successfully accomplished even if the sending apparatus is obscured from view.

Claims

1. A visual and auditory signal sending system, comprising:

green light signal sending means for producing a visual pulse of green light upon actuation thereof;

amber light signal sending means for producing a visual pulse of amber light upon actuation thereof;

red light signal sending means for producing a visual pulse of red light upon actuation thereof;

motion detecting means for detecting non-desired motion in a given plane or orientation including means for sending an electrical signal indicative of said non-desired motion;

auditory signal sending means for emitting an audible pulse of sound upon actuation thereof;

manually operable first switching means electrically connected to each of said green, amber, and red light signal sending means for initiating preset signalling sequences of said lights;

automatic second switching means electrically connected to said motion detecting means, said red light signal sending means, and said auditory signal sending means, for initiating a preset signalling sequence of said red light and auditory signal sending means upon actuation of said second switching means by said electrical signal from motion detecting means.

2. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 1, wherein:

said motion detecting means comprises a pair of mercury switches connected in series with said red light and auditory signal sending means, said mercury switches being oriented so that when the mercury switches are tipped or inverted, the auditory and red light signal sending means are actuated.

3. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 2, wherein:

said motion detecting means further comprises a pendulum mounted to a surface for forward and aft movement with respect to a pair of toggle switches, said toggle switches being actuated when said pendulum has travelled through an arc in response to sudden movement of said pendulum mounting surface, said toggle switches connecting said red light and auditory signal sending means for actuation when said toggle switches are actuated by said pendulum.

4. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 1, further comprising:

a casing for surrounding and mounting said signal sending and switching means of said signal sending system, said casing including top, bottom, front, back, left, and right panels, said back panel having said manually operable first switching means mounted thereon.

5. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 1, further comprising:

forward and aft switching means for selectively activating said green and amber signal sending means to emit pulses of light in a selected direction.

6. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 1, further comprising:

third switching means for selectively actuating said red light signal sending means in parallel with either of said green and amber signal sending means or independently of said green and amber signal sending means.

7. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 6, further comprising:

control panel means for mounting said third and manually operable switching means remotely from said green, amber, red, and auditory signal sending means.

8. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 7, further comprising:

forward and aft switching means for selectively activating said green and amber signal sending means to emit pulses of light in a selected direction;

said forward and aft switching means being mounted on said control panel means.

9. A visual and auditory signal sending system as in claim 6, wherein:

said red light signal sending means comprises a double filament bulb having first and second filaments, said first filament being connected for selective actuation by said third switching means, said second filament being connected for automatic actuation by said automatic second switching means.

10. A visual signal sending system, comprising:

green light signal sending means for producing a visual pulse of green light upon actuation thereof;

amber light signal sending means for producing a visual pulse of amber light upon actuation thereof;

red light signal sending means for producing a visual pulse of red light upon actuation thereof;

manually operable first switching means electrically connected to each of said green, amber, and red light signal sending means for initiating preset signalling sequences of said lights;

second switching means for selectively actuating said red light signal sending means in parallel with either of said green and amber signal sending means or independently of said green and amber signal sending means; and

,

forward and aft switching means for selectively directing the visual signal of said amber and green signal sending means in a desired direction.

11. A visual signal sending system as in claim 10, wherein:

said red signal sending means comprises a double filament bulb having first and second filaments, said first filament being connected for parallel actuation with said green and amber light signal sending means, said second filament being connected for actuation independent of said amber and green signal sending means.

12. A visual signal sending system as in claim 10, further comprising:

motion detecting automatic switching means for actuating emergency signalling of said red light signal sending means when non-desired motion is detected.

13. A visual signal sending system as in claim 12, wherein:

said motion detecting automatic switching means comprises a mercury switch.