Vehicular communication device

• US 5,053,746 A
• Filed: 05/07/1990
• Issued: 10/01/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panfilo C. Taneo
• Original Assignee: Panfilo C. Taneo
• Inventors: Taneo, Panfilo C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/519,787
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 340/473, 340/468, 340/480, 340/487, 40/591, 40/592, 40/556, 40/477, 116/28 R, 116/39, 116/51
• US Class Current: 340/473
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/5035 electronic displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/549 for expressing greetings, gratitude or emotions

Abstract

A vehicular communication device includes a visual display panel comprising a matrix of LED light members operative through a controller and keyboard. The panel is mounted rearwardly of a vehicle forwardly of the trunk lid. The panel includes bracket members for securement of the panel to the vehicular trunk overlying a vehicular bumper. The panel may optionally include hydraulic cylinder to pivot the panel for enhanced visual positioning relative to a rearwardly positioned individual.

Claims

1. A vehicular display device for securement to a self-propelled vehicle to overlie the vehicle rear bumper and mounted forwardly of the forward edge of a trunk assembly of the vehicle, the device comprising, in combination,

a display panel including a plurality of light members arranged in a matrix over a forward surface of the panel, the light members selectively illuminated by a display panel control unit, the display panel control unit operative through a keyboard unit to select a message pattern and direct the control unit to selectively illuminate said light members to form said message pattern on the forward surface of the display panel,

a plurality of spaced bracket assemblies mounted to the rear surface of the display panel and extending rearwardly thereof to secure the display panel to the vehicle,

wherein each of the bracket assemblies comprises an elongate strap mounted orthogonally relative to a longitudinal axis of the display panel, the elongate strap terminating in a rearwardly extending hook at an upper portion of each said elongate strap,

wherein each said elongate strap includes a "U" shaped bracket member directed downwardly and integrally mounted to a lowermost portion of each said elongate strap for overlying the bumper of the self-propelled vehicle,

a plurality of first ears integrally mounted to a forward surface of each said elongate strap, the first ears including a first upper ear and a first lower ear, and a plurality of second ears integrally and orthogonally mounted to a rear surface of the display panel the second ears including a second upper ear and a second lower ear, and an upper link pivotally mounted to the first upper ear and the second upper ear, and a lower link pivotally mounted to the first lower ear and the second lower ear, and

a hydraulic cylinder mounted adjacent to each said "U" shaped bracket and including a piston reciprocatably mounted within each said hydraulic cylinder, the piston piviotally mounted to the lower link, and hydraulic lines secured and directed from the hydraulic cylinder to a hydraulic pump, the hydraulic pump operably associated with the display panel control unit to selectively reposition the display panel relative to each of said bracket member assemblies.