Emergency stopping apparatus for automotive vehicles

• US 5,195,606 A
• Filed: 09/17/1991
• Issued: 03/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew Martyniuk
• Original Assignee: Andrew Martyniuk
• Inventors: Martyniuk, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): FERRITER, KARIN L
• Application Number:
  US07/760,994
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 180/272, 180/275, 60/545, 303/18
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/52 indirect, i.e. vacuum booster units
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/02 for personal initiation
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/08 hand actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/14 operated upon collapse of driver deadman's devices for electrically propelled vehicles B60L3/02

Abstract

If the driver of a vehicle becomes partially or totally incapacitated, the driver or a passenger can operate the push button of a ratcheting push button switch so as to close contacts which energize an air compressor whereby compressed air is supplied to an air cylinder adapted to actuate the existing brakes on the vehicle. A collapsible toggle linkage is connected between the brake pedal and the piston rod of the cylinder whereby the cylinder can operate the pedal without interfering with the normal operation of the pedal. Alternatively, a flexible cable is connected between the pedal and the air cylinder. As another alternative, an air cylinder is connected between the brake pedal and a pushable member for actuating the brakes. A collapsible toggle linkage is connected between the brake pedal and the body of the vehicle to limit return movement of the pedal. As another alternative, compressed air is supplied to the pressure chamber of a vacuum brake booster by a three-way valve which is energized by the push button switch. The ignition system of the vehicle engine is disabled by additional contacts of the switch whereby the engine ceases to produce power and provides a braking action to assist in bringing the vehicle to a safe stop. Optionally, a sleep indicator and a heart monitor are each adapted to energize a relay having contacts which duplicate the functions of the push button switch so that the vehicle is stopped automatically if the driver loses consciousness or suffers a heart attack.

Claims

1. Emergency stopping apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a brake system including a brake pedal operable by the driver in the cab of the vehicle,

said apparatus comprising fluid power means mounted on the vehicle and operable by the application of compressed air to said fluid power means,

a collapsible tension element for connecting said fluid power means to the brake pedal for actuating the brake pedal to apply the brakes in response to the application of compressed air to said fluid power means,

a selectively operable air compressor for selectively supplying compressed air to said fluid power means,

said air compressor having an electrically operable drive motor for driving said air compressor,

the vehicle having an electrical battery for energizing the drive motor,

and a latching push button switch having alternate open and closed positions and connected directly between the battery and the drive motor for energizing the drive motor and thereby causing the air compressor to supply compressed air to the fluid power means when the switch is in its closed position whereby the fluid power means actuates the brake pedal,

the latching push button switch being mounted in the cab of the vehicle and being operable by the driver or a passenger in the cab of the vehicle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1,

in which said switch includes first switch contacts operable between open and closed positions for energizing the drive motor,

said switch including second switch contacts operable between open and closed positions for disabling the ignition system of the engine in the vehicle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1,

in which said fluid power means comprise a fluid pressure cylinder having mounting means on the vehicle,

said cylinder having a movable component which is movable in response to the application of compressed air to said cylinder,

said tension element comprising a collapsible toggle linkage connected between said movable component and the brake pedal for pulling the brake pedal in a direction to actuate the pedal and the brake system in response to the application of compressed air to said cylinder.

4. Emergency stopping apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a brake system including a brake pedal operable by the driver in the cab of the vehicle,

the brake system including a pushable member for actuating the brake system,

said apparatus comprising fluid power means operable by the application of compressed air to said fluid power means,

connecting means for connecting said fluid power means between the pushable member and the brake pedal for producing a pushing movement of the pushable member relative to the brake pedal and thereby applying the brakes in response to the application of compressed air to the fluid power means,

an air compressor connected to said fluid power means for supplying compressed air thereto,

said air compressor having an electrically operable drive motor for operating said air compressor,

the vehicle having an electrical battery,

and a latching push-push action push button switch connected between the battery and said electrically operable drive motor,

said switch having alternate open and closed positions and being operative in said closed position to energize the drive motor whereby the air compressor supplies compressed air to the fluid power means so as to actuate the brake system,

said switch being mounted in the cab of the vehicle and being operable by the driver or a passenger therein for stopping the vehicle in an emergency.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4,

comprising means connected between the brake pedal and the body of the vehicle for limiting the outward return movement of the pedal and thereby enabling the fluid power means to exert a pushing force between the brake pedal and the pushable member.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4,

comprising a collapsible toggle linkage connected between the brake pedal and the body of the vehicle for limiting the outward return movement of the pedal and thereby enabling said fluid power means to exert a pushing force between the brake pedal and the pushable member,

said fluid power means and said collapsible toggle linkage being constructed and arranged to provide for the normal transmission of pushing movement between the brake pedal and the pushable member when the pedal is depressed by the foot of the driver.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4,

in which said switch comprises first switch contacts operable between open and closed positions for energizing said drive motor of said air compressor,

said switch means including second switch contacts operable between open and closed positions for disabling the ignition system of the engine.

8. Emergency stopping apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a brake system including a brake pedal operable by the driver in the cab of the vehicle,

the brake system also including vacuum power brake means operable by the brake pedal for applying the brakes in response to movement of the pedal by the driver,

the vacuum power brake means including a vacuum power housing having a diaphragm therein dividing the housing into a vacuum chamber and a pressure chamber normally supplied with atmospheric pressure,

said apparatus comprising an air compressor for selectively supplying compressed air to said pressure chamber at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure,

said air compressor having an electrically operable drive motor for driving said air compressor,

the vehicle having an electrical battery for energizing the drive motor,

and a latching push button switch having alternate open and closed positions and connected directly between the battery and the drive motor for energizing the drive motor and thereby causing the air compressor to supply compressed air to the pressure chamber of said vacuum power brake means when said switch is in its closed position whereby the vacuum power brake means actuates the brake system,

the latching push button switch being mounted in the cab of the vehicle and being operable by the driver or a passenger in the cab of the vehicle for stopping the vehicle in an emergency situation.

9. Emergency stopping apparatus according to claim 8,

in which said switch comprises switch contacts operable between open and closed positions for connecting the drive motor to the battery,

the apparatus comprising an electrically operable valve connected to said switch contacts for venting said pressure chamber to the atmosphere when said switch contacts are in their open position.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8,

in which said switch comprises switch contacts operable between open and closed positions for energizing said driving motor of said air compressor when said switch contacts are in their closed position,

said apparatus including a solenoid operated three-way valve having a solenoid connected to said switch contacts for energization when said switch contacts are in their closed position,

said three-way valve having means for connecting said pressure chamber to atmospheric pressure when said switch contacts are in their open position and for connecting said pressure chamber to said air compressor when said switch contacts are in their closed position.

11. Emergency stopping apparatus for an automotive vehicle having a brake system including a brake pedal operable by the driver in the cab of the vehicle, said apparatus comprising

fluid power means connected to the brake pedal and operable by the application of compressed air to said fluid power means for actuating the brake system,

a selectively operable air compressor for selectively supplying compressed air to said fluid power means,

said air compressor having an electrically operable drive motor for driving said air compressor,

the vehicle having an electrical battery for energizing the drive motor,

and a latching push button switch having alternate open and closed positions and connected directly between the battery and the drive motor for energizing the drive motor and thereby causing the air compressor to supply compressed air to the fluid power means when the switch is in its closed position whereby the fluid power means actuates the brake system,

the latching push button switch being mounted in the cab of the vehicle and being operable by the driver or a passenger in the cab for stopping the vehicle in an emergency situation.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11,

in which the fluid power means is mounted on the vehicle,

said fluid power means being connected to the brake pedal for actuating the brake pedal in response to the application of compressed air to the fluid power means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11,

in which the brake system includes a pushable member for actuating the brake system,

said fluid power means being connected between the brake pedal and the pushable member for actuating the brake system in response to the application of compressed air to the fluid power means.