Vehicle deceleration alerting device

• US 5,381,135 A
• Filed: 10/08/1992
• Issued: 01/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Blount
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Blount
• Inventors: Blount, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US07/957,800
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/467, 340/464, 340/487, 340/456
• US Class Current: 340/487
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/441 Electric switches operable by the driver's pedals

Abstract

A yellow warning light indicator that is located at the rear of a lead vehicle to be visible by a tailing vehicle and wherein the yellow warning light is lit when the driver of the lead vehicle releases his foot from the accelerator pedal so as to warn the driver of the trailing vehicle that the lead vehicle is slowing down.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle driving condition warning system comprising:

A rearwardly facing brake warning light adjacent a rear window of a motor vehicle, wherein the brake light shines red;

A rearwardly facing engine coasting condition warning light adjacent the brake warning light, wherein the coasting light shines yellow;

Electrical circuit means for energizing the red brake warning light when the vehicle brakes are applied and for only energizing the yellow coasting warning light when a driver of the vehicle eases off of the accelerator pedal to indicate vehicle deceleration; and

wherein the electrical circuit means cannot energize the yellow coasting warning light when the motor vehicle transmission selector shift lever is in reverse/neutral or park.

2. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the red brake light and the yellow coasting light are in one fixture.

3. The warning system of claim 1, wherein the electrical circuit energizes the yellow coasting warning light, when a rate of change of the position of the accelerator pedal exceeds a specified deceleration reference.

4. The warning system of claims 1, wherein the electrical circuit energizes the yellow coasting warning light, when a rate of change of the position of the accelerator pedal exceeds a specified deceleration reference.