Externally mounted vehicle speedometer display

• US 5,656,992 A
• Filed: 03/25/1996
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sheila Ann Mcneill
• Original Assignee: Sheila Ann Mcneill
• Inventors: McNeill, Sheila Ann
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Woods, Davetta
• Application Number:
  US08/620,975
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 340/441, 340/462, 340/463, 340/466, 340/468, 340/905, 340/936, 340/461, 340/464, 364/426.04, 364/424.06
• US Class Current: 340/441
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/54 for indicating speed outside of the vehicle

Abstract

An externally mounted vehicle speedometer display is disclosed comprising an external speedometer intended to be installed on the outer rear segment of a motor vehicle. Housing a green digital speedometer, a magnifying lens is provided to increase visibility to surrounding drivers. Designed to be wired to either new or existing vehicles, a memory chip is provided for storing and retaining speed history information for the vehicle over a limited time period, in order to provide speed information in case of an accident.

Claims

1. An externally mounted vehicle speedometer display comprising:

an outer housing for housing and protecting the major components of the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display;

a digital display for displaying a vehicle'"'"'s current speed;

a magnifying lens forms a front cover for the outer housing, said magnifying lens providing a means to magnify the image size of the digital readout in a fashion which allows other motorists to see the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display at a greater distance;

a glare prevention cover secured to the outer housing via a first fastening means, said glare prevention cover for improving visibility by eliminating the overhead impact of light such as from the sun or from overhead street lights;

a wiring harness protruding from the rear of said outer housing, said wiring harness in electrical communication with said digital readout for both powering said digital readout and providing information concerning vehicle speed to said digital readout;

a second attachment means affixed to the bottom of said outer housing for firmly securing the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display to a motor vehicle upon a horizontal surface;

a third attachment means affixed to the rear of said outer housing for firmly securing the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display to a motor vehicle upon a vertical surface; and

a brake activated switch in communication with both said digital display and a vehicle brake pedal, said brake activation switch for intensifying said digital display whenever said brake pedal is depressed, thereby alerting motorists of sudden vehicle deceleration.

2. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 1, wherein said outer housing is made of a rigid plastic material.

3. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 1, wherein said second attachment means comprises a strong permanent magnet.

4. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 1, wherein said third attachment means comprises a strong permanent magnet.

5. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 1, wherein said digital display comprises:

a digital readout for displaying speed;

an electronic display driver circuit 50 for converting electrical impulses into data which can be utilized by the digital readout for displaying speed.

6. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 5, wherein said electronic display driver circuit comprises:

a speed pickup sensing means for sensing the speed of a vehicle;

a pulse counter in communication with said speed pickup sensing means, said pulse counter for producing an electrical pulse in proportion to vehicle speed;

a microprocessor for receiving electrical data from said pulse counter and for integrating said data over time to obtain vehicle speed information;

a nonvolatile memory circuit for storing said vehicle speed information data for a fixed length of vehicle operational time; and

a power supply for providing electrical power to said display driver circuit components.

7. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 1, further comprising:

an on/off switch for selectively activating and deactivating said digital display means, said on/off switch in electrical communication with said power supply; and

indicating means in connection with said on/off switch for indicating either on or off status of said on/off switch.

8. In a vehicle speedometer display having a digital display for displaying a vehicle'"'"'s current speed, the improvement comprising an outer housing for externally mounting said vehicle speedometer display and for housing and protecting the major components of the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display, and a brake activated switch in communication with both said digital display and said brake pedal, said brake activation switch for intensifying said digital display whenever said brake pedal is depressed, thereby alerting motorists of sudden vehicle deceleration.

9. In the vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 8, wherein the improvement further comprises:

a magnifying lens forms a front cover for the outer housing, said magnifying lens providing a means to magnify the image size of the digital readout in a fashion which allows other motorists to see the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display at a greater distance;

a glare prevention cover secured to the outer housing via a first fastening means, said glare prevention cover for improving visibility by eliminating the overhead impact of light such as from the sun or from overhead street lights;

a wiring harness protruding from the rear of said outer housing, said wiring harness in electrical communication with said digital readout for both powering said digital readout and providing information concerning vehicle speed to said digital readout;

a second attachment means affixed to the bottom of said outer housing for firmly securing the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display to a motor vehicle upon a horizontal surface; and

a third attachment means affixed to the rear of said outer housing for firmly securing the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display to a motor vehicle upon a vertical surface.

10. In the vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 8, wherein the improvement further comprises said second attachment means comprising a strong permanent magnet.

11. In the vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 8, wherein the improvement further comprises said third attachment means comprising a strong permanent magnet.

12. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 8, wherein said digital display comprises:

a digital readout for displaying speed;

an electronic display driver circuit 50 for converting electrical impulses into data which can be utilized by the digital readout for displaying speed.

13. The externally mounted vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 12, wherein said electronic display driver circuit comprises:

a speed pickup sensing means for sensing the speed of a vehicle;

a pulse counter in communication with said speed pickup sensing means, said pulse counter for producing an electrical pulse in proportion to vehicle speed;

a microprocessor for receiving electrical data from said pulse counter and for integrating said data over time to obtain vehicle speed information;

a nonvolatile memory circuit for storing said vehicle speed information data for a fixed length of vehicle operational time; and

a power supply for providing electrical power to said display driver circuit components.

14. In the vehicle speedometer display as described in claim 8, the improvement further comprising:

an on/off switch for selectively activating and deactivating said digital display means, said on/off switch in electrical communication with said power supply; and

indicating means in connection with said on/off switch for indicating either on or off status of said on/off switch.

15. An externally mounted vehicle speedometer display comprising:

an outer housing for housing and protecting the major components of the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display;

a digital display for displaying a vehicle'"'"'s current speed;

a magnifying lens forms a front cover for the outer housing, said magnifying lens providing a means to magnify the image size of the digital readout in a fashion which allows other motorists to see the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display at a greater distance;

a glare prevention cover secured to the outer housing via a first fastening means, said glare prevention cover for improving visibility by eliminating the overhead impact of light such as from the sun or from overhead street lights;

a wiring harness protruding from the rear of said outer housing, said wiring harness in electrical communication with said digital readout for both powering said digital readout and providing information concerning vehicle speed to said digital readout;

a second attachment means affixed to the bottom of said outer housing for firmly securing the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display to a motor vehicle upon a horizontal surface;

a third attachment means affixed to the rear of said outer housing for firmly securing the externally mounted vehicle speedometer display to a motor vehicle upon a vertical surface; and

a brake responsive means for intensifying said digital display whenever a brake pedal is depressed, thereby alerting motorists of sudden vehicle deceleration.