Transition alert systems for automotive vehicles

• US 5,663,706 A
• Filed: 07/21/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Francis, Joseph A.
• Original Assignee: Francis, Joseph A.
• Inventors: Francis, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANNAVA, ASHOK K
• Application Number:
  US08/505,677
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/464, 340/466, 340/467, 340/468, 340/471, 340/472, 340/479, 340/457.3, 340/456, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 340/464
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies

Abstract

An automotive vehicle alert system for indicating changes in vehicle operation mode. The automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system includes a power source, brake switching apparatus connected in series to the power source and responsive to the position of the brake pedal of the automotive vehicle, accelerator switching apparatus connected in series to the power source and responsive to the position of the accelerator pedal of the automotive vehicle, and a light disposed at a high point of the automotive vehicle rear and connected in series to the power source. When the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are both released, the brake switching apparatus and the accelerator switching apparatus closes illuminating the light and warning a trailing automotive vehicle that the automotive vehicle is changing operation which prevents rear end collisions, discourage tailgating and panic stops under normal traffic conditions, and improve visibility and perception.

Claims

1. An automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system that prevents a rear end collision to an automotive vehicle wherein the automotive vehicle has a rear with a high point, an accelerator pedal with a position, a parking brake with a position, a transmission with a gear selection, passenger compartment, a battery, and a brake pedal with a position, said system comprising:

a) brake switching means being responsive to the position of the brake pedal of the automotive vehicle;

said brake switching means being closed when the brake pedal of the automotive vehicle is released and required to be closed for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate, so that the brake pedal of the automotive vehicle must be released for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate;

b) accelerator switching means connected in series to said brake switching means and being responsive to the position of the accelerator pedal of the automotive vehicle;

said accelerator switching means being located on the accelerator pedal of the automotive vehicle;

said accelerator switching means being closed when the accelerator pedal of the automotive vehicle is released and required to be closed for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate, so that the accelerator pedal of the automotive vehicle must be released for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate;

c) parking brake switching means connected in series to said brake switching means and said accelerator switching means and being responsive to the position of the parking brake of the automotive vehicle;

said parking brake switching means being closed when the parking brake of the automotive vehicle is released and required to be closed for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate, so that the parking brake of the automotive vehicle must be released for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate;

d) transmission switching means connected in series to said brake switching means, said parking brake switching means, and said accelerator switching means and being responsive to the gear selection of the transmission of the automotive vehicle;

said transmission switching means being closed when the transmission of the automotive vehicle is out of park and in any other gear and required to be closed for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate, so that the transmission of the automotive vehicle must be out of park for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate; and

e) a light disposed at the high point of the rear of the automotive vehicle external to the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle;

said light being connected in series to said brake switching means, said accelerator switching means, said parking brake switching means, and said transmission switching means and being illuminated when said brake switching means, said accelerator switching means, said parking brake switching means, and said transmission switching means are closed, so that when the brake pedal of the automotive vehicle, the parking brake of the automotive vehicle, and the accelerator pedal of the automotive vehicle are released and the transmission of the automotive vehicle is out of park and in any other gear, said brake switching means, said parking brake switching means, said transmission switching means, and said accelerator switching means close illuminating said light and warning a trailing automotive vehicle that the automotive vehicle is changing operation.

2. The system as defined in claim 1;

further comprising a power source being the battery of the automotive vehicle.

3. The system as defined in claim 1;

further comprising ignition switching means.

4. The system as defined in claim 3, wherein said ignition switching means includes the conventional ignition switch used in said automotive vehicle.

5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said parking brake switching means includes the conventional parking brake indicator switch.

6. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said parking brake switching means includes the conventional parking brake switch.

7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said parking brake switching means includes a separate solenoid switch that is open when the parking brake is engaged and closed when the parking brake is disengaged.

8. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said transmission switching means includes the conventional transmission position indicator.

9. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said transmission switching means includes a separate solenoid switch that is open when the transmission is in park and closed when the transmission is not in park and in any other gear.

10. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the automotive vehicle has cruise control with a position;

said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system further comprising cruise control switching means connected in series to said brake switching means, said accelerator switching means, said parking brake switching means, and said transmission switching means and being responsive to the position of the cruise control of the automotive vehicle;

said cruise control switching means being closed when the cruise control of the automotive vehicle is disengaged and required to be closed for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate, so that the cruise control of the automotive vehicle must be disengaged for said automotive vehicle rear end collision prevention system to operate.

11. The system as defined in claim 10, wherein said cruise control switching means includes the conventional cruise control on/off.

12. The system as defined in claim 10, wherein said cruise control switching means includes the conventional cruise control engaging button.

13. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said brake switching means includes the conventional brake light switch.

14. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said brake switching means includes a separate solenoid switch that is open when the brake pedal is pressed and closed when brake pedal is released.

15. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said accelerator switching means includes a solenoid switch that is open when the accelerator pedal is pressed and closed when the accelerator pedal is released.

16. The system as defined in claim 1;

further comprising a flasher connected in series to said power source for providing rapid pulse flashing of said light.

17. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein said light has an amber lens to distinguish it from the high mounted red brake light.