Rearview mirror mounted detection signal sensor system

• US 5,684,488 A
• Filed: 02/05/1996
• Issued: 11/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Garbiel, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gabriel, Inc.
• Inventors: Boyer, Michael D., Liautaud, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US08/596,668
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 342/20, 455/227, 455/345, 455/353, 359/872, 359/636, D10/106, D14/85, 340/468, 340/479
• US Class Current: 342/20
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 29/00 Adaptations or arrangements of mirrors for use on cycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/41 characterised by the type of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/21 intended to provide information to rider or passenger
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/015 using electrical power not supplied by the cycle motor generator, e.g. using batteries or piezo elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/10 using Doppler effect
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/12 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves

Abstract

A speed detection signal sensor system for use with a vehicle. The system includes a signal sensing device positioned in a housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a reflective portion such as a mirror. The sensing device is positioned between the reflective portion and the housing. A sensor is positioned relative to the housing assembly and the reflective portion for sensing a speed detection signal which is directed towards the vehicle either from a forward position or a rearward position relative to the vehicle. A signal sensing indicator may be positioned relative to the housing assembly and generally in the reflective portion. Alternatively, the signal sensing indicator may be positioned externally of the housing assembly for attachment in a convenient location. The signal sensing indicator provides indicia that a speed detecting signal has been sensed by the detecting device.

Claims

1. A detection signal sensor system for use with a vehicle, said system comprising:

a housing assembly configured for outboard attachment to a vehicle;

a reflective body attached to said housing assembly;

a signal receiving assembly positioned between said housing and said reflective body;

a sensor of said signal receiving assembly for sensing a signal directed toward said sensor;

a transmissible portion of said housing assembly positioned relative to at least a portion of said signal receiving assembly, said transmissible portion including an aperture in a rear housing portion, said aperture being positioned relative to at least a portion of said sensor of said signal receiving assembly, said aperture being positioned relative to said signal receiving assembly for promoting transmission of a detection signal through said housing assembly for reception by said sensor, and

an indicator coupled to said receiving assembly for indicating the presence of a detection signal received by said sensor, said indicator being positioned relative to said reflective body for observing said indicator while viewing said reflective body.

2. A detection signal sensor system as recited in claim 1, said housing assembly further comprising:

a transmissible cover sized and dimensioned for covering said aperture, said transmissible cover being formed of a material through which a detection signal may pass for receipt by said sensor of said signal receiving assembly, said transmissible cover covering said aperture to protect said signal receiving assembly against adverse environmental effects.

3. A detection signal sensor system for use with a vehicle, said system further comprising:

a housing assembly configured for outboard attachment to a vehicle;

a reflective body attached to said housing assembly;

a signal receiving assembly positioned between said housing and said reflective body;

a sensor of said signal receiving assembly for sensing a signal directed toward said sensor;

a transmissible portion of said reflective body positioned relative to at least a portion of said signal receiving assembly, for promoting transmission of a detection signal through said reflective body for detection by said sensor;

said transmissible portion includes a revealed portion of said reflective body which is generally non-reflective, said revealed portion being positioned relative to at least a portion of said sensor of said signal receiving assembly, said revealed portion being positioned relative to said sensor of said signal receiving assembly for allowing a detection signal to pass through said revealed portion to said sensor of said signal receiving assembly; and

an indicator coupled to said receiving assembly for indicating the presence of a detection signal received by said sensor, said indicator being positioned relative to said reflective body for observing said indicator while viewing said reflective body.

4. A detection signal sensing system for use with a vehicle, said sensing system comprising:

a pair of housing assemblies configured for being positioned on a vehicle extending outboardly, generally from opposite sides thereof;

each of said housing assemblies including at least a rear housing portion and a reflective body attached thereto;

a signal receiving assembly positioned between each of said reflective body and corresponding said rear housing portion so as to contain a detecting device therein;

each of said signal receiving assemblies including a sensor coupled thereto;

one of said signal receiving assemblies sensing a signal directed toward said vehicle from a forward position and the other of said assemblies sensing a signal directed toward said vehicle from a rearward position; and

each of said signal receiving assemblies including an indicator coupled thereto for indicating the presence of a signal.

5. A detection signal sensor system as recited in claim 4, said signal receiving assembly further comprising:

said indicator being positioned relative to said reflective body for observing said indicator while viewing said reflective body.

6. A detection signal sensing system as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a first housing assembly of said pair of housing assemblies having a transmissible portion positioned thereon relative to at least a portion of said signal receiving assembly for promoting transmission of a detection signal through said first housing assembly to said signal receiving assembly; and

a second housing assembly of said pair of housing assemblies having a transmissible portion positioned on said reflective body relative to at least a portion of said signal receiving assembly for promoting transmission of a detection signal through said reflective body to said signal receiving assembly.

7. A detection signal sensing system as recited in claim 6, said transmissible area in said first housing assembly further comprising:

an aperture in said rear housing portion of said first housing assembly, said aperture being positioned relative to said signal receiving assembly for allowing a detection signal to pass through said rear housing portion to said signal receiving assembly.

8. A detection signal sensing system as recited in claim 6, said first housing assembly further comprising:

an aperture in said rear housing portion positioned relative to said signal receiving assembly for promoting transmission of a signal through said rear housing portion; and

a transmissible cover sized and dimensioned for covering said aperture, said transmissible cover being formed of a material through which a detection signal passes for receipt by said signal receiving assembly, said transmissible cover covering said aperture for protecting said signal receiving assembly against adverse environmental effects.

9. A detection signal sensing system as recited in claim 6, said transmissible area of said second housing assembly further comprising:

a revealed portion of said reflective body which is generally non-reflective, said revealed portion being positioned relative to at least a portion of said signal receiving assembly for allowing a detection signal to pass through said revealed portion to said signal receiving assembly.

10. A detection signal sensing system as recited in claim 4, further comprising said housing assembly being sealed to protect said signal receiving assembly retained therein from adverse environmental conditions.