Vehicular U-turn indicator

• US 5,731,755 A
• Filed: 08/27/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boxlar 180 International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Caryn Boxer
• Inventors: Boxer, Caryn
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/697,600
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463-465, 340/475, 340/478, 340/907, 340/909, 340/910, 340/916, 340/917, 340/918, 340/919, 340/931
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect

Abstract

A U-turn indicator having a series of sequentially illuminated lights forming the shape of `U`. The indicator is for vehicles or vehicle travel paths. In combination with a vehicle, a plurality of indicators is used. Preferably, an anterior non-inverted `U`, a posterior inverted `U`, and a side laterally dispositioned `U`. In combination with vehicle travel paths, an inverted `U` indicator is used in conjunction with a conventional traffic light or the equivalent. The U-turn indicator is activated by an actuator (a operator accessible switch in a vehicle or a vehicle presence sensor in the path). The control module responds to the actuator and generates a control signal, thus sequentially illuminating the series of lights.

Claims

1. An indicator for designating a U-turn attempt comprising:

an actuator;

control means responsive to said actuator for generating a control signal; and

at least three flashing means, each responsive to said control signal, each of said at least three flashing means having a predetermined disposition, and each of said at least three U-shaped flashing means includes a U-shaped series of illuminating means for sequentially producing a U-shaped lighting effect.

2. The indicator according to claim 1, said actuator comprising a switch.

3. The indicator according to claim 2, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of rectangularly shaped light emitting members.

4. The indicator according to claim 2, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of circularly shaped light emitting members.

5. The indicator according to claim 1, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of rectangularly shaped light emitting members.

6. The indicator according to claim 1, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of circularly shaped light emitting members.

7. In combination with a vehicle, an indicator for designating a U-turn attempt comprising:

actuator means accessible to an operator of the vehicle for actuating the indicator;

control means responsive to said actuator means for generating a control signal; and

a plurality of flashing means responsive to said control signal for indicating a U-turn attempt;

said plurality of flashing means including a first, second, and third flasher, each said first, second, and third flasher includes a U-shaped series of illuminating means for sequentially producing a U-shaped lighting effect;

said first U-shaped flasher having a non-inverted disposition, and positioned on the anterior of the vehicle;

said second U-shaped flasher having a lateral disposition, and positioned on the side of the vehicle; and

said third U-shaped flasher having an inverted disposition, and positioned on the posterior of the vehicle.

8. The indicator according to claim 7, said actuator means comprising a switch.

9. The combination according to claim 8, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of rectangularly shaped light emitting members.

10. The combination according to claim 9, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of circularly shaped light emitting members.

11. The combination according to claim 7, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of rectangularly shaped light emitting members.

12. The combination according to claim 7, said series of illuminating means comprising a series of circularly shaped light emitting members.