Emergency vehicle proximity warning and communication system

• US 5,825,304 A
• Filed: 09/18/1996
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Renzo T. Marin
• Original Assignee: Renzo T. Marin
• Inventors: Marin, Renzo T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANNAVA, ASHOK K
• Application Number:
  US08/716,856
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/903, 340/904, 340/825.72, 340/825.32, 340/825.36, 364/424.045, 364/424.055, 342/455
• US Class Current: 340/903
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

An emergency vehicle proximity warning and communication system including a transmitter mechanism situated in an emergency vehicle and adapted to emit an activation signal via free space. Further provided is a receiver mechanism situated within another vehicle and adapted to actuate upon the receipt of the activation signal via free space. An emergency citizen band radio receiver is connected to the receiver mechanism and is adapted to receive emergency instructions from a driver of the emergency vehicle upon the supply of power thereto. To ensure the driver is given proper indication and instruction, the emergency citizen band radio receiver is further adapted to playback a prerecorded warning message upon the supply of power thereto in combination with the lack of receipt of emergency instructions from the driver. Also included is a switch mechanism situated within the receiver housing and coupled to the receiver mechanism and the emergency citizen band radio receiver. The switch mechanism is adapted to preclude the supply of power to the emergency citizen band radio receiver upon the lack of actuation of the receiver mechanism and further allow the supply of power to the emergency citizen band radio receiver upon the actuation of the receiver mechanism.

Claims

1. A new and improved emergency vehicle proximity warning and communication system comprising, in combination:

a transmitter housing with a generally rectangular configuration having a top face, a bottom face, and a periphery formed therebetween, wherein the transmitter housing is situated within a grill of an emergency vehicle, wherein the emergency vehicle is equipped with an emergency citizen band radio;

transmitter means situated within the transmitter housing and coupled to a siren of the emergency vehicle, the transmitter means adapted to emit an activation signal a predetermined distance via free space upon the activation of the siren of the vehicle;

a receiver housing having a planar bottom face, a short front face, and a tall rear face, the receiver housing further having a bevelled top face integrally formed between the rear face and the front face and a pair of eyelets integrally formed on opposing side faces in a plane in which the rear face resides, the rear face having an adhesive lining formed thereon, wherein the receiver housing is situated within a vehicle of a user;

receiver means situated within the receiver housing and adapted to actuate upon the receipt of the activation signal via free space;

an emergency citizen band radio receiver situated within the receiver housing, the emergency citizen band radio receiver adapted to receive emergency instructions from a driver of the emergency vehicle upon the supply of power thereto, the emergency citizen band radio receiver housing further adapted to playback a prerecorded warning message upon the supply of power thereto in combination with the lack of receipt of emergency instructions from the driver;

a vehicle radio situated within the vehicle of the user, the vehicle radio connected to a plurality of speakers for emitting radio signals therefrom upon the supply of power thereto, wherein the speakers are further coupled to the emergency citizen band radio receiver for audibly transmitting the emergency instructions and the prerecorded warning message upon the receipt thereof;

switch means situated within the receiver housing and coupled to the receiver means, emergency citizen band radio receiver, and vehicle radio, the switch means adapted to allow the supply of power to the radio and further preclude the supply of power to the emergency citizen band radio receiver upon the lack of actuation of the receiver means and the switch means also adapted to preclude the supply of power to the radio and further allow the supply of power to the emergency citizen band radio receiver upon the actuation of the receiver means; and

circuitry including a first relay coil and a receiver relay contact coupled between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a battery, the first relay coil and receiver relay contact are coupled in parallel with the receiver means, the receiver relay contact having an closed orientation only upon the actuation of the receiver means, the circuitry further including a first relay contact connected in series with the switch means, the first relay contact and the switch means also coupled in parallel with the receiver means, the first relay contact having a closed orientation only upon the energization of the first relay coil which is actuated by the closing of the receiver relay contact, the circuitry further including a first switch relay contact connected in series with the radio which closes only when the switch means is not in receipt of power which is afforded by the lack of receipt of the activation signal by the receiver means and a second switch relay contact connected in series with the emergency citizen band radio receiver between the positive and negative terminal of the battery the second switch relay contact adapted to close only upon the receipt of power by the switch means, whereby the radio is only supplied power upon the lack of receipt of the activation signal by the receiver means and the emergency citizen band radio receiver is only supplied power upon the receipt of the activation signal by the receiver means.