Vehicle warning system

• US 5,874,892 A
• Filed: 01/23/1998
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Domenico Antonellis, George Valentino
• Original Assignee: Domenico Antonellis, George Valentino
• Inventors: Antonellis, Domenico, Valentino, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US09/012,659
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/479, 340/576, 340/467, 340/465, 340/439, 340/575, 340/904, 340/901, 340/902, 307/10.1, 180/271, 180/272
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/003 mounted on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01 Electrical circuits for triggering passive safety arrangements, e.g. airbags, safety belt tighteners, in case of vehicle accidents or impending vehicle accidents electrical circuits for transmission of signals between steering wheel and the vehicle itself B60R16/027; for electrically actuating belt retractor locking means B60R22/343

Abstract

A vehicle warning system for vehicles comprising a pressure activated switch disposed within the steering wheel for activating a transmitter when more than normal pressure is applied to the steering wheel. The vehicle warning system further comprises a warning unit which contains a receiver, a sound generator, and a warning lights. When a driver is faced with a potentially dangerous situation and instinctively grips the steering wheel harder, this causes the vehicle warning system to transmit rf signals to the receiver in the warning unit of the initiating vehicle as well as the receivers in the warning units of other vehicles within a predetermined distance. The transmitted signal causes the warning light to flash and warning sound to be generated from the warning unit in each of the vehicles receiving the transmitted signal.

Claims

1. A vehicle warning system for alerting drivers in other vehicles traveling a predetermined distance behind an initiating vehicle that said initiating vehicle may be experiencing a potentially dangerous situation, said vehicle warning system comprising:

a) a pressure activated switch means disposed about a steering wheel of said initiating vehicle, said pressure activated switch means electrically closes when more than a predetermined compressional pressure is applied to the steering wheel;

b) a transmitter means connected to said pressure activated switch means such that when the pressure activated switch electrically closes said transmitter means transmits radio frequency signals a predetermined distance behind the initiating vehicle;

c) a warning unit to be attached said initiating vehicle and to other vehicles, each of said warning unit including a receiver for receiving signals transmitted by said transmitter, a warning means connected to said receiver such that upon receiving of the signal transmitted by the transmitter the warning means is activated to provide early warning to a driver in a trailing vehicle that one of the leading vehicles may be experiencing a potentially dangerous situation; and

d) wherein whenever the pressure activated switch means closes, the transmitter means sends signals to the receiver in the warning unit of the initiating vehicle and to the receivers in the warning units of other vehicles traveling a predetermined distance behind.

2. The vehicle warning system of claim 1, wherein the warning unit is attached adjacent to a rear windshield of a vehicle, wherein the warning means comprises at least one illumination means connected to the receiver such that the illumination means activates upon receiving of the signals transmitted by the transmitter.

3. The vehicle warning system of claim 2, wherein the warning means further comprises a sound generator connected to the receiver such that said sound generator generates a warning sound upon receiving of the signals transmitted by the transmitter to alert a driver and passengers in a vehicle generating the warning sound to prepare for a potentially dangerous situation.

4. The vehicle warning system of claim 3, further comprising a shield mounted in the steering wheel for obstructing the signal transmitted by the transmitter from traveling forward and laterally.

5. The vehicle warning system of claim 4, wherein the vehicle has an air bag, said vehicle warning system further comprising a second circuit means mounted in the steering wheel and connected to the air bag and the transmitter such that when the air bag opens, the transmitter sends a signal.

6. The vehicle warning system of claim 5, wherein the steering wheel includes an exterior portion constructed of a flexible and resilient material and includes an interior port having an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the pressure activated switch means comprises:

a) a first electric conductor mounted to the upper surface of the interior portion;

b) a second electric conductor having a plurality of vertical conductors protruding therefrom mounted to the lower surface of the interior portion; and

c) a compressible form core disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor.

7. The vehicle warning system of claim 5, wherein the pressure activated switch means comprises a plurality of piezoelectric switches mounted about the steering wheel.