Emergency vehicle warning system

• US 5,926,112 A
• Filed: 07/21/1997
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chris Hartzell
• Original Assignee: Chris Hartzell
• Inventors: Hartzell, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US08/903,208
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/902, 340/691.6, 340/692, 340/693.5, 340/904
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

A new Emergency Vehicle Warning System for warning vehicles of the approach of an emergency vehicle. The inventive device includes a receiver which provides both a visual message warning of an approaching emergency vehicle but also an additional flashing indicator light. The receiver also provides an audible warning signal which is selectively controlled by a button on the receiver. An alternate receiver is provided which includes the pictures of a plurality of different emergency vehicles and a flashing indicator associated with each vehicle. When the receiver receives a signal transmitted by an emergency vehicle, the flashing light of the corresponding emergency vehicle on the receiver is activated, thus indicating what type of emergency vehicle is approaching.

Claims

1. In an emergency vehicle warning system, the system including a transmitter inside of an emergency vehicle, the transmitter emitting a signal at a predetermined frequency, and a receiver inside of another vehicle adapted to receive the emitted signal and provide a warning signal to the driver of the vehicle upon receipt of the signal, the improvement comprising:

a single message screen on a front of the receiver, the single message screen including graphical representations of emergency vehicles, said graphical representations including an ambulance, a police car, and a fire truck;

said single message screen being adapted to illuminate one of said graphical representations corresponding to a signal transmitted from the transmitter on one type of emergency vehicle and received by the receiver;

a speaker positioned on a bottom surface of the receiver for preventing contaminants from entering into the speaker thereby inhibiting use of the speaker, wherein the receiver further emits an audible warning signal through the speaker upon signal receipt;

an audible warning signal cancel button being disposed on the front of the receiver for stopping the audible warning signal;

wherein the receiver includes rubber support pads on a bottom surface thereof for supporting the receiver in a spaced relationship on a vehicle surface to prevent muffling of the speaker by the vehicle surface, and adhesive on the pads for attaching the receiver to the vehicle surface such that the single message screen is viewable by a user;

wherein the transmitter includes an on-off switch for selectively controlling the emitted signal, and an indicating light indicating the position of the switch; and

wherein the transmitter includes rubber support pads on a bottom surface thereof for supporting the transmitter on a surface of the emergency vehicle, and adhesive on the pads for attaching the transmitter to the emergency vehicles surface.

2. In an emergency vehicle warning system, the system including a transmitter inside of an emergency vehicle, the transmitter emitting a signal at a predetermined frequency, and a receiver inside of another vehicle adapted to receive the emitted signal and provide a warning signal to the driver of the vehicle upon receipt of the signal, the improvement comprising:

a single message screen on a front of the receiver, the single message screen including graphical representations of emergency vehicles, said graphical representations including an ambulance, a police car, and a fire truck;

said single message screen being adapted to illuminate one of said graphical representations corresponding to a signal transmitted from the transmitter on one type of emergency vehicle and received by the receiver;

a speaker positioned on a bottom surface of the receiver, wherein the receiver further emits an audible warning signal through the speaker upon signal receipt;

an audible warning signal cancel button being disposed on the front of the receiver for stopping the audible warning signal;

wherein the receiver includes rubber support pads on a bottom surface thereof for supporting the receiver in a spaced relationship on a vehicle surface to prevent muffling of the speaker by the vehicle surface, and adhesive on the pads for attaching the receiver to the vehicle surface such that the single message screen is viewable by a user;

wherein the transmitter includes an on-off switch for selectively controlling the emitted signal, and an indicating light indicating the position of the switch; and

wherein the transmitter includes rubber support pads on a bottom surface thereof for supporting the transmitter on a surface of the emergency vehicle, and adhesive on the pads for attaching the transmitter to the emergency vehicles surface.

3. In an emergency vehicle warning system, the system including a transmitter inside of an emergency vehicle emitting a signal at a predetermined frequency, and a receiver inside of another vehicle adapted to receive the emitted signal and provide a warning signal to the driver of the vehicle upon receipt of the signal, the improvement comprising:

a message screen on a front of the receiver, said message screen including the images of a plurality of different types of emergency vehicles;

a speaker positioned on a bottom surface of the receiver for preventing contaminants from entering into the speaker thereby inhibiting use of the speaker;

said message screen being adapted to illuminate one of said emergency vehicle images corresponding to a signal transmitted from a transmitter on one type of emergency vehicle and received by the receiver.

4. The improved emergency vehicle warning system of claim 3, wherein the receiver further emits an audible warning signal upon signal receipt, and an audible warning signal cancel button disposed on the front of the receiver for stopping the audible warning signal.

5. The improved emergency vehicle warning system of claim 4, wherein the receiver includes rubber support pads on a bottom surface thereof for supporting the receiver on a vehicle surface, and adhesive on the pads for attaching the receiver to the vehicle surface.

6. The improved emergency vehicle warning system of claim 5, wherein the transmitter includes an on-off switch for selectively controlling the emitted signal, and an indicating light indicating the position of the switch.

7. The improved emergency vehicle warning system of claim 6, wherein the transmitter includes rubber support pads on a bottom surface thereof for supporting the transmitter on a surface of the emergency vehicle, and adhesive on the pads for attaching the transmitter to the emergency vehicles surface.