Sustaining timer for a safety light

• US 5,952,913 A
• Filed: 10/02/1997
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph T. Cioletti, Kathryn J. Cioletti
• Original Assignee: Joseph T. Cioletti, Kathryn J. Cioletti
• Inventors: Cioletti, Joseph T., Cioletti, Kathryn J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/943,035
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 340/309.15, 340/321, 340/331, 340/332, 340/432, 340/689, 340/429, 315/200 A, 362/473
• US Class Current: 340/309.9
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/004 Reflective safety signalling devices attached on persons

Abstract

An array of randomly flashing warning lights comprised of high intensity Light Emitting Diodes, alert observers to the presence of moving vehicles or pedestrians. Motion sensors such as tilt, reed, or mercury switches can be used to achieve randomized flashing while vehicle or pedestrian are in motion. Dynamic forces, generated by motion, cause sensor contact closures which, in turn, produce short duration pulses of light to be emitted by the LED array. When motion ceases, an auxiliary circuit automatically causes the LED array to continue flashing for a period of about one-minute. The extended period of flashing will continue to alert observers should the vehicle or pedestrian stop for a traffic light, stop sign, or sundry other reasons. Termination of the warning light'"'"'s activity will result in a power-down state wherein power consumption becomes so minute it eliminates the need for an on-off switch.

Claims

1. An operator-independent safety device requiring no on-off switch that is always active and used for detecting and annunciating motion using either magnetically actuated or tilt actuated switches, said switches receiving random signals produced by said motion and providing minuscule pulsed signals to a battery driven power control circuit capable of rapidly switching Light Emitting Diodes or LEDs and comprising:

a.) one or more moving magnet members attached to a support movable in motion,

b.) one or more said magnetically actuated switches in communication with said magnet members,

c.) alternate to said moving magnet members and said magnetically actuated switches one or more said tilt actuated switches attached to said safety device and receiving actuation directly through said motion of said safety device,

d.) whereby said switches provides miniscule pulse signals to said power control circuit,

e.) said minuscule pulsed signals conducting currents that are considerably lower than current carrying capacity of said switches insuring extremely long switch life,

f.) whereby said power control circuit limits length of time said LEDs are lit,

g.) thereby eliminating the need for disabling said power control circuit thereby extending battery life and ensuring said power control circuit is active at all times,

h.) said power control circuit including a solid state device with high power and rapid response capabilities suitable for driving said LEDs.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said safety device provides additional annunciation during a fixed period of time after cessation of said motion by flashing LEDs for a fixed period of time and comprising:

a) cessation of motion initiates a short time delay in said power control circuit to preclude unnecessary flashing of said LEDs,

b) whereby said power control circuit produces flashing of said LEDs for a fixed period upon completion of a short time delay,

c) whereby said power control circuit ceases flashing of said LEDs upon completion of a fixed period,

d) whereby said power control circuit limits said battery current drain to an insignificant level upon completion of a fixed period.