Emergency vehicle approach warning system

• US 5,959,551 A
• Filed: 04/20/1998
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfredo Cardillo
• Original Assignee: Alfredo Cardillo
• Inventors: Cardillo, Alfredo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/062,695
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 340/901, 340/902, 340/903, 340/905, 340/426, 340/539, 361/600, 361/679, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/350, 455/345
• US Class Current: 340/902
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0965 responding to signals from another vehicle, e.g. emergency vehicle

Abstract

For use in warning motorist, especially those who are hearing impaired, of an approaching emergency vehicle, a new and useful invention comprises a transmitter which is installed into an emergency vehicle and activated upon an emergency run. A low frequency signal is sent out over the emergency vehicles original equipment antenna system and is picked up by motorist having a receiver unit mounted to their dash panel. The signal is processed into visual and audio warnings whenever a transmitting emergency vehicle is within close proximity to the receiving vehicle. The receiver is on full time when the motor vehicle is in operation thereby allowing suitable response time for motorist to take appropriate action in yielding to the emergency vehicle. The transmitter does however have an on/off switch as well as a visual and audio means for monitoring the transmitted signal.

Claims

1. For use in providing an audio and visual warning of an approaching emergency vehicle;

a transmitting and receiving device comprising an injection molded plastic shell having open backs receivable of transmitting and receiving circuit boards along guide tracks molded into side walls of the plastic shell;

audio means for providing the audio warning;

visual means for providing the visual warning;

a means for mounting the transmitting and receiving devices into emergency vehicles and motor vehicles respectively;

a means for attaching the transmitting and receiving antennas to emergency and motor vehicles respectively, wherein said means for attaching transmitting and receiving antennas to emergency and motor vehicles includes a coaxial lead extending from their respective transmitting and receiving devices, said transmitting and receiving antennas further including a cylindrical juncture connected to a terminal end of the said lead, said juncture including openings at each end for receiving severed and prepared ends of the original equipment vehicle antenna, wherein the ends of the juncture are crimped to electrically connect the severed ends of the original transmitting and receiving antenna; and

a means for attaching positive and negative leads to existing emergency and motor vehicles respectively.

2. The device as described in claim 1, wherein said audio means comprises an integrated speaker rigidly fixed to said circuit board and aligned with a slotted opening in said shell, wherein said speaker is wired into said circuit board and turns low frequency signals into audio beeps.

3. The device as described in claim 1, wherein said visual means includes a beacon member rigidly fixed to the said circuit board and aligned with a lens covered opening in said shell, wherein said visual warning beacon is wired into the said circuit board and flashes light in conjunction with said audio warning.

4. The device as described in claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said transmitting and receiving devices comprises a top planar surface area adapted for flush communication with a planar surface area of emergency and motor vehicle dash boards, said top planar surface having opposing apertured flanges adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners of the type used to self tap and thread into a metallic substrate.

5. The device as described in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching positive and negative leads to emergency and motor vehicles further comprises insulated positive and negative wires extending from the said circuit board, wherein the negative lead terminates with a metallic eyelet terminal adapted for use with a self-tapping/threading fastener into a metallic grounded portion of the vehicular dash assembly, while said positive lead further comprises a plastic clam shell capsule having an interior cavity receivable of a metallic lancing terminal, said lancing terminal comprising the terminal end of the positive lead extending into the capsule cavity.

6. The device as described in claim 5, wherein said positive lead, having a clam shell capsule comprising the terminal end of the lead, and having a lancing terminal for piercing the insulated positive lead of a vehicles wiring harness, said capsule having end walls for biasing the vehicles positive lead against the lancing terminal upon closing the clam shell, said clam shell having tab members for locking one to another.

7. The device as described in claim 1, wherein said transmitting device further comprises a toggle switch for activating and deactivating the transmitting device.

8. For use in providing an audio and visual warning of an approaching emergency vehicle;

a transmitting and receiving device comprising an injection molded plastic shell having open backs receivable of transmitting and receiving circuit boards along guide tracks molded into side walls of the plastic shell;

an audio device for providing the audio warning;

a visual device for providing the visual warning;

a device for mounting the transmitting and receiving devices into emergency vehicles and motor vehicles respectively;

a device for attaching the transmitting and receiving antennas to emergency and motor vehicles respectively; and

a device for attaching positive and negative leads to existing emergency and motor vehicles respectively, wherein said device for attaching positive and negative leads to emergency and motor vehicles includes insulated positive and negative wires extending from the circuit boards, wherein the negative lead terminates with a metallic eyelet terminal adapted for use with a self-tapping/threading fastener and a metallic grounded portion of a vehicular dash assembly, and said positive lead includes a plastic clam shell capsule having an interior cavity in which is mounted a metallic lancing terminal, said lancing terminal being connected to the terminal end of the positive lead extending into the capsule cavity.

9. The device as described in claim 8, wherein said audio device includes an integrated speaker rigidly fixed to said circuit board and aligned with a slotted opening in said shell, wherein said speaker is wired into said circuit board and turns low frequency signals into audio beeps.

10. The device as described in claim 8, wherein said visual device includes a beacon member rigidly fixed to the circuit boards and aligned with a lens covered opening in said shell, wherein said visual warning beacon is wired into the circuit boards and flashes light in conjunction with the audio warning.

11. The device as described in claim 8, wherein said device for mounting said transmitting and receiving devices includes a top planar surface area adapted for flush communication with a planar surface area of emergency and motor vehicle dash boards, said top planar surface having opposing apertured flanges adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners of the type used to self tap and thread into a metallic substrate.

12. The device as described in claim 8, wherein said device for attaching transmitting and receiving antenna to emergency and motor vehicles includes a coaxial lead extending from their respective transmitting and receiving devices, said antenna further having a juncture at the terminal end of the said lead for receiving the severed and prepared ends of the original equipment antenna into recessed openings at either end of the juncture, whereas upon receiving said severed ends, a crimping tool is used to bias the said ends into said recessed openings.

13. The device as described in claim 8, wherein said positive lead, having a clam shell capsule comprising the terminal end of the lead, and having a lancing terminal for piercing the insulated positive lead of a vehicles wiring harness, said capsule having end walls for biasing the vehicles positive lead against the lancing terminal upon closing the clam shell, said claim shell having tab members for locking one to another.

14. The device as described in claim 8, wherein said transmitting device includes a toggle switch for activating and deactivating the transmitting device.