Anti-drowsing/anti-dozing alarm device

• US 5,969,616 A
• Filed: 05/11/1998
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jin Sook Tschoi
• Original Assignee: Jin Sook Tschoi
• Inventors: Tschoi, Jin Sook
• Primary Examiner(s): Mullen, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US09/075,209
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 340/575, 340/576, 180/272
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/06 Rims, e.g. with heating means; Rim covers B62D1/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A driver alarm system for alerting the driver to conditions of fatigue and drowsiness. The alarm system has a power source, an on-off switch, signaling device, and a depressible control button. A flexible jacket for installation on the steering control of a vehicle which transmits pressure of the driver'"'"'s grip to bear on the depressible control button to deactivate the signaling device. In one embodiment, the pressure transmitter is a pneumatic or hydraulic element inside the jacket. In another embodiment, the pressure transmitter is a spring-biased element. In still another embodiment, the pressure transmitting element comprises a center conductor surrounded by a compressible conductive element, providing variable resistance. Current is provided to an electromagnet when pressure on the jacket decreases resistance. The electromagnet biases a magnetic control button to activate and deactivate the signaling device in response to pressure on the jacket.

Claims

1. An alarm system for providing a warning to a driver of reduced alertness on the part of the driver of a vehicle, said alarm system comprising:

cover means for attaching said alarm system to a steering wheel of a vehicle,

said cover means being compressible,

alarm means for warning a driver of a vehicle of reduced alertness,

contact means connected to said alarm means for turning said alarm on or off,

means in said cover means for moving said contact means from a first position to a second position,

when said contact means is in said first position, said alarm means is off and no warning will be given, and

when said contact means is in said second position, said alarm means is on and a warning will be given, and

wherein said means for moving said contact means comprises;

a hollow tube,

said hollow tube is positioned adjacent said contact means,

means within said hollow tube for moving said contact means from said first position to said second position, and

wherein said means within said hollow tube for moving said contact means from said first position to said second position is a liquid.

2. The alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover means is a steering wheel cover.

3. An alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contact means has at least one depressible button,

when said depressible button is in an extended position said alarm means is on and when said button is in a depressed position said alarm means is off.

4. An alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said contact means is compressible.

5. An alarm system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for moving said contact means comprises:

a compressible member,

said compressible member is positioned adjacent said contact means,

means within said compressible member for holding said compressible member in a first position and when in said first position, said alarm means is on,

means for compressing said compressible member and thereby moving said compressible member to a second position and when in said second position, said alarm means is off.

6. An alarm system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means within said compressible member for holding said compressible member in a first position is a tension spring.

7. An alarm system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cover has two sides, and the means for moving said contact means comprises:

a hollow tube,

said hollow tube is positioned adjacent said contact means,

means within said hollow tube for moving said contact means from said first position to said second position, and

said hollow tube is mounted in only one of said two sides.

8. An alarm system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cover has two sides, and the means for moving said contact means comprises:

a hollow tube,

said hollow tube is positioned adjacent said contact means,

means within said hollow tube for moving said contact means from said first position to said second position, and

said hollow tube is mounted in only one of said two sides, and

the means for moving said contact means additionally comprises;

a compressible member,

said compressible member is mounted in another one of said two sides and is positioned adjacent said contact means,

means within said compressible member for holding said compressible member in a first position and when in said first position, said alarm means is on

means for compressing said compressible member and thereby moving said compressible member to a second position and when in said second position, said alarm means is off and no warning will be given.

9. An alarm system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means within said compressible member for holding said compressible member in a first position is a tension spring.

10. An alarm system for providing a warning to a driver of reduced alertness on the part of the driver of a vehicle, said alarm system comprising:

cover means for attaching said alarm system to a steering wheel of a vehicle,

said cover means being compressible,

alarm means for warning a driver of a vehicle of reduced alertness,

contact means connected to said alarm means for turning said alarm on or off,

means in said cover means for moving said contact means from a first position to a second position,

when said contact means is in said first position, said alarm means is off and no warning will be given, and

when said contact means is in said second position, said alarm means is on and a warning will be given, and

wherein said means for moving said contact means comprises;

a compressible member,

a conductive member within said compressible member,

said conductive member having a resistance of a first value when said compressible member is uncompressed and having a resistance of a second value when said compressible member is compressed,

said conductive member engaging said contact means,

when said compressible member is compressed, said resistance of a second value preventing said alarm means from giving said warning, and

when said compressible member is uncompressed, said resistance of a first value enables said alarm means to give said warning.

11. An alarm system for providing a warning to a driver of reduced alertness on the part of the driver of a vehicle, said alarm system comprising:

cover means for attaching said alarm system to a steering wheel of a vehicle,

said cover means being compressible,

alarm means for warning a driver of a vehicle of reduced alertness,

contact means connected to said alarm means for turning said alarm on or off,

means in said cover means for moving said contact means from a first position to a second position,

when said contact means is in said first position, said alarm means is off and no warning will be given, and

when said contact means is in said second position, said alarm means is on and a warning will be given, and

wherein said cover means is a steering wheel cover, and

wherein said cover has two sides, and the means for moving said contact means comprises;

a hollow tube,

said hollow tube is positioned adjacent said contact means,

means within said hollow tube for moving said contact means from said first position to said second position, and

said hollow tube is mounted in only one of said two sides, and

wherein said means within said hollow tube for moving said contact means from said first position to said second position is a liquid.