Signal viewing device

• US 6,108,141 A
• Filed: 09/02/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John W. Gadberry
• Original Assignee: John W. Gadberry
• Inventors: Gadberry, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J.
• Application Number:
  US09/146,016
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 359/742, 359/743, 296/97.1, 296/97.2, 296/97.3
• US Class Current: 359/742
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/001 integrated in the windows, e.g. Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/005 specially adapted for viewing traffic-lights

Abstract

A Signal Viewing Device is comprised of a fresnel lens of a vinyl material to be applied to the inside top edge of a vehicle windshield to provide an enhanced field of view to the driver thereof.

Claims

1. An optical device comprising:

a) a fresnel lens, of a suitable shape to be attached to the upper edge of a vehicle front windshield,

b) said lens may be attached to said front windshield by the following steps;

I) creating an interface of fluid between said lens and said front windshield,

II) positioning said lens on said front windshield and,

III) diminishing the volume of said fluid, thereby causing said lens to adhere to said front windshield, whereby

c) a driver of a vehicle which has the said lens attached to the front windshield thereof is able to see into an area which is otherwise blocked by the vehicle structure.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein:

a) said fresnel lens is comprised of a flexible material.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein:

a) said flexible material is in a class known as vinyl.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein:

a) said fresnel lens is shaped to provide a driver of said vehicle with an enhanced field of view encompassing otherwise obstructed areas.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein:

a) said enhanced field of view comprises an area generally forward and above said vehicle.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein;

a) said enhanced field of view encompasses the generally known locations of traffic control devices occasionally not visible to said driver.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein:

a) said lens may provide said enhanced field of view partially overlapping a non-enhanced field of view.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein:

a) said lens may be fine-tuned to provide a nearly seamless interface between said enhanced and said non-enhanced fields of view.

9. The device of claim 4 further comprising at least a data block for

storage of information.

10. The device of claim 4 further comprising at least a banner space for display purposes.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is tinted.

12. An optical device comprising:

a) a fresnel lens of a suitable shape to be mounted to a sunvisor of a vehicle,

b) said device is configured to provide an enhanced field of view comprising an area obscured by said sunvisor.

13. A method of viewing traffic control devices comprising the steps of:

a) manufacturing a fresnel lens capable of being attached to a front automobile windshield;

b) attaching said lens to an upper extremity of said front windshield;

c) from a driving position, viewing a traffic control device through said lens when said traffic control device would otherwise be obscured by the structure of said vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

a) forming said fresnel lens from a flexible material.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of:

a) creating a fluid interface between the surface of said windshield and said lens.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of:

a) reducing the volume of said fluid in said interface to enhance the adhesion of said lens to said windshield.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

a) attaching said lens with an adhesive.

18. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of:

a) providing said fresnel lens having at least a data block adjoiningly integral therewith.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of:

a) recording data in said data block.

20. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

a) providing said fresnel lens having at least a banner space adjoiningly integral therewith,

b) using said banner space for display purposes.