Tailgating warning system

• US 6,177,866 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oʼconnell, Patricia
• Original Assignee: Oʼconnell, Patricia
• Inventors: OʼConnell, Patricia
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/322,347
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/464, 340/466, 340/467, 340/468, 340/472, 340/435, 340/470, 340/479, 340/903, 340/904
• US Class Current: 340/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text

Abstract

A tailgating warning system including a housing having a rearward face and a forward face. The forward face has a clear window therein exposing a hollow interior of the housing. The rearward face is comprised of a transparent lens. The housing has an interior lens disposed inwardly of the rearward face. The interior lens has flashing indicia disposed thereon. The housing has lights disposed therein. A photo-electric cell is disposed within the housing and is directed outwardly of the rearward face. The photo-electric cell is in communication with the lights and flashing indicia of the housing. The photo-electric cell is in communication with the accelerator of the vehicle whereby activation of the photo-electric cell is achieved only after a predetermined speed is reached by the vehicle.

Claims

1. A tailgating warning system for measuring the closeness of a following vehicle and alerting them when they are too close comprising, in combination:

a housing having a generally trapezoidal configuration defined by a short upper end and a wide lower end, the housing having a rearward face and a forward face, the upper and lower ends each having a flexible mounting bracket extending outwardly therefrom for securement to a rear window of a vehicle, the forward face having a clear window therein exposing a hollow interior of the housing, the rearward face being comprised of a transparent lens, the housing having an interior lens disposed inwardly of the rearward face, the interior lens having flashing indicia disposed thereon, the housing having lights disposed therein;

a photo-electric cell disposed within the housing and being directed outwardly of the rearward face, the photo-electric cell being in communication with the lights and flashing indicia of the housing, the photo-electric cell being in communication with the accelerator of the vehicle whereby activation of the photo-electric cell is achieved only after a predetermined speed is reached by the vehicle.

2. A tailgating warning system for measuring the closeness of a following vehicle and alerting them when they are too close comprising, in combination:

a housing having a rearward face and a forward face, the forward face having a clear window therein exposing a hollow interior of the housing, the rearward face being comprised of a transparent lens, the housing having an interior lens disposed inwardly of the rearward face, the interior lens having flashing indicia disposed thereon, the housing having lights disposed therein;

a photo-electric cell disposed within the housing and being directed outwardly of the rearward face, the photo-electric cell being in communication with the lights and flashing indicia of the housing, the photo-electric cell being in communication with the accelerator of the vehicle whereby activation of the photo-electric cell is achieved only after a predetermined speed is reached by the vehicle.

3. The tailgating warning system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the housing has a generally trapezoidal configuration defined by a short upper end and a wide lower end.

4. The tailgating warning system as set forth in claim 2 wherein upper and lower ends of the housing each have a flexible mounting bracket extending outwardly therefrom for securement to a rear window of a vehicle.