Progressive brake light gauge

• US 6,268,792 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1998
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John D. Newton
• Original Assignee: John D. Newton
• Inventors: Newton, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/078,632
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 340/467, 340/463, 340/464, 340/468, 340/479, 340/466, 734/88, 734/89, 734/91
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/447 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing the shape or intensity of the indication

Abstract

A vehicular deceleration indication system is provided including an accelerometer situated within a vehicle and adapted to detect a deceleration of the vehicle from an amount of change in momentum thereof with respect to the force of gravity. A lamp assembly includes a plurality lamps each adapted to illuminate upon the actuation thereof. Also included is a control mechanism adapted to actuate the lamps in a predetermined sequence as the detected deceleration increases.

Claims

1. A vehicular deceleration indicating system comprising, in combination:

an accelerometer situated within a vehicle and adapted to detect a deceleration of the vehicle from an amount of change in momentum thereof with respect to the force of gravity;

a lamp assembly including a plurality of horizontally oriented, linearly aligned lamps with perhaps an illuminateable peripheral lamp situated about a perimeter of the linear aligned lamps, the lamp assembly mounted on a rear of the vehicle, each lamp of the lamp assembly adapted to illuminate upon the actuation thereof;

a mode selection switch for allowing a user to select the operation of the system in one of four modes including a first mode of operation, a second mode of operation, a third mode of operation, and a fourth mode of operation;

memory means for continuously monitoring the deceleration detected by the accelerometer and further storing the maximum deceleration detected, wherein the memory means is adapted to be reset; and

control means connected between the accelerometer, lamp assembly, mode selection switch and memory means, the control means, in the first mode of operation, adapted to actuate the lamps from center lamps of the lamp assembly to end lamps as the detected deceleration increases wherein the peripheral lamp is illuminated only upon the detection of the maximum deceleration, the control means, in the second mode of operation, adapted to actuate the lamps from the end lamps to the center lamps as the detected deceleration increases wherein the peripheral lamp is illuminated upon the detection of any deceleration, the control means, in the third mode of operation, adapted to actuate the lamps from one set of the end lamps to another set of the end lamps as the detected deceleration increases wherein the peripheral lamp is illuminated only upon the detection of the maximum deceleration, the control means, in the fourth mode of operation, adapted to actuate the lamps from one set of the end lamps to another set of the end lamps as the detected deceleration increases wherein the peripheral lamp is illuminated upon the detection of any deceleration.

2. A vehicular deceleration indicating system comprising:

a deceleration detector adapted to detect a deceleration of a vehicle;

a lamp assembly including a plurality lamps each adapted to illuminate upon the actuation thereof; and

control means connected between the accelerometer and lamp assembly, the control means adapted to actuate the lamps in a predetermined sequence as the detected deceleration increases;

wherein at least one sequence includes actuating the lamps from center lamps of the lamp assembly to end lamps as the detected deceleration increases;

wherein a peripheral lamp is illuminated only upon the detection of a maximum deceleration.

3. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 2 and further including a mode switch for selectively determining the sequence.

4. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one sequence includes actuating the lamps from end lamps to center lamps as the detected deceleration increases.

5. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the peripheral lamp is illuminated upon the detection of any deceleration.

6. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one sequence includes actuating the lamps from one set of end lamps to another set of end lamps as the detected deceleration increases.

7. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 6 wherein the peripheral lamp is illuminated only upon the detection of maximum deceleration.

8. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one sequence includes actuating the lamps from one set of the end lamps to another set of the end lamps as the detected deceleration increases.

9. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 8 wherein the peripheral lamp is illuminated upon the detection of any deceleration.

10. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 2 and further including memory means for continuously monitoring the deceleration detected by the deceleration detector and further storing a maximum deceleration detected.

11. A vehicular deceleration indicating system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the memory means is adapted to be reset.

12. A vehicular deceleration indicating system comprising:

deceleration detector for detecting a deceleration of a vehicle;

a lamp assembly including a plurality lamps adapted to illuminate upon the actuation thereof; and

control means connected between the deceleration detector and lamp assembly, the control means adapted to actuate the lamps in a predetermined sequence as the detected deceleration increases;

wherein at least one sequence includes actuating the lamps from one set of end lamps to another set of end lamps as the detected deceleration increases;

wherein a peripheral lamp is illuminated only upon the detection of maximum deceleration.