Motor vehicle emergency system

• US 6,522,246 B1
• Filed: 05/03/2001
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joy A. Williams
• Original Assignee: Joy A. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Joy A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LA, ANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/848,746
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/426, 340/425.5, 340/438, 307/10.2, 307/10.3, 307/10.4, 307/10.5, 180/287, 180/167, 379/37, 379/39
• US Class Current: 340/463
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/02 responsive to conditions relating to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/143 Alarm means

Abstract

The present invention is an emergency system for a motor vehicle having an electrical system and an engine. The emergency system includes one or more lamps optionally mounted in the passenger compartment. The lamp is electrically connected to the motor vehicle'"'"'s electrical system and to a control switch for actuating the lamp. A system for disabling the motor vehicle'"'"'s engine may optionally be provided. The disabling system is electrically connected to the control switch. In one optional embodiment, upon actuation, the control switch simultaneously illuminates the lamp, optionally in a blinking fashion, and optionally disables the engine of the motor vehicle. In an alternate embodiment, the lamp and disabling means are separately controlled.

Claims

1. An emergency system for a motor vehicle of the type having an engine providing power to the drive wheels of the motor vehicle and an electrical system, said motor vehicle including a passenger compartment, comprising:

an internal lamp mounted in the interior passenger compartment of said motor vehicle electrically connected to the motor vehicle'"'"'s electrical system, said lamp illuminating the interior of the motor vehicle when actuated;

a control switch mounted in the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle electrically communicating with said lamp to actuate the lamp; and

means for disabling the motor vehicle engine electrically communicating with said control switch such that actuation of said control switch simultaneously activates said lamp and disables the engine of the motor vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second control switch electrically communicating with said lamp to actuate the lamp only.

3. The system of claim 1 in which said motor vehicle further includes a fuel system directing fuel into said engine for combustion, wherein said disabling means comprises a fuel cutoff switch in said fuel system.

4. The system of claim 1 in which said motor vehicle further comprises a braking system connected to one or more wheels of the motor vehicle, wherein said disabling means comprises brake actuators in said braking system.

5. The system of claim 1 in which said electrical system communicates with said engine, the disabling means comprising a switch to stop the flow of electricity from said electrical system to said engine.

6. An emergency system for a motor vehicle of the type having an engine providing power to the drive wheels of the motor vehicle and an electrical system, said motor vehicle including a passenger compartment, comprising:

an internal lamp mounted in the interior passenger compartment of said motor vehicle electrically connected to the motor vehicle'"'"'s electrical system, said lamp illuminating the interior of the motor vehicle when actuated;

a control switch mounted in the passenger compartment of said motor vehicle electrically communicating with said lamp to actuate the lamp;

means for disabling the motor vehicle engine electrically communicating with said control switch such that actuation of said control switch simultaneously activates said lamp and disables the engine of the motor vehicle; and

a second control switch electrically communicating with said lamp to actuate the lamp only.

7. The system of claim 6 in which said motor vehicle further includes a fuel system directing fuel into said engine for combustion, wherein said disabling means comprises a fuel cutoff switch in said fuel system.

8. The system of claim 6 in which said motor vehicle further comprises a braking system connected to one or more wheels of the motor vehicle, wherein said disabling means comprises brake actuators in said braking system.

9. The system of claim 6 in which said electrical system communicates with said engine, the disabling means comprising a switch to stop the flow of electricity from said electrical system to said engine.