Vehicle safety monitoring system for viewing blind spots

• US 6,693,519 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: V-Tech-USA, LLC
• Original Assignee: V-Tech-USA, LLC
• Inventors: Keirstead, Robert Lewis
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US09/870,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20020080016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/436, 340/461, 340/463, 340/903, 348/148, 348/149, 348/118, 348/143, 348/151, 348/159
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/101 using cameras with adjustable capturing direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

A vehicle monitoring systems capable of being retrofitted to a commercial transport carrier having a video camera, a fastening bracket for securing the video camera to a first point of attachment on the transport carrier, a ball mount and screw mechanism, a camera support bracket, a monitor support bracket for securing the monitor to a second point of attachment in the cab of the transport carrier, and a coaxial cable for relaying images from the video camera to the monitor, wherein the video camera is adjustably mounted to the first point of attachment and the monitor is adjustable mounted to the second point of attachment. Upon retrofit, the monitoring system provides a rear-view image of areas adjacent the commercial transport carrier (i.e., blind spots), thereby enhancing the driver'"'"'s situational awareness, preventing highway accidents, and promoting highway safety.

Claims

1. A vehicular safety monitoring system for use in conjunction with commercial transport carriers, said system comprising:

a video camera scoured to an exterior portion of a commercial transport carrier at a first point of attachment, said video camera capable of presenting a mirror-image of areas adjacent the transport carrier;

means for securing said video camera to the first point of attachment, said video camera securing means comprising

a substantially rectangular fastening bracket for securing said video camera to the first point of attachment on the transport carrier,

a platform integrally formed at one end of said fastening bracket for mounting said video camera to the transport carrier, said platform extending laterally from a longitudinal side of said fastening bracket,

a ball mount and adjustable screw mechanism,

a bracket for receiving said ball mount and adjustable screw mechanism, said ball mount bracket, defining a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening,

a plurality of positioning screws and correspondingly threaded nuts for connecting said ball mount bracket to said platform of said fastening bracket, and

a support bracket for supporting said video camera, said video camera support bracket connected to said adjustable screw;

means for attaching said fastening bracket to the first point of attachment on the transport carrier, said attachment means comprising

a plurality of U-shaped members having threaded legs for releasably securing said fastening bracket to the first point of attachment on the transport carrier;

said legs capable advancing through said plurality of spaced-apart openings in said fastening bracket, and

a plurality of nuts for engaging said legs upon said legs advancing through said plurality spaced-apart openings in said fastening bracket;

a monitor secured to an interior portion of the transport carrier at a second point of attachment, said monitor positioned adjacent a driver and capable of displaying the minor-image view generated by said video camera;

means for securing said monitor to me second point of attachment; and

a coaxial cable for providing power from the transport carrier to said video camera and relaying images from said video camera to said monitor;

wherein said video camera is adjustably mounted to the first point of attachment by said video camera securing means and said monitor is adjustably mounted to the second point of attachment by said monitor securing means;

wherein said monitoring system is capable of being retrofitted to existing commercial transport carriers;

wherein an end of said fastening bracket opposite said platform defines a plurality of spaced-apart openings, said openings extending through said fastening bracket and adapted to receive said attachment means;

wherein said platform defines a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening;

wherein said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said platform, and said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said ball mount bracket are coaxially aligned, such that said central opening of said platform and said central opening of said ball mount bracket cradle said ball mount and adjustable screw mechanism there between.

2. A monitoring system according to claim 1, further comprising a cigarette lighter adapter connected to said monitor for providing power from the commercial transport carrier to said monitor and said video camera.

3. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said video camera includes:

a wide-angle lens for providing a field of view of between about 87 and 135 degrees; and

a charge coupled device sensor.

4. A monitoring systems according to claim 1, wherein said video camera securing means is capable of conical rotation, thereby providing alternative positioning of said video camera within an area bounded by the lateral surface of a right circular cone, thereby providing the driver with a selectable field of view of at least 180 degrees.

5. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said platform extends substantially perpendicular to the geometric plane of said fastening bracket.

6. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the first point of attachment is a standard rear-view mirror framework of the transport carrier.

7. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the first point of attachment is an auxiliary mirror framework of the transport carrier.

8. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said video camera securing means further comprises:

a pair of grommets positioned in said central opening of said platform and said central opening of said ball mount bracket;

wherein said grommets cushion said ball mount and minimize vibrational forces acting on said video camera connected to said ball mount and adjustable screw mechanism.

9. A monitoring system according to claim 8, wherein said pair of grommets are formed of a resilient compound.

10. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein:

said ball mount is adjustably secured between a lower surface of said platform and an upper surface of said ball mount bracket by manipulation of said positioning screws passing through said corresponding plurality of spaced-apart openings in said platform and said ball mount bracket to thereby promote or prevent movement of said ball mount, such that said adjustable screw extends through said central opening of said ball mount bracket and connects said video camera support bracket to said fastening bracket.

11. A monitoring system according to claim 10 wherein:

said adjustable screw is capable of traveling within an area bounded by the lateral surface of a right circular cone, thereby facilitating the movement of said video camera through three or more planes.

12. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said monitor securing means comprises:

a support bracket having first and second legs for securing said monitor to the second point of attachment of the transport carrier; and

means for attaching said monitor support bracket to the second point of attachment;

wherein said first leg of said monitor support bracket defines a plurality of spaced-apart openings, said openings extending through said monitor support bracket and adapted to receive said attachment means;

wherein said second leg of said monitor support bracket defines a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening.

13. A monitoring system according to claim 12, wherein said first and second legs are positioned substantially perpendicular to one another.

14. A monitoring system according to claim 12, wherein said attachment means comprises:

a plurality of mounting screws for releasably securing said monitor support bracket to the second point of attachment.

15. A monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein the second point of attachment is a dashboard in the cab of the transport carrier.

16. A monitoring system according to claim 14, wherein the second point of attachment is an internal roof portion of the transport carrier.

17. A monitoring system according to claim 12, wherein said monitor securing means further comprises:

a ball mount and adjustable screw mechanism;

a bracket for receiving said ball mount and adjustable screw mechanism, said ball mount bracket defining a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening; and

a plurality of positioning screws and correspondingly threaded nuts for connecting said ball mount bracket to said second leg of said monitor support bracket;

wherein said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said second leg and said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said ball mount bracket are coaxially aligned, such that said central opening of said second leg end said central opening of said ball mount bracket cradle said ball mount and adjustable screw mechanism there between.

18. A monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein said monitor securing means further comprises:

a pair of grommets positioned in said central opening of said second leg and said central opening of said ball mount bracket;

wherein said grommets cushion said ball mount and minimize vibrational forces acting on said monitor connected to said ball mount.

19. A monitoring system according to claim 18, wherein said pair of grommets are formed of a resilient compound.

20. A monitoring system according to claim 17, wherein:

said ball mount is adjustably secured between a lower surface of said second leg and an upper surface of said monitor support bracket by manipulation of said positioning screws passing through said corresponding plurality of spaced-apart openings in said second leg and said ball mount bracket to thereby promote or prevent movement of said ball mount, such that said adjustable screw extends through said central opening of said ball mount bracket and connects said monitor to said monitor support bracket.

21. A monitoring system according to claim 20, wherein:

said adjustable screw is capable of traveling within an area bounded by the lateral surface of a right circular cone, thereby facilitating the movement of said monitor through three or more planes, thereby providing the driver with adjustable viewing of said mirror-image view generated by said video camera.

22. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said monitor is a liquid crystal display having a thin film transistor.

23. A monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein said monitor includes an adjustable hood for promoting the viewing of said monitor during daylight.

24. A vehicular safety monitoring system for use in conjunction with commercial transport carriers, said system comprising:

a video camera having a wide-angle lens providing a field of view of between about 87 and 135 degrees that is retrofitted to an exterior portion of a commercial transport carrier at a first point of attachment, said video camera having a charge coupled device and capable of generating a mirror-image of areas adjacent the transport carrier;

a fastening bracket having a mounting platform integrally formed at one end for retrofitting said video camera to the first point of attachment on the transport carrier, said platform defining a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening;

a resilient grommet positioned in said central opening of said platform for minimizing vibrational forces acting on said video camera upon construction of said monitoring system;

a liquid crystal display monitor having a thin film transistor that is retrofitted to an interior portion of the transport carrier at a second point of attachment, said monitor positioned adjacent a driver and capable of displaying the mirror-image view generated by said video camera;

a support bracket having first and second legs for retrofitting said monitor to the second point of attachment, said first leg defining a plurality of spaced-apart openings that extend through said monitor support bracket, said second leg defining a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening;

a coaxial cable retrofitted to the transport carrier for providing power from the transport carrier to said video camera and for relaying images from said video camera to said monitor;

a cigarette lighter adapter connected to said monitor for providing power from the commercial transport carrier to said monitor and said video camera;

a first ball mount and screw mechanism for adjustably securing said video camera to said fastening bracket;

a second ball mount and screw mechanism for adjustably securing said monitor to said monitor support bracket; and

means for attaching said fastening bracket to the first point of attachment on the transport carrier;

wherein said platform extends laterally from and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal side of said fastening bracket;

wherein said first and second legs are positioned substantially perpendicular to one another;

wherein said first and second ball mount mechanisms selectively promote the pivotal rotation of said video camera and said monitor, respectively, through three or more planes.

25. A monitoring system according to claim 24, wherein said first ball mount and screw mechanism comprises:

a bracket for securing said first ball mount and screw mechanism to said platform, said first ball mount bracket defining a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening;

a resilient grommet positioned in said central opening of said first ball mount bracket for minimizing vibrational forces acting on said video camera upon construction of said monitoring system;

a plurality of positioning screws and correspondingly threaded nuts for connecting said first ball mount bracket to said platform of said fastening bracket; and

a bracket for supporting said video camera, said video camera support bracket connecting said first ball mount and screw mechanism and said camera;

wherein said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said platform and said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said first ball mount bracket are coaxially aligned, such that said central opening of said platform and said central opening of said first ball mount bracket cradle said first ball mount and screw mechanism there between;

wherein the manipulation of said positioning screws and nuts selectively promote or prevent the movement of said first ball mount and screw mechanism, thereby promoting or preventing the movement of said video camera.

26. A monitoring system according to claim 24, wherein said attachment means comprises:

at least two U-shaped members having threaded legs for releasably securing said fastening bracket to the first point of attachment on the transport carrier, said legs corresponding with said plurality of spaced-apart openings in said fastening bracket; and

at least four nuts for engaging said legs upon passage of said legs through said plurality of spaced-apart openings in said fastening bracket.

27. A monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein the first point of attachment is a standard rear-view mirror framework of the transport carrier.

28. A monitoring system according to claim 26, wherein the first point of attachment is an auxiliary mirror framework of to transport carrier.

29. A monitoring system according to claim 24, wherein said monitor support bracket comprises:

a plurality of mounting screws for releasably securing said monitor support bracket to the second point of attachment; and

a resilient grommet positioned in said central opening of said second leg for minimizing vibrational forces acting on said monitor upon construction of said monitoring system;

wherein said plurality of spaced-apart openings in said first leg extend through said monitor support bracket for receiving said mounting screws.

30. A monitoring system according claim 24, wherein said second ball mount and screw mechanism comprises:

a bracket for securing said second ball mount and screw mechanism to said second leg of said monitor support bracket, said second ball mount bracket defining a central opening and a plurality of spaced-apart openings positioned adjacent said central opening;

a resilient grommet positioned in said central opening of said second ball mount bracket for minimizing vibrational forces acting on said monitor upon construction of said monitoring system; and

a plurality of positioning screws and correspondingly threaded nuts for connecting said second ball mount bracket to said second leg of said monitor support bracket;

wherein said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said second leg and said central opening and said spaced-apart openings of said second ball mount bracket are coaxially aligned, such that said central opening of said second leg and said central opening of said second ball mount bracket cradle said second ball mount and screw mechanism there between;

wherein the manipulation of said positioning screws and nuts selectively promote or prevent the movement of said second ball mount and screw mechanism, thereby promoting or preventing the movement of said monitor.