Vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system

• US 6,937,146 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Randy Lee Tracy
• Original Assignee: Randy Lee Tracy
• Inventors: Tracy, Randy Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUNNINGS, TRAVIS R
• Application Number:
  US10/412,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20040207519A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 340/464, 340466- 7, 340/469, 340472- 3, 340/479, 362/487, 362/496, 362/499, 362/541
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2003/063 with tactile perception
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/061 with electronic detecting or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 3/068 Sticks for blind persons
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2615 mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/543 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle indicating taxis' state of hire or fare G07B13/045
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body

Abstract

A front mounted vehicle warning light system extending sufficiently from the vehicle to be viewable from the front and front side of the vehicle to indicate if a vehicle is accelerating or de-accelerating.

Claims

1. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system comprising:

a. a base with attachment structure to secure to the front of a vehicle,

b. a reflective mirror with reflective surfaces attached to the base,

c. a light source attached to the base and positioned to direct light onto the reflective mirror surfaces for reflection and direction through

d. a lens cover with facets aligned with the reflective mirror surfaces to direct a warning light pattern from the light source onto the ground in front of the vehicle, said lens cover projecting sufficiently from the base to be visible from the sides and front of the vehicle,

e. a power source associated with the light source, and

f. a control circuit associated with the brakes and the wheels to selectively activate the light source when the vehicle is de-accelerating or accelerating to provide a braking signal in a vehicle braking mode, and a traveling signal in a vehicle traveling mode.

2. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit associated with the light source generates different flashing sequences for vehicle braking and vehicle traveling.

3. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the light source has two different wavelength frequencies each separately associated with the brakes and wheels to provide a braking signal different from the traveling signal.

4. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 3, wherein the wavelength frequency for braking is red, and the wavelength frequency for traveling is green.

5. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 2, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of electronic digital lights.

6. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the facets of the lens cover direct light beams onto the ground to form a pool of light along the front and front sides of the vehicle.

7. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the lens cover has a distinctive shape to distinguish it from a vehicle'"'"'s front headlights.

8. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 7, wherein the lens cover is diamond shaped with facets in a V to direct light along the front and front side of the vehicle.

9. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, including a signal emitter associated with the control circuit to emit an acceleration/de-acceleration signal adapted to be picked up by a mobile receiver worn by a pedestrian, said receiver having an on/off switch activated when the pedestrian approaches a crosswalk, and including a warning signal to advise the pedestrian if a vehicle were not stopping at the crosswalk.

10. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 9, wherein the mobile receiver constitutes an electronic cane or traveling device for the blind.

11. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the base of the warning light system is structured to removably mount to the front of the vehicle.

12. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 11, wherein the base is constructed of a magnetic moldable material adapted to conform to the shape of the front end of the vehicle and adhere to ferromagnetic surfaces.

13. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 11, wherein the base of the warning light system includes structure to secure the warning light system to the front license plate holder of a vehicle with extenders to position the warning light system at a desired height and distance from the front of the vehicle.

14. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

15. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the traveling signal increases as the speed of the vehicle increases.

16. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the lens cover is structured as a prism to focus and direct light from the light source.

17. A front mounted vehicle acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the lens cover is replaceable and can be interchanged with other lens colors and warning light patterns to suit the preference of a user.