Visual warning device

• US 7,192,172 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KW Muth Company
• Original Assignee: KW Muth Company
• Inventors: Alberti, Thomas P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke; Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shallenberger; Julie A.
• Application Number:
  US11/222,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20070053195A1
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 362/543, 362/494, 362/442, 362/259
• US Class Current: 362/543
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/547 for issuing requests to other traffic participants; for confirming to other traffic participants they can proceed, e.g. they can overtake
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers

Abstract

A visual warning device is disclosed and which includes an emitter of visibly discernible light positioned in spaced relation relative to an underlying supporting surface, and which, when energized, emits visibly discernible light which is projected onto the underlying supporting surface to identify a restricted region which is positioned in spaced relation relative to the emitter.

Claims

1. A visual warning device for an overland vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing borne by the overland vehicle, and which defines an aperture and an internal cavity;

a first emitter of visibly discernible light mounted within the cavity, and which, when energized, emits visibly discernible light;

a second emitter of visibly discernible light mounted within the cavity, and which, when energized emits visibly discernible light;

an optical assembly mounted within the cavity and which receives the emitted visibly discernible light provided by the second emitter; and

a semitransparent mirror borne by the mirror housing and which substantially occludes the aperture, and wherein the visible light emitted by the first emitter passes through the semitransparent mirror and travels laterally outwardly relative to the overland vehicle, and the visible light emitted by the second emitter and which is provided to the optical assembly passes out of the mirror housing and travels laterally outwardly and downwardly relative to the overland vehicle to project a visibly discernible and moving geometric figure onto an underlying substantially horizontal supporting surface which is adjacent to the overland vehicle.

2. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the visible light emitted by the second emitter passes through the semitransparent mirror.

3. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein a second aperture is formed in the mirror housing, and wherein the visible light emitted by the second emitter passes through the second aperture.

4. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the first and second emitters are energized substantially simultaneously.

5. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the first and second emitters are individually selectively energized.

6. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the visible light emitted by the first and second emitters is substantially the same color.

7. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the visible light emitted by the first and second emitters are different colors.

8. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the visible light generated by the first emitter travels predominately laterally outwardly relative to the overland vehicle and substantially parallel to the underlying substantially horizontal supporting surface, and wherein the visible light of the first emitter is projected beyond at least one of the ends of the overland vehicle, and wherein the visible light generated by the second emitter is not substantially projected beyond the ends of the overland vehicle.

9. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the second emitter is energized solely during periods of reduced visibility.

10. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the semitransparent mirror is selected from the group comprising electrochromic, dichroic, and substantially neutrally chromatic mirrors.

11. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the second emitter comprises an eye-safe laser.

12. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the second emitter comprises a light emitting diode.

13. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the optical assembly comprises:

a line generator which is operably optically coupled with the second emitter and which receives the visibly discernible light which is generated by the second emitter.

14. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the optical assembly comprises:

an optical pattern generator which is operably optically coupled with the second emitter and which receives the visibly discernible light which is generated by the second emitter.

15. A visual warning device as claimed in claim 14, and wherein the optical pattern generator is selected from the group comprising a lens;

a diffraction media;

a beam splitter; and

oscillating and/or spinning mirror;

a prism; and

a digital micromirror device.