Re-check alert system

• US 7,369,054 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2004
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Katrina Lanetta Ransom
• Original Assignee: Katrina Lanetta Ransom
• Inventors: Ransom, Katrina Lanetta
• Primary Examiner(s): La; Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US10/962,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 340/431, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/425.5, 340/988, 340/585, 340/438, 340/501, 340/584, 346/33.TP, 374/186
• US Class Current: 340/585
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00978 Control systems or circuits characterised by failure of detection or safety means; Diagnostic methods

Abstract

A warning indicator device installed in the tractor to give a driver an internal warning of a refrigerated trailer malfunction. This includes an internal warning indicator fault speaker and a red laminated light to be mounted on the lower part of the dashboard of the tractor, a 5-plug sensor input, a 5-prong output, a pigtail, a metal bar to secure the pigtail and fittings all made from a variety of materials.

Claims

1. A method of providing a driver of a truck having a refrigerated trailer a warning of a malfunction with the refrigerated trailer wherein the warning is inside the cab of the truck, the method comprising the steps of:

locating an existing warning indicator on the refrigerated trailer;

connecting an outlet to the existing warning indicator;

connecting the outlet to an internal warning system inside the cab of the truck wherein the internal warning system alerts the driver when there is a malfunction with the refrigerated trailer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the internal warning system is activated only when there is a problem with the refrigerated trailer that is detected by the existing warning indicator.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the warning continues until the driver resets the existing indicator.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the warning is an auditory warning.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the auditory warning is given after a visual warning is given.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the warning is a visual warning.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the outlet is a 5-plug sensor input and the method further includes the steps of attaching a 5-prong output to the outlet wherein the 5-prong output is attached to a pigtail and the pigtail attaches to the internal warning system inside the cab.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the pigtail extends from the refrigerated trailer, under the truck proximate to the existing brake line and air supply line of the truck, and into the cab of the truck near the front of the dashboard.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the internal warning system is active only when the existing warning indicator is active.

10. A warning system inside the cab of a truck having a refrigerated trailer wherein the warning system warns the driver of a malfunction with the refrigerated trailer, the warning system comprising:

an outlet operationally connected to an existing warning indicator on the refrigerated trailer;

an internal warning system inside the cab of the truck operationally connected to the outlet wherein the internal warning system alerts the driver when there is a malfunction with the refrigerated trailer.

11. The warning system of claim 10 wherein the internal warning system is an auditory warning system.

12. The warning system of claim 10 wherein the internal warning system is an is a visual warning system.

13. The warning system of claim 10 wherein the outlet is a 5-plug sensor input and warning system further includes a 5-prong output attached to the outlet wherein the 5-prong output is attached to a pigtail and the pigtail is attached to the internal warning system inside the cab.

14. The warning system of claim 13 wherein the pigtail extends from the refrigerated trailer, under the truck proximate to the existing brake line and air supply line of the truck, and into the cab of the truck near the front of the dashboard.