Vehicle alarm device

• US 7,872,571 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2004
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Life Safety Products B.V (Lifehammer Invest BV)
• Original Assignee: Life Safety Products B.V (Lifehammer Invest BV)
• Inventors: van der Meer, Mattheus Jacobus, van der Meer, Arend Michiel
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): McNally; Kerri
• Application Number:
  US10/545,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20060187011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,533 Days
• Field of Search: 340/467, 340/468
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/474 Swinging detent

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for placement in a vehicle, comprising a housing, at least one lighting element, an acceleration and/or deceleration circuits and/or a moisture sensor, the device being arranged for operatively switching on the lighting element when the device, in particular the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit, experiences an acceleration or deceleration which exceeds a pre-set maximum value and/or if the device comes at least partly under water.

Claims

1. A device for placement in a vehicle, comprising a single housing which includes all of the following components:

a power source, at least one lighting element, an acceleration and/or deceleration circuit and a moisture sensor, the device being arranged for operatively switching on the at least one lighting element when at least one of either the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit experiences an acceleration or deceleration which exceeds a pre-set maximum value or the moisture sensor comes at least partly under water, wherein the acceleration or deceleration circuit is automatically operative and responsive without operator control or intervention, and wherein the lighting element remains permanently lit after being operatively switched on, wherein all of the components, except the moisture sensor, are provided in a watertight compartment of the housing.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting element is arranged for emitting light in at least two directions.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting element is arranged as a flashing light device.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein furthermore a moisture-controlled circuit is provided for switching on the at least one lighting element.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for locating the device on a shelf at the back in the vehicle, such that, with the device switched on, the at least one lighting element is visible from the outside of the vehicle.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said vehicle is an automobile.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein a switching device is provided for switching on the device.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said switching device is provided remotely from the device.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein furthermore a sound source is provided, adapted to be switched on the basis of the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit and/or a moisture-controlled circuit.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said sound source is included watertightly within the housing.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein, as at least one lighting element, a vehicle lighting element is used, and/or, as a sound source, at least a vehicle horn is used, and/or, as a switching device for switching on the device, a vehicle contact is used.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit experiences said acceleration or deceleration.

13. A device for placement in a vehicle, comprising a single housing which includes all of the following components:

a power source, at least one lighting element, an acceleration and/or deceleration circuit and/or a moisture sensor, the device being placed in the vehicle and being arranged for operatively switching on the at least one lighting element when the device experiences an acceleration or deceleration which exceeds a pre-set maximum value and/or if the device comes at least partly under water, wherein the lighting element and the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit are protected watertightly within the housing, wherein the acceleration or deceleration circuit is automatically operative and responsive without operator control or intervention, and wherein the at least one lighting element remains permanently lit after being operatively switched on, wherein all of the components, except the moisture sensor, are provided in a watertight compartment of the housing.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit experiences said acceleration or deceleration.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein a switching device is provided for switching on the device.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said switching device is provided remotely from the device.

17. The device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one lighting element is arranged for emitting light in at least two directions.

18. The device according to claim 13, wherein the at least one lighting element is arranged as a flashing light device.

19. The device according to claim 13, wherein furthermore a moisture-controlled circuit is provided for switching on the or each lighting element.

20. The device according to claim 13, wherein within the housing a power source is provided.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein said power source included watertightly within the housing.

22. The device according to claim 13, wherein means are provided for placing the device at the back in the vehicle, such that, with the device switched on, the or each lighting element is visible from the outside of the vehicle.

23. The device according to claim 13, wherein said vehicle is an automobile.

24. The device according to claim 13, wherein furthermore a sound source is provided, adapted to be switched on the basis of the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit and/or a moisture-controlled circuit.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein said sound source included watertightly in the housing.

26. The device according to claim 13, wherein, as at least one lighting element, a vehicle lighting element is used, and/or, as a sound source, at least a vehicle horn is used, and/or, as a switching device for switching on the device, a vehicle contact is used.

27. A vehicle comprising an alarm device, the device comprising:

a water tight housing comprising at least one light transparent part, and enclosing within the housing;

a power source;

at least one lighting element;

an acceleration and/or deceleration circuit;

a moisture sensor having at least one moisture sensing part extending outside the housing; and

a control circuit coupled to the at least one lighting element, the acceleration and/or deceleration circuit and the moisture sensor;

the control circuit comprising;

a comparator for comparing a measured acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle and device with a pre-set maximum value;

the control circuit being arranged for switching on the at least one lighting element if the measured acceleration and/or deceleration of the vehicle and device exceeds the pre-set maximum value and/or when moisture is sensed by the moisture sensor;

wherein the device is positioned in the vehicle such that the light from the at least one lighting element can be seen from outside the vehicle, shining through the at least one transparent part of the housing, wherein the acceleration or deceleration circuit is automatically operative and responsive without operator control or intervention, and wherein the at least one lighting element remains permanently lit after being operatively switched on.