System for enhancing perception of a motor vehicle's mark emblem

• US 8,188,850 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JEPP Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: JEPP Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Smith, Jefferson
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US12/466,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20100289636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 340/466, 340/468, 340/425.5, 340/384.3, 340/691.2, 362/487, 362/496, 428/31
• US Class Current: 340/466
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/509 specific to unauthorised use, e.g. for indicating stolen vehicles or infringements of traffic rules
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/00 Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/005 Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor

Abstract

A system is provided for causing audible sounds, and/or visible actions, and/or motion to occur by a vehicle'"'"'s mark emblem. The system may cause such actions to be initiated manually or automatically as a result of vehicle operation or operator action. Controls are provided to prevent the audible sound, visible action, or motion to occur if the vehicle speed is above a legal speed limit. Such may be controls set by the vehicle operator. In addition, when operated from a position remote from the vehicle, the audible sound associated with the mark emblem will be limited to a volume that will prevent persons from becoming startled when they are in proximity to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system for enhancing perception of a motor vehicle'"'"'s mark emblem, comprising:

at least one mark emblem mounted on the exterior of a motor vehicle; and

a motion actuator for causing the at least one mark emblem to move, and/or a sound source for emitting a sound related to the at least one mark emblem, and/or means for causing a visible action, other than motion, of the at least one mark emblem; and

a speed sensor and speed sensor switch for detecting whether a vehicle on which the system is mounted is moving at or below a legal speed limit.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a manual switch to trigger at least one of said motion actuator, sound source, and means for causing visible action to cause said mark emblem to move, emit a sound, and/or create the visible action, other than motion.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said manual switch may comprise a plurality of switches.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sound volume limiting device for limiting the volume level of the sound source.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising at least one adjustment circuit for adjusting the sound volume, visible action, and/or a motion of the mark emblem.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for storing and selecting at least one of a plurality of different sounds representative of the mark emblem.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an automatic switch or switches to trigger at least one of said motion actuator, sound source, and means for causing visible action to cause said mark emblem to at least one of move, generate a sound, and make a visible action, other than motion.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control system comprised of a transmitter and a signal receiver, to trigger said motion actuator, sound source, and/or means for causing visible action from a location remote from the motor vehicle, and a sound limiting device for limiting the volume of the sound source.

9. A system for enhancing perception of a motor vehicle'"'"'s mark emblem, comprising:

at least one mark emblem mounted on a motor vehicle;

a motion actuator for causing the at least one mark emblem to move, and/or a sound source for emitting sound related to the at least one mark emblem, and/or means for causing a visible action, other than motion, of the at least one mark emblem;

a speed sensor and speed sensor switch for detecting whether a vehicle on which the system is mounted is moving at or below a legal speed limit; and

a controller to control at least one of the motion actuator, sound source, and means for causing visible action to cause said at least one mark emblem to at least one of move, emit a sound, and make a visible action, other than motion, only when the vehicle is moving at or below the legal speed limit.