Automotive safety device

• US 9,114,752 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 08/25/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Measurement Ltd (Measurement Ltd., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Measurement Ltd (Measurement Ltd., Inc.)
• Inventors: Petrucelli, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): COUGHLIN, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US13/804,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20140119040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25D 1/00 Hand hammers handles therefor B25G1/00; attachment of handles to the hammer head B25G3/00; Hammer heads of special shape or materials
• CPC Class Codes: B25D 2250/271 Tools for breaking windows
• CPC Class Codes: B25D 2250/295 Tools used in automobiles or automobile manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 7/00 Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/06 Bases for movable standing lamps; Fixing standards to the bases F21V21/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/02 for roads, paths or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

An automotive safety device is provided including a housing having a plurality of support members pivotally attached thereto and moveable between a first, closed position and a second, open position. In the second position, the support members allow the device to be freestanding. A first light source is arranged on the housing such that the device may function as an emergency roadside light. The device further includes a tire pressure gauge, including a pressure sensor, a processor, and a display, wherein the processor is configured to output a value on the display indicative of a measured pressure.

Claims

1. An automotive safety device comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of support members pivotally attached to the housing and moveable between a first position and a second position, the support members being arranged along an outer surface of the housing in the first position, and extending outward from the housing in the second position to define a freestanding support structure;

a first light source arranged on the housing;

a pressure sensor arranged on the housing;

a nozzle arranged on the housing and in communication with the pressure sensor, the nozzle configured to engage a valve of a pneumatic tire and to provide a fluid communication path between an engaged valve and the pressure sensor;

at least one processor arranged on the housing and in communication with the pressure sensor; and

a display arranged on the housing and in communication with the at least one processor, at least one of;

(a) a hammer head and (b) a cutting tool comprising a blade and a guard, the at least one of a hammer head and a cutting tool arranged on the housing, wherein one of the support members comprises an aperture formed therein which corresponds in profile to at least one of the hammer head and the guard of the cutting tool,

wherein the at least one processor is configured to output a value on the display indicative of a pressure measured by the pressure sensor and to control the output of the first light source.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a generally elongated profile, and wherein said first light source is arranged on a side of the housing and configured to emit light generally radially away from the housing.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a second light source arranged on an end of the housing and configured to emit light generally axially with respect to the housing.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the housing further comprises recesses configured to receive the plurality of support members in the first position.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively securing the plurality of support members in one of the first or second positions.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism includes a plurality of support member stops moveable between a unlocked position and a locked position.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein, in the locked position, the support member stops engage with a corresponding recess formed on a respective one of the plurality of support members.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the support member stops are biased into a locked position by a corresponding spring element.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising an actuator arranged on the housing and configured to move the support member stops into an unlocked position.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a hammer head and a cutting tool comprises a hammer head arranged on the housing, wherein the aperture formed in the one of the support members corresponds in profile to the hammer head.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the hammer head is arranged on the housing generally opposite to the nozzle.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a hammer head and a cutting tool comprises a cutting tool comprising a blade and a guard arranged on the housing wherein the aperture formed in the one of the support members corresponds in profile to the guard.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a hammer head arranged on the housing on a same side as the cutting tool, wherein the aperture in the one of the support members corresponds in profile to the guard and the hammer head.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein:

the housing has a first end and a second end;

the support members are attached to the housing at the housing second end and extend in the first position from the second end, distal ends of the support members being intermediate the first and second housing ends; and

the display is arranged on a side of the housing opposite to the nozzle and intermediate the housing first end and the distal end of at least one of the support members.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the hammer head is at the housing second end, and a battery compartment is arranged within the housing near the housing second end.

16. A safety light comprising:

an elongated housing having a first and a second end;

a plurality of support members pivotally attached to the housing and moveable between a first position and a second position, the support members being arranged along an outer surface of the housing in the first position, and extending outward from the housing in the second position to define a freestanding support structure;

a first light source arranged on a side of the housing and configured to emit light generally radially away from the housing;

a second light source arranged at the first end of the housing and configured to emit light generally axially with respect to the housing;

at least one processor configured to control the output of the first light source; and

at least one of;

(a) a hammer head and (b) a cutting tool comprising a blade and a guard, the at least one of a hammer head and a cutting tool arranged on the housing, wherein one of the support members comprises an aperture formed therein which corresponds in profile to at least one of the hammer head and the guard of the cutting tool.

17. The light of claim 16, wherein the at least one of a hammer head and a cutting tool comprises hammer head arranged on a side of the housing at the second end.

18. The light of claim 17, further comprising a pressure sensor;

a nozzle arranged on a side of the housing at the second end and opposite the hammer head, the nozzle configured to engage a valve of a pneumatic tire and to provide a fluid communication path between an engaged valve and the pressure sensor;

a display on a side of the housing opposite the nozzle and the first light source and intermediate the first and second ends of the housing; and

a processor in communication with the processor and the display and configured to output a value on the display indicative of a measured pressure.

19. The light of claim 18, further comprising a locking mechanism for selectively securing the plurality of support members in one of the first or second positions, and a button at the second end of the housing for releasing the locking mechanism.

20. The light of claim 19, further comprising a battery compartment arranged within the housing near the second end of the housing.