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Smart horn system and method

  • US 9,387,897 B2
  • Filed: 10/24/2013
  • Issued: 07/12/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An audio/visual warning apparatus comprising:

  • a battery;

    a horn for producing sound;

    a light source for producing light;

    at least one first switch;

    a second switch;

    a controller operatively connected to the battery, the horn, the light source, the at least one first switch, and the second switch;

    a housing in which at least the battery, the horn, the light source, the at least one first switch, and second switch are included, wherein the housing includes light ports and sound ports, wherein the sound ports surround the light ports;

    a toggle supported by the housing for pivoting movement in first and second directions and operatively connected to the at least one first switch; and

    a deformable skin arranged over the toggle and a portion of the housing, wherein a tail portion of the deformable skin is arranged over the toggle;

    whereinwhen the tail portion is displaced to move the toggle in the first direction, the toggle places the at least one first switch in a first on configuration in response to which the controller controls the horn to produce a first sound and the light source to produce light in a first pattern and at a first brightness; and

    when the tail portion is displaced to move the toggle in the second direction, the toggle places the at least one first switch in a second on configuration in response to which the controller controls the horn to produce a second sound and the light source to produce light in a second pattern and at a second brightness;

    the second sound differs from the first sound;

    the second pattern differs from the first pattern; and

    the second brightness differs from the first brightness.

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