Integrated vehicle overturn alarm device

• US 20060022812A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rick Lang
• Original Assignee: Rick Lang
• Inventors: Lang, Rick
• Application Number:
  US11/236,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022812A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/440
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/00 Safety equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/01 Motorcycles with four or more wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/003

Abstract

A Integrated Vehicle Overturn Alarm Device is disclosed. The device is self-contained and include a sensor to detect when a vehicle rollover has occurred, and a loud audible alarm to alert other individuals of the incident. The device is contained within a water-resistant housing to make the device particularly applicable to the off-road vehicle environment. The device further includes a plurality of attachment appurtenances to provide flexibility in where and how it is attached to the vehicle. An alternate version of the invention is an original equipment feature installed in an all-terrain vehicle.

Claims

1. An off-road vehicle and vehicle overturn alarm device combination, comprising:

an off-road vehicle, comprising a portable power source and defining an upright position; and

a vehicle overturn alarm device, comprising;

a housing;

a position sensor enclosed in said housing, said position sensor sensitive to spacial orientation, namely whether said off-road vehicle is in said upright position;

audible alarm means for sounding an alarm that is audible to the human senses responsive to said position sensor; and

processing means powered by said power source and operatively connected to said position sensor and said audible alarm means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said housing is defined by an inner chamber housing said position sensor and said alarm means, and an outer surface, said housing being substantially water resistant to prevent moisture entering from said outer surface into said inner chamber.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said housing is further defined by a mounting fin extending therefrom, said mounting fin defining a flat portion extending outwardly from said housing and further defined by a mounting aperture formed therethrough.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a pair of said mounting fins, each said fin extending from opposing sides of said housing.

5. The device of claim 4, further comprising a third mounting fin extending downwardly from a bottom surface of said housing.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said housing is further defined by a rear face, said device further comprising a clamp disposed on said rear face.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said clamp comprises a first clamp-half extending from said rear face and a second clamp-half attachable to said first clamp-half.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising reset switch means operatively connected to said processing means for accepting user input to silence a said audible alarm.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a waterproof reset button disposed on said outer surface of said housing for activating said reset switch means.

10. An off-road vehicle, comprising:

a chassis;

a body attached to said chassis;

a plurality of drive wheels;

an engine for driving said drive wheels;

a portable power source associated with said chassis and operatively connected to said engine;

steering means for steering said vehicle; and

a vehicle overturn alarm device, comprising;

a housing defining an interior volume and at least one opening into said interior chamber, each said opening defining a cover, each said cover having a water resistant seal between said cover and said housing, said housing operatively attached to said chassis or said body;

a position sensor enclosed in said housing, said position sensor sensitive to spacial orientation;

processing means powered by said power source and operatively connected to said position sensor; and

audible alarm means for sounding an alarm that is audible to the human senses responsive to said processing means, said alarm means attached to said housing.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein said position sensor and said alarm means are contained within said inner chamber.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising reset switch means operatively connected to said processing means for accepting user input to silence a said audible alarm.

13. The vehicle of claim 12, wherein said housing is further defined by a rear face, said device further comprising a clamp disposed on said rear face.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein said clamp comprises a first clamp-half extending from said rear face and a second clamp-half attachable to said first clamp-half.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a waterproof reset button disposed on said outer surface of said housing for activating said reset switch means.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said housing is further defined by a mounting fin extending therefrom, said mounting fin defining a flat portion extending outwardly from said housing and further defined by a mounting aperture formed therethrough.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a pair of said mounting fins, each said fin extending from opposing sides of said housing.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising a third mounting fin extending downwardly from a bottom surface of said housing.

19. The vehicle of claim 10, further wherein:

said steering means comprises handlebars operatively connected to a pair of front said drive wheels;

said position sensor is configured to detect when said vehicle is in an unacceptable spacial orientation; and

said processing means is configured to activate said audible alarm means when said position sensor detects said unacceptable vehicle spacial orientation.