Vehicular movement indicator safety system

• US 4,638,295 A
• Filed: 05/07/1984
• Issued: 01/20/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert B. Middlebrook, Turner W. Bard
• Original Assignee: Robert B. Middlebrook, Turner W. Bard
• Inventors: Middlebrook, Robert B., Turner, W. Bard
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US06/607,954
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 340/66, 340/67, 340/70, 340/71, 340/73, 340/84, 364/424, 307/10 LS
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/385 Electronic temporisation with relay amplification

Abstract

A vehicular movement indicator safety system consisting of motion and status sensors on the dynamic moving systems of a vehicle, a programmed microprocessor control unit, and conventional signal indicators. The microprocessor is programmed to integrate data from sensors related to wheel, steering, brake, engine and transmission systems to determine the exact nature of changes in vehicular movement resulting from operation of one or more of the dynamic systems, to distinguish between a driver'"'"'s signaled intent to turn or make a change in vehicular movement and the actual onset of the turn or change as determined by concurrent activation of dynamic systems, and to immediately activate signal indicators to produce clear, unambiguous and readily perceived signals corresponding to the changes in vehicular movement.

The vehicular movement indicator safety system generates instantaneous signals alerting drivers to a change, eliminates the uncertainty, ambiguity and confusion prevalent with existing turn signal and brake indicator systems, and significantly enhances ability of drivers to quickly perceive and react to changes in movement of other vehicles in substantially all traffic situations and under adverse as well as normal visibility and weather conditions.

Claims

1. A turn signal apparatus for use on a motor vehicle comprising:

turn signal lamp means with a predetermined flashrate;

automobile turn indicator switch means;

front wheel directional sensor means for sensing when at least one of the front wheels of said vehicle is turned;

vehicle motion commitment sensor means for sensing the commitment of said vehicle to motion;

vehicle speed detection means for detecting when the speed of said motor vehicle exceeds a predetermined speed;

brake sensor means for sensing when the brakes of said vehicle are applied;

microprocessor means connected to said automobile turn indicator switch means, said front wheel directional sensor means, said vehicle motion commitment sensor means, said brake sensor means, and said vehicle speed detection means for determining when said motor vehicle is unambiguously committed to executing a turn; and

,

signal lamp timing means for increasing the flash rate of said predetermined flash rate in response to said microprocessor means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said microprocessor means further includes:

vehicle motion detecting means for detecting the forward and backward movement of a vehicle.