Automobile overspeed warning system
First Claim
1. An automobile overspeed warning system for a passenger car comprising:
- a speed sensor for sensing the speed of the automobile;
a speed selector on which an operator may select a desired speed;
a display connected to said selector for displaying the selected speed;
a comparator for comparing the speed sensed by said sensor with the speed selected with said selector;
a warning annunciator connected to said comparator, said annunciator being connected to give a warning when the speed sensed exceeds the speed selected; and
said selector includes a knob that is(a) moveable, at any time, to an "On" position for activating said system, and to an "Off" position for de-activating said system,(b) operable in said "On" position to select the desired speed,(c) operable in said "On" position, while the car is in motion, to change the selected speed; and
(d) operable to cause the selected speed to be shown on said display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automobile overspeed warning system includes speed sensors for sensing the rate at which an automobile is travelling and speed selectors for receiving an input from the automobile driver indicating a top speed which the driver seeks not to exceed. The overspeed warning system compares the two values and activates an alarm when the desired limit is exceeded. The system can be used in conjunction with an existing cruise control system as a back-up system to warn the driver that the cruise control system has not been reset and also to overcome its many disadvantages, or it can be used independently of a cruise control system to prevent the driver of an automobile from unknowingly or inadvertently operating his or her vehicle in excess of a certain speed for safety or other reasons. The system can be provided as a retrofit kit or as an integral part of an existing micro-processor controlled electrical system within the automobile.
70 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An automobile overspeed warning system for a passenger car comprising:
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a speed sensor for sensing the speed of the automobile; a speed selector on which an operator may select a desired speed; a display connected to said selector for displaying the selected speed; a comparator for comparing the speed sensed by said sensor with the speed selected with said selector; a warning annunciator connected to said comparator, said annunciator being connected to give a warning when the speed sensed exceeds the speed selected; and said selector includes a knob that is (a) moveable, at any time, to an "On" position for activating said system, and to an "Off" position for de-activating said system, (b) operable in said "On" position to select the desired speed, (c) operable in said "On" position, while the car is in motion, to change the selected speed; and (d) operable to cause the selected speed to be shown on said display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19)
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13. A method of providing an overspeed warning to an automobile driver, comprising the steps of:
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providing a speed sensor for sensing the speed of the automobile; providing a speed selector knob with which an operator may select a desired speed; providing a display connected to the speed selector for displaying the selected speed; providing a comparator for comparing the speed sensed by the sensor with the speed selected with the selector; providing a warning annunciator connected to the comparator, the annunciator being connected to give a warning when the speed sensed exceeds the speed selected; moving the knob to an "On" position for activating the system; operating the knob to select a speed on the speed selector; sensing the vehicle speed; showing the selected speed on the display; comparing the vehicle speed with the selected speed using the comparator; further operating the knob to change the selected speed; showing the changed selected speed on the display; and annunciating a warning to the driver when the vehicle speed exceeds the selected speed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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20. The combination of an automobile overspeed warning system and a cruise control system for a car, wherein:
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said cruise control system is operable to maintain a cruise control speed; said cruise control being interruptible on braking of the car to become inactive; said overspeed warning system having a speed sensor operable to sense the speed of the automobile; a speed selector on which an operator can select a desired overspeed warning speed greater than said cruise control speed; a display connected to said selector operable to display the selected speed; a comparator operable to compare the speed sensed by said sensor with said overspeed warning speed; an annunciator connected to said comparator, said annunciator being connected to give an audible warning when the speed sensed exceeds said overspeed warning speed. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification