Reversibly mountable acceleration/de-acceleration warning light

• US 7,397,355 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2006
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Randy Lee Tracy
• Original Assignee: Randy Lee Tracy
• Inventors: Tracy, Randy Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/411,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/464, 340/467, 340/468, 340/469, 340/471, 340/472, 340/473, 340/476, 340/479, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 Controlling the colour of the light

Abstract

A reversible front or rear mounted vehicle warning light system employing an accelerometer circuit to control the initiation of warning lights to indicate if a vehicle is accelerating or de-accelerating or losing traction in turns, or providing advertising messages on demand.

Claims

1. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system comprising:

a. a base with attachment structure to secure either to the front or rear of a vehicle,

b. a reflective mirror with reflective surfaces attached to the base,

c. a light source attached to the base and positioned to direct light onto the reflective mirror surfaces for reflection and direction,

d. a lens cover with facets aligned with the reflective mirror surfaces to direct the light from the light source into a warning light pattern onto the ground or at a desired point near or onto the vehicle, said lens cover projecting sufficiently from the base to be visible from the sides and front of the vehicle,

e. a power source associated with the light source, and

f. a reversible control circuit associated with the brakes and the wheels to selectively activate the light source when the vehicle is de-accelerating or accelerating by providing a braking signal in a vehicle braking mode, and a traveling signal in a vehicle traveling mode, wherein the control circuit signal selected is dependant upon whether the warning light system is mounted on the front or rear of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit associated with the light source generates different flashing sequences and/or colors for vehicle braking and vehicle traveling.

3. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 2, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of electronic digital lights.

4. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the light source has at least two different wavelength frequencies each separately associated with the brakes and wheels to provide a braking signal different from the traveling signal.

5. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 4, wherein the wavelength frequency for braking is red, and the wavelength frequency for traveling is green.

6. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the facets of the lens cover direct light beams onto the ground to form a pool of light along the front and front sides of the vehicle when mounted on the front, and a pool of light along the rear and rear sides of the vehicle when mounted on the rear.

7. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the lens cover has a distinctive shape to distinguish it from a vehicle'"'"'s front headlights or rear brake lights.

8. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 7, wherein the lens cover is diamond shaped with facets to direct light along the front and front side or rear and rear sides of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, including an activation switch and programmed circuit associated with the lights to selectively activate the lights in a desired pattern and/or color frequency.

10. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the base is constructed of a magnetic moldable material adapted to conform to the shape of the front or rear ends of the vehicle and adhere to ferromagnetic surfaces.

11. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 10, wherein the base of the warning light system includes structure to secure the warning light system to the license plate holders of a vehicle with extenders to position the warning light system at a desired height and distance from the front or rear of the vehicle.

12. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

13. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the traveling signal of a front mounted warning light system increases as the speed of the vehicle increases.

14. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the lens cover is structured as a prism to focus and direct light from the light source.

15. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, wherein the lens cover is replaceable and can be interchanged with other lens colors and warning light patterns to suit the preference of a user.

16. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, including a first accelerometer and a second accelerometer aligned at right angles to the first accelerometer to detect the vehicle'"'"'s angular sliding motion associated with the control circuit to activate display lights to advise observers if the vehicle is losing traction when going around corners.

17. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 16, including a GPS positioning element to determine the vehicle'"'"'s position, and a transmitter associated with the accelerometers and GPS positioning element to transmit signals of the vehicle'"'"'s speed, position, and gravitational turn forces to a corresponding receiver which has a display for showing this information.

18. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claims 17, including a video camera mounted to the vehicle to send video signals to the display to show a view from the vehicle.

19. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 1, including laser pens and mountings associated with the base or lens cover for attaching interchangeable laser pens with patterned lenses to project an advertising slogan onto the ground in front of a stopped vehicle.

20. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 19, wherein the laser pens accommodate removable interchanging lenses of different patterns and colors.

21. A vehicle mounted acceleration/de-acceleration warning light system according to claim 20, including at least one advertising or messaging signal transmitter mounted near a stop sign or stop light, and a corresponding signal receiver mounted to the base and associated with the control circuit to activate the laser pens to project advertising images on the ground or in cross-walks in front of a stopped vehicle.