Early detection system and method for exterior vehicle cargo

• US 7,688,187 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew J. Caird, Timothy G. Schuster
• Original Assignee: Andrew J. Caird, Timothy G. Schuster
• Inventors: Schuster, Timothy G., Caird, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu; Julie
• Application Number:
  US11/557,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,239 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/04 Carriers associated with vehicle roof B60R9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/165 for passive traffic, e.g. including static obstacles, trees

Abstract

A method and device for attaching directly to a high-profile and/or elongated item of cargo (10, 110) transported on the exterior payload area of a vehicle (16) prevents collisions with obstructions (36, 136). A detector (38, 138) remotely detects a distant obstruction (36, 136) in the path of the cargo (10, 110) using ultrasonic, infra red, or other sensing techniques. The detector (38, 138) is mounted directly to the cargo (10, 110) by a mounting member (42, 142) which releasably surrounds at least a portion of the cargo (10, 110) and provides an enveloping, frictionally constricting engagement so as to maintain the detector (38, 138) in a preferred operating orientation. The mounting member (42, 142) preferably includes a bracket (44, 144) configured to attach at multiple, spaced points on the cargo (10, 110). In one alternative configuration, the mounting member (42, 142) comprises a flexible membrane (190) which wraps around a portion of the cargo (110) and is securely held in position thereto using tension straps (192). Alarm features include a light source (80, 180) and speaker (82, 182) contained in a passenger compartment and activated whenever the detector (38, 138) senses an obstruction (36, 136) in the path of the cargo (10, 110). The detector (38, 138) and alarm components (80, 82, 180, 182) can communicate via an electrical cable (88, 188), or using wireless transmission (194, 196).

Claims

1. A method for transporting high-profile cargo on the exterior payload area of a motor vehicle without colliding into overhead obstructions, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment, an exterior payload area, and an electrical power receptacle;

securing an article of cargo to the exterior payload area such that the cargo extends above the motor vehicle;

providing a detector capable of remotely detecting a distant obstruction in the path of the cargo extending above the motor vehicle;

placing an alarm inside the passenger compartment, the alarm being capable of producing a warning signal inside the passenger compartment;

automatically producing the warning signal in response to the detector detecting an obstruction in the path of the cargo;

energizing the alarm by directly electrically interconnecting the alarm to the power receptacle;

attaching the detector directly to a portion of the cargo extending above the motor vehicle; and

wherein the detector has a directional sensing area, further including the step of angularly adjusting the detector relative to the cargo after said step of attaching the detector directly to the cargo by relaxing a bracket having an articulating joint and then tightening the bracket to securely restrain the detector in an angularly adjusted position.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of attaching the detector directly to the cargo includes clamping a plurality of discrete spaced anchoring regions of the cargo.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of attaching the detector directly to the cargo includes stretching a membrane over at least a portion of the cargo.

4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of energizing the detector by directly connecting the detector to the power receptacle simultaneously with said step of energizing the alarm.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of automatically producing the warning signal includes sounding an alarm within the passenger compartment.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of automatically producing the warning signal includes illuminating a light source within the passenger compartment.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said detector transmits a wireless signal in response to detecting a distant obstruction, and said alarm receives the transmitted signal and produces the warning signal in response thereto.

8. An obstruction detection device for attaching directly to a high-profile item of cargo being transported on an exterior payload area of a motor vehicle to prevent collisions with overhead obstructions, said device comprising:

a detector for remotely detecting a distant obstruction in the path of the cargo;

said detector including a mounting member operatively associated with said detector for attaching said detector directly to the cargo;

an alarm for automatically producing a warning signal in response to said detector detecting an obstruction in the path of the cargo;

said mounting member including a releasable surround for enveloping and frictionally constricting at least a portion of the cargo so as to maintain said detector in a predetermined operational condition during transportation; and

an articulating joint interconnecting said detector and said mounting member for angularly adjusting said detector relative to said mounting member by relaxing said articulating joint and then subsequently tightening said articulating joint to securely restrain said detector in a different angularly adjusted position.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said releasable surround includes a bracket for clamping to a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart anchoring regions of the cargo.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said bracket includes a saddle and at least one adjustable strap.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein said bracket includes an articulating jaw opposing said saddle for compressing a tubular portion of the cargo therebetween.

12. The device of claim 8 wherein said releasable surround includes a flexible membrane adapted for stretching over at least a portion of the cargo.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said membrane includes a plurality of adjustable tension straps extending therefrom.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said articulating joint includes a locking feature for securely restraining said detector in an adjusted position relative to said mounting member.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein said articulating joint includes a tongue extending from one of said mounting member and said detector and a fork extending from the other of said mounting member and said detector, said tongue matingly engaging said fork of said detector.

16. The device of claim 8 wherein said detector includes a wireless transmitter and said alarm includes a wireless receiver responsive to signals transmitted by said detector.

17. The device of claim 8 wherein said alarm includes a cigarette lighter adapter for electronically connecting to a cigarette lighter power receptacle in the motor vehicle.