Patent US3597730A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3597730A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle speed indicator system
Assignee: Houston Engineering & Research
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Filing: 1968-12-23
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1988-12-23
Abstract
Abstract For installation in moving vehicles, apparatus having a preferred form which incorporates an externally visible indicating means preferably seen from highway points forward of, behind, and from above a moving vehicle which indicates speed and acceleration of the vehicle to others remote from the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolph M Mcclellan Sr
- 👤 Rudolph M Mcclellan Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/44; G01P3/48; G01P3/481; G01P3/489; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/54; G01P1/00; G01P1/07; G01P1/08; G01P1/10; G01P1/103
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A speed-indicating device for indicating the speed of a vehicle externally of the vehicle, comprising: a. means for forming a pulse train having a frequency proportional to speed of a vehicle; b. counter means connected to said pulse-forming means for storing pulses therefrom; c. decode matrix means connected to said counter means and responsive to the count stored in said counter means falling within predetermined count ranges; d. output means connected to said decode matrix and responsive to a count falling within such predetermined count ranges and forming a signal indicative of a particular count range; and, e. lamp means operated by the signal from said output means and illuminated thereby to signal the speed of such vehicle in accordance with a predetermined code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A speed-indicating device for indicating the speed of a vehicle externally of the vehicle, comprising: a. means for forming a pulse train having a frequency proportional to speed of a vehicle; b. counter means connected to said pulse-forming means for storing pulses therefrom; c. decode matrix means connected to said counter means and responsive to the count stored in said counter means falling within predetermined count ranges; d. output means connected to said decode matrix and responsive to a count falling within such predetermined count ranges and forming a signal indicative of a particular count range; and, e. lamp means operated by the signal from said output means and illuminated thereby to signal the speed of such vehicle in accordance with a predetermined code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said lamp means include at least a pair of lamps adapted to be mounted externally of such vehicle, said lamps being operated either on or off and said predetermined code being a binary code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said lamp means are adapted to be mounted at a position on such vehicle as to be observed externally and rearwardly of such a vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention of claim 1 for installation of a typical vehicle in which some portion rotates at a speed proportional to vehicle speed wherein said pulse-train-forming means include a mechanical takeoff means connected to the rotating portion and pulse generator means coupled to said takeoff means for forming periodic signals dependent on the rotational speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
The invention of claim 1 further including: a. transmitter means adapted to be located relative to a roadway on which the vehicle operates for communicating a signal thereto which encodes a speed control signal; and, b. receiver means adapted to be carried by such a vehicle and tuned to said transmitter means for receiving its signal; and, c. set point control means cooperative upon operation of said receiver means for controlling said lamp means dependent on the externally transmitted speed control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 1 including a register means having weighted positions connected to said decode matrix means for receiving therefrom a binary signal having at least three bits, and wherein said lamp means includes one lamp for each of the bits stored in said register means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention of claim 6 including a flasher means connected to said lamps for causing same to yield a flashing signal indicatIve of overspeed, and means responsive to the pulse train in excess of a predetermined count to initiate operation of said flasher means on overspeeding of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said flasher means is connected to said register means and is responsive to overflow of said register means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 1 further including a gate generator connected to said counter means for periodically resetting it to a predetermined count.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |