Patent US3716833A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3716833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle height clearance indicating apparatus
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-02
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-12-02
Abstract
Abstract Cooperating pairs of optical signal devices are employed to protect the higher parts of a motor truck from damage due to impact with a structure such as a vehicular passage way. Two directive optical radiators are employed, along with associated phase detecting sensor circuits, the radiators being modulated at the same frequency. The relative phase angles of the detected signals identify the relative height of the passage under the canopy, actuating an alarm where the canopy is too low in comparison to the highest part of the motor vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 I Roth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/87; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G07; G07C; G07C9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a vehicle safety apparatus: transmitter means for illuminating with amplitude modulated optical energy first and second separated portions of an object, first circuit means for amplitude-modulating said transmitter means cyclically according to a reference phase, optical sensor means adapted for separately detecting amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected from said first and second portions, first circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said reference phase and said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected from said first portion, second circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected by said first and said second portions, and first indicator means responsive to said second circuit means activated when said first portion is closer to said vehicle than said second portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a vehicle safety apparatus: transmitter means for illuminating with amplitude modulated optical energy first and second separated portions of an object, first circuit means for amplitude-modulating said transmitter means cyclically according to a reference phase, optical sensor means adapted for separately detecting amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected from said first and second portions, first circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said reference phase and said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected from said first portion, second circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected by said first and said second portions, and first indicator means responsive to said second circuit means activated when said first portion is closer to said vehicle than said second portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a vehicle safety apparatus: transmitter means for illuminating with amplitude modulated optical energy first and second separated portions of an object, first circuit means for amplitude-modulating said transmitter means cyclically according to a reference phase, optical sensor means adapted for separately detecting amplitudemodulated optical energy reflected from said first and second portions, first circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said reference phase and said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected from said first portion, second circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected by said first and said second portions, and first indicator means responsive to said second circuit means activated when said first portion is closer to said vehicle than said second portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a vehicle safety apparatus: transmitter means for illuminating with amplitude modulated optical energy first and second separated portions of an object, first circuit means for amplitude-modulating said transmitter means cyclically according to a reference phase, optical sensor means adapted for separately detecting amplitudemodulated optical energy reflected from said first and second portions, first circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said reference phase and said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected from said first portion, second circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting the phase between said amplitude-modulated optical energy reflected by said first and said second portions, and first indicator means responsive to said second circuit means activated when said first portion is closer to said vehicle than said second portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 further comprising second indicator means responsive to said first circuit means activated when said first and second portions are substantially the same distance from said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 further comprisiNg means responsive to said second circuit means for inhibiting operation of said first indicator means when said second indicator means is activated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said transmitter means comprises: electroluminescent diode means having first and second electrodes, modulating transistor means having base, emitter, and collector electrodes, said collector electrode being coupled to said second electrode, said emitter electrode being coupled to ground, said base electrode being coupled to said first circuit means for modulating said transmitter means, and said first electrode being adapted to be coupled to a current source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said sensor means for detecting amplitude modulated energy reflected from said first and second portion respectively comprise: diode optical detector means each having first and second electrodes, said first electrodes being adapted to be coupled to a current source, and said second electrodes being coupled to said respective first and second circuit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said transmitter means comprises: first infrared transmitter means for illuminating said first portion, and second infrared transmitter means for illuminating said second portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein: said first infrared transmitter means is affixed at a first level to said vehicle for illuminating said first portion of said object, and said second infrared transmitter means is affixed to said vehicle at a second level lower than said first level for illuminating said second portion of said object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said optical sensor means comprises: first infrared detector means for detecting energy reflected from said first portion, and second infrared detector means for detecting energy reflected from said second portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein: said first infrared detector means is affixed at a first level to said vehicle, and said second infrared detector means is affixed to said vehicle at a second level lower than said first level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |