US3718921A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Driver alertness alarm system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-13
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Granted: 1973-02-27
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Expires: 1991-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for motor vehicle dimmer alert device utilizing a select switch to initiate operation of the alert and utilizing foot pressure of the driver to prevent the alert from becoming operational but wherein lessening of foot pressure causes operation of the alert to thereby gain the attention of the driver.
Inventors
- 👤 A Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:21
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus adapted to be mounted with a light dimmer switch of a motor vehicle for operating an alarm to provide a warning signal indicating the inattentiveness of a driver of the motor vehicle, comprising: a. a housing: b. means for mounting said housing with the movable cap of the dimmer switch; c. first electrical contact means mounted with said housing; d. movable electrical contact means movable between first and second operating positions into and out of engagement with said first electrical contact means to stop and start the alarm; e. operating assembly means comprising plunger means movable with respect to said housing and operable by the driver, said plunger means responding to pressure from the driver''s foot and moving said second electrical contact means to stop the alarm; and f. resilient means responding to a decrease in pressure from the driver''s foot on said plunger means and moving said second electrical contact means to start the alarm, wherein the driver must remain attentive and partially depress said operating assembly means to prevent the alarm from starting, and wherein the alarm upon starting provides a warning signal to indicate the inattentiveness of the driver.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
194 words
An apparatus adapted to be mounted with a light dimmer switch of a motor vehicle for operating an alarm to provide a warning signal indicating the inattentiveness of a driver of the motor vehicle, comprising: a. a housing: b. means for mounting said housing with the movable cap of the dimmer switch; c. first electrical contact means mounted with said housing; d. movable electrical contact means movable between first and second operating positions into and out of engagement with said first electrical contact means to stop and start the alarm; e. operating assembly means comprising plunger means movable with respect to said housing and operable by the driver, said plunger means responding to pressure from the driver''s foot and moving said second electrical contact means to stop the alarm; and f. resilient means responding to a decrease in pressure from the driver''s foot on said plunger means and moving said second electrical contact means to start the alarm, wherein the driver must remain attentive and partially depress said operating assembly means to prevent the alarm from starting, and wherein the alarm upon starting provides a warning signal to indicate the inattentiveness of the driver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein: a. said resilient means comprises coil spring means mounted between said housing and said plunger means; b. said second contact means being mounted with said plunger; and c. said coil spring means urging said plunger means upwardly with respect to said housing to move said second electrical contact means into engagement with said first electrical contact means to start the alarm responsive to decreasing pressure from the driver''s foot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein: a. said resilient means comprises tensioned leaf spring means mounted between said housing and said plunger means and engageable by said plunger means; b. said second contact means being mounted with said tensioned leaf spring means; and c. said tensioned leaf spring means urging said second contact means into engagement with said first electrical contact means responsive to decreasing pressure on said plunger means to start the alarm responsive to decreasing pressure from the driver''s foot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said resilient means comprises: resilient means having a smaller compression coefficient than the vehicle light dimmer switch, wherein the alarm may be controlled without causing operation of the light dimmer switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein: a. said plunger means comprises means for moving said second electrical contact means into a first operating position in engagement with said first electrical contact means responsive to pressure exerted by the driver''s foot; and b. said resilient means comprises means for urging said second electrical contact means into a second operating position out of engagement with said first electrical contact means responsive to decreasing pressure on said plunger means from the driver''s foot, starting the alarm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein: a. said plunger means comprises means for moving said second electrical contact means into a first operating position out of engagement with said first electrical contact means responsive to pressure exerted by the driver''s foot; and b. said resilient means comprises means for urging said second electrical contact means into a second operating position in engagement with said first electrical contact means responsive to decreasing pressure on said plunger means by the driver''s foot, starting the alarm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 1, further including: ''''On-Off'''' switch means for activating the alarm wherein the driver must depress said plunger means to prevent the alarm signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for operating an alarm to provide a warning signaL indicating the inattentiveness of a driver of a motor vehicle and for controlling the intensity of the headlights of the motor vehicle, comprising: a. a receptacle for containing the apparatus; b. an operating assembly comprising a cap movable downwardly with respect to said receptacle responsive to pressure from the driver''s foot to control the intensity of the motor vehicle headlights; c. resilient means for maintaining said cap in an uppermost position with respect to said receptacle in the absence of pressure from the driver''s foot; d. first electrical contact means mounted with said receptacle; e. contact blade means mounted with said cap, said contact blade means being movable between first and second operating positions into and out of engagement with said first electrical contact means to stop and start the alarm upon partial depression of said cap with respect to said housing body portion responsive to pressure from the driver''s foot; and f. said resilient means further responding to a decrease in pressure from the driver''s foot on said cap and moving said contact blade means to start the alarm wherein the driver must remain attentive and partially depress said cap to stop the alarm, and wherein the driver may simultaneously control the alarm and the headlight intensity.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
219 words
An apparatus for operating an alarm to provide a warning signaL indicating the inattentiveness of a driver of a motor vehicle and for controlling the intensity of the headlights of the motor vehicle, comprising: a. a receptacle for containing the apparatus; b. an operating assembly comprising a cap movable downwardly with respect to said receptacle responsive to pressure from the driver''s foot to control the intensity of the motor vehicle headlights; c. resilient means for maintaining said cap in an uppermost position with respect to said receptacle in the absence of pressure from the driver''s foot; d. first electrical contact means mounted with said receptacle; e. contact blade means mounted with said cap, said contact blade means being movable between first and second operating positions into and out of engagement with said first electrical contact means to stop and start the alarm upon partial depression of said cap with respect to said housing body portion responsive to pressure from the driver''s foot; and f. said resilient means further responding to a decrease in pressure from the driver''s foot on said cap and moving said contact blade means to start the alarm wherein the driver must remain attentive and partially depress said cap to stop the alarm, and wherein the driver may simultaneously control the alarm and the headlight intensity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure of claim 8, further including ''''On-Off'''' switch means for activating the alarm wherein the driver must depress said cap to prevent the alarm signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
The structure of claim 8, wherein: a. said first electrical contact means comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact insulated from each other; and b. said contact blade means comprises blade means electrically connecting said first and second electrical contacts to stop the alarm upon partial depression of said cap with respect to said housing body portion responsive to pressure from the driver''s foot.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure of claim 8, wherein said contact blade means comprises: contact blade means electrically contacting said first electrical contact means upon partial depression of said cap, wherein the alarm may be stopped without changing the headlight intensity of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The structure of claim 11, wherein said contact blade means comprises: contact blade means electrically contacting said first electrical contact means upon complete depression of said cap, wherein the headlight intensity of the vehicle may be adjusted without starting the alarm.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of operating an alarm to provide a warning signal indicating the inattentiveness of a driver of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: a. activating the alarm; b. depressing an operating assembly mounted with the vehicle light dimmer switch responsive to pressure from the driver''s foot; c. moving electrical contacts with respect to each other to stop the alarm in response to said step of depressing; and d. moving the electrical contacts to start the alarm in response to decreasing pressure from the driver''s foot wherein the driver must remain attentive and partially depress the operating assembly to stop the alarm.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
103 words
The method of operating an alarm to provide a warning signal indicating the inattentiveness of a driver of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: a. activating the alarm; b. depressing an operating assembly mounted with the vehicle light dimmer switch responsive to pressure from the driver''s foot; c. moving electrical contacts with respect to each other to stop the alarm in response to said step of depressing; and d. moving the electrical contacts to start the alarm in response to decreasing pressure from the driver''s foot wherein the driver must remain attentive and partially depress the operating assembly to stop the alarm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13, further including the step of: simultaneously controlling the headlight intensity of the motor vehicle during said step of depressing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-27 | 1976-08-28 | 1977-02-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-27 | 1980-08-28 | 1981-02-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-08-28 | 1985-02-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |