US3720916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle detection and indication apparatus for overhead obstructions
Assignee: Exhibitors Service Co
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Filing: 1971-10-21
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1991-10-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus indicates damage to the roof of a vehicle from an overhead obstruction under which the vehicle has been moved and also for identifying the operator of the vehicle who is responsible for the damage. The roof of the vehicle is provided with feelers front and rear. Each feeler is connected to a toggle switch which is actuated from a standby setting to an actuated setting when its associated feeler is actuated by an obstruction under which the vehicle has moved. In the standby setting each switch closes a circuit through a standby visual signal which indicates that the apparatus is in proper operating condition. In the actuated setting each switch closes a circuit through a visual signal which indicates that the roof of the vehicle has engaged an obstruction. The switches are connected in parallel to the visual signals so that actuation of either feeler produces the engagement-indicating visual signal. The actuated switch can only be reset from the actuated setting to the standby setting by a key or the like which is in the custody of the supervisor or dispatcher who can assign guilt of causing the damage when he dispatches the vehicles to the next destination.
Inventors
- 👤 W Edgar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/002; B60Q9/003; B62; B62D; B62D63/00; B62D63/06; B62D63/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A vehicle body having feeler means on an external surface thereof whose clearance from an obstruction cannot readily be seen by the operator of said vehicle, indicator means on actuation providing an indication distinguishing between unobstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle and positioning of said surface of said vehicle in engagement with an obstruction, switching mechanism having an unactuated setting and an actuated setting and being normally in its unactuated setting and on actuation being set in its actuated setting, means connected to said switch mechanism actuable on said actuation of said mechanism to lock said mechanism in its said actuated setting, means connecting said switch mechanism to said indicator means while said mechanism is in unactuated setting to maintain said indicator means unactuated and to actuate said indicator means to provide said indication on actuation of said mechanism to its actuated setting, said indicator means remaining so actuated so long as said mechanism remains locked in said actuated setting, and means responsive to said feeler means on obstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle for actuating said mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A vehicle body having feeler means on an external surface thereof whose clearance from an obstruction cannot readily be seen by the operator of said vehicle, indicator means on actuation providing an indication distinguishing between unobstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle and positioning of said surface of said vehicle in engagement with an obstruction, switching mechanism having an unactuated setting and an actuated setting and being normally in its unactuated setting and on actuation being set in its actuated setting, means connected to said switch mechanism actuable on said actuation of said mechanism to lock said mechanism in its said actuated setting, means connecting said switch mechanism to said indicator means while said mechanism is in unactuated setting to maintain said indicator means unactuated and to actuate said indicator means to provide said indication on actuation of said mechanism to its actuated setting, said indicator means remaining so actuated so long as said mechanism remains locked in said actuated setting, and means responsive to said feeler means on obstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle for actuating said mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
182 words
A vehicle body having feeler means on an external surface thereof whose clearance from an obstruction cannot readily be seen by the operator of said vehicle, indicator means on actuation providing an indication distinguishing between unobstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle and positioning of said surface of said vehicle in engagement with an obstruction, switching mechanism having an unactuated setting and an actuated setting and being normally in its unactuated setting and on actuation being set in its actuated setting, means connected to said switch mechanism actuable on said actuation of said mechanism to lock said mechanism in its said actuated setting, means connecting said switch mechanism to said indicator means while said mechanism is in unactuated setting to maintain said indicator means unactuated and to actuate said indicator means to provide said indication on actuation of said mechanism to its actuated setting, said indicator means remaining so actuated so long as said mechanism remains locked in said actuated setting, and means responsive to said feeler means on obstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle for actuating said mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
182 words
A vehicle body having feeler means on an external surface thereof whose clearance from an obstruction cannot readily be seen by the operator of said vehicle, indicator means on actuation providing an indication distinguishing between unobstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle and positioning of said surface of said vehicle in engagement with an obstruction, switching mechanism having an unactuated setting and an actuated setting and being normally in its unactuated setting and on actuation being set in its actuated setting, means connected to said switch mechanism actuable on said actuation of said mechanism to lock said mechanism in its said actuated setting, means connecting said switch mechanism to said indicator means while said mechanism is in unactuated setting to maintain said indicator means unactuated and to actuate said indicator means to provide said indication on actuation of said mechanism to its actuated setting, said indicator means remaining so actuated so long as said mechanism remains locked in said actuated setting, and means responsive to said feeler means on obstructed positioning of said surface of said vehicle for actuating said mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the feeler means includes a first feeler near the front of the vehicle and a second feeler near the rear of the vehicle and wherein the switch mechanism includes a first switch connected to said first feeler to be actuated on actuation of said first feeler and a second switch connected to said second feeler to be actuated by said second feeler on actuation of said second feeler, the said vehicle also including circuit means connecting said first and second switches in parallel with the indicator so that said indicator is actuated on actuation of either of said switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the feeler means is on the roof of the vehicle and is actuated on engagement with an obstruction above the roof of the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vehicle of claim 1 including lock means connected to the switching mechanism operable by a key or the like for resetting, in its unactuated setting, sAid switching mechanism after it has been set in its actuated setting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the switching mechanism is actuable by an arm connected to the feeler through a flexible cable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the indicator means includes a first indicator operable in the unactuated setting of said indicator means indicating the standby readiness of the switch mechanism and its cooperative relationship with said indicator means and a second indicator indicating actuated setting of said indicator means on engagement of the surface of the vehicle with an obstruction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The vehicle of claim 6 including a third indicator actuable on actuation of the indicator means and readily resettable by the operator of the vehicle, indicating engagement of the surface of the vehicle with an obstruction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the switch mechanism includes switch means in a container mounted on the vehicle, the said switch mechanism also including means preventing removal of said switch in the unactuated setting of said mechanism.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the switch includes an actuating arm and the removal-preventing means includes a plate having a pin extending therefrom, said plate being set in removal preventing setting by engagement of said arm and said pin when said arm is moved to reset said switch from actuated setting to unactuated setting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The vehicle of claim 4 wherein the switch mechanism includes a toggle switch having an actuating arm and the lock means includes a pin which is rotated by turning of the key in the lock means, said pin engaging said arm and resetting said switch.
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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |