Patent US3842511A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3842511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integral hand held tailgating device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-08-07
•
Granted: 1974-10-22
•
Expires: 1992-08-07
Abstract
Abstract An integral hand held tailgating device for use by a passenger in a trailing vehicle to determine when such trailing vehicle is spaced selected recommended distances behind a lead vehicle for corresponding speeds of travel. The device includes an elongated tube having an eyepiece formed in one end thereof and having a gauge formed in the opposite end thereof. The gauge includes a transparent window having a plurality of sets of transversely spaced indicia thereon with the set of indicia for each respective speed of travel being spaced transversely apart a distance sufficient to cause the apparent width of the lead car to totally fill the space between such indicia when a viewer in the trailing car views the lead car through the transparent window.
Inventors
- 👤 G Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
An integral hand held tailgating device for use by a passenger in a trailing vehicle to determine when such trailing vehicle is spaced recommended distances behind a lead vehicle of a predetermined width for respective selected speeds of travel and comprising: an elongated tube having front and rear ends and defining an optically uncorrected visual path; an eyepiece mounted in the rear end of said tube and formed with an aperture disposed in said path and including a rearwardly facing abutment surface; a distance gauge overlying the front end of said tube and spaced a predetermined distance from said abutment surface, said gauge including a transparent window; a plurality of sets of vertically extending indicator lines spaced apart respective horizontal distances corresponding with the apparent width of said lead vehicle for said recommended distances as viewed with the viewer''s eye placed immediately behind said aperture; indicia corresponding to said selected speed disposed adjacent said respective indicator lines; and a hood removably telescoped over said front end of said tube and formed with interior retaining flange means for engaging said gauge and retaining it against said front of said tube, whereby a passenger in said trailing car may place said abutment against his face to view said lead vehicle along said optical path and through said window and can then determine when said trailing car is the recommended distance behind a lead vehicle for said selected speeds of travel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
An integral hand held tailgating device for use by a passenger in a trailing vehicle to determine when such trailing vehicle is spaced recommended distances behind a lead vehicle of a predetermined width for respective selected speeds of travel and comprising: an elongated tube having front and rear ends and defining an optically uncorrected visual path; an eyepiece mounted in the rear end of said tube and formed with an aperture disposed in said path and including a rearwardly facing abutment surface; a distance gauge overlying the front end of said tube and spaced a predetermined distance from said abutment surface, said gauge including a transparent window; a plurality of sets of vertically extending indicator lines spaced apart respective horizontal distances corresponding with the apparent width of said lead vehicle for said recommended distances as viewed with the viewer''s eye placed immediately behind said aperture; indicia corresponding to said selected speed disposed adjacent said respective indicator lines; and a hood removably telescoped over said front end of said tube and formed with interior retaining flange means for engaging said gauge and retaining it against said front of said tube, whereby a passenger in said trailing car may place said abutment against his face to view said lead vehicle along said optical path and through said window and can then determine when said trailing car is the recommended distance behind a lead vehicle for said selected speeds of travel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An integral hand held tailgating device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said sets of indicia include an index mark and a plurality of speed indicating marks spaced said respective selected distances from said index mark.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An integral hand held tailgating device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said sets of indicator lines are in the form of first, second and third sets spaced apart substantially 0.55, 0.66 and 0.80 inches, respectively; and said indicia include the numbers 65, 55 and 45 disposed adjacent said respective first, second and third sets.
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) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |