Patent US829837A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3850041A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3850041A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Total stopping distance indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-06
•
Granted: 1974-11-26
•
Expires: 1993-08-06
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a total stopping distance indicator including a speed responsive device that controls an indicator such as a variable light source. The light source projects a variable beam of light in front of an equipped vehicle. In one preferred embodiment the intensity of the light beam is variable and in another preferred embodiment the direction of the light beam is variable. In either embodiment, the components of the system are adjusted so that the light just reaches the fringe of the area required for a safe stop at any given speed.
Inventors
- 👤 H Seaman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P1/00; G01P1/07; G01P1/08; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/008; B60Q2400/00; B60Q2400/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A motor vehicle stopping distance indicator for mounting on motor vehicles and comprising: speed responsive means for determining the speed of the vehicles; and a stopping indicator comprising a variable light source means for projecting ahead of the vehicle a visible light beam having a variable length responsive to said speed responsive means so as to indicate the total safe stopping distance of the vehicle by making the length of the projected beam equal to the distance normally required to stop the vehicle under predetermined conditions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A motor vehicle stopping distance indicator for mounting on motor vehicles and comprising: speed responsive means for determining the speed of the vehicles; and a stopping indicator comprising a variable light source means for projecting ahead of the vehicle a visible light beam having a variable length responsive to said speed responsive means so as to indicate the total safe stopping distance of the vehicle by making the length of the projected beam equal to the distance normally required to stop the vehicle under predetermined conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An indicator according to claim 1 wherein said variable light source means comprises variable orientation means for projecting the beam of light in different directions with respect to the motor vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An indicator according to claim 2 wherein said variable light source means comprises strobe light source means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An indicator according to claim 3 wherein said strobe light source means comprises red strobe light source means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An indicator according to claim 2 comprising bumper level mounting means for mounting said variable light source means at bumper level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An indicator according to claim 1 wherein said variable light source means comprises variable intensity light source means for projecting a beam of light of a variable intensity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An indicator according to claim 6 wherein said variable light source means comprises strobe light source means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An indicator according to claim 7 wherein said strobe light source means comprises red strobe light source means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An indicator according to claim 1 wherein said speed responsive means comprises speedometer means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An indicator according to claim 9 wherein said speed responsive means comprises indicia indicative of required stopping distances.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2159341A
Cited
US2679229A
Cited
US2702518A
Cited
US2845721A
Cited
US3159135A
Cited
US3469234A
Cited
US3749197A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |