Patent US3868629A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3868629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Visual collision avoidance warning device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle safety device which gives a visual indication to a driver of one vehicle when the distance between his vehicle and another vehicle is safe, unsafe or where caution must be used for the speed at which he is driving. The device is positioned with respect to the other vehicle and includes a housing having an illumination source and a screen impervious to light. The screen contains a plurality of pairs of windows. The windows constituting a pair are separated from each other by a spacing which depends upon the resolving power of the eye. For a predetermined speed, the windows constituting a particular pair are separated such that at distances between the vehicles, up to a predetermined minimum safe stopping distance, the windows constituting that pair are seen as two windows indicating an unsafe condition; for distances between the vehicles which are greater than the minimum stopping distance by a fixed amount, the two windows appear as one, indicating a safe condition, and for distances therebetween a hazy indication is viewed which indicates that caution must be exercised at that speed for that distance between the vehicles.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold A Caine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:12
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/06; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/525; B60Q1/535; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/166; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0472
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for installation in a first vehicle for providing to the operator of a second vehicle spaced from said vehicle, a visual indication concerning the distance between the two vehicles, said apparatus comprising; a. housing means positioned with respect to said first vehicle; b. illumination means situated within said housing means; and c. screen means impervious to light from said illumination means disposed on at least one side thereoF, said screen means being provided with a plurality of pairs of windows, lying in a single plane the windows constituting each pair being substantially identical and separated from each other by a spacing which corresponds to the resolving power of the eye at a predetermined distance, wherein the illumination from the windows of each pair is substantially equal and sufficient to be seen at said predetermined distance, each pair being spaced from adjacent pairs by an amount greater than the spacing between the windows constituting that pair, and wherein the windows constituting a pair which are separated from each other by a greater spacing, has a greater size than the windows constituting a pair which are separated by a smaller spacing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
Apparatus for installation in a first vehicle for providing to the operator of a second vehicle spaced from said vehicle, a visual indication concerning the distance between the two vehicles, said apparatus comprising; a. housing means positioned with respect to said first vehicle; b. illumination means situated within said housing means; and c. screen means impervious to light from said illumination means disposed on at least one side thereoF, said screen means being provided with a plurality of pairs of windows, lying in a single plane the windows constituting each pair being substantially identical and separated from each other by a spacing which corresponds to the resolving power of the eye at a predetermined distance, wherein the illumination from the windows of each pair is substantially equal and sufficient to be seen at said predetermined distance, each pair being spaced from adjacent pairs by an amount greater than the spacing between the windows constituting that pair, and wherein the windows constituting a pair which are separated from each other by a greater spacing, has a greater size than the windows constituting a pair which are separated by a smaller spacing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein each pair of windows is not contained within the space between any other pair of windows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein the illumination from the windows of each pair differ from the illumination from the windows of each other pair.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as in claim 2 and wherein the pairs of windows whose individual windows are separated from each other by a greater spacing, has a greater illumination than the pairs of windows whose individual windows are separated from each other by lesser spacing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as in claim 3 and wherein said illumination means comprises a plurality of light means each of different intensity, each positioned respectively in conjunction with a different pair of windows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as in claim 4 and comprising lens means positioned in conjunction with each of said windows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as in claim 6 and wherein said lens means serves to disperse the light emitted from said windows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein each pair of windows emits light of a different color from each other pair.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said pairs of windows are horizontally separated from each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein the windows constituting a pair are vertically separated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said apparatus is mounted on the rear of said first vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said apparatus is mounted on the front of said first vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said apparatus is incorporated within the body of said first vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said apparatus is mounted vertically on said first vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said apparatus is mounted on the top of said first vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus as in claim 15 and wherein said housing has a second screen with windows therein disposed on the other side of the illumination means such that one screen is viewable from the front of the first vehicle and the second screen is viewable from the rear of the first vehicle, and means located on the ends of the housing to permit viewing of the illumination means from the sides of the first vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said illumination means has a first and second intensity, and further comprising control means for activating the first intensity during one time and the second intensity during another time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 and wherein said illumination means can blink on and off.
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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |