Patent US4117404A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4117404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System of communications to alert police personnel of trouble on expressways
Assignee: TRAFFIC SAFETY SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1975-07-25
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1995-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A system involving transmitters adapted for mounting on trucks, buses, etc. and capable of energizing at least one transceiver along a highway which in turn sends a signal to a police control station to enable truck drivers to report a disabled vehicle and its general location; vandalism being avoided by mounting the transceivers on the top of light poles on expressways.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur N. Marshall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:59
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G08G1/205; G08G1/123; G08G1/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of notifying a control station for summoning assistance to motorists or vehicles in distress on a highway by an occupant of an approved vehicle, the steps of: moving the approved vehicle along said highway having predeterminedly spaced transceivers therealong; actuating a unit on said approved vehicle by an occupant of the approved vehicle when a motorist or vehicle in distress is observed by said occupant to transmit a signaling condition of said unit indicative of the distress situation and of the approved vehicle identification which continues for a predetermined period of time sufficient for said vehicle to pass a said transceiver based on the distance between said transceivers; signaling by said occupant to the distressed motorist on passing that help is being sent for; continuing movement of the approved vehicle along said highway until said approved vehicle passes a said transceiver; receiving said transmitted signaling condition at the said transceiver when said approved vehicle is in range of said transceiver; responding by the said transceiver automatically to said signaling condition of said unit; and transmitting by said passed transceiver said signaling condition and the passed transceiver's location automatically to the control station for further handling to bring assistance to the motorist in distress.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of notifying a control station for summoning assistance to motorists or vehicles in distress on a highway by an occupant of an approved vehicle, the steps of: moving the approved vehicle along said highway having predeterminedly spaced transceivers therealong; actuating a unit on said approved vehicle by an occupant of the approved vehicle when a motorist or vehicle in distress is observed by said occupant to transmit a signaling condition of said unit indicative of the distress situation and of the approved vehicle identification which continues for a predetermined period of time sufficient for said vehicle to pass a said transceiver based on the distance between said transceivers; signaling by said occupant to the distressed motorist on passing that help is being sent for; continuing movement of the approved vehicle along said highway until said approved vehicle passes a said transceiver; receiving said transmitted signaling condition at the said transceiver when said approved vehicle is in range of said transceiver; responding by the said transceiver automatically to said signaling condition of said unit; and transmitting by said passed transceiver said signaling condition and the passed transceiver's location automatically to the control station for further handling to bring assistance to the motorist in distress.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and wherein said unit which is actuated to produce said signaling condition is a transmitter which sends out a coded signal which continues for a predetermined period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and wherein said transmitting by said transceiver includes an identification of the up or down stream direction of the trouble from the transceiver requiring assistance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3721955A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |