US4245889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High beam warning apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-11-13
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Granted: 1981-01-20
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Expires: 1998-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for indicating to the operator of a following vehicle that his headlights are operating in the high beam mode is disclosed. A light reflective surface is provided for mounting on the rear of a vehicle and is positioned so that when a following or trailing vehicle is being operated with its headlights in high beam mode and the trailing vehicle is sufficiently close to the lead vehicle, a small portion of light from the high beams will be reflected backwardly, substantially in the direction of the course so as to provide a warning indication to the following vehicle that he is too close for high beam operation. During normal or low beam operation by the following vehicle, the position of the apparatus is such as to give little or no reflection.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert O. Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J3/00; B60J3/02; B60J3/0291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Signaling apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising: a reflective surface configured to concentratingly reflect light incident thereon; scattering means for dispersing a portion of light energy concentratingly reflected by said reflective surface; and means for attaching said reflective surface to said vehicle at a location at which a first quantity of light energy is incident upon said reflective surface when a second vehicle traveling behind said vehicle is operated with high-beam headlamps illuminated, and a second, substantially smaller quantity of light energy is incident upon said reflective surface at all other times.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Signaling apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising: a reflective surface configured to concentratingly reflect light incident thereon; scattering means for dispersing a portion of light energy concentratingly reflected by said reflective surface; and means for attaching said reflective surface to said vehicle at a location at which a first quantity of light energy is incident upon said reflective surface when a second vehicle traveling behind said vehicle is operated with high-beam headlamps illuminated, and a second, substantially smaller quantity of light energy is incident upon said reflective surface at all other times.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Signaling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface more particularly comprises three mutually orthogonal planar reflecting surfaces forming a junction between each pair of surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further including a support structure comprising three mutually orthogonal rigid plane members, each said plane member having four edges and two parallel opposed faces, each said plane member being joined to another said plane member along two of said edges to form a structure defining an interior portion and an exterior portion, said planar reflecting surfaces being applied to said interior portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for attaching comprises at least one flange member attached to one of said edges of said rigid plane members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including additionally a quantity of adhesive material disposed on said flange member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said vehicle has a rear window member and said means for attaching comprises means for attaching said reflective surface to a vehicle interior surface of said rear window member to form in combination a generally `Z` shaped structure having three arms, one of said arms being formed by said window member, one of said arms being formed by a junction of first and second of said mutually orthogonal surfaces, and one of said arms being formed by the third of said mutually orthogonal surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said reflective surface has an optic axis within the two of said arms of said `Z` shaped structure formed by said junction and said third surface along a line forming an angle of 54.73 degrees with each junction between said mutually orthogonal surfaces, and said `Z` shaped structure is oriented to maintain said optic axis at an angle within the range of 15° of depression and 30° of elevation to the course of said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including additionally scattering means for dispersing a portion of light energy concentratingly reflected by said reflective surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said scattering means comprise irregularities in said reflective surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Signaling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said reflective surface comprises a surface of revolution.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scattering means comprise irregularities in said reflective surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said scattering means comprises a translucent body disposed along an optic axis of said reflective surface.
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) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-07-21 | 1985-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-20 | 1988-07-21 | 1989-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-20 | 1992-07-21 | 1993-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |