Patent US4320384A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4320384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle acceleration/deceleration warning system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-11-03
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Granted: 1982-03-16
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Expires: 2000-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A compound pendulum allows light to impinge upon properly positioned acceleration or deceleration photocells to vary the resistance of the photocells in accordance with the angular displacement of the pendulum; the amount and direction of angular displacement of the pendulum is dependent on the amount of acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. Variation of the deceleration photocell resistance varies the frequency of an oscillator circuit to alternately flash a pair of warning lights at a frequency dependent on the rate of deceleration of the vehicle. The acceleration photocell must receive maximum illumination (a threshold value) to actuate a light for warning of a minimum rate of acceleration of the vehicle. A manual switch allows a high flash rate of alternate warning lights to be controlled by the operator of the vehicle. An audio generator produces a continuous tone for acceleration and an interrupted tone for deceleration, the frequency of interruption corresponding to the flash rate of the deceleration warning lights. The system is an aid in preventing rear end collisions and will save gasoline if properly used.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Carlson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44; B60Q1/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An electronic acceleration and deceleration warning system for a vehicle comprising: (a) a radiant energy source means for supplying radiant energy to first and second radiant energy sensor means, said first radiant energy sensor means having resistance which is variable in proportion to the amount of radiant energy received; (b) a pendulum adapted to control the amount of radiant energy received by said radiant energy sensor means from said radiant energy source means in response to angular displacement of said pendulum around a pivot point; (c) an oscillator circuit having a variable frequency output signal; (d) a deceleration threshold switch means for switching on the output signal of said oscillator circuit in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in one direction; (e) first and second alternately flashing deceleration warning lights having their rates of flashing dependent upon the frequency of said oscillator output signal when said oscillator output signal is switched on; (f) an acceleration threshold switch means for turning on an acceleration warning signal in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in a second direction; and (g) said pendulum including aperture means for allowing passage of said radiant energy through said pendulum when said pendulum is at a minimum value of acceleration displacement in said second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An electronic acceleration and deceleration warning system for a vehicle comprising: (a) a radiant energy source means for supplying radiant energy to first and second radiant energy sensor means, said first radiant energy sensor means having resistance which is variable in proportion to the amount of radiant energy received; (b) a pendulum adapted to control the amount of radiant energy received by said radiant energy sensor means from said radiant energy source means in response to angular displacement of said pendulum around a pivot point; (c) an oscillator circuit having a variable frequency output signal; (d) a deceleration threshold switch means for switching on the output signal of said oscillator circuit in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in one direction; (e) first and second alternately flashing deceleration warning lights having their rates of flashing dependent upon the frequency of said oscillator output signal when said oscillator output signal is switched on; (f) an acceleration threshold switch means for turning on an acceleration warning signal in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in a second direction; and (g) said pendulum including aperture means for allowing passage of said radiant energy through said pendulum when said pendulum is at a minimum value of acceleration displacement in said second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
219 words
An electronic acceleration and deceleration warning system for a vehicle comprising: (a) a radiant energy source means for supplying radiant energy to first and second radiant energy sensor means, said first radiant energy sensor means having resistance which is variable in proportion to the amount of radiant energy received; (b) a pendulum adapted to control the amount of radiant energy receieved by said radiant energy sensor means from said radiant energy source means in response to angular displacement of said pendulum around a pivot point; (c) an oscillator circuit having a variable frequency output signal; (d) a deceleration threshold switch means for switching on the output signal of said oscillator circuit in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in one direction; (e) first and second alternately flashing deceleration warning lights having their rates of flashing dependent upon the frequency of said oscillator output signal when said oscillator output signal is switched on; (f) an acceleration threshold switch means for turning on an acceleration warning signal in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in a second direction; and (g) said pendulum having an aperture of variable dimension to allow passage of a variable amount of said radiant energy through said pendulum over a portion of the swing of said pendulum in said first direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
219 words
An electronic acceleration and deceleration warning system for a vehicle comprising: (a) a radiant energy source means for supplying radiant energy to first and second radiant energy sensor means, said first radiant energy sensor means having resistance which is variable in proportion to the amount of radiant energy received; (b) a pendulum adapted to control the amount of radiant energy receieved by said radiant energy sensor means from said radiant energy source means in response to angular displacement of said pendulum around a pivot point; (c) an oscillator circuit having a variable frequency output signal; (d) a deceleration threshold switch means for switching on the output signal of said oscillator circuit in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in one direction; (e) first and second alternately flashing deceleration warning lights having their rates of flashing dependent upon the frequency of said oscillator output signal when said oscillator output signal is switched on; (f) an acceleration threshold switch means for turning on an acceleration warning signal in response to a minimum angular displacement of said pendulum in a second direction; and (g) said pendulum having an aperture of variable dimension to allow passage of a variable amount of said radiant energy through said pendulum over a portion of the swing of said pendulum in said first direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-15 | 1985-09-14 | 1986-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-09-14 | 1990-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-15 | 1993-09-14 | 1994-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |