US4641136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security eyes for prevention of car accidents
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-12-16
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Granted: 1987-02-03
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Expires: 2005-12-16
Abstract
Abstract This invention allows for the use of safety apparatus at the front and rear of the automobile, which serve as an addditional pair of "eyes" for the driver. The apparatus comprises a security system for the prevention of automobile collisions. The apparatus at the front of the automobile is connected to the front wheel system or to the steering mechanism by an appropriate rotary device which revolves so that the beams or waves do not encounter vehicles in oncoming lanes going in the opposite direction. The electronic safety apparatus emits beams or waves whose length is automatically regulated to correspond to weather conditions and to the speed of the vehicle so as to ensure safe braking distance.
Inventors
- 👤 Thaddeus Kowalczyk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:49
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/0008; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/008; G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/166; B60W; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/18; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S2013/9317; G01S2013/93185; G01S2013/9319; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9322; G01S2013/9324; G01S2013/9325; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93271; G01S2013/93272; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A collision avoidance system for an automobile or the like having a front wheel system, a braking system and a steering system, said system comprising: means on the automobile for emitting a signal in the vicinity of the automobile, for receiving at least a portion of the emitted signal which is reflected from an object to be avoided and for generating a control signal having a magnitude proportional to the distance between the automobile and the object; means for rotatably mounting said emitting means on said automobile; means for connecting said mounting means to the steering system of the automobile so that said emitting means rotates in synchronism with the turning of the steering system; and control means responsive to said control signal for automatically actuating the braking system when the magnitude of said control signal is at least a first value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A collision avoidance system for an automobile or the like having a front wheel system, a braking system and a steering system, said system comprising: means on the automobile for emitting a signal in the vicinity of the automobile, for receiving at least a portion of the emitted signal which is reflected from an object to be avoided and for generating a control signal having a magnitude proportional to the distance between the automobile and the object; means for rotatably mounting said emitting means on said automobile; means for connecting said mounting means to the steering system of the automobile so that said emitting means rotates in synchronism with the turning of the steering system; and control means responsive to said control signal for automatically actuating the braking system when the magnitude of said control signal is at least a first value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said emitting means includes a radar system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said emitting means includes a retroreflective scanner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 including a lamp visible to the driver of said automobile and which is automatically actuated when the magnitude of said control signal is at least a second predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said control means includes means responsive to said control signal for disabling the throttle of said automobile when the magnitude of said control signal is at least a second preselected value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 including means responsive to the speed of said automobile for controlling the distance that the signal is emitted by said emitting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 including means responsive to manual actuation by the driver for disabling said control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 including a medium applied to said object which is reflective of said signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
225 words
A collision avoidance system for a wheeled vehicle having a fuel throttle, a steering system, a front wheel system and a braking system, comprising: means for sensing the presence of an object such as another vehicle, said sensing means including means for transmitting a signal in the vicinity of the vehicle which is reflected off said object and means for receiving portions of said signal reflected from said object; means for connecting the steering system of the vehicle to said transmitting means and for rotating said transmitting means so that the transmitting means tracks the turning movement of the vehicle steering system; means for generating a control signal which is proportional in magnitude to the distance between said vehicle and the sensed object; control means responsive to said control signal and having first and second outputs for respective outputting first and second command signals in accordance with the magnitude of said control signal; means coupled to said control means and with said braking system for automatically actuating said braking system in response to said first command signal when the sensed object is within a first distance of said vehicle; and means coupled to said control means and with said fuel throttle for automatically disabling said throttle in response to said second command signal when the sensed object is within a second distance of said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
225 words
A collision avoidance system for a wheeled vehicle having a fuel throttle, a steering system, a front wheel system and a braking system, comprising: means for sensing the presence of an object such as another vehicle, said sensing means including means for transmitting a signal in the vicinity of the vehicle which is reflected off said object and means for receiving portions of said signal reflected from said object; means for connecting the steering system of the vehicle to said transmitting means and for rotating said transmitting means so that the transmitting means tracks the turning movement of the vehicle steering system; means for generating a control signal which is proportional in magnitude to the distance between said vehicle and the sensed object; control means responsive to said control signal and having first and second outputs for respective outputting first and second command signals in accordance with the magnitude of said control signal; means coupled to said control means and with said braking system for automatically actuating said braking system in response to said first command signal when the sensed object is within a first distance of said vehicle; and means coupled to said control means and with said fuel throttle for automatically disabling said throttle in response to said second command signal when the sensed object is within a second distance of said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
The system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said control means has a third output for outputting a third channel signal in accordance with the magnitude of said control signal and wherein said system further comprises means coupled to said control means and responsive to said third command signal for providing the driver of said vehicle with a visual indication of the presence of a sensed object when said object is within a third distance of said vehicle.
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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) | 1990-02-02 | 1990-08-04 | 1991-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-02 | 1994-08-04 | 1995-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-02 | 1998-08-04 | 1999-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |