Patent US5162794A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5162794A
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Safe trailing distance warning for vehicles
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-11-21
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Granted: 1992-11-10
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Expires: 2009-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A device and method to avoid collisions is described herein. The invention is primarily directed to preventing tail-gating by motorists. The method and device may also be utilized to detect stationary objects and to alert the driver of a vehicle of an imminent collision.
Inventors
- 👤 Nancy Seith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/002; B60Q9/004; B60Q9/006; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/525; B60Q1/535; B60Q9/008; G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/168; G01S2013/9314; G01S2013/9317; G01S2013/9323; G01S2013/9325; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for spacing vehicles comprising a first vehicle having a rear directed first detection means capable of detecting a rear located second vehicle wherein the first vehicle has means cable of determining the rate at which the second vehicle is reducing the distance between the first and second vehicles, said first vehicle also having signaling means for generating a signal directed to said second vehicle when the second vehicle's velocity and/or distance relative to the first vehicle is determined to be too great to safely stop before contacting the first vehicle from the rear wherein the signaling means generates a signal which is proportionately related to the velocity of the second vehicle, provided further that the signaling means is inactivated when the velocity of the first vehicle or the second vehicle is less than a predetermined rate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for spacing vehicles comprising a first vehicle having a rear directed first detection means capable of detecting a rear located second vehicle wherein the first vehicle has means cable of determining the rate at which the second vehicle is reducing the distance between the first and second vehicles, said first vehicle also having signaling means for generating a signal directed to said second vehicle when the second vehicle's velocity and/or distance relative to the first vehicle is determined to be too great to safely stop before contacting the first vehicle from the rear wherein the signaling means generates a signal which is proportionately related to the velocity of the second vehicle, provided further that the signaling means is inactivated when the velocity of the first vehicle or the second vehicle is less than a predetermined rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is a visible light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the signaling means may be overridden when the distance between the first and second vehicles exceeds a predetermined distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the detection means utilizes a laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the detection means operates in the radio frequency range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the detection means is pulsed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is audible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is visible light pulsed proportionately related to the velocity of the second vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the signaling means is mounted in the rear window or a shielded area of a land vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an automobile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the rear directed detection means has a second signaling means to signal the operator of the first vehicle when operating in a reverse direction of rearward located objects, further including a second detection means in the first vehicle for detecting objects within a predetermined range of the first vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the second detection means operates at a wider signal width than the first detection means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the second detection means operates only at distances of less than ten meters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the first detection means and second detection means are capable of operating simultaneously.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second vehicle has means capable of receiving the signal from the first vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the signal is one or more distinct signals.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
108 words
A device having means for determining the distance or relative velocity between two vehicles, wherein the device is aimed from the rear of a first vehicle where a signal is initiated, received and read in the first vehicle, and means to provide a second signal to at least one of the vehicle operators that the distance between the vehicles is at a predetermined distance wherein the second signal is pulsed proportionately related to the velocity of the second vehicle, provided further that the means to provide the second signal is inactivated when the velocity of the first vehicle or the second vehicle is less than a predetermined rate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
108 words
A device having means for determining the distance or relative velocity between two vehicles, wherein the device is aimed from the rear of a first vehicle where a signal is initiated, received and read in the first vehicle, and means to provide a second signal to at least one of the vehicle operators that the distance between the vehicles is at a predetermined distance wherein the second signal is pulsed proportionately related to the velocity of the second vehicle, provided further that the means to provide the second signal is inactivated when the velocity of the first vehicle or the second vehicle is less than a predetermined rate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the signal initiated is a laser.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the second signal is directed to a rear located vehicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the signal initiated is a radio frequency signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the second signal is a visible light.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the means to signal is mounted in the rear window or in a shielded recess of a land vehicle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 17 wherein the means for determining the distance between two vehicles has a second means to signal the operator of the first vehicle when operating in a reverse direction of rearward located objects.
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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) | 1995-11-10 | 1996-05-11 | 1996-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-10 | 2000-05-11 | 2000-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-10 | 2004-05-11 | 2004-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |