Patent US5541891A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5541891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Distance sensing device
Assignee: Reitter and Schefenacker GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1995-03-23
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2015-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A distance sensing device for a motor vehicle, positioned at the rear of the motor vehicle, for sensing a distance to an obstacle to the rear of the motor vehicle, has a brake light unit positioned in the interior of the motor vehicle at the rear window. At least one sensor for sensing the distance is provided. An optical display unit located within the brake light unit is provided, and the at least one sensor is connected to the optical display unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernd Waldmann
- 👤 Djunarato Kusuma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/93; G01S15/931; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/0017; B60Q1/0023; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/30; B60Q1/302; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/008; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G01S2015/937; G01S2015/938; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A distance sensing device for a motor vehicle, positioned at the rear of the motor vehicle, for sensing a distance to an obstacle to the rear of the motor vehicle, said distance sensing device comprising: a brake light unit positioned in the interior of the motor vehicle at the rear window; at least one sensor for sensing the distance; an optical display unit located within said brake light unit, wherein said at least one sensor is electrically connected to said optical display unit; wherein said brake light unit comprises a casing with a cover, said cover comprising a lamp fixture for an incandescent light bulb of said brake light unit; wherein said optical display unit is located in said cover; wherein said cover is detachably connected to said casing by a snap connection and is located remote from the rear window; wherein said optical display unit comprises an indicator member located within said cover; and wherein said optical display unit further comprises at least one indicator element positioned within said casing so as to be aligned with said indicator member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A distance sensing device for a motor vehicle, positioned at the rear of the motor vehicle, for sensing a distance to an obstacle to the rear of the motor vehicle, said distance sensing device comprising: a brake light unit positioned in the interior of the motor vehicle at the rear window; at least one sensor for sensing the distance; an optical display unit located within said brake light unit, wherein said at least one sensor is electrically connected to said optical display unit; wherein said brake light unit comprises a casing with a cover, said cover comprising a lamp fixture for an incandescent light bulb of said brake light unit; wherein said optical display unit is located in said cover; wherein said cover is detachably connected to said casing by a snap connection and is located remote from the rear window; wherein said optical display unit comprises an indicator member located within said cover; and wherein said optical display unit further comprises at least one indicator element positioned within said casing so as to be aligned with said indicator member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said optical display unit comprises a control device, said control device positioned within said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said indicator member comprises at least two indicator fields, each having a different color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 3, comprising three of said indicator fields positioned adjacent to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 3, further comprising an acoustic signalling device coupled with said optical display unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 5, wherein each of said indicator fields has coordinated therewith a different acoustic signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 6, wherein said acoustic signal is a single sound signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 6, wherein said acoustic signal is a sound signal sequence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 3, wherein said optical display unit one of said indicator elements for each of said indicator fields positioned within said casing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 9, wherein said indicator element is an LED.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A distance sensing device according to claim 9, wherein: said optical display unit further comprises a printed circuit board arranged within said casing; and said indicator elements are connected to said printed circuit board.
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) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |