US5760708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signaling means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-12-17
•
Granted: 1998-06-02
•
Expires: 2011-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A device and method to avoid collisions is described. The device and method is primarily directed to preventing tail-gating by motorists and the avoidance of otherwise resultant collisions. 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
2026-10-24 09:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/008; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/525; B60Q1/535; 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; G08G1/165; G08G1/166; G08G1/167; G08G1/168; G01S2013/9314; G01S2013/9317; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9323; G01S2013/9325; G01S2013/9327; G01S2013/93272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
A device in a first vehicle for spacing vehicles comprising: said device in said first vehicle having a rear directed detection means, for when said first vehicle is operating, generating a first laser or radar signal directed from the rear of said first vehicle; said device in said first vehicle having means for receiving a reflected signal of said first signal from a second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle; said device in said first vehicle having means for calculating the velocity of the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle, the distance between the said first vehicle and the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle and input for determining the velocity of said first vehicle; said first vehicle having a signaling means, for when said rear located vehicle is operating within a predetermined distance of said first vehicle and at a predetermined velocity such that the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle is overtaking said first vehicle at a relative velocity that makes a rear end collision between said first vehicle and the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle likely, for generating a pulsating visible light directed to the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle wherein said pulsating visible light is proportionately related to the velocity of the rear located second vehicle and provided further that the signaling means is inoperative at a second predetermined velocity of the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
261 words
A device in a first vehicle for spacing vehicles comprising: said device in said first vehicle having a rear directed detection means, for when said first vehicle is operating, generating a first laser or radar signal directed from the rear of said first vehicle; said device in said first vehicle having means for receiving a reflected signal of said first signal from a second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle; said device in said first vehicle having means for calculating the velocity of the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle, the distance between the said first vehicle and the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle and input for determining the velocity of said first vehicle; said first vehicle having a signaling means, for when said rear located vehicle is operating within a predetermined distance of said first vehicle and at a predetermined velocity such that the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle is overtaking said first vehicle at a relative velocity that makes a rear end collision between said first vehicle and the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle likely, for generating a pulsating visible light directed to the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle wherein said pulsating visible light is proportionately related to the velocity of the rear located second vehicle and provided further that the signaling means is inoperative at a second predetermined velocity of the second vehicle located to the rear of said first vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the detection means utilizes a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the detection means utilizes radio signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the signal is audible.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the signaling means is mounted in the rear window or a shielded area of a land vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the rear directed detection means has a second signaling means to signal the operator of said first vehicle when operating in a reverse direction of rearward located objects.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the second detection means operates at a wider signal width than the first detection means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the second detection means operates on a continuum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the first detection means and second detection means are capable of operating simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the second vehicle has means capable of receiving the signal from the first vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the signal is one or more distinct signals.
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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) | 2001-06-01 | 2001-12-01 | 2002-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | 2006-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-01 | 2009-12-01 | 2010-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |