US5923243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle collision avoidance signalling device
Assignee: ASTRON GROUP TECHNOLOGIES SA
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Filing: 1994-12-24
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Granted: 1999-07-13
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Expires: 2014-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A device for emitting signals from a vehicle indicating the type vehicle, its operating status and a safe following distance to be observed by a following vehicle. For this purpose a laser beam source is mounted preferably at a location on an upper portion of the vehicle which emits the signal. The laser beam generated by the source is directed downward toward the road surface, so that the point of impact is situated at a minimum safe following distance. The point of impact may be adjusted based on vehicle operating parameters, and more than one color or more than one laser source may be used to convey additional information.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Bleiner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:58
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/16; G08G1/166; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/525; B60Q1/535; B60Q2400/00; B60Q2400/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A vehicle signaling device, comprising: at least one light source adapted to emit at least one highly collimated laser beam of visible light; a mounting device adapted for mounting said at least one light source on a vehicle and for directing said at least one laser beam in a rearward direction relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle, which rearward direction can be varied relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and means for adjusting said direction of said laser beam to a direction which impinges on a traveled road surface creating a preset light pattern at a distance behind the vehicle which is approximately equal to a safe distance to be observed by a following vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A vehicle signaling device, comprising: at least one light source adapted to emit at least one highly collimated laser beam of visible light; a mounting device adapted for mounting said at least one light source on a vehicle and for directing said at least one laser beam in a rearward direction relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle, which rearward direction can be varied relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and means for adjusting said direction of said laser beam to a direction which impinges on a traveled road surface creating a preset light pattern at a distance behind the vehicle which is approximately equal to a safe distance to be observed by a following vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the at least one laser beam is situated approximately in a plane of symmetry formed by longitudinal and vertical axes of the vehicle, or in a plane parallel to this the plane of symmetry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Device according to claim 1 wherein the optical axis of the at least one laser beam is directed diagonally downwards onto the road relative to a horizontal plane of symmetry formed by the longitudinal axis and transverse axes of the vehicle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is mounted in a middle region of a roof of said vehicle facing rearward, or in a middle region of an inside of a rear window of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source comprises a pulsed laser generator for the intermittent emission of at least one laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the at least one laser beam can be adjusted by a swivel movement of the at least one light source by an angle relative to a horizontal plane of symmetry of the vehicle formed by longitudinal and transverse axes thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
Device according to claim 6, further comprising control means for automatically adjusting the at least one light source, so that the at least one laser beam hits the road at a distance which corresponds to a safe distance behind the car in front, including when a route followed by the vehicle bends and deviates from the horizontal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein the optical axis of the at least one laser beam can be adjusted by a swivel movement of the at least one light source by an angle relative to a vertical plane of symmetry of the vehicle formed by longitudinal and vertical axes thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle signalling device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is mounted detachably on said vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vehicle signalling device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light source is swivellably mounted on said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vehicle signalling device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light source comprises a source for generating a soft laser beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
A vehicle signaling device, comprising: at least one light source adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for emitting at least one laser beam of visible light; wherein an optical axis of said at least one laser beam is continuously directed rearwards relative to a forward traveling direction of the vehicle, and downwardly; wherein a point of impact of the at least one laser beam on a road surface on which the vehicle travels is situated at distance behind the vehicle which is approximately equal to a safe distance to be observed by a following vehicle; and wherein said at least one light source emits a plurality of differently colored laser beams.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
A vehicle signaling device, comprising: at least one light source adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for emitting at least one laser beam of visible light; wherein an optical axis of said at least one laser beam is continuously directed rearwards relative to a forward traveling direction of the vehicle, and downwardly; wherein a point of impact of the at least one laser beam on a road surface on which the vehicle travels is situated at distance behind the vehicle which is approximately equal to a safe distance to be observed by a following vehicle; and wherein said at least one light source emits a plurality of differently colored laser beams.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Device according to claim 12, wherein each of said at least one light source comprises a number of laser generators which corresponds to the number of laser beams to be emitted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Device according to claim 12, wherein each of said at least one light source has a dye laser which permits the emission of differently colored laser beams.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vehicle signaling device, comprising: at least one light source adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for emitting at least one laser beam of visible light; wherein an optical axis of said at least one laser beam is continuously directed rearwards relative to a forward traveling direction of the vehicle, and downwardly; wherein a point of impact of the at least one laser beam on a road surface on which the vehicle travels is situated at distance behind the vehicle which is approximately equal to a safe distance to be observed by a following vehicle; and wherein said at least one light source comprises two light sources, each emitting at least one laser beam, which light sources are distanced from one another and emitted differently colored parallel laser beams.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vehicle signaling device, comprising: at least one light source adapted to be mounted on a vehicle for emitting at least one laser beam of visible light; wherein an optical axis of said at least one laser beam is continuously directed rearwards relative to a forward traveling direction of the vehicle, and downwardly; wherein a point of impact of the at least one laser beam on a road surface on which the vehicle travels is situated at distance behind the vehicle which is approximately equal to a safe distance to be observed by a following vehicle; and wherein said at least one light source comprises two light sources, each emitting at least one laser beam, which light sources are distanced from one another and emitted differently colored parallel laser beams.
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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) | 2002-07-12 | 2003-01-11 | 2003-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-12 | 2007-01-11 | 2007-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-12 | 2011-01-11 | 2011-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |