CA1091780A - Vehicle impact warning device - Google Patents
Vehicle impact warning deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1091780A CA1091780A CA279,488A CA279488A CA1091780A CA 1091780 A CA1091780 A CA 1091780A CA 279488 A CA279488 A CA 279488A CA 1091780 A CA1091780 A CA 1091780A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- contact
- electrical contact
- electrical
- vehicle
- obstacle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
- B60Q9/002—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling for parking purposes, e.g. for warning the driver that his vehicle has contacted or is about to contact an obstacle
- B60Q9/003—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling for parking purposes, e.g. for warning the driver that his vehicle has contacted or is about to contact an obstacle using physical contactors, e.g. arms that trigger alarm upon contact with obstacle
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A warning device for mounting on a vehicle to alert the driver of contact with an obstacle such as a loading dock is disclosed. The device has a resilient body and two normally spaced electrical contacts which close together to complete electrical circuitry when the resilient body is compressed as a result of impact with an obstacle.
A warning device for mounting on a vehicle to alert the driver of contact with an obstacle such as a loading dock is disclosed. The device has a resilient body and two normally spaced electrical contacts which close together to complete electrical circuitry when the resilient body is compressed as a result of impact with an obstacle.
Description
The present invention relates to a guidance and .~i warning device primarily adapted for mountingon a motor vehicle -~ to alert the driver of contact of the vehicle with an obstacle.
The device comprises a body of resilient material including elec-- trical circuitry which is activated upon contact of the resilient body with an obstacle to warn the operator of the vehicle of such contact by means of a warning light or signal bell or buzzer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Patent 2,902,671 dated September 1, 1959, granted to Olas Pitt relates to a curb feeler which is resiliently mounted so that contact of a feeler arm with an obstacle alerts the op-erator of a vehicle by the illumination of a suitable warning light.
This prior apparatus consists of an outwardly extending feeler arm which is adapted to contact the curb when the operator is parking - the vehicle to alert the driver of the proximity of his vehicle to the curb.
The device of U.S. Patent 2,902,671 is, however, suscept-ible to damage either as aresult of the bending of the feeler arm to an inoperative position, or if the feeler arm is driven against the curb or other obstacle with a degree of force particularly in an inward direction axially to the feeler arm, the device could ` be irrepairably damaged and would cease to function. The device of this prior art is primarily designed as an indicator of the positioning of the vehicle at some distance from an obstacle such as a curb and is not designed to endure repeated and severe impact to which it would be subjected if mounted on a truck body.
DISCUSSION OF PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a device primarily in-tended for mounting on the bumper or fender of a truck or deliv-ery van and which is extremely durable and long lasting and inaddition to providing the operator of a vehicle with a visual or audible warning of contact with an obstacle also provides a dur-able bumper assembly which will protect the vehicle itself against : : i ~ r ", ~;;
, damage caused by impact.
.... .
; The advantages of the present invention are achieved - by the provision of a body of resilient material which is adap-~ .,.
ted for securement to the bumper or fender of a motor vehicle ~~ and which resilient body is molded in smoothly rounded shape and is of a material of sufficiently strong resilient material to take - repeated impacts without failure. The resilient body carries a ~. .
first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact is spaced from the first contact. One of the electrical contacts is grounded with the other of the contacts being in electrical circuitry with a source of electrical energy which circuitry includes an alarm device such as a signal lamp or warning bell j.
or buzzer. The resiliency of the body results in its being com-pressed upon contact with an obstacle which results in the move-ment of the first contact to touch in electrical communication the second contact to complete the electrical circuitry and acti-: vate the alarm device.
In preferred construction, the second electrical con-;; tact is carried by and is in electrical contact with bolts which ; ~0 are embedded in the resilient body and which are used in assoc-iation with nuts to secure the device to a vehicle.
; The first electrical contact is carried by an inner surface of the bumper body in spaced relationship to the second ` contact point and electrical energy is supplied to the first con-tact point. Due to the resilient nature of the body, the body ~ upon contact with an obstacle becomes compressed and the first - electrical contact is moved inwardly against the second electr-ical contact to complete the electrical circuitry and cause actu-ation of the driver alarm.
Specifically, then, the present invention relates to a ~:
bumper and warning device primarily adapted for mounting on a motor vehicle to alert the driver of contact with an obstacle, and which comprises a bumper body of resillent material and means
The device comprises a body of resilient material including elec-- trical circuitry which is activated upon contact of the resilient body with an obstacle to warn the operator of the vehicle of such contact by means of a warning light or signal bell or buzzer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Patent 2,902,671 dated September 1, 1959, granted to Olas Pitt relates to a curb feeler which is resiliently mounted so that contact of a feeler arm with an obstacle alerts the op-erator of a vehicle by the illumination of a suitable warning light.
This prior apparatus consists of an outwardly extending feeler arm which is adapted to contact the curb when the operator is parking - the vehicle to alert the driver of the proximity of his vehicle to the curb.
The device of U.S. Patent 2,902,671 is, however, suscept-ible to damage either as aresult of the bending of the feeler arm to an inoperative position, or if the feeler arm is driven against the curb or other obstacle with a degree of force particularly in an inward direction axially to the feeler arm, the device could ` be irrepairably damaged and would cease to function. The device of this prior art is primarily designed as an indicator of the positioning of the vehicle at some distance from an obstacle such as a curb and is not designed to endure repeated and severe impact to which it would be subjected if mounted on a truck body.
DISCUSSION OF PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a device primarily in-tended for mounting on the bumper or fender of a truck or deliv-ery van and which is extremely durable and long lasting and inaddition to providing the operator of a vehicle with a visual or audible warning of contact with an obstacle also provides a dur-able bumper assembly which will protect the vehicle itself against : : i ~ r ", ~;;
, damage caused by impact.
.... .
; The advantages of the present invention are achieved - by the provision of a body of resilient material which is adap-~ .,.
ted for securement to the bumper or fender of a motor vehicle ~~ and which resilient body is molded in smoothly rounded shape and is of a material of sufficiently strong resilient material to take - repeated impacts without failure. The resilient body carries a ~. .
first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact is spaced from the first contact. One of the electrical contacts is grounded with the other of the contacts being in electrical circuitry with a source of electrical energy which circuitry includes an alarm device such as a signal lamp or warning bell j.
or buzzer. The resiliency of the body results in its being com-pressed upon contact with an obstacle which results in the move-ment of the first contact to touch in electrical communication the second contact to complete the electrical circuitry and acti-: vate the alarm device.
In preferred construction, the second electrical con-;; tact is carried by and is in electrical contact with bolts which ; ~0 are embedded in the resilient body and which are used in assoc-iation with nuts to secure the device to a vehicle.
; The first electrical contact is carried by an inner surface of the bumper body in spaced relationship to the second ` contact point and electrical energy is supplied to the first con-tact point. Due to the resilient nature of the body, the body ~ upon contact with an obstacle becomes compressed and the first - electrical contact is moved inwardly against the second electr-ical contact to complete the electrical circuitry and cause actu-ation of the driver alarm.
Specifically, then, the present invention relates to a ~:
bumper and warning device primarily adapted for mounting on a motor vehicle to alert the driver of contact with an obstacle, and which comprises a bumper body of resillent material and means
-2-''; ' . . .
: . . ~ , . : ~ :
:: . :
.
i7~
to secure the bumper body to a motor vehicle. A first electrical `` contact is carried by the bumper body and a second electrical : contact is spaced from the first contact; one of the electrical ~` contacts being grounded and the other of the contacts being elec-,~ ~,t~ .
- trical circuitry with a source of electrical energy which circuit-; ry includes an alarm device.
The first electrical contact is moved into contact with the second electrical contact during compression of the resilient - body during impact with an obstacle to complete the electrical circuitry and activate the alarm device to warn the driver of contact with an obstacle.
The invention will now be more specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates the device in side view suitably mounted on a bumper of a motor vehicle;
~: Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the showing in ; Figure 1 and including light and alarm electrical circuitry; and Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 1.
.~ .
~' 20 The device consists of a main body member 2 made pref-erably of resilient rubber plastic or like material and which has an upper opening 4 provided therein to receive the lower end of an upstanding staff member 6 as shown in Figure 2. The staff member 6 may be of metal or suitable plastics material.
The upper end of the staff 6 is provided with a trans-; parent or translucent top 8 which houses a light bulb (not shown) for the convenience of the operator of the vehicle.
The main body 2 is adapted to be bolted to the bumper 10, or other suitable position such as a fender, on a motor 30 vehicle by means of bolts 12 and 14 and their respective nuts 16 and 18. In construction, the outer ends 20 and 22 of the bolts 12 and 14, respectively, may be molded in situ during formation of the main body 2, or alternatively, apertures or openings could ~~ 3 ', ~
. .
. ~ .
. ~
be provided in the body 2 to receive the ends 20 and 22. In preferred construction, the end 22 of bolt 14 is inclined upward-ly, and the end 20 of bolt 12 is curved downwardly to positively ensure that the main body 2 does not become separated from the bolts as a result of extremely hard usage of the device. Of course, other configurations and means for securing the bolt members within the body 2 are possible.
. ~
Horizontally positioned in the body 2 is a longitudinal cylindrical cavity 24 which receives a sleeve 26 of metallic electrically conductive material and which is provided with a metallic disc 28 which forms a first electrical contact for the device.
~ A second electrical contact 30 in the form of a disc - having apertures for the passage of bolts 12 and 14 is spaced from the body 2 by means of metal washers or spacers 32 and the second - electrical contact 30 is spaced from the bumper 10 by means of metal washers or spacers 34. In preferred construction, the .....
washers 32 are welded to the bolts 12 and 14, and the washers or spacers 34 are used as spacing washers.
An electric bulb (not shown) is provided in the top portion 8 of the staff 6 and illumination of the electric bulb is caused by the passage of electrical current from the battery 36 of the vehicle through electric wire or conductor 38 and subsequ-ently through grounded electric wire 40. A suitable opening 27 as shown in Figure 2 is provided in sleeve 26 to permit passage of wires 38 and 40. While no specific switching arrangement is shown in Figure 2, it will be clearly apparent that energization ~.,, 6~b l~ of the lamp 5~ should be independently controlled by a separate switch, or alternatively, the bulb could be wires through the electrical circuitry of the vehicle so that the bulb is illumi-- nated when the remaining of the lights of the vehicle are turned on.
An electrically conductive wire 42 is secured to the _4_ . ' ~
: - . ,: :.
~ .
iQ!~
metallic electrically conductive sleeve 26 at 44 and the wire :';
~ which connects the battery 36 to sleeve 26 is provided with suit-:.
~. able signal means such as a warning light 46 and/or a warning bell .~ .
or buzzer 48 as will be described in further detail hereafter.
When the motor vehicle is in motion and the body 2 con-tacts an obstacle such as a loading dock, curb, or the like a ,~ compressive force is exerted on the body 2 and the resilient , nature of the body 2 will result in sleeve 26 and contact disc 28 moving inwardly into electrical contact with the second electrical lo contact disc ~4_ The second contact ~4 is in electrical contact with bolts 12 and 14 which themselves are in electrical contact with the bumper 2 and the contacting of the first and second electrical contacts enables the electric current supplied through -wire 42 to find ground, thus completing the flow of current through wire 42 and the actuation of the warning light and/or warning buzzer as will be appreciated.
~' An operator backing his vehicle into a confined space ~,:
, or against a loading dock structure or the like will thus be guided and warned as to the exact positioning of his vehicle by the warning light and/or warning bell or buzzer which will become :: ' actuated as a result of the main body 2 of the device contacting and being compressed between the bumper 4 of the vehicle and an ~, obstacle.
In view of the metallic and tight fitting nature of bolts 12 and 14, washers 32 and contact 30 and nuts 16 and 18, electrical conductivity from contact 30 to the frame of the vehicle to permit positive grounding is assured. ~owever, as an alter-native contact 30 could be provided with a separate grounding -wire 50 as shown in Figure 3.
While the presence of staff 6 is preferred for the convenience and guidance of the driver, it could be omitted and the bumper guide would still provide the desired warning to the driver when an obstacle was encountered.
., .
: . . ~ , . : ~ :
:: . :
.
i7~
to secure the bumper body to a motor vehicle. A first electrical `` contact is carried by the bumper body and a second electrical : contact is spaced from the first contact; one of the electrical ~` contacts being grounded and the other of the contacts being elec-,~ ~,t~ .
- trical circuitry with a source of electrical energy which circuit-; ry includes an alarm device.
The first electrical contact is moved into contact with the second electrical contact during compression of the resilient - body during impact with an obstacle to complete the electrical circuitry and activate the alarm device to warn the driver of contact with an obstacle.
The invention will now be more specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates the device in side view suitably mounted on a bumper of a motor vehicle;
~: Figure 2 is a side sectional view of the showing in ; Figure 1 and including light and alarm electrical circuitry; and Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Figure 1.
.~ .
~' 20 The device consists of a main body member 2 made pref-erably of resilient rubber plastic or like material and which has an upper opening 4 provided therein to receive the lower end of an upstanding staff member 6 as shown in Figure 2. The staff member 6 may be of metal or suitable plastics material.
The upper end of the staff 6 is provided with a trans-; parent or translucent top 8 which houses a light bulb (not shown) for the convenience of the operator of the vehicle.
The main body 2 is adapted to be bolted to the bumper 10, or other suitable position such as a fender, on a motor 30 vehicle by means of bolts 12 and 14 and their respective nuts 16 and 18. In construction, the outer ends 20 and 22 of the bolts 12 and 14, respectively, may be molded in situ during formation of the main body 2, or alternatively, apertures or openings could ~~ 3 ', ~
. .
. ~ .
. ~
be provided in the body 2 to receive the ends 20 and 22. In preferred construction, the end 22 of bolt 14 is inclined upward-ly, and the end 20 of bolt 12 is curved downwardly to positively ensure that the main body 2 does not become separated from the bolts as a result of extremely hard usage of the device. Of course, other configurations and means for securing the bolt members within the body 2 are possible.
. ~
Horizontally positioned in the body 2 is a longitudinal cylindrical cavity 24 which receives a sleeve 26 of metallic electrically conductive material and which is provided with a metallic disc 28 which forms a first electrical contact for the device.
~ A second electrical contact 30 in the form of a disc - having apertures for the passage of bolts 12 and 14 is spaced from the body 2 by means of metal washers or spacers 32 and the second - electrical contact 30 is spaced from the bumper 10 by means of metal washers or spacers 34. In preferred construction, the .....
washers 32 are welded to the bolts 12 and 14, and the washers or spacers 34 are used as spacing washers.
An electric bulb (not shown) is provided in the top portion 8 of the staff 6 and illumination of the electric bulb is caused by the passage of electrical current from the battery 36 of the vehicle through electric wire or conductor 38 and subsequ-ently through grounded electric wire 40. A suitable opening 27 as shown in Figure 2 is provided in sleeve 26 to permit passage of wires 38 and 40. While no specific switching arrangement is shown in Figure 2, it will be clearly apparent that energization ~.,, 6~b l~ of the lamp 5~ should be independently controlled by a separate switch, or alternatively, the bulb could be wires through the electrical circuitry of the vehicle so that the bulb is illumi-- nated when the remaining of the lights of the vehicle are turned on.
An electrically conductive wire 42 is secured to the _4_ . ' ~
: - . ,: :.
~ .
iQ!~
metallic electrically conductive sleeve 26 at 44 and the wire :';
~ which connects the battery 36 to sleeve 26 is provided with suit-:.
~. able signal means such as a warning light 46 and/or a warning bell .~ .
or buzzer 48 as will be described in further detail hereafter.
When the motor vehicle is in motion and the body 2 con-tacts an obstacle such as a loading dock, curb, or the like a ,~ compressive force is exerted on the body 2 and the resilient , nature of the body 2 will result in sleeve 26 and contact disc 28 moving inwardly into electrical contact with the second electrical lo contact disc ~4_ The second contact ~4 is in electrical contact with bolts 12 and 14 which themselves are in electrical contact with the bumper 2 and the contacting of the first and second electrical contacts enables the electric current supplied through -wire 42 to find ground, thus completing the flow of current through wire 42 and the actuation of the warning light and/or warning buzzer as will be appreciated.
~' An operator backing his vehicle into a confined space ~,:
, or against a loading dock structure or the like will thus be guided and warned as to the exact positioning of his vehicle by the warning light and/or warning bell or buzzer which will become :: ' actuated as a result of the main body 2 of the device contacting and being compressed between the bumper 4 of the vehicle and an ~, obstacle.
In view of the metallic and tight fitting nature of bolts 12 and 14, washers 32 and contact 30 and nuts 16 and 18, electrical conductivity from contact 30 to the frame of the vehicle to permit positive grounding is assured. ~owever, as an alter-native contact 30 could be provided with a separate grounding -wire 50 as shown in Figure 3.
While the presence of staff 6 is preferred for the convenience and guidance of the driver, it could be omitted and the bumper guide would still provide the desired warning to the driver when an obstacle was encountered.
., .
Claims (2)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A guiding and warning device primarily adapted for mounting on a motor vehicle to alert the driver of contact with an obstacle, and comprising a body of resilient material having a smooth and rounded outwardly facing configuration, and bolt means carried by the body and adapted to secure the device to a vehicle, and a first electrical contact carried by the resilient body and circuit means to supply electric current to the first electrical contact, and a second electrical contact carried by and in electrical conductive contact with the bolt means, the second electrical contact being normally spaced from the first electrical contact, the circuit means including an alarm device, compression of the resilient body upon impact with an obstacle moving the first electrical contact to touch the second electrical contact and complete the circuit means and activate the alarm device.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm device is a buzzer or a signal light.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA279,488A CA1091780A (en) | 1977-05-31 | 1977-05-31 | Vehicle impact warning device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA279,488A CA1091780A (en) | 1977-05-31 | 1977-05-31 | Vehicle impact warning device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1091780A true CA1091780A (en) | 1980-12-16 |
Family
ID=4108770
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA279,488A Expired CA1091780A (en) | 1977-05-31 | 1977-05-31 | Vehicle impact warning device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1091780A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2523051A1 (en) * | 1982-03-08 | 1983-09-16 | Mauras Mecanique Gle | Vehicle impact indicator used as reversing aid - provides warning signal in response to operation of position sensor at rear of vehicle |
| CN112967576A (en) * | 2021-02-04 | 2021-06-15 | 安徽国华光电技术有限公司 | Detection device for occurrence of collision of pile test |
-
1977
- 1977-05-31 CA CA279,488A patent/CA1091780A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2523051A1 (en) * | 1982-03-08 | 1983-09-16 | Mauras Mecanique Gle | Vehicle impact indicator used as reversing aid - provides warning signal in response to operation of position sensor at rear of vehicle |
| CN112967576A (en) * | 2021-02-04 | 2021-06-15 | 安徽国华光电技术有限公司 | Detection device for occurrence of collision of pile test |
| CN112967576B (en) * | 2021-02-04 | 2024-06-04 | 安徽国华光电技术有限公司 | Stake is examined collision and is taken place detection device |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA1087273A (en) | Low tire alarm | |
| US3610851A (en) | Tire deflation warning signal apparatus | |
| US2640119A (en) | Flat tire signal device | |
| US4458535A (en) | Drive defect detector | |
| CA1091780A (en) | Vehicle impact warning device | |
| US3593269A (en) | Vehicle tire pressure monitoring system | |
| US5227785A (en) | Freestanding vehicle parking assist apparatus | |
| US6609768B1 (en) | Emergency steering wheel braking system | |
| US3984808A (en) | Pneumatic tire trouble indicator with ball/socket switch | |
| US3654411A (en) | Break-away switch | |
| US5116248A (en) | Power plug for radar warning detector | |
| DE3762107D1 (en) | DEVICE FOR MONITORING AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE DRIVE WHEEL OF A VEHICLE, APPLICABLE FOR MONITORING A TIRE. | |
| US4794399A (en) | Retraction alarm for exterior television antenna or RV antenna | |
| US3496317A (en) | Safety bumper for self-propelled vehicle | |
| US5678505A (en) | Warning device for tractor trailer skirts | |
| US3528055A (en) | Safety alerting system for dump-body vehicles | |
| US3413598A (en) | Low tire pressure warning system | |
| US2882362A (en) | Tire deflation signal | |
| US3937542A (en) | Electrical brush contact | |
| US2734125A (en) | Clearance lamp | |
| US3223970A (en) | Tire deflation signalling device | |
| US2647967A (en) | Low tire indicator switch | |
| US4187495A (en) | Low tire pressure warning system | |
| US2768255A (en) | Feeler switch | |
| US2452768A (en) | Tire deflation operated switch |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 19971216 |