FR2598365A1 - Protection and alarm device protecting against impact for any hitch or other projecting member of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Bumper signalling its contact with an obstacle. The invention relates to a device protecting a protruding accessory on a vehicle (towing ball, additional headlamp, etc.) signalling its contact with an obstacle (wall, other vehicle, etc.) to the driver. It consists of a movable blade 2 protecting the ball 1 and which, when a vehicle presses on the blade, actuates a mechanical or electrical signal 8 emitting an audible or (and) light signal. The device according to the invention is intended to equip vehicles comprising a towing hitch or additional headlamps, those transporting overhanging objects, or vehicles whose size is difficult to judge (van, trailer, etc).

Description

 The present invention relates to the protection of vehicles whose driver can hardly assess the size, whether they are equipped with coupling systems or other prominent objects (additional headlights, spoilers, etc.), or with reduced visibility (station wagon, pickup truck, caravan, etc.), as well as bulky items transported by a vehicle (ladder, bars, boards, etc.).

 The towballs very often protrude from the bumper of the equipped vehicle and thus constitute a real spur. In addition, these balls are rarely found at the same height as the bumper of the nearby vehicle, which leads them to rely on a radiator grille, a turn signal, a headlight or even a wing, a door, etc. The very small contact surface due to the shape gives, for an insignificant bearing force, a significant unit pressure inevitably causing the ball to leave its imprint in the body sheet, to break the headlight glass, the plastic grille. , etc ...

 Thus the prominence of the ball makes it difficult to know the size of the car and, during maneuvers, on non-rigorously flat ground in particular, a safety space must be kept in order to avoid any contact, the slightest error of assessment causing extremely costly damage. This "blind" driving often becomes an obsession for many drivers.

 If some balls can be removed - this is not the case for all existing models - the support remains in spite of everything in relief and disassembly is messy and impractical.

 There are currently bumpers for ball joints, but these only slightly increase the contact surface and their effectiveness is very low; Finally, since their contact with the other vehicle is not signaled to the driver, they do not suppress driving on trial.

 The object of the invention is to suppress the blind side of the maneuver, making it risk-free by warning the contact before it has been able to cause the slightest damage, the driver being able to act accordingly.

 To this end, the coupling system is equipped with a bumper activating an alarm system, mechanical or electrical, audible or visual.

 The appended drawing, given by way of nonlimiting example, shows some ways in which the invention can be implemented in the particular case of mounting on a trailer hitch. To simplify the reading of the various drawings, the elements common to several embodiments are identified by the same numbers.

 Figure I: mechanical bumper and horn (top view).

The ball (1) is protected by a blade (2) covered or not with a cough (3), articulated in (4) held in place by a spring (5, '. When a vehicle (or obstaCle) (6) presses on the lar (2), this one activates a mechanical system producing sounds rare shocks of fi :: es or moving parts between them (e ::: crà © maillère (7) and su net enre stamp de bicyclette (8) or other ) whether or not fitted with a freewheel to operate only when the la is inserted:;, e. The whole is mounted on a support () integral with the hitch (10) and easily detachable or swivel to move the hitch.

 Fig 2: Set of the fi. 1 in raised position for use of the ball (front view). The ball joint is clear and in thin phantom, the bumper in the operating position.

Fig. 3: Mechanical bumper and electric horn (top view). The set is similar to the previous realization. The blade (2) actuates an electrical transmitting device (7) (contact, rheostat, etc.) operating one or more receiving alarm systems (8) (indicator lights or mechanical lights, buzzers, etc.)
Fig. 4: Pneumatic bumper, electric horn (top view). An air cushion (11), whether or not recessed by a blade (2), protects the ball (1). When a vehicle (6) presses on the cushion, the pressure prevailing in the latter increases and actuates the transmitting electrical device (12) by deformation of the cushion, nanocontact, pressure switch, pressure gauge etc, connected to the receiver alarm system (& similar to the previous case.

 Each of these embodiments may include a cover covering the sphere. The blade, articulated in these examples can also have any movement, be free or pushed back by mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic spring.

 In these embodiments, 19 alarm system can be used for the drivers of the two vehicles in contact. 2n ezfet, the external bell is easily audible. On the other hand, one (or more) lamp (s) (lights) placed against the rear window are visible to the driver of the equipped vehicle when they are useful: in reverse, as well as from the outside.

 This bumper can also be used to protect any protruding or fragile part of a vehicle (headlights, lights) on the original bumpers or in replacement, on parts that are difficult to spot (rear of caravan, commercial vehicle not glazed etc) or for transported objects (ladder, pipes, boards etc).

 So whatever the embodiment, it must be adapted to the object to be protected and the moor has suitable shapes, dimensions and materials (mesh frame or transparent plate for headlights or lights, rigid or flexible plate, covered or not with flexible material for ball, bodywork or transported objects).

 Thus, the alarm system in one or more separate parts (external transmitter, receiver inside the vehicle) can comprise several stages indicating different stages of the movement of the blade and (or) the maximum insertion point by sound different, multiple lights, etc.

 Whether the alarm system is mechanical, electrical or electronic, all or part of it can be in a waterproof protective case.

 Normally supplied with energy by the equipped vehicle, the electric alarm system can include its autonomous supply (batteries, accumulators, or even solar collector) if necessary.

 Any type of embodiment can be mounted on a support adaptable to the system to be protected and allowing for the use of the latter (if necessary), rapid retraction, total or partial by disassembly, rotation and (or) translation of this assembly, this support can be adapted directly on the assembly to be protected (ball, headlights, bodywork, object transported by pliers, etc.) covering it or not, or by an adaptation on the support of the system to be protected (coupling, bodywork, barrier shocks, etc.).

 It should be noted that this protection, even with a large travel, only extends the equipped vehicle by a few millimeters in the maximum depressed position. By cons it allows to use all the space available for the maneuver.

 Finally, the peace of mind of the driver is accompanied by significant savings for vehicle insurance, this for a modest investment, given the simplicity of the protective system.

Claims (9)

 1) Protective coupling device or other device warned of its contact with an object (vehicle, wall or other) characterized in that it comprises a protective blade acting on an alarm system producing, during the movement of this, an audible or optical signal warning the driver.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the blade, of shapes and dimensions adapted to the assembly to be protected, is fixed or mobile rigid or flexible, of suitable material, full or hollowed out, transparent or opaque, covered or not with flexible material, - repelled or not by one or more magnetic, pneumatic or hydraulic mechanical springs.  3) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the alarm system is constituted by a mechanical assembly of fixed or mobile parts, controlled by the movement of the blade and causing by impact between them, an audible sound from the outside , this mechanism comprising or not a "freewheel" system causing it to produce sounds only when the blade is pressed in.  4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the alarm system is constituted by an electrical or electronic assembly (visual or that) sound operating simultaneously or separately) comprising a transmitter (push button, rheostat etc.) controlled by the blade sending a signal to the receiver placed outside or inside the vehicle which transforms this signal into sounds or optical means (buzzer, mechanical or light indicator).  5) Device according to claim 4 characterized in that the protection is achieved by an air cushion supporting the blade, the internal pressure increasing when the blade is pressed, actuates the transmitter (by deformation of the cushion, pressure switch, pressure switch , pressure gauge, etc.).  6) Device according to any one of claims 3 4 and 5 characterized in that the alarm system (mechanical or electrical) comprises two or more stages indicating different stages of penetration of the blade and (or) the point maximum insertion by different sounds or (and) several indicator lights (mechanical or light).  7) Device according to any one of claims 4-5-6 characterized in that the waterproof or non-waterproof electric alarm system is supplied by an autonomous energy source (battery, accumulators, solar collector) or by the battery of the vehicle on which the device is mounted.  8) Device according to any one of claims 3-4-5-6 characterized in that all or part of the mechanical or electrical alarm system, is contained in a waterproof case or not, completely or partially protecting it from the weather and external agents.  9) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all or part of the assembly not disposed in the vehicle, is mounted on a support adaptable to the system to be protected and allowing for the use of the latter ( if necessary), rapid retraction, total or partial OW by disassembly, rotation and (or) translation of this assembly, this support can be adapted directly to the assembly to be protected (ball, headlight, bodywork, transported object, etc.) covering it or not, or by adapting it to the support of the system to be protected (coupling, bodywork, bumper, etc.).