GB2125998A

GB2125998A - Inactivity alarm

Info

Publication number: GB2125998A
Application number: GB08222798A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Graeme Maskell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-08-06
Filing date: 1982-08-06
Publication date: 1984-03-14
Also published as: GB2125998B

Abstract

An accessory for a motor vehicle to indicate relaxation of the driver's grip on the steering wheel rim 1, comprises a casing 2 containing an audible alarm means. Extending from the casing each side thereof are arcuate shaped bars 3 which conform generally to the circumference of the steering wheel and lie adjacent thereto at the rear, as seen by the driver, and spaced therefrom by a small distance. Each bar is pivotally mounted within the casing 2 so as to be movable towards the steering wheel when lightly gripped by one or other hands of the driver resting in its normal position towards the upper edge of the steering wheel. When the bars are released electrical contact is made to sound the alarm buzzer in the casing. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An accessory for a motor vehicle This invention relates to an accessory for a motor vehicle which is adapted to be fitted to the steering wheel whereby an alarm may be set off should the driver become drowsy or lose his concentration.

With drivers who customarily travel long distances on motorways accidents occur through a driver becoming drowsy or simply due to lack of concentration and an object of this invention is to provide an accessory for attachment to the steering wheel of the vehicle whereupon any relaxation on the part of the driver will cause an alarm to be initiatied whereby the driver or other persons in the vehicle are alerted.

Broadly, according to this invention, there is provided an accessory for a motor vehicle comprising a casing, the casing having means or a part adapted to attach to the peripheral rim of the steering wheel of a vehicle and the casing containing an alarm means normally held in a deenergized state by pressure applied to one or more arcuate bar members extending from the casing to lie adjacent the periphery of the steering wheel, relaxation of pressure on the or a bar member causing the alarm to sound.

The casing may be so shaped that it is a spring or clip fit over the steering wheel thereby being easily attachable or removable or, alternatively, a clamp or other fixing means may be provided, preferably adjustable whereby different diameter steering wheel rims may be accommodated. In a preferred embodiment the casing will be fixed to the uppermost point of the steering wheel when in the straight ahead position and two bars will extend from each side of the casing to lie adjacent the rear of the steering wheel rim (as seen by the driver) and spaced a short distance therefrom whereby pressure may be exerted by a driver's hand to bring the bars towards and in contact with the steering wheel rim whereby the alarm means is de-energized. Each bar incorporates a spring means whereby on relaxation of the driver's hand pressure it will be moved to a position where the alarm will sound.

The casing preferably may include a buzzer or other audible warning device together with a battery whereby the complete unit is selfcontained and operates independently of any connection to the vehicle electrical system.

One end of each bar may be pivotally mounted in the casing and have an associated spring with the end of the bar operatively coupled with an electrical contact provided in the alarm circuit.

One embodiment according to the invention is shown by way of an example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a steering wheel of a motor vehicle with alarm fitted and in side elevation, Figure 2 shows a rear elevation, Figure 3 shows the alarm unit casing, Figure 4 shows a means of attachment in cross-sectional view, Figure 5 shows the attachment in plan view, and Figure 6 shows the internal construction of the alarm unit within the casing.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, these show the steering wheel having a rim 1 and to which is secured at the upper portion when in the normally straight ahead position a casing 2 containing an audible alarm means.

Extending from the casing each side thereof are arcuate shaped bars 3 which conform generally to the circumference of the steering wheel and lie adjacent thereto at the rear, as seen by the driver, and spaced therefrom by a small distance. Each bar is pivotally mounted within the casing 2 so as to be movable towards the steering wheel when lightly gripped by one or other hands of the driver resting in its normal position towards the upper edge of the steering wheel.

The casing may be detachable from a separate securing means retained on the steering wheel and Figure 3 shows the casing having profiled channels 4 on a surface thereof which may engage complementary profiled edges of a plate secured to the steering wheel as later described.

The casing has a perforate portion 5 behind which an electrical buzzer is located together with an on/off switch 6. Each of the bars 3 enters a side slot 7 in the casing and is secured to a pivot.

Figure 6 shows the internal arrangement of the casing and each of the bars 3 is mounted on the pivot 8 and normally urged away from the steering wheel rim by means of springs 9 secured to ends 10 of each bar. The ends of each bar are shaped to operatively contact switch means shown generally as 11 which are serially connected between a battery 12 and buzzer 13 whereby spring force will normally cause the contact to be made and to sound the buzzer. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate one method of attaching the alarm unit to a steering wheel and in this arrangement a plate 14 is provided with channels at each edge thereof 1 5 whereby the channels 4 of the casing may engage therewith by sliding action so as to secure the device. Plate 14 may be secured by strap means 1 6 passing around the steering wheel rim.

With the described arrangement the plate 14 may be easily fitted to the steering wheel and is normally unobtrusive. The alarm can thereafter be easily attached or removed as appropriate by a very simple action. The embodiment described is arranged so that pressure on either one of the bars will deactivate the alarm, thus only one hand is required on the steering wheel, for example when changing gear or carrying out other driving operations. In a preferred embodiment the bars are spaced some two centimetres from the steering wheel rim.

CLAIMS (Filed on 8 Aug 83) 1. An accessory for a motor vehicle comprising a casing, the casing having means or a part adapted to attach to the peripheral rim of the steering wheel of a vehicle and the casing containing an alarm means normally held in a de

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION An accessory for a motor vehicle This invention relates to an accessory for a motor vehicle which is adapted to be fitted to the steering wheel whereby an alarm may be set off should the driver become drowsy or lose his concentration. With drivers who customarily travel long distances on motorways accidents occur through a driver becoming drowsy or simply due to lack of concentration and an object of this invention is to provide an accessory for attachment to the steering wheel of the vehicle whereupon any relaxation on the part of the driver will cause an alarm to be initiatied whereby the driver or other persons in the vehicle are alerted. Broadly, according to this invention, there is provided an accessory for a motor vehicle comprising a casing, the casing having means or a part adapted to attach to the peripheral rim of the steering wheel of a vehicle and the casing containing an alarm means normally held in a deenergized state by pressure applied to one or more arcuate bar members extending from the casing to lie adjacent the periphery of the steering wheel, relaxation of pressure on the or a bar member causing the alarm to sound. The casing may be so shaped that it is a spring or clip fit over the steering wheel thereby being easily attachable or removable or, alternatively, a clamp or other fixing means may be provided, preferably adjustable whereby different diameter steering wheel rims may be accommodated. In a preferred embodiment the casing will be fixed to the uppermost point of the steering wheel when in the straight ahead position and two bars will extend from each side of the casing to lie adjacent the rear of the steering wheel rim (as seen by the driver) and spaced a short distance therefrom whereby pressure may be exerted by a driver's hand to bring the bars towards and in contact with the steering wheel rim whereby the alarm means is de-energized. Each bar incorporates a spring means whereby on relaxation of the driver's hand pressure it will be moved to a position where the alarm will sound. The casing preferably may include a buzzer or other audible warning device together with a battery whereby the complete unit is selfcontained and operates independently of any connection to the vehicle electrical system. One end of each bar may be pivotally mounted in the casing and have an associated spring with the end of the bar operatively coupled with an electrical contact provided in the alarm circuit. One embodiment according to the invention is shown by way of an example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a steering wheel of a motor vehicle with alarm fitted and in side elevation, Figure 2 shows a rear elevation, Figure 3 shows the alarm unit casing, Figure 4 shows a means of attachment in cross-sectional view, Figure 5 shows the attachment in plan view, and Figure 6 shows the internal construction of the alarm unit within the casing. Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, these show the steering wheel having a rim 1 and to which is secured at the upper portion when in the normally straight ahead position a casing 2 containing an audible alarm means. Extending from the casing each side thereof are arcuate shaped bars 3 which conform generally to the circumference of the steering wheel and lie adjacent thereto at the rear, as seen by the driver, and spaced therefrom by a small distance. Each bar is pivotally mounted within the casing 2 so as to be movable towards the steering wheel when lightly gripped by one or other hands of the driver resting in its normal position towards the upper edge of the steering wheel. The casing may be detachable from a separate securing means retained on the steering wheel and Figure 3 shows the casing having profiled channels 4 on a surface thereof which may engage complementary profiled edges of a plate secured to the steering wheel as later described. The casing has a perforate portion 5 behind which an electrical buzzer is located together with an on/off switch 6. Each of the bars 3 enters a side slot 7 in the casing and is secured to a pivot. Figure 6 shows the internal arrangement of the casing and each of the bars 3 is mounted on the pivot 8 and normally urged away from the steering wheel rim by means of springs 9 secured to ends 10 of each bar. The ends of each bar are shaped to operatively contact switch means shown generally as 11 which are serially connected between a battery 12 and buzzer 13 whereby spring force will normally cause the contact to be made and to sound the buzzer. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate one method of attaching the alarm unit to a steering wheel and in this arrangement a plate 14 is provided with channels at each edge thereof 1 5 whereby the channels 4 of the casing may engage therewith by sliding action so as to secure the device. Plate 14 may be secured by strap means 1 6 passing around the steering wheel rim. With the described arrangement the plate 14 may be easily fitted to the steering wheel and is normally unobtrusive. The alarm can thereafter be easily attached or removed as appropriate by a very simple action. The embodiment described is arranged so that pressure on either one of the bars will deactivate the alarm, thus only one hand is required on the steering wheel, for example when changing gear or carrying out other driving operations. In a preferred embodiment the bars are spaced some two centimetres from the steering wheel rim. CLAIMS (Filed on 8 Aug 83)

1. An accessory for a motor vehicle comprising a casing, the casing having means or a part adapted to attach to the peripheral rim of the steering wheel of a vehicle and the casing containing an alarm means normally held in a de energized state by pressure applied to one or more arcuate bar members extending from the casing to lie adjacent the periphery of the steering wheel, relaxation of pressure on the or a bar member causing the alarm to sound.

2. An accessory as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the casing is so shaped that it is a spring or clip fit over the steering wheel thereby being easily attachable or removable.

3. An accessory as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the casing has a clamp or other adjustable fixing means.

4. An accessory as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein in use the casing is fixed to the uppermost point of the steering wheel when in the straight ahead position and two bars extend from each side of the casing to lie adjacent the rear of the steering wheel rim (as seen by the driver) and spaced a short distance therefrom whereby pressure may be exerted by a driver's hand to bring the bars towards and in contact with the steering wheel rim so that the alarm means is deenergized.

5. An accessory as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein each bar incorporates a spring means whereby on relaxation of the driver's hand pressure it will be moved to a position where the alarm will sound.

6. An accessory as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the casing includes an audible warning device and battery.

7. An accessory as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein one end of each bar is pivotally mounted in the casing and has an associated spring with the end of the bar operatively coupled with an electrical contact provided in the alarm circuit.

8. An accessory for a motor vehicle as described herein with reference to the drawings.