GB2224354A

GB2224354A - A distance-speed measuring device

Info

Publication number: GB2224354A
Application number: GB8922386A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Exelby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-04
Filing date: 1989-10-04
Publication date: 1990-05-02
Also published as: GB8922386D0; GB8823291D0

Abstract

A distance-speed measuring device informs drivers of motor vehicles of the correct, actual, and physical distance which should be kept from the vehicle in front, in relation to the actual speed travelled by the driver's vehicle, and/or the speed that should not be exceeded with reference to the actual physical distance from the vehicle in front. It comprises an area of sheet or more substantial material 10 upon which a discrete area 12 - 62 is divided into a graduated scale by dividing the discrete area into sub-sections 12 - 62 gradually and increasingly separated from one end of the discrete area to the opposite end, with numbers referring to speed and/or distance applied at intervals along the scale. <IMAGE>

Description

A distance-speed measuring device This invention relates to a distance-speed measuring device.

Motor driven vehicles of all kinds travel at speeds which render efficient braking an absolute necessity.

However, no matter how efficient the brakes may be, a vehicle travelling at a given speed must allow a specific clear distance in front, in the direction travelled, in order that the vehicle may come to a stop without incurring, or causing, damage to life or fabric.

It therefore follows that the driver of a motordriven vehicle should be informed of the safe distance he should keep from the vehicle preceding his own vehicle.

There is, however, no means at present of informing the driver of the correct and safe distance that he should keep from the actual vehicle in front with reference to the specific, actual, speed of the driver's vehicle or, alternatively, the speed which should not be exceeded with reference to the actual specific distance from the preceding vehicle.

The aim of the present invention is to meet that need, and according to the invention a distance-speed measuring device, preferably for attachment to the rear end of a motor-driven vehicle, comprises an area of sheet material or more substantial material on the front surface of which a discrete area is divided into a graduated scale by means of dividing the discrete area into sub-sections which are gradually and increasingly separated so that contrasting strong, neutral or blank colours are gradually revealed from one end of the discrete area to the opposite end, or, as in the case of a circle, from one end of the discrete area to the adjoining part, there being numbers indicating speed or distance applied at intervals along the scale either as an integral part of the scale or in close proximity to it.

Thus, at varying distances, varying parts of the scale will appear to be solid and varying parts will appear to be broken, depending on the physical and reading distance of the observer from the device. The numbers applied at intervals along the scale indicate the distances or the speeds that may be safely travelled in normal conditions in relation to varying physical or reading distances from the device.

A number of specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of one device with a discrete area divided into a graduated scale; Figure 2 is a plan view of another device with a discrete area divided into a graduated scale in another manner; Figure 3 is a plan view of yet another device with a discrete area divided into a graduated scale in a segmental manner; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fourth device with the divided and graduated discrete area applied in relief on to the viewing surface of the device; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fifth device mounted on to a support or box with a light source behind the front surface; and Figures 6 - 8 are plan views of three further devices in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 shows a distance-speed meter which comprises a planar sheet material or more substantial material 10 on to which is printed or applied a discrete area 12 - 62 divided into a graduated scale by subsections, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, which are gradually and increasingly separated. It will be noted that the sub-sections may also be gradually increased in width. Numbers are applied at suitable intervals along the graduated scale, either on the sub-sections as in Figure 1 or beneath them as in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows the same principle applied to a circular graduated scale.

In some cases it will be advantageous to construct the device from substantial or reflective materials.

Figure 4 shows a device with a discrete area 64 - 114 constructed from substantial or reflective material divided into sub-sections gradually increasingly separated 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and applied to the viewing surface of the device.

In order to ensure readability in poor light conditions, it may be advantageous to mount the device with a light source behind its front surface. Figure 5 shows a device mounted on a support or box 116 with a light source 118, 120, 122, 124, 126 fitted within the support or box.

It is to be understood that sub-divisions in the scale can take very many different forms, and can increase in size and/or have an increased separation between them.

Further, they can be in the form of squares, circles, logograms, outlines, letters or numbers according to choice. Further, the numbered sections of the scale can merge into one another as in Figure 6, and/or the scale can be of mirrored formation - for a dual-countdown effect - as in Figure 7. Alternatively, the numbered sections can be distinctly separated from each other as in Figure 8.

Claims

1. A distance-speed measuring device comprising an area of sheet material or more substantial material on the front surface of which a discrete area is divided into a graduated scale by means of dividing the discrete area into sub-sections which are gradually and increasingly separated so that contrasting strong, neutral or blank colours are gradually revealed from one end of the discrete area to the opposite end, or, as in the case of a circle, from one end of the discrete area to the adjoining part, there being numbers indicating speed or distance applied at intervals along the scale either as an integral part of the scale or in close proximity to it.

2. A distance-speed measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sub-sections of the discrete area are of a substantial or reflective material applied to the viewing surface of the device.

3. A distance-speed measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the discrete area is of opaque or transparent material with the background, numbers or discrete area printed or applied in colours, the discrete area being mounted on a support or box with a light source fitted within it.

4. A distance-speed measuring device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sub-sections merge into one another.

5. A distance-speed measuring device as claimed in any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the sub-sections are distinct from each other.

6. A distance-speed measuring device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the scale comprises two parts of mirrored formation.

7. A distance-speed measuring device as claimed in claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to any one of the Figures in the accompanying drawings.