GB2236172A - Stop signal for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic positive stop signal for motor vehicles is activated upon cessation of motion of the drive shaft of the vehicle and not activated when the vehicle is moving. It is visually spaced apart from the brake lights and emergency flashers so that an observer can readily and unambiguously identify the stop signal as distinct from the brake lights or emergency flashers. The signal is in the form of a light array which is activated to create the impression of lights moving outward from the center of the light array.

Description

POSITIVE SIGNAL FOR STOPPED VEHICLE The present invention relates to a

positive stop signal associated with a motor vehicle to indicate to observers that the vehicle is not moving.

Currently, motor vehicles are supplied with brake lights and often with emergency warning flashers. These signals traditionally occupy a location near each other on the rear corners of the vehicles, and may even use the same bulbs.

The brake signal operates when a switch attached to the brake pedal is activated. This is generally done only when pressure is applied to that brake pedal. Those lights therefore do not signal a stopped condition since they are activated while the vehicle is in motion and are often not activated while the vehicle is at rest, as when the driver's foot is removed from the brake pedal once the vehicle has come to a complete stop. The brake lights thus indicate a slowing vehicle but do not unambiguously signal a stopped vehicle.

Emergency flashers are generally manually operated and also do not unambiguously signal a stopped vehicle. Indeed, such signals may be activated on vehicles travelling at high speeds as long as the manual switch has been turned on.

In addition to failing to unambiguously signal a stopped vehicle, if the brake lights and emergency flashers were used to signal a fully stopped vehicle, they would have a significant potential for confusion since the same rear positions would then signal braking, emergency and a stopped vehicle. Therefore an observer, especially one some distance from a stopped vehicle, might not be unambiguously alerted to the stopped condition of the stopped vehicle if the stop signal were located on the same place on that vehicle as the emergency flashers or brake lights.

The need for a positive stop signal has been recognized in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,735,345 to Morazumi shows an automatic stop lamp activated by electrical contacts located on the dy W_ vehicles speedometer so that when the vehicle speedometer is indicating zero speed, the brake lights of the vehicle are activated automatically. Similarly, in U. S. Patent No. 4,086,782 to Bernal, an auxiliary brake light control system is provided having a motion sensor so that when the vehicle with that system is travelling below a pre-determined speed, the brake lights would regardless of pressure on the brake pedal.

In both these cases, however, the positive signal is an adjunct of the existing brake light signal and is a means of maintaining the traditional brake light signal in the absence of pressure on the brake pedal, such aswhen the vehicle comes to a stop and the driver removes his foot from the brake pedal. While both these inventions serve admirably to maintain the brake lights in an "on" condition, in neither of these situations is a separate and distinct positive condition created unambiguously signally a stopped vehicle since lighted brake lights might signal a stopped vehicle or a moving vehicle.

Using light arrays to create visual patterns to signal a vehicle's condition has been perceived to be useful. For example, Patent No. 4,556, 862 to Meinershagen is directed to such a method. Such methods. however, have combined the brake lights and other signals at the same location, and if used to signal a stopped vehicle, would create the confusion noted above.

A stopped vehicle signal might well be employed in an emergency situation in which electrical power from a running generator might not be available. In such a situation the vehicle's battery might be disabled or become run-down while the operator desires to maintain the emergency stop signal in effect. Traditional brake systems and emergency flashers are operated from the motor vehicle's electrical power system and are not provided with auxiliary back-up batteries.

The positive stop signal of this invention solves substantially all of the above-mentioned problems.

It is an object of this invention to provide a positive stop signal for a motor vehicle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a positive stop signal which is remote from and visually distinct from the brake light system of a motor vehicle.

1 It is another object of this invention to provide a positive stop signal activated by a signal from a sensor indicating lack of rotation of a shaft which rotates whenever the vehicle is in motion.

It is another object of this invention to provide a positive stop signal which is powered by an auxiliary power sour ce should the primary power source be disabled or otherwise unavailable.

It is another object of this invention to provide a positive stop signal comprising a light fixture having multiple bulbs and repetitive patters of illumination of those bulbs upon activation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a positive stop signal which may be manually turned off, should the operator so desire, to prevent operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a positive stop signal which is operational only when a warning system, such as the traditional four-way flasher system of a vehicle, is activated.

In accordance with those objectives, the present invention comprises a positive stop signal having a horizontal light fixture with numerous bulbs aligned in a linear, horizontal fashion. That signal is attached to a power source, such as the electrical power system of a car, through a switch having an on and an of f position. The switch in turn receives a signal from a sensor attached to the drive shaft of the vehicle. When that drie shaft is in motion, the signal generated maintains the switch in an off position. When that drive shaft ceases motion, the lack of signal allows the switch to revert to its on position. In that position, power as from the electrical system of the vehicle, activates the light fixture indicating that the drive shaft of the vehicle is not rotating and thus indicating a stopped vehicle.

The numerous horizontally arrayed bulbs in the light fixture are alternatively turned on and off in a pattern which gives the optical illusion of motion outward from a central point. This horizontal light fixture is mounted at a location visually apart from the brake lights and emergency flashers of the vehicle. The horizontal light fixture may be mounted, for example, in the rear window of the vehicle along the rear top of the vehicle, or even on the outside of the vehicle immediately below the rear window. Such a location distinguishes that signal from the brake lights or flashers. Furthermore, the visual appearance of the operating light fixture serves to distinguish it from the brake lights or emergency flashers.

v Q A second power source, such as an auxiliary battery, is connected through a switch to the signal in such a way to provide power to the signal should power be unavailable from the primary source. Thus when the main battery or electrical system of the car is disabled or run-down the auxiliary power supply will provide power to energize the stopped vehicle signal.

In one embodiment of the invention, the positive stop signal is only activated by lack of motion when the emergency hazard signals, such as standard four-way flashers, are activated. Thus ordinary stop-and-go activity such as city driving will not cause the signal to indicate a stopped vehicle whenever the vehicle stops unless the emergency hazard warning signals are also turned on.

In the second embodiment of the invention, the positive stop signal is activated by a manual switch which is not connected to the emergency flashers. Such an embodiment allows the positive stop signal to operate independent of any emergency flashers should the operator, for example, not wish to signal an emergency or wish to conserve power. Other embodiments involving various switching arrangements are easily imagined and the description of the two included here is in no way intended to limit the invention claimed.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiment, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which are described below.

FIG. 1 is a left perspective drawing showing the rear of a vehicle having the positive stop signal of the invention; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the illumination sequence of the bulbs in the fixture of the preferred embodiment; FIG. 3 is an electrical diagram of the first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a side view of an automobile transmission showing the motion sensor, speedometer, and attached cables; FIG. 5 is an electrical diagram of the second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the positive stop signal of the invention is shown in diagrammatic form. In this-embodiment, the positive stop signal is active onlywhen the emergency flashers are turned v on. Manual switch 20 may be closed (shown in open position) to provide electricity from the automotive electrical system comprising the primary battery 22 and the generator 23 to the flasher unit 24 and the switching unit 28. A diode 27 between the generator and that battery prevents the battery 22 from draining through the generator 23 to ground.

An auxiliary power supply, such as an auxiliary battery 60 in conjunction with generator 23 is provided in case the primary battery 22 is disabled. That battery is also provided with a diode 25 to prevent that battery from draining through the generator to ground, and diodes 29, 31 electrically isolate those batteries from each so that should one become disabled or run-down, the other may provide electricity to the positive stop signal without simultaneously draining into the other battery or through the other battery to ground.

The manual operating switch 20 connects the electrical supply through flasher unit 24 to emergency flasher bulbs 26. Simultaneously that switch closes the circuit from the automobile electrical supply to switching unit 28. The switching unit 28 in turn receives a signal from a sensor 30, such as a Hall's effect motion sensor which is coupled to the vehicle drive shaft 32. Such coupling location maybe located with, and the sensor may even be -g- shared with the speedometer 33 sensor attached to the drive shaft 32. The sensor 30 generates a signal when the vehicle is moving and the drive shaft 32 is rotating.

The switching unit 28 is electrically connected to a clock switch 34 and the manual switch 20. The switching unit 28 has an open and a closed position. When it is open, the clock switch 34 is not electrically connected to the manual switch 20. In the closed position, the clock switch 34 is electrically connected to the manual switch 20. When the switching unit 28 is receiving a signal from sensor 30 it is in the open position. When it is not receiving a signal from the sensor 30, it is in the closed position. When the manual switch 20 is closed and the switching unit 28 is receiving no signal from sensor 30 and is therefore closed, electricity is provided by the electrical system of the vehicle 22, 23 to the clock switch 34. When current is flowing through clock switch 34 it rotates, sequentially closing and then opening contacts 36, 38, 40, 42. Each of these contacts is electrically connected to 2 bulbs. For example, contact 36 is connected to bulbs 44 and 46; 38 to 48 and 50; 40 to 52 and 54; 42 to 56 and 58.

Thus, when main switch 20 is closed and the vehicle is stopped, causing no signal to be sent from sensor 30 to switching T unit 28, current flows from the electrical system 22, 23 through clock switch 34 causing it to rotate and sequentially connect bulbs 44 through 58, causing them to light in the sequence illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the manual switch 20 does not simultaneously connect the flasher unit as in the prior embodiment. Rather a signal bulb 70 is electrically connected indicating that the stop signal system has been switched on.

When the clock switch 34 is rotating and sequentially connecting the bulbs as shown the two center most bulbs will be lit, followed by the two adjacent next outer most bulbs, followed by the next two etc until the end of the row of lights is reached, after which the pattern will repeat. This gives the visual illusion of lights traveling outward from the center position. This sequence of lighting and extinguishing of bulbs is illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, vehicle 10 is shown with a horizontal light fixture 80 mounted in the rear window. An alternative location for that mounting is shown in ghost in 80 prime. Appropriate alternative locations are easily imagined and are envisioned by this disclosure provided that they are visually spaced apart from the rear corner brake lights 84 in order to be visually distinguishable in location from those brake lights. It is also desirable that the stop signal be visually spaced apart from the emergency flasher lights.

The light fixture illustrated in the drawings is shown having 8 bulbs. It may readily be seen that a fixture with more or fewer bulbs would suffice. Similarly, the drawing illustrates a light fixture in the form of a horizontal bar of bulbs. A fixture having a different orientation would also suffice as long as that signal is visually spaced apatt from the brake lights.

The light fixture is shown as a horizontal fixture having 8 bulbs. It may readily be seen that a fixture with more or fewer bulbs would also suffice. As would a signal with a different orientation as long as the stop signal is visually spaced apart from the brake lights.

1 A claims In a motor vehicle having a wheel and a drive shaft, said drive shaft rotatably connected to the wheel such that rotation of such wheel rotates such drive shaft, and further such motor vehicle having brake lights, a positive stop signal comprising:

an electrical source means; sensor means for detecting rotation of such drive shaft; signal means located on such vehicle visually spaced apart from such brake lights; and a switch means for responding to said sensor means and connected said signal means to said electrical source means when said sensor means indicates lack of rotation of such drive shaft.

2. A positive stop as in claim 1 wherein:

said switch means has an on position and an off position, such that when said switch means is in said on position, the electrical circuit connecting sald electrical source means to said light fixture is closed, and when said switch is in said off position, the circuit between said electrical source means and said light fixture is open.

3. A positive stop signal as in claim 1, wherein said signal means further comprises: a light fixture having a center and being comprised of a plurality of bulbs arranged in linear array for lighting and extinguishing said bulbs in a predetermined pattern.

4. In a vehicle having a wheel and a shaft rotatably connected to said wheel, an electrical source means, brake light mounted at the rear of such vehicle, and a stop signal fixture spaced visually spaced apart from such brake lights, a method for signalling a positively stopped vehicle comprising: detecting lack of rotational movement of such shaft thereby creating a predetermined condition; activating such stop signal fixture for the duration of such predetermined conditions; and ceasing to activate said stop signal fixture upon cessation of said predetermined condition.

Claims (1)

1. 5. A method as in Claim 4 wherein: said stop signal fixture has a

   plurality of bulbs arranged in a linear array; and said bulbs are lit and extinguished in a predetermined pattern.

   6. A method as in Claim 5 wherein: said pattern is the lighting of the center most bulbs, the subsequent extinguishing of those bulbs and simultaneous lighting of the next outer-most bulbs, the subsequent extinguishing of those bulbs and simultaneous lighting of the next adjacent outer-most bulbs, and so on until the outer most bulbs are reached, at which point the pattern repeats.

   Published 1991 at Ile Patent Officc. State House, 66171 High Holborn, UvidonWC) R 47P. Further copies maybe obtained from Sales Branch. Unit 6. Nine Mile Point, Cwmielinfach. Cross Keys. Nrt NPI 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray. Kent