GB2374709A

GB2374709A - Accident warning system providing ignition disconnection and hazard light illumination

Info

Publication number: GB2374709A
Application number: GB0102369A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Earl Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-31
Filing date: 2001-01-31
Publication date: 2002-10-23
Also published as: GB0102369D0

Abstract

Accident warning system having a switching member 6 which may be linearly displaced between a first and second contact position. In the first position, the switching member 6 is secured by a magnet 10 which makes contact with a pair of terminals completing an ignition circuit 12. In the event of an impact to the vehicle the switching member is dislodged from the first contact position and travels towards the second contact position. In the second position the switching member 6 is secured by a magnet 9 and makes contact with a pair of terminals completing the hazard light system 11. Therefore, in an impact the ignition system is cut off and the hazard lights are illuminated.

Description

ACCIDENT WARNING SYSTEM This invention relates to an accident warning system, and the aim of the invention is to reduce injuries and death in road accidents, particularly although not exclusively, in adverse weather conditions.

The invention has two functions. Firstly, to isolate the engine and petrol pump of a vehicle on impact in a collision in order to prevent the vehicle from catching fire, and secondly to warn following drivers of an accident.

Hazard warning lights can be seen from a greater distance than the rear t : l lights of a vehicle, such hazard warning lights instantly advising following drivers of impending danger and giving them time to slow down.

When a vehicle is involved in a collision or other accident, the driver may well be injured or in shock, or the driver may be killed, so that the driver is unable to switch on the hazard warning lights as a

warning to other drivers. It is intended that the hazard warning lights of a vehicle will be automatically activated in the event of a collision of the vehicle.

According to the present invention there is provided means to activate the hazard warning lights of a vehicle in the event of the vehicle being in a collision, said means including a member which is movable from a first position in which the arm is in contact with the ignition circuitry of the vehicle to a second position in which said arm breaks contact with said ignition circuitry so as to immobilise the engine and pump of the vehicle and moves into contact with the circuitry of the hazard warning lights of the vehicle so as to activate said hazard warning lights.

Said member will preferably be movable linearly between its first and second positions, and will preferably be mounted on slides situated between two opposing walls of a framework or other structure of said means.

Preferably, means will be provided to maintain the member in its second position.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and plan view of actuating means according to the invention in a first position; Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2, but showing the means in an intermediate position; and Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to the previous Figures but showing the actuating means in a second position of operation.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the actuating means comprises a generally rectangular casing 4 having its front wall 4A facing the front of a vehicle when positioned inside the boot of the vehicle and secured to the body 1 of the vehicle, either in the boot or in some other convenient part of the vehicle. The casing 4 is secured in

position to the body 1 by means of four small bolts 3 on rubber mounts 2. Extending between the front and rear walls 4A and 4B are fixed rods 5 on which sleeved tubes 7 on a centre plate 6 slide between the front and rear walls.

The centre plate 6 has two mild steel circuit connectors 8 and 8A fixed to the left and right sides (in the drawings) of the centre plate 6, the connectors 8 and 8A being connected constantly via magnets 10 to ignition points 12. This maintains constant ignition circuit for normal driving mode.

The hazard warning lights circuit points are indicated by reference numerals 11.

When the vehicle is involved in a collision, the centre plate 6 will move away from rear wall 4B towards front wall 4A-the sleeved tubes 7 sliding along the fixed rods 5-such that the connectors 8 and 8A break the connection from the magnets 10, thereby breaking the

the ignition circuit which in turn will stop the engine and isolate the fuel pump of the vehicle. The center plate 6 is shown in its intermediate position between the walls 4A and 4B in Figures 3 and 4.

Continued movement of the centre plate 6 towards front wall 4A, referring now to Figures 5 and 6, brings the connectors 8A into contact with the two magnets 9 which are connected to the hazard warning light circuit points 11 so as to activate the hazard warning lights.

Thus there is provided an automatic activation of the hazard warning lights circuitry, which thus enables drivers of following vehicles to be made aware of the collision.

Should the vehicle be drivable after the collision, then in order to reactivate the ignition circuitry of the vehicle, a small handle 13 secured to the centre plate 6 by means of a cable is pulled so as to pull the centre plate 6 away from the hazard warning lights circuit

and into contact with the ignition circuitry of the vehicle. This then reactivates the ignition circuitry and the fuel pump, thereby enabling the vehicle to be driven.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A means to activate the hazard warning lights of a vehicle in the event of the vehicle being in a collision, said means including a member which is movable from a first position in which the arm is in contact with the ignition circuitry of the vehicle to a second position in which said arm breaks contact with said ignition circuitry so as to immobilise the engine and pump of the vehicle and moves into contact with the circuitry of the hazard warning lights of the vehicle so as to activate said hazard warning lights.
2. A means according to claim 1 in which said member is linearly movable between its first and second positions.
3. A means according to claims 1 or 2 in which said member is mounted on slides situated between two opposing walls of a framework or other structure of said means.
4. A means according to any of claims 1 to 3 in which means will be provided to maintain the member in its second position.
5. A switching apparatus for use in the ignition system of an automobile, said switching apparatus comprising: a switching member ; a first contact position in which the switching member is connected to the ignition system; and a second contact position in which the switching member is disconnected from the ignition system; and in which said switching member can be displaced between the first and second contact positions in response to an external impact to the automobile.
6. A switching apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the switching member is linearly displaced between the first and second contact positions.

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7. A switching apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 in which the switching member is mounted on at least one guide member.
8. A switching apparatus according to any of claims 5 to 7 in which the switching member slides along the at least one guide member between the first and second contact positions.
9. A switching apparatus according to any preceding claim in which a circuit between an ignition system and a power source of the automobile is completed when the switching member is in the first contact position.
10. A switching apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the switching member is secured in the first contact position by at least one magnet.
II. A switching apparatus according to any preceding claim which a circuit between a hazard lighting system and a power source of the automobile is completed when the switching member is in the second contact position.
12. A switching apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the switching member is secured in the second contact position by at least one magnet.
13. A switching apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the switching member can be returned from the second contact position to the first position by a handle.
14. A switching apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the switching apparatus is contained within an integral container.
15. An automobile including a switching apparatus as claimed in claim 5.
16. A switching apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.