GB2411033A

GB2411033A - Device to remind a driver to drive on the correct side of the road

Info

Publication number: GB2411033A
Application number: GB0403390A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Garry Michael Kishere
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-16
Filing date: 2004-02-16
Publication date: 2005-08-17
Also published as: GB0403390D0

Abstract

The Direction Reminder is a door or dash mounted safety device for motor vehicles fig.1. It is to assist in avoiding accidents abroad as a result of driving on the wrong side of the road due to memory lapse. It is also to bring peace of mind to drivers who would otherwise not travel on foreign roads at all. It has a pre recorded message which can be selected by the driver or left in the off position. The Direction Reminder is an aid to drivers who are travelling on foreign roads and gives an audible reminder to 'keep left' or keep right' fig.2. The Reminder is activated by a switch, which is fitted into the inner door hinge area or the car. The switch has a contact breaker which triggers the message as the door is opened to enter or re enter the vehicle and is easy to fit by the vehicle user. The switch is attached to the main unit by a wire or has the option for a switch, which works by a sensor without need for a wire.

Description

2411 033 Direction Reminder This outline describes the [direction Reminder

and its application.

The Direction Reminder is a road safety orientated product for use in vehicles which will be travailing abroad on an unfamilar side of the road. For instance, vehicle drivers travailing from England to France or people Hiring vehi; les at their destination in the USA. The problem that the Direction Reminder addresses, is that of memory lapse when leaving and te entering the vehicle and driver security and piece of mind. Some accidents are caused because -- the driver forgets where they are and drives on the wrong see. Other drivers simply do not travel abroad for fear of driving on a different side of the road.

On entering the vehicle, the Direction Reminder omits the audible words UKeep Left" or Keep Right,' as selected previously by the drwer.

The Direction Reminder is an easy 'Self Fit' product.

Fitting: The main voice unit is to be attached by an adhesive or other taxable patch to the interior of the vehicle, such as door or dashboard. It can be removed after travelling. figure 1 What it Does: The unit omits an audible voice communication, telling the driver to 'keep to the left' or 'keep to the right' on entering the vehicle. The message can be in English or in the language of the relevant nation of departure such as French travellingto England.

Direction Choice: This is controlled by a switch which has an off position but can be switched towards the choice of 'Left' or 'Right' and thus selecting the appropriate audible reminder. Figure 2 Trigger Mechanism: From the unit a wire extends to a simple compression switch. The non unit end of the cable which has the switch, is fixed to the inside of the door frame of the vehicle where the hinges can be located. This is fitted with variable thickness adhesive pads to adapt to differing inner door frame gaps - figure 3.

The trigger is compressed and the contacts are together when the door is closed. On opening the door to enter or re enter the vehicle, the contact is broken and this triggers a single play of the voice message. Figure 4.

An alternative to the wire link to the trigger is by the use of an invisible transmitter and sensor Voice Mechanism Pre Programmed Voice Chip and Speaker Power Source: Battery Cell or Vehicle Lighter Fixing Summary of Key Points specifically relating to numbered Speck highlighted on the drawing.

Figure 1: The main attachable unit body Figure 2: The manual switch which is moved by the driver to of if position or to the road side that he/she wishes to be reminded to drive on.

Figure 3: inner door hinge area mountable trigger switch, which is attached by variable thickness adhesive pads for variable door to main vehicle body distances.

Figure 4: Perforations in the main unit body allow the playing voice chip to be heard throughout the vehicle.

Figure 5: Lead to optional external power source

Claims

Clailms 1. A Direction Reminding safety device for travelling by vehicle

in a foreign country where the driver will be on an unfamiliar side of the road, an easy fit audible voice unit with an inner door frame mountable trigger switch vnth left, off and right positioning switch.
2. A Direction Reminding safety device according to claim 1, in which a pre recorded audible message can be relayed to the driver on entering and re entering the vehicle.
3. A Direction Reminding safety device according to claim 1, which is triggered by a door hinge area mounted contact breaking switch or sensor.

This in turn causing the Keep Left or Keep Right message to play from the main unit and in the hearing of the vehicle driver.
4. A Direction Reminding safety device as in claim 1, which can be fitted by the vehicle owner and in such a way that it can be removed and re fitted for subsequent trips.
5. A l:)irection Reminding safety device as in claim 1' which is powered by a.

replaceable power cell or external power source available in the vehicle.
6. A Direction Reminding safety device as in claim 1, which has the ability to play a pre recorded voice message in a variety of languages.