US2640979A

US2640979A - Traffic violation indicating system for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: US2640979A
Application number: US193163A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry R Carter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1950-10-31
Filing date: 1950-10-31
Publication date: 1953-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 1970-06-02

Description

June 2, 1953 H. R. CARTER TRAFFIC VIOLATION INDICATING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Oct. 51. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 k p s 3 F ln ven'ror 'HARRY R. CARTER H. R. CARTER June 2, 1953 TRAFFIC VIOLATION INDICATING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR. VEHICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 51, 1950 Inventor HAR RY- R. CARTER,

H. R. CARTER June 2, 1953 TRAFFIC VIOLATION INDICATING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 31, 1950 Inventor HARRY R. CARTER Attorney BUMAWU LZ Q FIG. 4

Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAFFIC VIOLATION INDICAT-l-NG SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Harry B. Carter, Larchlnont, N. Y.

Application October 31, i950", Serial No'. 193,163

21 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in a traffic violation indicating system for motor vehicles capable of exposing a vehicle committing a violation to detection for a predetermined time period after commission of the violation.

According to National Safety Council statistics, 63% of all treiiic fatalities are caused by automobiles travelling at excessive speeds, with red light, stop sign center line violations, not to mention drunken driving, contributing their shares to the ever increasing number of deaths and injuries caused by or indirectly resulting from reckless or improper handling of automobiles.

A principalobject of the invention is the provision of a traffic violation indicating system designed to discourage traffic violations by rendering the driver of the vehicle committing a violation of the traffic regulations to exposure and detection for a predeterminedtime period after he has committed the violation.

Another important aim of the invention is the provision of a traffic violation indicating system which, by its ability to expose a tramc violation for a predetermined substantial length of time after its commission, assists law enforcement officers in apprehending the violator and courts in prosecuting such violation.

Yet another object of the invention is the pro vision of a tra-lfic violation detection and exposure system adapted to be sealed within the body and/or hood of a motor vehicle by an appropriate traffic enforcement agency and which operates in fully automatic manner to indicate and expose any one or all: of the violations for which the system is set up to detect for a substantial period of time following the commission of the violation or violations.

Still another object of the invention is the provision a traii'ic violation detection system which is so constructed and arranged that it imposes no restriction on the speed at which the motor vehicle may be driven, as with speed governor controls, but on the other hand permits the vehicle to be driven in the normal manner and exercises its violation indicating and exposing function only in the event of the commission of a violation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a traffic violation indicating system capable of exposing a violation of a speed limit, but which warns the operator of his violation for a limited time before exercising its exposing function, thus permitting him to correct the violation.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the provision of aspeed violation indicating system which is designed to permit emergency violation of a predetermined speed limit to be commited for a short period of time as may be necessary to enable a vehicle equipped with the system to pass other vehicles, etc. under conditions where life or safety depends upon same, Without indicating the violation.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a traffic violation indicating system as aforesaid into which may be incorporated means for immobilizing a vehicle equipped with same for a fixed time interval, in the event of commission of a plurality of violations within an exposure period, thus protecting against an operator driving under the influence of liquor who may be unconscious to, or unable to sense the fact of, his repeated violations.

The above and other objects and features of advantage of a tramc violation indicating system for motor vehicles according to the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof, taken with the accompanying drawings which have been prepared in the interest of simple disclosure of the system and its components and not to illustrate precise details of the construction thereof, wherein:

Fig. 1 is illustrative of the physical arrangement and mounting of the components making up the trafiic violation indicating system of the invention in or on a motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 isa schematic lay-out and circuit diagram illustrating the electrical connection and general functioning of the system and its components, as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a modified arrangement of violation indicating means, the view diagramatically illustrating a plurality of violati'onindicators so connected in the system as to be effective to identify any one of a plurality of traffic violations which the system is set up to indicate and expose; and

Fig. dis apart-sectional and part diagrammatic view illustrating governor-controlled switch and timer components of a simplified traffic violation indicating system according to the invention set up to indicate and expose the violation of a particular speed limit.

By way of preliminary description, reference is had to- Fig. 1, illustrating a typical installation or a traffi-c violation indicating system of the invention in a motor vehicle which is shown to be a conventional passenger automobile, but which is representative of any type of powered motor vehicle, such as a truck or bus, likely to violate the traffic regulations. In said view, reference letter R indicates a receiver which is illustratively shown to be clamped to the rear axle housing of the vehicle, the receiver being adapted to pick up electrical signals transmitted from a frequency generator FG by transmitter Tr which is intended to be imbedded in the roadbed, as will be hereinafter explained, although it may be otherwise located as may be appropriate. The receiver R feeds through conductor AC to an analyser box A containing a plurality of fixed tuned-frequency analysing coils, whose function will be later explained. Positioned above the analyser box is a switch box SB containing a plurality of solenoid-actuated switches which, when individually closed, and upon other conditions of the system being satisfled, completes a circuit through the solenoid of a solenoid-actuated timing device T which controls energization of a violation light VL preferably mounted on the front exterior of the vehicle, for example, on top of the motor hood, so that when energized, the violation light is readily discernible as by a traffic officer. Current is supplied through the switch box SB to the violation light VL, and also to a warning light WL, which latter may be fixed to the steering post or to the vehicle dashboard, and whose function will be later explained, preferably from the vehicle battery B which is connected to the switch box by a battery cable BC. A governorcontrolled switch GS is adapted to be mechanically interposed in the speedometer cable extending between the vehicle transmission case and the speed indicator usually mounted on the vehicle dashboard, the switch GS functioning in conjunction with the switches arranged in the switch box SE to control energization of the solenoid-actuated timer T in the manner to be explained.

Preferably, the analyser box A, the switch box SB, and the solenoid-actuated timer T are mounted on the engine side of the dash or partition wall forming the front wall of the operators compartment, and the governor controlled switch GS may be similarly mounted or may be mounted beneath the door board. It is contemplated that all of said system components will be sealed within the car body by a suitable trafiic enforcement agency, so that they cannot be tampered with or their operation modified in any way by the operator and that they shall function in fully automatic manner regardless of the wishes or desires of the operator.

Although only one transmitter Tr has been illustrated in Fig. 1, it is intended that one or a plurality of such transmitters are to be embedded in the roadway or along the side of the road in each speed zone; that another one or a plurality of such transmitters will be similarly embedded in the roadway beneath the usual center or driving lines marked thereon; that a transmitter will be similarly embedded in the roadway just beyond the cross-walk line of intersections guarded by a trafiic light, being electrically connected to said traffic light so as to be energized only when the red or stop light thereof is energized; and that a transmitter will be similarly embedded in the roadway a predetermined distance before each stop sign of a stop street intersection. It is also to be understood that the transmitters provided within each speed zone, and at the traffic lights and stop signs, will transmit a signal that shall contain a frequency individual to the particular transmitter or transmitters whereby upon analysis, the received signals can be identified one from the other; that is to say, each received signal is individual to a particular type of violation.

Now referring to Fig. 2, illustrating the electrical connection and functioning of the aforesaid components which have been designated by the same reference letters employed in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the analyser box A mounts a plurality of analysing coils H), II and I211, (22), 12c and 12d, of which coil |2a is energized upon the receiver R picking up a signal or signals containing the particular frequency representative of one speed zone, for example a 20 mile zone; the coil 12?) is similarly energized by the receiver picking up a signal or signals containing a different frequency representative of a 30 mile speed zone, for example; the coil being energized by the reception of a signal or signals containing a frequency representative of a 40 mile speed zone, for example; and the coil 12d being energized by the reception of a signal or signals containing the frequency representative of a 50 mile speed zone, for example. The aforesaid coils I2a-l2d are connected in series to ground with solenoids 13a, 13b, l3c, [3d, respectively, so that when any one of said analysing coils is energized, its corresponding solenoid is also energized.

The aforesaid solenoids l3al3d are contained in the switch box SB in actuating relation to switch arm Ma, [42), ldc, Md, respectively, which are normally held in open position by means of rocking latches l5a, l5b, 15c, Ifid, respectively. The aforesaid latches are illustratively shown to be of the bell crank type, the end of one arm of each being flexibly connected to a common actuating member 16, so that rocking movement of any one of said latches results in actuation of all said latches in unison. The free or latching end of each of said latches is formed on its inner surface with a cam surface as shown, whereby closing (counter-clockwise) movement of any one switch arm (Mae-44d) resulting from energization of its actuating solenoid (I3a-l3d) rocks its latch in clockwise direction, said latch then returning, either under light spring bias or its weight, to its initial position. Since all said latches are connected to move in unison, the clockwise movement of said latches results in the unlatching of any other of the switch arms l4al4d that may have been momentarily closed, with the return movement of said one latch resulting in the particular switch arm under actuation by its solenoid being latched in its circuit closing position.

The switch arms l4al4d are parallel-connected in branch circuits interposed in conductor [1, Ila, llb from one side of the battery B to ground, the conductor portion [7 supplying the warning light WL, the conductor portion Ila serving as a common supply conductor for said branch circuits, which are completed to ground via a movable switch arm IQ of the aforesaid governor-controlled switch GS, through conductor portion ND. The conductor portion I! also supplies the solenoid TS of the timer T which is connected in parallel to the warning light WL, and similarly supplies the violation indicator light VL in a circuit to ground which is a parallel circuit to those containing the warning light WL and the timer solenoid TS.

The governor controlled switch GS illustratively comprises a fly-ball governor generally designated 2i) turning with a shaft or spindle 21 suitably connected to a power take-off from the vehicle transmission, outward movement of the governor balls eifecting counterclockwise movement of the switch arm 18-. The switch arm l8 carries a sliding contact 18a adapted to successively engage the

contacts

22a, 22b, 22c, 22d with increase of or ward movement of the governor balls. Illustratively, the governor balls will be set to move outwardly an amount effectizig engagement of sliding contact lac with contact 22a upon a speed slightly in excess of 20 miles an hour being attained; with the contact 2 21) upon a speed slightly in excess of miles an hour being attained; with contact 220 upon a speed of slightly in excess of miles an hour being attained; and with contact 22d upon a speed slightly in excess of miles an hour being attained. When any one of the aforesaid contacts 22a-ll2d are so engaged, and assuming that the corresponding switch-box solenoid (Hm-ltd) or the same branch circuit has been energized to close the corresponding switch arm (Ida-Add), a circuit is completed through the warning light WL, and also through the solenoid TS of the timer T, whose operation will later be described in detail, but whose general function is to effect opening of the warning light circuit after a short time period and closing. of the parallel circuit containing the violation light VL for a predetermined longer time period.

The sliding contact Ito" always covers a fixed contact 25 similar to the contacts 22a--22d, but which is positioned in advance thereof and connected in a normally open branch circuit also fed: by conductor portion i'la, which is adapted to be completed upon closing movement of a switch arm 26 operating similarly to the switch arms him-Md upon its actuating solenoid 2'! of switch box SB being energized by current passing through the aforesaid analysing. coil ll. The latter coil is adapted to pass current to the solenoid 2! upon the receiver R picking up a signal. containing the particular frequency of the traffic-light transmitter Tr and which, as above indicated, is to be imbedded in the road way just beyond the crosswalk line and which is energized only when the red light is on. Hence, any traffic light violation, i. e. passing through a red light, will immediately energize both the warning light WL and the violation light VL, with the aforesaid energization of the warning light being merely incidental to system operation. t will be noted that the switch arm 26 of the branch circuit energized by a traffic light violation is adapted to be latched either open or closed by a latch 28 connected to the common latch actuating member 15. Hence, closing movement of switch arm 28 may have the result of unla-tching any one of the switch arms Ilia-lib which may have been previously latched in circuit-closing position consequent to a speed zone violation. However, upon closing of switch arm 26, its branch circuit takes over the function of continuing the energization of the violation light VL for an additional predetermined time period as set by the timer T.

Between the always-covered contact 25 and the first contact 22a of the speed zone contacts is an additional fixed contact 30 which is connected in another branch circuit adapted to be completed upon a switch arm 31' being actuated to its circuit closing position by energization of a solenoid 32 contained in the switch box SB, and which is energized upon the analysingcoil 6. [-8 passing current thereto. Said analysing. coil is adapted to be energized upon the receiver picking up a signal containing the particular frequency of a transmitter 'Ir imbedded in the roadbed a predetermined distance (30 feet, for example) in advance of the stop sign of a street intersection. The contact to is spaced from the zero-speed or covered contact 25 a small distance representative of a vehicle speed of about two miles per hour. Hence,- immediately upon the vehicle passing said transmitter, switch arm 3| moves to its circuit closing position, thereby energizing the warning light WL and also completing a parallel circuit through a holding coil 33 for a latch 34 individual to said switch arm SI and which is normally biased to its upper or unlatching position as illustrated. The holding coil is now operative to maintain the latch lowered and thereby to latch the switch arm 3| in circuit closing position so long as the vehicle is moving at a rate in excess of about two miles per hour, this condition being maintained for the short period that the warning light circuit is energized, i. e. 30 seconds, as will be explained. If the vehicle comes to a complete stop within said short time period, switch arm 18a recedes from contact 33' and breaks the holding coil circult and also the warning light circuit. However, if the vehicle remains in motion at the end of said period, as in moving through the stop sign, the timer T completes the circuit for the violation light VL, just as in the case of the speed zone violation.

To provide for detection of center-line and nopassing. zone violations, transmitters Tr suitably imbedded along the center of the road and which utilize the same frequency as the transmitters placed at traffic lights may be employed. Thus, any crossing of center-line or passing in a no-passing zone results in energization of the violation light VL, as in the case of a traflic light violation.

It is a feature of the invention that the violati'on light VL is energized, in the case of a speed zone violation or violations, only after the continua-nce of the violation for a short predetermined time period, during which the warning light WL is energized to warn the operator of his violation and give him opportunity to correct same, as by reducing his speed to that permissible in the particular speed zone through which he is travelling. To this end, the timer T aforesaid preferably takes the form and construction as illustrated in Fig. 4, In said View, reference character 38 indicates a sealed housing adapted to be bolted or screwed to the engine side of the dash or driver-compartment separating. wall, said housing being divided into upper and lower compartments by a partition wall 39. Contained in the lower compartment is the aforesaid timer solenoid TS, whose armature Al is pivotally connected to a pull lever intermediate the ends thereof. The lever is pivoted at one end to a fixed point on the timer housing, and at its other end to the free end of a plunger 43. Intermediate its ends, the plunger 43 mounts a pin 44 providing a connection between plunger and one arm of a switch actuating lever 45, preferably a bell crank lever, pivotally supported on the partition plate 33. The other arm of the lever is formed with spaced fingers 15a, 4519, one or the other of which is adapted to engage the toggle arm 48 of a normally open toggle switch ll connected in the parallel violation-light circuit (see Fig. 2 The solenoid TS is supplied with battery current through the supply conductor IT, as is the violation light VL, when toggle switch 41 is in closed or in light-on position. Preferably a blinker switch 69 is connected in the violation light circuit as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the violation light VL is intermittently energized throughout the time period of its energization.

The other end of the plunger 43 is connected to the one (the lower) of a pair of

diaphragms

51, 52 serving as end closures for a pair of fluid chambers formed by a. dividing wall 53 provided in an annular ring-shaped body 54. Said chambers are adapted to be filled with an incompressible fluid such as oil, and communication is established between said chambers by two re

stricted orifices

55, 55 provided in the dividing wall 53, the orifices being adjustable as to size by means of

adjustable needle valves

51, 58. Flow of oil through orifice 55 is possible in one direction only, through the provision of a check valve s 59 opening in the direction of the lower chamber, and flow of oil through orifice 56 is possible only in the opposite direction through the provision of a check valve '50 opening in the direction or" the upper chamber.

According to the invention, the

orifices

55, 55 are so adjusted as to size that a fixed time period, 30 seconds by way of example, will be required for the upper chamber to empty through orifice 55 into the lower chamber, and that a fixed but substantially longer time period, one hour by way of example, will be required to permit the upper chamber to refill from the lower chamber.

Flow of oil from the upper to the lower chambers is induced upon energization of the solenoid TS which causes its armature 4| to retract and exert pull on lever 42 and through plunger i=3 a corresponding pull on the lower diaphragm As said diaphragm deflects to its dotted line position, it draws oil from upper to lower chambers through orifice 55. Return fiow of oil to the upper diaphragm chamber is induced by a spring 83 acting on pull lever 42 whi h, through plunger 43, exerts a push on diaphragm i, driving the oil content of the lower chamber into the upper chamber through orifice 55, at the slow rate aforesaid.

The operation of a timer T as described is as follows: Assuming the toggle switch 41 to be in its "light off position, corresponding to full line 4,

position of the toggle arm 493, bell crank lever 45, diaphragm 5i, "2 and pull lever 42, completion of any one of the aforesaid branch circuits in the battery-to-ground conductor ll, lla, llb simultaneously energizes warning light WL and solenoid TS. The armature M of the latter is accordingly retracted, and the lower diaphragm deflects from its full to its dotted line positions at a rate determined by the rate of flow of oil from upper to lower diaphragm chambers, i. e. filling of lower chamber at the end of a second time period. In the event that the speed zone or stop sign violation is not corrected within this 30 second warning interval, bell crank is rocked to its dotted line position, thereby closing toggle switch 47, which results in the energization of the violation light VL directly from battery through supply conductor ll. Since the oil displaced from the upper diaphragm chamber can bleed to said chamber only at the slow rate of filling of the upper chamber in one hours time, and since the operator is now powerless to prevent such operation even though he may reduce his speed or come to a late stop at the stop sign intersection, the violation light VL remains energized for the full hour period required for oil to refill the upper chamber. Upon the oil finally bleeding back into the upper chamber under the pull of spring 63 effective on the lower diaphragm, the latter returns to its normal full line position and through plunger 43 and switch actuating lever 45 effects movement of the toggle arm 45 to its off position, which breaks the circuit of the violation light VL.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the ssytem so operates that any traffic light or stop sign violation also results in a full hours energiaation of the violation light VL, since in the case of the trafilc light violation, the sliding contact [8a is always engaged with contact 25 of the governor controlled switch GS, and in the case of the stop sign violation any slow motion of the vehicle past the stop sign at the end of the 30 second warning period results in the sliding contact 18a engaging the con tact 3% of the govenior-controlled switch and a consequent latching of the switch arm 3| in its branch-circuit closing position.

It will also be observed that the described system so further operates that a repeat violation occurring within the period of violation light energization causes the violation light to be engaged for a further period of one hour, since the repeat violation reenergizes the timer solenoid TS which in effect recycles the fluid timer, resulting in the toggle switch A l being held in circuit closing or light-on position for another one hour period.

In the foregoing description, the violation light VL has been indicated to be a single light which is energized regardless of the type of violation comm t d. According to a further feature of l "on, a plurality of violation lights, each in -dual to a particular type of violation which the system is set up to indicate, may be emin substitution of the single violation light as aforesaid, being connected in the system so as to give an identification of the particular violation committed. Such a modified arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 3 wherein six violation lights VLI-VL6 and associated timers Tl-TS are illustrated, one light and timer for each of the six types of violations capable of being identified by the analysing coils of the analyser A (Fig. 1). With the exception that each violation light and its timer is connected in a circuit completed through a branch circuit individually supplied from the battery, rather than through the common conductor Ila, the modified system operates similarly to the system previously described employing the single violation light.

If it is desired to protect against repeated violations as distinguished from or in addition to indicating such violations, by a person such as a drunken driver who is not conscious of the number of violations which he commits within a specified time, or the duration thereof in the case of speed violations, additional means may be provided for completely immobilizing the vehicle for a period of: one hcurs time upon the commission of a predetermined number of repeat violations within the hour that the violation light VL is energized by a prior violation. Such vehicle immobilizing means, which may be considered as optional equipment, is illustrated in Fig. 2 and includes a conductor 65 connected between supply conductor H and ground, having a delayed action switch 66 connected therein, which when closed supplies a solenoid 61. Thus, if a speed violation, for example, persists for a time exceeding the setting of the delayed action switch 56, a circuit is completed through the solenoid 61. If the violation light VL is on when the circuit of solenoid 8'! is energized by the first repeat violation, 2. second solenoid 6.8 supplied by a conductor 69 connected between the supply conductor for the violation li ht and ground is energized.

Energization of the first solenoid 61 actuates the pawl H! of a rotary counting device in counterclockwise direction, thus imparting one step of rotation to the ratchet member 1! of said device, which latter mounts a normally closed rotary switch arm 12 in the vehicle ignition circuit. If the violation lamp VL is now energized, the second solenoid =68 actuates a latch 13 to and maintains same in a position preventing return movement of the ratchet member H. Assuming the arrangement to be such that immobilization is to take place upon 2 second repeat violation occurring within the one hour period that the violation light is lighted, the second violation parts another step of rotation to the ratchet member i l, with latch 13 holding same as before. By design, the total angular rotation of the ratchet member is such as to move the switch arm .12 .to a position. which it opens the ignition circuit and thereby completely demobilizes the vehicle for the full hours period determined by the timer, which beings from the last repeat violation, as previously explained. Accordingly, it will be seen that repeat violations in number giving the an ular movement of ratchet member H required to actuate switch arm 1?. from a closed to an open position will automatically result in the vehicle bei g immobilized,

with the result that it can no longer be driven dangerously or otherwise for a full hour's period.

For areas wherein trafiic lights, stop signs and center-line mar-kings are not prevailing, the invention provides the simplified system illustrated in part in Fig. i for exposing the violation .of a fixed speed limit, for example the 50 miles an hour limit conventional :on most main highways. This simplified system employs the solenoid actuated timer T as previously described, in conjunction with a simplified governor-controlled switch GS-II. The latter is illustratively shown to comprise a grounded casing 80 adapted to be bolted to the engine side of the dash or to the floor of the vehicle, the casing having a cover 81,. Journaled in the main wall of the casing is ,a shaft 32 adapted to be connected at its one end to a power take-of? from the transmission, the shaft 82 mounting intermediate its ends a dye-ball governor generally designated 83,, and at its other end driving rniter gears 84, 85, the latter gear in turn driving a spindle 36 adapted to ;be :drivingly -.c0,n-

balls in response to speeds under 50 miles an hour will not disturb the normal spacing of switch blade 8? and contact .90. However, upon the ve. hicle exceeding the .50 miles an hour, .the governor balls move outwardly byanamountefiecting engagement .of switch blade 6] with contact 8,0,

thereby completing a circuit through the warning light WL and the timer solenoid TS as previously described. As heretofore, if the operator fails to reduce his speed below the permissible limit within the 35) second Warning period, the violation light V1,. is energized for the full. one hour period as determined by the timer '1. It is to be understood that the setting of the governor may be adjusted to correspond to any predetermined speed limit, which may of course with different localities,

Without further analysis it will be seen that a tr ffic violation indicating system as described achieves the big 1;! desirable objectives set forth the foregoing. By exposing trafiic violations, the system of the invention has the effect of discouraging such violations and thus strikes at the lac rt of the problem of the numerous deaths and ies due to ti lations. In the event that the system fails in this respect, it is nevertheless highly usefu assisting law enforcement oflicers in apprehr h ing traffic violators and courts in prosecuting such VlGl" It is noteworthy that a trafnc violation indicating and exposing system as described ever-- comes the objections directed against the suggestion of requiring all motor vehicles to be qu p ed wit a speed ov no m l t a it s at times nec ssary o exce d s dli its Whe e lives may depend upon it and under other emergency driving conditions. This objection is QVEI'. come by the present system which in nowise restricts the speed at which a vehicle can be driven, but, ratheserves the sole purpose of exposing a speed other popular types of violation for a predetermined time upon the commission thereof.

It is also to be observed that the system of the invention is sufficiently flexible that the speed setting of the governor controlled switches G6 or (353-! can be modified as required or found necessary for operators in a special category, such as doctors, by the proper authorities. However, with respect to traflic light, stop sign and center line violations, it will be appreciated that even such special persons should not be exempt from exposure, nor are they exempted by the herein system.

In the foregoing description, the time cycles, location of parts and number arrangement and components and circuits employed are to be taken as illustrative only, since such are given only for the purpose of simplified disclosure and without limiting effect.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A t1 flic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externaliy thereof, a receiver mounted on said vehicle for receiving electrical signals of difierent frequencies transmitted from signal sources located along a each said signal being representative of a particular traffic violation, means for analysing the received signals, normally open circuit means for energizing indicator means, switch means in the circuit means including speed responsive means and means actuable in accordance with the response of the analysing means to ei tect closing of said circuit means, and

timing means operative to maintain the circuit means closed for a predetermined time period following its closing and, upon the elapse of said period. to effect opening of said circuit means.

2. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, a receiver mounted on said vehicle for receiving electrical signals of different frequencies transmitted from signal sources located along a roadway, each said signal being representative of a particular traffic violation, means for analysing the received signals, normally open circuit m ans for energizing said indicator means, spee -controlled switch means and normally open switch means controlled by said analysing means and being conjointly operative in response to a predetermined vehicle speed and a particular response of the analysing means related to said vehicle speed to effect closing of said circuit means, and timing means operative to maintain the circuit means closed for a predetermined time period following its closing and upon the elapse of said period to effect opening of said circuit means.

3. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle eX- ternally thereof, a receiver mounted on said vehicle for receiving electrical signals of different frequencies transmitted from signal sources located along a roadway, each said signal being representative of a particular traffic violation, means for analysing the received signals, normal- 1y open circuit mean for energizing said indicator means comprising a supply circuit and a parallel circuit containing said violation indicator means, said supply circuit including multiple circuits connected in one of the supply and return conductors thereof, normally open switch means in each of the multiple circuits, means for actuating said switch means to circuit closing position in response to a predetermined vehicle speed and to a particular response of the analysing means related to said speed, and timing means including a solenoid connected in said supply circuit adapted when enerigized by closing of the supply circuit to effect a delayed closing of the parallel circuit and thereupon to maintain said parallel circuit closed for a predetermined period of time thereafter.

4. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle as described in claim 3, wherein the switch means connected in each said multiple circuit comprises a first speed-controlled switch and asecond solenoid-controlled switch whose solenoid is energized by a response of said analysing means to a received signal.

5. A trafiic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle er;- ternally thereof, a receiver mounted in said vehicle for receiving transmitted electrical signals of different frequencies transmitted from signal sources located along a roadway, each said signal being representative of a particular type of traffic violation, signal analysing means mounted in said vehicle comprisinr a plurality of analysing coils each tuned to a particular one of said frequencies and each adapted to pass a current to a solenoid in circuit therewith responsively to the reception of asignal having a frequency to which it is tuned, circuit means for energizing said violation indicating means including a supply circuit and a parallel circuit containing said violation indicating means, said supply circuit including a plurality of control circuits, one for each type of traflic violation, and each having a normally open switch therein adapted to be closed upon ener'rization of a corresponding one of said solenoids, and timing means including a solenoid connected in the supply circuit adapted when energized by closing of said supply circuit to effect a delayed closing of the parallel circuit and thereupon to maintain said parallel circuit closed for a predetermined period of time thereafter.

6, A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle as described in claim 5, wherein said violation indicator means comprises a plurality of indicators, each indicative of a particular type of traific violation and each being con tained in its own parallel circuit also containing a timing means as aforesaid.

7. A trailic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, circuit means for energizing said means including a normally open first circuit containing a warning indicator and a normally open parallel circuit containing said indicator means, series-connected signal-analyzing and speed controlled switch means in said first circuit for closing same upon the vehicle travelling in excess of a predetermined speed as determined. by signals indicative of speed zones transmitted from a roadway source, and timing means including a solenoid connected in said first circuit so as to be energized upon closing thereof for effecting a delayed closing of the parallel circuit and for maintaining said parallcl circuit closed for apredetermined period of time thereafter.

8. A traflic violation indicating system for a, motor vehicle comprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, circuit means for energizing said means including a normally open first circuit containing a warning indicator and a normally open parallel circuit containing said in dicator means, speed controlled switch means in said first circuit for closing same including a. speed governor, a switch arm actuable thereby, and a plurality of contacts arranged to be serially engaged by said switch arm, said contacts being connected in normally open branch circuits interposed in one of the conductors of the supply circuit, signal-responsive switch means also connected in each of said branch circuits, each responding to a signal of a particular frequency individual to a predetermined trafllc zone as transmitted from a roadway source, the arrangement being such that said first circuit is closable through any one of said branch circuits whose signal-responsive switch means is 0perated simultaneously with engagement of its contact by said switch arm, and timing means including a solenoid connected in said first circuit so as to be energized upon closing thereof for eifecting a delayed closing of the parallel circuit and for maintaining said parallel circuit closed for a predetermined period of time thereafter.

9. A trailic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, circuit means for energizing said means including a normally open supply circuit containing a warning indicator and a normally open parallel circuit containing said indicator means, speed controlled switch means for closing said supply circuit including a speed governor, a switch arm actuable ther by, and a plurality of contacts arranged to be serially engaged by said switch arm, said contacts bei 3 connected in normally open branch circuits interposed in one of the conductors of the supply circuit, the arrangement being such that the supply circuit is closable through one of said branch circuits upon the vehicle speed increasing in increments from zero to a predetermined maximum, .a normally open switch in each of said branch circuits, means for selectively actuating said last switches including a receiver mounted in said vehicle for receiving transmitted electrical signals having different frequencies trans mitted from signal sources located along a roadway, each said signal being representative of a particular type of trailic violation, signal analysing means com-prising a plurality of analysing coils each tuned to a particular one of frequencies, and. solenoid-s for actuating said switches connected in circuits to ground with said analysing coils, the arran ,ment being such that a particular branch circuit rendered closable by engagement the switch arm of the for a predetermined period of time thereafter. a

10. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 9, wherein latch means are provided to hold said branchoircuit switches in their circuit closing position following a momentary energization of their actuating solenoids.

11. A traflic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 9, wherein latch means are provided to hold said branchcircuit switches in their circuit closing position following a momentary energization of their actuating solenoids and wherein means are provided to effect release of any previously latched switch upon. another latch m ans being actuated to its holding position.

12. In a trailic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle having an electrical ignition system which is closed during operation of said vehicle comprising, combination, violation indicator means mounted on aid vehicle external- 1y thereof, normally open circuit means for energizing said indicator means, timer means for controlling the closing and opening of said circuit means, receiver-controlled means on said vehicle for initiating actuation of said timer means to close said energizing circuit means and thereby energize said violation indicator means responsively to each reception of a signal of a particular frequency indicative of the commission of a traiiic violation and which is transmitted from a signal source located along a roadway, said timer means heing operative upon initial actuation thereof to maintain said energizing circuit means closed for a predetermined time eriod thereafter, and means for breaking said ignition circuit responsively to repeat actuations of said receiver-controlled means within said predetermined time period.

13. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, a normally open circuit for energizing said indicator means, and means for closing said energizing circuit upon for a predetermined time following the commission of a tra-ffic violation including violation detecting means on said vehicle responding for its operation to the reception of a signal of a particular frequency indicative of said violation and which is transmitted from a signal source located along roadway, and means energized by said detecting means for closing said energizing circuit and thereupon main -c ing it closed for said predetermined time period.

14. A traiilc violation indicating system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said last means is effcc-tive when energized to close said energizing circuit with a delay action.

15. A traiiic violation indicating system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said last means comprises timen-cont lied switch connected in control relation said energi Lng circuit.

16. A traific violation indicating system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said last means .comprises normally open switch means connected in said energizing circuit, and a two-way timer means for actuating said switch means, said timer means being operative to close said energizing circuit after the elapse of a short time interval and thereupon to maintain it closed for said predetermined time interval.

1'7. A traiiic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, a normally open circuit for energizing said indicator means, means for closing said energizing circuit upon and for a predetermined time period following the commission of a traiiic violation including normally open switch means connected in said energizing circuit, and means for actuating said switch means including violation-detecting means on the vehicle responding for its actuation to the reception of a signal of a particular frequency indicative of a traffic violation and which is transmitted from a signal source located along the roadway, and speed-controlled switching means connected in circuit with said detecting means.

18. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising, in combination, violation indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, a normally open circuit for energizing said indicator means, means :for closing said energizing circuit upon and for a predetermined time period following the commission of a trailic violation including normally open switch means connected in energizing circuit, timer means for actuating said switch circuit means for actuating said timer means including switching means responding for its actuation to the reception of a signal of a particular frequency indicative of a trafiic violation and which is transmitted from a signal source located along a roadway and speed-controlled switch means connected in series with said signal responsive switching means.

19. A traffic violation indicating system as set forth in claim 18, wherein said timer means comprises a two-way timer operating to close said energizing circuit switch means after the elapse of a short time interval. and thereupon to maintain it closed for said predetermined time interval.

20. A traffic violation indicating system for a motor vehicle comprising, in combination, viola- 15 tion indicator means mounted on said vehicle externally thereof, a circuit for energizing said indicator means, normally open switch means in said circuit, electrically operated timer means for actuating said switch means, normally open circuit means connected in parallel with said energizing circuit for actuating said timer means including a Warning indicator, violation-detecting means responding for its actuation to the reception of a signal of a particular frequency indicative of a. traffic violation and which is transmitted from a signal source located along a roadway and speed-controlled switching means connected in series with said detecting means, said detecting means and said speed-controlled means being operative to close said parallel circuit and thereby energize said warning indicator immediately upon detection of a violation occuring simultaneously with a predetermined speed condition, and said timer means being effective upon closing of said parallel circuit and with a delay action with respect to such closing to close said normally open switch means and thereby the energizing circuit after the elapse of a short time interval and thereupon to maintain said switch means and energizing circuit closed for a prolonged period thereafter, irrespective of the opening of the parallel circuit.

21. A traffic violation indicating system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said timer means comprises a. two-way timer including a switch actuating element and means for efiecting movement of said element in direction as to close said normally open switch means at a fast rate and for effecting movement of said element in the opposite direction at a substantially slower rate.

HARRY R. CARTER.

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