WO1991007295A1

WO1991007295A1 - Blind spot viewing system

Info

Publication number: WO1991007295A1
Application number: PCT/AU1990/000360
Authority: WO
Inventors: Scott Drysdale
Original assignee: Xylon Pty Limited
Priority date: 1989-11-15
Filing date: 1990-08-21
Publication date: 1991-05-30

Abstract

A blind spot viewing system for wheeled vehicles, aircraft and the like comprising externally located devices (10, 11) for observing areas not normally in an operator's field of vision and an internally located visual display device (12) in the operator's field of vision, the external and internal devices being connected by optical fibre cables (14).

Description

BLIND SPOT- VIEWING SYSTEM

This invention relates to safety accessories and adjuncts and more particularly to a blind spot viewing system for wheeled vehicles, aircraft and the like.

So-called "blind sports" in connection with wheeled vehicles, aircraft, etc. are a common cause of accidents or, at least, cause inconvenience and aggravation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome the above and other disadvantages by the provision of a blind spot viewing system for wheeled vehicles, aircraft and the like, comprising externally located means for observing areas normally not in an operator's vision, and internally located visual image receptor means; said externally located means and said internal located means being in optical communication.

In order that a better understanding of the invention may be gained, hereinafter will be described some embodiments thereof, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a sedan motor car incorporating the system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a corresponding view from above;

Figure 3 is a side view of a semi-trailer so fitted; Figure 4- shows a fixed-wing aircraft, and

Figure 5 represents a helicopter.

The motor car shown simplistically in Figures 1 and 2, is fitted with front and rear externally located, wide-angle viewing lenses 10 and 11 which overlook the front and rear "blind spots". The regions indicated at A and B in Figure 2 represent the blind spot areas able to be overlooked by lenses 10 and 11 respectively.

Located inside the motor car, preferably associated with the instrument panel so as to be in view of the driver, are image- receiving receptor lenses indicated at 12; ideally there will be one receptor for each external lens 10, 11, perhaps arranged in a "bank" or the like.

The viewing lenses 10, 11 and the receptor lens or lenses 12 are in optical communication by means of shielded or protected optica cables each composed of a bundle of optical fibres; optical fibre cable 13 communicates external lens 10 with receptor means 12, while optical fibre cable 14- communicates external lens 11 wi receptor means 12. In a variation, a ^"further optical fibre cable 15 may communicate the rear external lens 11 with another receptor lens 16, located adjacent to the inside rear view mirror of the vehicle; this is of particular use in reversing procedure

Figure 3 shows, simplistically, a semi-trailer having a number of externally located, wide-range viewing lenses at 17, 18, 19 in optical communication with receptor means 20 via optical fibre cables 21, 22, and 23 respectively. However, in additio there may well be provided a least one internally located wide angle viewing lens, as 24-» to enable the driver to view the interior of the trailer; optical fibre cable 25 communicates lens 2 with receptor means 20. As will be appreciated, this variation may be also incorporated in such as omnibuses, truck vans and semi-trailers etc. thus allowing the driver to check on passengers and/or cargo.

Simplistic Figures 4 and 5 show aircraft fitted with the inven viewing system. The fixed-wing shown in Figure 4 has a wide-a viewing lens 26 on its underside. On such fixed-wing aircraft, from the smallest to the largest, such externally located view lenses could be used to carry out visual inspects of regions adjacent to the undersides of fuselages and wings and of the l gear.

The helicopter shown simplistically, in Figure 5 is provided w externally located wide-angle viewing lenses 27 and 28 which e the pilot to view the tail area and the region beneath the air respectively. This arrangement has application in landing, in rescue operations and in using cargo nets, hoists, winches and like.

The various optical fibre cables may be installed so as to fol a path most suited to the internal geometry of each particular vehicle, aircraft and the like. From the abovegoing, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set out in the following claims.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows : *

1. A blind spot viewing system for wheeled vehicles, aircra and the like, comprising externally located means for observing areas normally not in an operator's vision, an and internally located visual image receptor means; sai externally located means and said internally located mea being in optical communication.

2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said externall located means includes one or more wide-angle viewing lenses disposed on the exterior of a said wheeled vehicle, aircraft and the like so as to over look blind spots thereof.

3. The system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim2, wherein said internally located means includes one or more image- receiving lenses disposed within the cabin of a said wheeled vehicle, aircraft or the like and able to be viewed by a said operator.

4. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said optical communication is via one or more shielded cables composed of a bundle of optical fibres.

5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said wheeled vehicle, aircraft or the like is selected from the group comprised of motor cars, vans, omnibuses, trucks, semi-trailers, construction*machinery fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

6. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising one or more internally located wide-a viewing lenses, whereby an operator is enabled to view

* Note : If there is insufficient space above to type the statement of claim, do not use this sheet but use separate s of a er be innin with he words "The claims definin the invention are as follows:" and endin with the date an passengers and/or cargo.

7. A blind spot viewing system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.