System for integrating the extra braking light on motor vehicles
The invention concerns extra braking lights on motor vehicles. Extra braking lights on motor vehicles are by now in general use. Placed on the rear of the vehicle and especially close to the rear window, these extra braking lights considerably increase perception of such warnings, of a vehicle slowing down or even braking sharply, so that the driver of the vehicle behind can also apply the brake and avoid a collision. The extra braking light in practice merely doubles the warning effect and is therefore of a substantially limited use as it could be replaced by a more powerful light or by one placed in a different position. Purpose of the above disclosure is to make greater use of the extra braking light by fitting it with means to permit indication of situations or events concerning road safety or requiring certain manoeuvres, or even to give messages of any kind, but this obviously without creating the least interference with the essential effect of a timely warning. Subject of the invention is a system whereby extra braking lights on motor vehicles may comprise means for improving their function especially that of giving warnings and other kinds of signals by readable messages in letters, symbols, designs, using fixed or intermittent illumination as the case may require.
These messages are superimposed on the dioptric cover of the light or are incorporated in said cover, placed on the braking light itself or
between one light and another as may be considered most suitable. In one advantageous application the messages are formed of a series of LED lights arranged over a number of lines.
The messages "written" in LED lights can be fixed or variable as desired by turning on one or more lights using an alpha-numeric keyboard.
In another advantageous type the messages are kept moving, programmed and operated by an electronic card with keyboard. The messages may be warnings, signals or advertisements. The messages to a following vehicle can add, to a slow-down signal following braking, indications of possible risks such as fog, an accident or the sudden appearence of an obstacle of some kind. For this purpose, in one type of execution the keyboard comprises buttons corresponding to automatic composition of a fixed or moving written message indicating the nature of the danger ahead, such as fog, an accident, an obstacle or the formation of a queue.
The advantageous presence of a supplementary device can turn the extra braking light on without pressing the brake pedal.
The invention offers evident advantages.
The warning signal, at present given by an ordinary braking light or by a supplementary light as well, is emphasised and improved for greater perception by the driver of a following vehicle, both due to the number of lamps used, to the movement of lights as well as indication of the kind of danger that has caused the brake pedal to be pressed. M.aximum rapdity is achieved in giving one kind of message instead of another by simply pressing a key.
The possibility of engaging the extra braking light, irrespective of whether the brake pedal is pressed or not, means that it can be used for other functions, a possibility in any case of extreme interest. A driver who is following the vehicle fitted with the above means can receive timely information of situations requiring special care.
A further and interesting use of the present extra braking light is that of illuminating advertising messages both fixed , combinable as desired by a keyboard or by certain controls, or else kept moving by electronic circuits
provided for the purpose.
To sum up these advantages, simple and reliable means are used not only to increase the visibility of all kinds of warnings but other valid and interesting functions are made possible as well. Characteristis and purposes of the disclosure will be made still clearer by the following examples of its execution illustrated by diagrammatically drawn figures.
Fig. 1 Motor vehicle with an extra braking light placed at the top of the rear window, furnished with a written word on a curved plate placed over the dioptric cover, perspective.
Fig. 2 The extra braking light when the plate bearing a word is being applied to the dioptric cover, perspective.
Fig. 3 As above, with the plate bearing a word in position, perspective. Fig. 4 Longitudinal section of the extra braking light with the plate bearing a word, perspective.
Fig. 5 The extra braking light with letters mounted on the dioptric cover, perspective.
Fig. 6 Motor vehicle with an extra braking light, placed at the bottom of the rear window, formed of a number of LED lights arranged to form a word, perspective.
Figs 7-9 The extra light in Fig. 6 with different words, perspective. Fig. 10 Motor vehicle with an extra braking light, placed at the top of the rear window, formed of a number of LEDs arranged on five horizontal rows operated by a keyboard placed near the dashboard, perspective. FigJ 1 -12 The extra braking light in FigJ 0 with different words.
FigJ 3 Motor vehicle with an extra braking light longer than the one above, placed on the body of the car just below the rear window, having a number of LED lights arranged in five rows to form a moving message "CAUTION - FOG" and having a programming keyboard mounted near the dashboard, perspective.
Figs 14-16 The rear braking light displaying a running message
"CAUTION-FOG" at three stages in its movement, perspective.
In addition to the usual braking lights 11 , the motor vehicle 10 has an
extra braking light 20 with four lamps 21 fitted at the top of the rear window 12 and connected to the battery 13.
Said light 20 presents a body 22 closed at the front by the dioptric cover
23. The transparent plate 30 bearing the word STOP has been applied to the cover, said plate being of partially elastic plastic material substantially curved to match with the convexity of said cover.
At each end of said plate are tabs 31 by means of which the plate can flexibly grip onto said cover. Figure 3 shows the plate already mounted while Figure 4 indicates its position in relation to the lamps 21 .
In one variant 35 seen in Figure 5, the transparent letters S T O P 24 have been permanently fixed to the dioptric cover 23.
Clearly, therefore, when the extra braking light comes on, a graphic signal is provided in addition to the optical signal the effect of which is thereby enhanced.
Figure 6 shows a motor car 40 with an extra braking light 45 applied to the lower edge of the rear window 41 .
It will be seen in Figure 7 that inside the cover 51 of said extra braking light there is a set of LED lights arranged to compose a useful warning, such as the word SLOW 52.
This signal is an inducement to reduce speed, and is given not only by an extra light but also by a clear written indication.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the extra braking light 45 with forms of adver- tizing 55 and 56.
In Figure 10 there is a motor car 60 with an extra braking light 62 at the top of its rear window 61 , said light comprising a set of LED lights arranged on five lines 64 and connected to a device 65 that presents a keyboard 66 with keys like 67 and 68. By means of the keys a fixed message can be composed, as indicated in
Figures 11 and 12, one that announces FOG and the other SLOW by respectively pressing keys such as 67 and 68.
By pressing another key the word QUEUE can appear.
In Figure 13 there is a motor car 70 with an extra braking light 71 placed on the back 72 of the body close to the rear window 73. This light is substantially similar to light 45 already described but is longer and contains a greater number of LED lights 74. This light is connected to an electronic card 80 contained in the box 81 with keyboard 82 that permits an alpha numeric message to be composed with the keys 83 and, using keys like 84, to determine movement of the message; then, by means of other keys 85, to run the message faster or slower or obtain other effects. It is therefore possible, for example, to compose the moving phrase "CAUTION - FOG" from the three figures 14-16 indicated, so that the driver following the vehicle on which the above lamp is installed, obtains in this way a striking visual impression due to the brilliance of the extra braking light, to movement of the words and to the meaning they convey.
This method of giving a warning is therefore better perceived compared with presently known methods.