Safety device for dynamic units

Abstract

Safety apparatus for vehicles, machinery, and the like to provide a distinctive signal in the event of the incapacitation or drowsiness of an operator. Spaced electrical conductors are supported on a hand-grip control means such as the steering wheel of a vehicle to provide thereby an open circuit which is capable of being bridged by a body portion of the operator such as the hand of the driver on the steering wheel during normal vehicle operation. An output means is also provided which gives a distinctive signal, and this output means is controlled by a circuit coupled between the conductors and such output means. The circuit is effective to control the output means to provide its distinctive signal indicative of incapacitation of the driver both under the condition where the conductors are open circuited or bridged by a resistance whose value lies above a predetermined range as well as by a short circuiting of the conductors which may occur by, for example, a ring or bracelet or the like worn by the vehicle operator.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.