High beam warning apparatus
OwnerRobert O. Hoffmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for indicating to the operator of a following vehicle that his headlights are operating in the high beam mode is disclosed. A light reflective surface is provided for mounting on the rear of a vehicle and is positioned so that when a following or trailing vehicle is being operated with its headlights in high beam mode and the trailing vehicle is sufficiently close to the lead vehicle, a small portion of light from the high beams will be reflected backwardly, substantially in the direction of the course so as to provide a warning indication to the following vehicle that he is too close for high beam operation. During normal or low beam operation by the following vehicle, the position of the apparatus is such as to give little or no reflection.
Claims12
Signaling apparatus for automotive vehicles comprising:
- a reflective surface configured to concentratingly reflect light incident thereon;
- scattering means for dispersing a portion of light energy concentratingly reflected by said reflective surface;
- and
- means for attaching said reflective surface to said vehicle at a location at which a first quantity of light energy is incident upon said reflective surface when a second vehicle traveling behind said vehicle is operated with high-beam headlamps illuminated, and a second, substantially smaller quantity of light energy is incident upon said reflective surface at all other times.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.