US 6,515,584 B2 · Distinctive hazard flash patterns for motor vehicles and for portable emergency warning devices with pulse generators to produce such patterns

Abstract

A flashing light sequence which is readily distinguished by drivers as the signal for a hazard alert as contrasted with turn signal flashes. An electronic hazard alert flasher unit is described which generates a hazard warning signal which is distinctively different in flash rate and pattern from standard turn signals and other on-off warning lights. One version of the hazard alert flasher unit is intended to replace the standard element presently used in highway vehicles to generate the turn signal and hazard flash pulse. A second version of the hazard alert flasher can be used to control the flash rate of free-standing emergency electric lanterns, illuminated emergency warning triangles, and LED substitutes for pyrotechnic flares. The proposed hazard alert flash pattern consists of three or more short flashes followed by a longer pause.

Claims8

Dependent claims

For motor vehicles, including trucks of all sizes, buses, automobiles, and motor cycles, a turn signal / hazard signal flasher control device which automatically provides an improved hazard alert flash sequence which can be distinguished from a vehicle turn signal even if only one lamp is seen, said flash sequence consisting of a number of brief flashes separated by short off times, all followed by a longer pause or off time;

which flash sequence is significantly more striking to the eyes of other drivers compared to the standard four-way flash hazard sequence presently used and should often result in quicker recognition that a hazard is being signaled.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/810,315Filed 14 Mar 2001 · us provisional application

Priority

21 Mar 2000

Published

US 2002/0000912 A13 Jan 2002

Granted

4 Feb 2003

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B60Q 1/46
The devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic: for giving flashing caution…
F21V 23/0407
The elements being switches: for flashing
F21W 2103/20
Exterior vehicle lighting devices for signalling purposes: direction indicator lights
B60Q
Arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or

Distinctive hazard flash patterns for motor vehicles and for portable emergency warning devices with pulse generators to produce such patterns

Life of this patent

Distinctive hazard flash patterns for motor vehicles and for portable emergency warning devices with pulse generators to produce such patterns

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8