The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 14, 1981
Filed:
May. 16, 1979
Richard E Woods, Markle, IN (US);
Reli Corporation, Markle, IN (US);
Abstract
A driver warning system has a steering sensor with a light source and photocell mounted on the steering column and directing a light beam towards a strip having alternate bands of reflective and non-reflective material formed thereon. A circuit coupled to the photocell is provided for sensing the transition between a reflected beam and a non-reflected beam. The beam is radiated at a frequency to which the circuit is sensitive so that ambient light will not cause a false signal. A transducer is provided for sensing the vehicle speed and providing a corresponding voltage. The warning system is inoperative below a minimum vehicle speed. Alarm circuitry is actuated upon the absence of a transition for a predetermined time period, dependent on vehicle speed. Both the predetermined time period between transitions to trigger the alarm and the vehicle speed at which the system alarm is operative are adjustable with the predetermined time period between transitions varying with vehicle speed. The alarm is also actuated when the vehicle speed exceeds an adjustable level.