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:
Nov. 03, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 10, 1991
James R Cherry, Windham, NH (US);
David P Stevens, Billerica, MA (US);
Abel Raynus, Brookline, MA (US);
Armatron International, Inc., Melrose, MA (US);
Abstract
A system and method for detecting the presence of objects in the path of the end portion of a movable vehicle are disclosed. A vehicle mounted transmitter transmits bursts of ultrasonic object detection signals. A receiver also mounted on the vehicle receives not only a direct signal from the transmitter, but also signals reflected from objects in the path of the movable vehicle. The transmitter and receiver are mounted on the end portion of the vehicle so that they constitute the foci of an elliptical path defining the loci of all points of signal reflection having the same total transit time of signal from the transmitter to a reflecting object and back to the receiver. The elliptical path of the loci of the closest detectable objects preferably encompasses substantially the entire end portion of the movable vehicle. An object warning device is actuated in response to the receipt of a reflected object detection signal that has a predetermined total transit time of signal from the transmitter to the reflecting object and back to the receiver.