Early detection system and method for exterior vehicle cargo

Abstract

A method and device for attaching directly to a high-profile and/or elongated item of cargo () transported on the exterior payload area of a vehicle () prevents collisions with obstructions (). A detector () remotely detects a distant obstruction () in the path of the cargo () using ultrasonic, infra red, or other sensing techniques. The detector () is mounted directly to the cargo () by a mounting member () which releasably surrounds at least a portion of the cargo () and provides an enveloping, frictionally constricting engagement so as to maintain the detector () in a preferred operating orientation. The mounting member () preferably includes a bracket () configured to attach at multiple, spaced points on the cargo (). In one alternative configuration, the mounting member () comprises a flexible membrane () which wraps around a portion of the cargo () and is securely held in position thereto using tension straps (). Alarm features include a light source () and speaker () contained in a passenger compartment and activated whenever the detector () senses an obstruction () in the path of the cargo (). The detector () and alarm components () can communicate via an electrical cable (), or using wireless transmission ().