GB2357580A

GB2357580A - Combined vehicle brake/stop light and speedometer unit

Info

Publication number: GB2357580A
Application number: GB9929590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Richard Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-16
Filing date: 1999-12-16
Publication date: 2001-06-27
Also published as: GB9929590D0

Abstract

The unit provides the driver of a following vehicle with an indication of the speed of the vehicle in front and more specifically the rate of deceleration of that vehicle in situations when its driver has not applied the brakes. It comprises, a casing (1), a clear lens (2) and a liquid crystal display (5). The digital display (5) has red lit digits (6) and has a back light (7) operated by the foot brake. Under normal running conditions the speed of the vehicle is indicate by the digits (6), when the foot brake is applied the back light (7) is illuminated with the same intensity as the digits (6) thereby forming one complete stop light. The unit can be fitted in the rear window, the rear body panelling or a rear light housing of a vehicle.

Description

2357580 REAR MOUNTED COMBINED VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER & STOP LIGHT The

invention relates to a rear mounted combined vehicle speedometer and stop light of a type which incorporates a liquid crystal digital display to indicate the speed of the vehicle and a back light which acts as a stop light.

At present the "two secon& rule is given as a sensible safe distance between vehicles travelling behind one another and 'm the same direction. There are many occasions when the vehicle in front decelerates but the driver does not use the foot brake which operates the rear stop fights of the vehicle. This may occur on inclines where vehicle speed can reduce rapidly, the driver may be hesitant due to something which can be seen in the distance or their attention is distracted whilst looking for specific directions, street locations and addresses for example. Similarly, a vehicle may be stationary in the carriageway without stop fights showing as it waits for a vehicle in front of it to turn right, on many occasions the second vehicle obliterates the vision of the driver behind. It is also possible that vehicles decrease speed without the driver using the foot brake when road conditions are icy, to use the foot brake to excess 'm these conditions could cause the vehicle to skid. There is at present no indication to the driver behind that a vehicle is decelerating or stopped, unless the foot brake is applied and the stop lights are operated. Therefore the recognised two second safety gap can diminish very quickly with the consequence of a rear shunt accident occurring. In busy areas such as city centres and on commuter routes, rear shunt accidents are common due to slow moving traffic travelling very close, these accidents are rarely serious but can be costly and so often cause major traffic congestion. However, on a motorway, at higher speeds, the two second safety gap reduces more rapidly, the consequences of which are multiple rear shunt accidents and serious injury andlor death.

This invention could reduce the number of rear shunt accidents which occur in all road traffic situations and could considerably reduce costs, miconvemence, serious irijury and death.

The mvention continually indicates the speed of the vehicle in front to the following driver who is then able to adjust their own speed accordingly to eliminate, one would hope, the rear shunt type accident. It will be possible to fit the invention retrospectively to existing vehicles to provide improved safety.

Whilst indicating the speed of a moving vehicle in red digits of adequate size on the liquid crystal display, it will also be possible where there is an obstruction in the carriageway ahead i.e. a vehicle ummg right, for the invention to indicate zero whilst the vehicle immediately behind the vehicle turning right is stationary and not showing any rear stop lights, as is so often the case. If the foot brake is applied, the main screen area would be back lit in red to form a stop light, whilst at the same time blending with the red digital display to fill the screen area, the intensity of both the speedometer digits and the back light would be the same and would comply with all relevant safety standards.

It will be possible for this invention to be located in the rear windscreen of motor cars and within the rear bodywork panels of cars and other vehicles such as vans and lomies. In addition it will be possible to replace the existing stop fight on a motorcycle with the invention or as an addition to the existing rear stop light and it can be installed on trailer boards, caravans and other road going vehicles.

2.

The invention is described below with reference to the attached drawings in which Figure 1. Shows a view of the unit as seen by the driver following. Figure 2. Is a cross section through a rear windscreen mounted unit. Figure 3. Is a plan section through a rear body panel mounted unit. Figure 4. Shows a view of a motorcycle or trailer board unit as seen by the following driver. Figure 5. Is a cross section through a motorcycle or trailer board mounted unit.

As shown in Figure 1, the unit casing 1 is made in moulded plastics suitable of withstanding high temperatures and in colours to match the interior trim colour of the vehicle in which it is to be located. The lens 2 will be clear toughened glass or alternatively scratch and heat resistant clear polycarbonate. The liquid crystal display 5 will be adhered to the unit casing allowing space for all necessary circuitry and cables. The digital display 6 will be of adequate size and of maximum permissible intensity to ensure ease of reading at the recognised safe distance, and will comply with all relevant safety standards and recommendations. The digital speedometer reading is capable of displaying 00-99. This is not condoning the use of such speed, it is merely that the liquid crystal display operates in this manner. The back light 7, operated by the foot brake, will be of the same intensity as the digits to provide a complete stop light.

Figure 2 indicates that the shape and size of the unit casing would need to be variable dependent upon the vehicle in which it is to be fitted and the angle of the rear windscreen X. The whole unit will be secured inside the rear windscreen 4 by the use of double sided contact adhesive tape 3 designed specifically for the purpose. The power cable entry 14, will be provided with a weather resistant rubber seal. All other features are as described above for figure 1.

The unit casing 1 shown in figure 3 will be bolted to the body panel of a vehicle 8, by the use of nuts 9 and bolts 10, incorporating washers 11 as appropriate. The lens 2 of this unit will be of clear toughened glass as there is no protection afflorded by a windscreen in this situation/usage. The fixing bolts, unit casing and toughened glass lens edge will be trimmed using cover strip 12, snapped on to and held in position by purpose made brackets 13.

In figure 4 and 5, the upper part of the lens 2 will be clear, scratch and heat resistant polycarbonate. The lower part of the lens 2a will be red and opaque to provide, with the use of a bulb 18, an adequate stop fight for use on motorcycles and trailer boards. A moulded rubber strip 16 provides a watertight seal between the lens and the b ' ack plate 15, the lens is secured to the back plate by the use of suitable self tapping screws 17.

The invention will be powered by the vehicle battery via cables discreetly concealed within the bodywork and trims and will register the vehicles speed by the use of existing known electronic technology.

Claims

1. A rear mounted combined vehicle speedometer and stop light, comprising a liquid crystal digital display, indicating the speed of a vehicle in red lit digits of adequate size and light intensity to be seen by a following vehicle driver at a recognised safe distance. By the application of the foot brake of the vehicle the liquid crystal display screen is back fit to provide a red stop light of adequate size, with its light intensity equal that of the red lit digits of the speedometer display, to form one complete stop light, the intensity of which is to be in accordance with all legislation appertaining to safe lighting levels to the rear of vehicles.

2. A rear mounted combined vehicle speedometer and stop light as claimed in claim 1, wherein it can be housed in a heat resistant moulded plastic unit which is of adequate size and variable in shape and colour to enable it to be fitted into the rear windscreen of all makes and models of motor cars.

3. A rear mounted combined vehicle speedometer and stop light as claimed in claim 1, wherein it can be housed in a heat resistant moulded plastic unit which is of adequate size and variable in shape and colour to enable it to be fitted into the rear bodywork panelling of motor cars, vans, lorries, caravans and other road going vehicles.

4. A rear mounted combined vehicle speedometer and stop light as claimed in claim 1, wherein it can be housed in a heat resistant moulded plastic unit which is of adequate size and variable in shape and colour to enable it to be fitted into the rear light housing of motorcycles and trailer boards.

5. A rear mounted combined vehicle speedometer and stop fight as claimed in any preceding claim which can be retrospectively fitted to any appropriate vehicle.

6. A rear mounted combined vehicle speedometer and stop fight substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 - 5 of the accompanying drawing.