Communications: electrical – Audible indication – Electronic
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-10
2001-06-26
Tong, Nina (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Audible indication
Electronic
C340S384200, C340S573200, C119S174000, C119S719000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252496
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an animal warning alarm device for mounting on a vehicle to warn deer and other animals that the vehicle is approaching.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The number of collisions that occur every year between vehicles and animals in high risk areas and on open roadways is significant. To reduce the risk of hazardous animal/vehicle collisions, vehicle mounted warning alarm devices of various types including both wind activated alarms and ultrasonic alarms have met with varying degrees of success.
A major drawback to wind activated alarms is that the signals they emit vary in strength and frequency with variations in wind speed and direction and vehicle speed.
Electrically powered ultrasonic alarms will produce sound at a constant frequency regardless of wind velocity and direction or vehicle speed. However, the sound waves that they generate may not carry far enough to adequately alert most animals to the approaching vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an animal warning alarm device for mounting on a vehicle that produces a high pitched, semi-directional sonic wave that will carry a sufficient distance to adequately alert deer and most other animals of the approaching vehicle at virtually any speed, thereby greatly reducing the risk of hazardous animal/vehicle collisions.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the device produces a sonic wave that is channeled out through the forward open end of a tube that is angled downwardly in a forward direction relative to the vehicle toward the road surface, preferably at a 45° angle, to cause the sonic wave to be reflected from the road surface, producing a virtual sonic echo effect.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the tube has a straight walled passage for channeling the sonic wave outwardly through the tube.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device includes a housing having a front wall from which the tube projects, and a rear wall containing a stepped bore within the housing in coaxial alignment with the passage in the tube containing a sonic generator.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sonic generator has a forwardly facing sound discharge opening in coaxial alignment with the passage in the tube.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device includes a chamber forwardly of the sonic generator containing an acoustical foam layer to prevent any particles in the air from passing through the tube into contact with the sonic generator.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the device includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed to a mounting surface on the vehicle, and the housing has an adjustable pivotal connection with the mounting bracket to permit the housing to be pivoted up or down relative to the mounting bracket to adjust the downward angle of the tube relative to the road surface.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the housing has a flange on one side including a flat bottom wall which is engaged by one leg of an L-shaped base bracket and a flat side wall extending at a right angle to the bottom wall which is engaged by another leg of the base bracket, and a bolt extends upwardly through aligned holes in the one leg of the base bracket and the flange, and a nut is threaded onto an upwardly protruding end of the bolt for securing the housing to the base bracket.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the mounting bracket has a first leg adjustably pivotally connected to the one leg of the base bracket rearwardly of the housing and a second leg extending at a right angle to the first leg.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the base bracket and mounting bracket are made of metal, and the upper end of the bolt that secures the base bracket to the housing flange provides a ground terminal for a ground wire coming off the sonic generator.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a power lead wire coming off the sonic generator is connected to a dash mounted control switch powered off a fused circuit of the vehicle.
These and other objects, advantages, features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail a certain illustrative embodiment of the invention, this being indicative, however, of but one of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
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Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Tong Nina
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