Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – External alarm or indicator of movement
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-01-09
Tong, Nina (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
External alarm or indicator of movement
C340S436000, C340S555000, C340S556000, C340S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172604
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of low clearance alarm devices. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an alert bumper that can be suspended adjacent a doorway and below the level of the header for activating an alarm upon being tilted in response to an impact, such as when a forklift carrying a tall load approaches the doorway.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is not an uncommon occurrence for the driver of a forklift carrying a tall load to misjudge a low clearance such as the header of a doorway and run into the header with the load. Such an accident can have serious consequences including injury to the driver and damage to the load, header and forklift.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the prior art problems mentioned above and provides a distinct advance in the state of the art. In particular, the low clearance alert bumper hereof provides a warning in time to prevent impact with a low clearance structure.
The preferred alarm bumper apparatus includes a bumper, a suspension assembly for suspending the bumper at a selected height and for allowing the bumper to shift upon impact, and an alarm circuit carried by the bumper and operable for sensing impact for activating an alarm. The bumper is in the nature of a tubular member such as a pipe suspended parallel to the support surface. The alarm circuit includes a tilt switch that activates upon tilting of the bumper upon impact. In response, the circuit produces an alarm signal delivered to a pair of lamps and a speaker for providing both visual and audible alarms. Such can alert the driver of a forklift, for example, in time to prevent impact with a low clearance structure such as a doorway header. Other preferred aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 333873 (1993-03-01), McCue
patent: 2738496 (1956-03-01), Armstrong
patent: 2884623 (1959-04-01), Stelter
patent: 3716833 (1973-02-01), Roth
patent: 4916429 (1990-04-01), Hicks et al.
patent: 5011358 (1991-04-01), Andersen et al.
patent: 5096753 (1992-03-01), McCue et al.
patent: 5149569 (1992-09-01), McCue
patent: 5343739 (1994-09-01), Curry
patent: 5390719 (1995-02-01), Barnes
patent: 5841345 (1998-11-01), Bae et al.
patent: 6002333 (1999-12-01), Hickey
Armatas Bret
Heillman Melvin
Alvarado Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
Tong Nina
LandOfFree
Low clearance alarm bumper does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Low clearance alarm bumper, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Low clearance alarm bumper will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2449540