Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – Of relative distance from an obstacle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-05
2001-09-25
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
Of relative distance from an obstacle
C340S539230, C340S870030, C340S332000, C116S02800A, C116S209000, C116S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06294985
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to motor vehicle hazard warning systems; and, more particularly, to an improved remotely triggered collision avoidance strobe system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During the movement of aircraft and other large machinery, equipment, trucks and boats, the line of sight of tug operators is typically limited. As such, many individuals may be employed to help direct and warn tug operators of impending collisions. However, prior art devices and methods have been disadvantageous in adequately controlling these expensive and sometimes fatal mistakes. For instance, in the airline industry, aircraft, in the United States alone, are tugged from gates and hangers many times per day. In addition to the numerous on-the-job injuries that result due to tug related accidents, millions of dollars are lost each day when an aircraft inadvertently collides with other aircraft, service vehicles or buildings. Costly repairs, inspections, investigations, flight delays, lost revenues, lost passenger confidence and employee injuries make the avoidance of such collisions of utmost importance.
In the airline industry, wing walkers typically are positioned near the wings with flags or poles to direct and warn the tug operator of impending collisions. However, due to the noise and limited sight, it is often difficult for the tug operators to observe these wing walkers simultaneously and to quickly respond to any verbal or hand signals. Thus, numerous accidents have resulted from this method of collision avoidance.
Although there have been devices invented that assist the pilot in docking or parking a plane (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,159 to Stasko and U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,648 to Smith et al.), none are designed to, or serve the function of, preventing collisions while moving aircraft via tug vehicles.
It has been recognized for many years that flashing lights have the ability to draw attention more rapidly than a constantly emitted light. Recognizing this, others have provided collision avoidance systems utilizing flashing lights, triggered by various activation means, to draw the attention of surrounding drivers. It is often the case that standard incandescent lamps are utilized as the light-emitting source. Examples of such systems may be found by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,763 to Deckard et al. Such systems are disadvantageous in that the light is not bright enough to draw attention during daylight; don't flash rapidly enough; high failure rate relative to the number of flashes required. Sometimes the flashing light is hidden behind red or amber lenses or utilizes the preexisting red brake lights or amber hazard lights, reducing effectiveness by reducing overall brightness. Examples of such systems may be found by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,841 to Pandohie; U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,763 to Deckard et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,698 to Tabacchi; U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,904 to Browne et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,594 to Ehrlich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,147 to Kobres; U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,362 to Echt; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,898 to Yeheskel et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,218 to Woods et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,181 to Priesemuth; and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,904 to Browne et al.
It has been recognized that stroboscopic lighting, or strobes, may be utilized in vehicle safety systems. Because these lamps are brilliant, often 100,000 candles or more, they may be seen over bright sunlight. In addition, they may be set to flash rapidly, thereby naturally attracting the attention of the human eye and increasing the likelihood of detection by human peripheral vision. Furthermore, the rate of flashing and the intensity may be varied by design to optimize their signaling capability.
In recent years, the motor vehicle industry, departments of transportation, and various other public agencies have undertaken to incorporate stroboscopic lighting in their system specifications. For example, buses, four-way stop lights, and emergency response vehicles utilize strobe lights to aid in providing early warning of various emergency or dangerous conditions.
Thus, there is a clear advantage in utilizing stroboscopic light, appropriately triggered to indicate potentially dangerous situations.
It is readily apparent that an improved stroboscopic remote collision avoidance system easily adaptable to preexisting systems and having the capability to be triggered from a multitude of remote advantage points in the event of impending collision is needed to aid in preventing, or at least reducing, the incidence of accidental injuries to both persons and property of the type just described. It is, therefore, to the provision of such an improved that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the several objects of this invention, presented is a new and improved collision avoidance system having remote triggering means, multicolored lamp display, audible alarm, and a stroboscopic light for providing adequate early warning to a tug or aircraft operator and other surrounding individuals that a possible emergency situation may exist.
The invention comprises, generally, four subsystems: (1.) a portable unit; (2.) a tug unit; (3.) a station unit; and, (4.) one or more hand wand transmitters. In the preferred embodiment, the station unit comprises a collision avoidance strobe light mounted to a building or other structure (i.e., a gate) and positioned so as to be visible by flight crew. The tug unit comprises an audible alarm mounted within the tug vehicle, which is audible to the tug operator when triggered, and a collision avoidance strobe light. The portable unit, similar to the tug-mounted unit, also comprises an audible alarm that sounds when triggered and a collision avoidance strobe light. The portable unit may be utilized in place of the tug unit or may be utilized in conjunction with the tug unit at other positions, depending upon the degree of warning needed.
In a preferred embodiment, each watch person (i.e., wing walker) carries a hand wand transmitter which he or she manually activates in case of impending collision or other emergency. The hand wand transmitter generates a radio frequency signal that is detected by a receiving circuitry contained within the portable unit, the tug unit and the station unit thereby generating an internal signal within each of said units. These internal signals activate the respective alarming systems of each unit to warn the tug operator and others that an emergency situation exists and that all movement should cease. For instance, in the station unit, the internal signal activates a flash tube and a red parking light. In the portable unit and the tug unit, the respective internal signals activate an audible alarm and a flash tube in each unit.
In use, a watch person presses a button on the hand wand when he perceives a threat of collision or other impending emergency, thereby activating the audible alarms and the flash tubes of the portable unit and the tug unit, and the flash tube and the red parking light of the station unit. The brilliance and rapid flashing of the flash tubes, coupled with the audible alarms and red light, quickly captures the tug or aircraft operator's attention thus resulting in the immediate stopping of all movement, and the adequately warning of others in the area of an emergency situation.
As an additional precaution and assistance in movement of aircraft, boats, trucks, large machinery and equipment, a push button control is connected to the station unit wherein one of a series of colored lights and the flash tube can be selectively activated manually via one of a plurality of push buttons to indicate a variable level of warning. For instance, if all is clear, the depressing of the fourth push button will activate a green light to indicate to a tug operator, pilot, driver, captain or other individuals that all is clear. As the level of concern increases, the third button may be depressed to activate a yellow light indicating that caution should be exercised. When the aircraft, b
Hughes & Kaplan
Kaplan, Esq. Barry E.
Pope Daryl
LandOfFree
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