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Title: Safe distance visual warning device
Claims: I claim: 1. A vehicle safety device for providing a visual indication to a driver of one vehicle when the distance between his vehicle and another vehicle is safe, unsafe or where caution is needed, for the speed at which he is driving, said device comprising a plurality of different sized solid geometric warning areas, located with respect to said other vehicle all areas having a similar geometric shape, the areas sequentially positioned to form a total integral pattern in which each area has a particular position, each area being assigned to a particular speed at which an indication is to be provided, and wherein the discrete appearance of an area indicates an unsafe distance at the particular assigned speed, the absence of the discrete appearance of the area indicates a safe distance at the particular speed, and the lack of clear discernment of the area indicates that caution is needed. 2. A device as in claim 1 and further comprising screen means positioned with respect to said other vehicle and wherein said plurality of areas are on said screen means, the light transmissivity properties of said screen means and said areas differing from each other whereby said areas are viewable on either side of said screen means. 3. A device as in claim 2 and wherein said screen means is impervious to light and wherein said areas are windows capable of transmitting light. 4. A device as in claim 2 and wherein said screen means is capable of transmitting light and said areas are opaque. 5. A device as in claim 2 and further comprising housing means positioned on said other vehicle, said screen means supported by said housing means, and illumination means contained in said housing means and positioned on one side of said screen means. 6. A device as in claim 2 and wherein said screen means is a part of the lighting control system of the vehicle. 7. A device as in claim 1 and wherein all of said areas are of the same height, the width of the areas being larger for increased assigned speeds, and wherein the spacing between adjacent areas is increased as the areas increase. 8. A device as in claim 1 and wherein each of said areas is capable of transmitting a different color of light. 9. A device as in claim 1 and wherein said areas are in the form of reflective means. 10. A device as in claim 1 and wherein said areas are located within the windshield of said other vehicle. 11. A device as in claim 10 and further comprising support means positioned adjacent the windshield, said support means having a front portion facing the windshield and remaining portions thereof being impervious to light, and illumination means contained in said support means whereby said illumination means can be viewed through the front portion of said support means and wherein said areas are located on the front portion of said support means. 12. A device as in claim 11 and wherein said support means includes a plurality of housing units each including a separate illumination means whereby each area has its own housing unit. 13. A device as in claim 12 and wherein said illumination means are optoelectric devices. 14. A device as in claim 1 and wherein one of said areas represents a minimum stopping distance for urban areas and another of said areas represents a minimum stopping distance for rural areas. 15. A device as in claim 1 and further including additional warning areas contained within at least one of said different sized warning areas such that said one warning area forms a background for said additional warning areas. 16. A device as in claim 1 and wherein said single integral pattern is in the form of a clock and said areas are located at the minute positions of the clock, the speed assigned to each area corresponding to the minute position at which it is located. 17. A device as in claim 1 and wherein said areas are rectangular frames of different widths and different sizes, the frames being concentrically positioned within each other. Other info: Inventors: Caine, Harold A. (Oceanside, NY, US) Application Number: 463576 Filing Date: 1974-04-24 Publication_date: 1976-04-13 Assignee: Primary Class(es): 356/3 359/244 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Corbin, John K. Assistant Examiner: Rosenberger, Richard A. Attorney: Helfgott; Samson |
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