A USER-POSITIONED TURN SIGNAL ALARM

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to vehicle turn signal indication systems, and more particularly to a user-positioned visual alarm for an existing vehicle turn signal indication system.

BACKGROUND

A typical motor vehicle has a turn signal indicator system that a driver can activate to show others that he or she is about to make a turn. Such a system often comprises a turn signal actuator located on the steering column, a flasher unit, and lights on the exterior of the vehicle that flash when activated. For example, when the driver presses down on a turn signal actuator comprising a lever, moving the lever from the neutral position, the exterior lights on the front and back left side of the vehicle flash, and drivers or pedestrians can then note the flashing lights and take appropriate safety precautions before the vehicle turns left. Similarly, the driver may raise the turn signal actuator to indicate a right turn.

A turn signal indicator system is typically powered by the vehicle's DC electrical system. When the turn signal actuator is moved out of the neutral position, an electrical signal is communicated to the flasher unit, and the flasher unit then transmits an electrical pulse to the appropriate external lights on the vehicle, causing them the flash. Typically, a turn signal indicator system also causes additional lights on the dashboard of the vehicle to flash and an alarm sound to be made, to indicate to the drivers that they have activated turn indicator lights.

A turn signal actuator is typically coupled mechanically to the steering column of the vehicle so that when the steering wheel is returned to its straight forward position after a turn, the turn signal actuator returns to its neutral position, which turns off all the turn indicator lights and alarm sounds. To prevent the turn indication system from

interpreting small movements of the steering wheel as full turns, the steering wheel typically must have been turned to a predetermined significant degree for the turn signal actuator to be placed in its neutral position after the steering wheel returns to its straight forward position after rotation.

If a driver makes a turn without rotating the steering wheel to that significant degree, the turn signal actuator will remain in an activated position and the appropriate exterior turn indicator lights will continue to flash. This condition may constitute a safety hazard, because others who see the flashing turn indicator lights will assume that the driver is about to make another turn and will not be able to accurately predict the vehicle's current or future path. The dashboard turn indicator lights and alarm sounds on vehicles are designed to prevent this condition by alerting the driver that the turn signal actuator is still activated. In some configurations, the alarm sounds are designed to be activated after a predetermined time period. The driver can then manually move the turn signal actuator to the neutral position.

However, the typical configuration of dashboard turn indicator lights and alarm sounds does not always effectively alert drivers to the hazardous condition described above. For example, drivers who focus closely on the road ahead of them or who have visual limitations may not see the dashboard turn indicator lights flash. And drivers who listen to music, carry on conversations with passengers, or talk on cell phones, or who have hearing limitations, may not hear the alarm sounds.

Because of the disadvantages of typical turn indicator systems, devices have been designed to improve them. For example, U.S. 6,304,175 for Patrick provides the following apparatus:

"A vehicle turn signal alarm employs a signal source which is activated to emit an alert signal in response to operation of the turn signal indication system of a vehicle for alerting the vehicle driver that the turn signal indication system is operating."

The modular audible turn signal alarm cited above may be installed by the owner of the vehicle in a case where the vehicle is not already provided with a system for an alerting signal, which can be a useful feature. However, this modular apparatus is not designed to allow users to position an alerting signal optimally according to the users' preferences and needs. For example, a user may want to have a flashing turn indicator light on the lower front corner of the driver's side window, because of the user's preference or visual limitations. Another driver may want or need to have a flashing turn indicator light at eye level on that the driver's side window.

Therefore, there is a need for an add-on turn signal alarm that users can position according to their preferences and needs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The following explanation describes the present invention by way of example and not by way of limitation.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a turn signal alarm that users can position according to their preferences and needs.

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a turn signal alarm that users can position and that is an add-on to an existing turn signal flasher unit in a motor vehicle.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a visual add-on turn signal alarm that users can position.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a visual add-on turn signal alarm that users can install easily.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a visual add-on turn signal alarm that is inexpensive to produce.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a visual add-on alerting turn signal system that users can position by attaching an adhesive element of that system to a desired location.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an audible add-on turn signal alarm that users can position.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and associated drawings. In accordance with the present invention, an add-on turn signal alarm is provided that users can position according to their preferences and needs. The system attaches easily and without special installation training as a modular component to an existing vehicle turn signal flasher unit by wire connectors that slip over the flasher unit's terminals. The system can thus receive electrical signals from the flasher unit, powered by the vehicle's DC electrical system. A pair of wires carries the electrical signals from the wire connectors to an alerting device, comprising a flasher light, with a plastic backing covered on its exterior surface by a self-adhesive substance. The user can thus stick the flasher light onto a desired surface in the vehicle for optimum viewing. In another embodiment, the alerting device may comprise a sound-generating device, with or without a flasher light component, which may be positioned for optimum hearing. The simple design of the add-on turn signal alarm makes it inexpensive to produce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following embodiments of the present invention are described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side view of a modular, user-positioned turn signal alarm;

Fig. 2 is a view showing the under side of a modular, user-positioned turn signal alarm; and

Fig. 3 is a view showing the under side of a turn signal flasher unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of drawings is offered to illustrate the present invention clearly. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the concepts of the present invention are not limited to these specific details. Also, commonly known elements are shown in diagrams for clarity, as examples only and not as limitations of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a modular, user-positioned turn signal alarm. The user- positioned turn signal alarm may be constructed of the best quality materials accepted and used by the manufacturing industry. This material may be lightweight and should be long lasting and durable. For example, it may be constructed of thermoplastics such as polyethylene or polypropylene, which are recognized in the industry as being versatile, durable, and of high quality.

In an embodiment, the user-positioned turn signal alarm comprises the following elements:

• A light 2;

• A detachable plastic backing 12 on one side of the light 2; • A self-adhesive substance 10 beneath the detachable plastic backing 12; and

• Electrical wires 4 that attach to the light 2 and to terminals 8 of the flasher unit 6 of a motor vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 2, the electrical wires 4 end in connectors 14A and 14B, which are clips that fit over the corresponding terminals 8 A and 8B, shown in Fig. 3, of the flasher unit 6.

Note that in another embodiment, the user-positioned turn signal alarm may be wired directly to the flasher unit 6 so that it is attached to the flasher unit 6 without the use of connectors.

The light 2 may comprise any light with an appropriate design for use in the interior of motor vehicles, as is well know by those skilled in the art, such as the light bulbs used for the turn signal indicators on the dashboard. For example, the light bulb may comprise a 12 volt dashboard light bulb. The outside housing of the light may comprise plastic in any color, for example red, blue, green, or amber.

In an embodiment, a detachable plastic backing 12 on one side of the light 2 covers a self-adhesive substance 10. After the detachable plastic backing 12 has been removed, the light may be attached to another surface by means of the self-adhesive substance 10. In an embodiment, a useful height for the light is approximately 4 centimeters, and a useful width is 1.7 centimeters.

Note that in other embodiment, other means may be used to attach the light 2 to a surface, for example, tape, magnets, screws, or any devices and techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Also note that in another embodiment, a sound-generating device may similarly be used with the light 2 or may replace the light 2.

The electrical wires 4 may be wires suitable for use in the interior of a motor vehicle, well known to those skilled in the art, such as the wires attached to the turn signal indicator lights on a dashboard. For example, the electrical wires 4 may be # 18 rubber coated wire. These electrical wires 4 may be attached directly to the light 2 on one end. In an embodiment, the electrical wires 4 have connectors 14A and 14B on the other end, which are designed to slip over the corresponding terminals 8A and 8B of the flasher unit 6 of a motor vehicle. These connectors 14A and 14B may be flat plastic or rubber coated metal clips. In an embodiment, a useful length for the wires from the flasher unit 6 to the light 2 is approximately one meter.

In other embodiments, the electrical wires 4 may be attached to the flasher unit 6 by other means than connectors 14A and 14B. For example, the bare ends of the

electrical wires 4 may be wrapped around the terminals 8 of the flasher unit 6. Or the electrical wires 4 may be attached to a connector card designed to fit into a corresponding attachment on the flasher unit 6.

Use

To employ the user-positioned turn signal alarm, the user detaches a vehicle's turn signal flasher unit 6 from its location, typically under the dashboard. In an embodiment the user then slips one of the connectors 14A and 14B over each of the corresponding terminals 8A and 8b of the terminal and reattaches the flasher unit 6 to its location under the dashboard. Afterwards, the user removes the plastic backing 12 from the light 2, exposing the self-adhesive substance 10, and places the self-adhesive substance 10 against the surface where the user wants to attach the light 2. The length of the wires 4 allows the user to move the light 2 freely to the desired location. For example, the user may position the light 2 on the front lower corner of the driver's window for increased visibility.

Wires 4 of different lengths may be used to accommodate positioning the light 2 to different locations in different vehicles. If desired, the user may also attach the wires 4 themselves to different surfaces to keep them safely and conveniently in place, for example by means of clips, tape, or other devices.

After the light 2 in attached in the desired position, the light 2 of the user-positioned turn signal alarm will flash whenever the driver of the vehicle actives the turn signal actuator.

In another embodiment, a sound-generating device attached to the user-positioned turn signal alarm may be similarly positioned to a desired surface, with or without association with a light 2. For example, a sound-generating device may be attached to the upper rear corner of the driver's window at ear level for increased audibility, or to

a headset that the driver wears. When a driver actives the turn signal actuator, the sound-generating device will then generate an alerting sound.

The best dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention described above, including variations in form and use, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.