Emergency vehicle proximity reporting system

A emergency vehicle proximity reporting system for alerting a driver of a vehicle that an emergency vehicle is approaching from a certain direction and at what approximate distance. The emergency vehicle proximity reporting system includes a housing that has a back wall, a front wall, and a perimeter wall for extending there between. The housing defines an interior space. A receiver assembly is positioned substantially within the housing. The receiver assembly is designed for receiving a signal from a transmitter coupled to an emergency vehicle. An indication means provides an alerting indication to the user of a presence of an emergency vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to proximity reporting systems and more particularly pertains to a new emergency vehicle proximity reporting system for alerting a driver of a vehicle that an emergency vehicle is approaching from a certain direction and at what approximate distance.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of proximity reporting systems is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,329 describes a device capable of alerting a driver of the proximity of an emergency vehicle with the use of a flashing light mounted in the interior of a vehicle. Another type of proximity reporting system is U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,148 describing a means for warning a driver of various traffic situations including the audible message. U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,201 describes a system for alerting a person of an emergency situation using a visual or acoustic alerting device.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a system that includes an alerting device using a light system for indicating the direction and proximity of an emergency vehicle as described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the needs presented above by indicating the direction and proximity of an emergency vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new emergency vehicle proximity reporting system that allows emergency vehicles to get through traffic safely and quickly.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new emergency vehicle proximity reporting system that would aid the emergency crew in saving lives during time critical emergency situations.

To this end, the present invention generally comprises a housing that has a back wall, a front wall, and a perimeter wall for extending there between. The housing defines an interior space. A receiver assembly is positioned substantially within the housing. The receiver assembly is designed for receiving a signal from a transmitter coupled to an emergency vehicle. An indication means provides an alerting indication to the user of a presence of an emergency vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new emergency vehicle proximity reporting system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 , the emergency vehicle proximity reporting system 10 generally comprises a housing 12 that has a back wall 14 , a front wall 16 , and a perimeter wall 18 for extending there between. The housing 12 defines an interior space 20 . A receiver assembly 22 is positioned substantially within the housing 12 . The receiver assembly 22 is designed for receiving a signal from a transmitter 24 coupled to an emergency vehicle. An indication means 26 provides an alerting indication to the user of a presence of an emergency vehicle. The receiver assembly 22 further includes a processing means 28 . The processing means 28 is for analyzing the signal received. The processing means 28 determines a relative direction of the emergency vehicle. The processing means 28 determines a relative distance of the emergency vehicle.

The receiver assembly 22 further includes a processing means 28 . The processing means 28 is for analyzing the signal received. The processing means 28 determines a relative direction of the emergency vehicle. The processing means 28 determining a relative distance of the emergency vehicle.

The indication means 30 further includes a plurality of indicator lamps 32 . Each one of the plurality of indicator lamps 32 is uniquely associated with a relative distance of the emergency vehicle. Each one of the plurality of indicator lamps 32 is positioned substantially on the front wall 16 of the housing 12 . Each one of the indicator lamps 32 is operationally coupled to the receiver assembly 22 . The plurality of indicator lamps 32 further includes a first quartet of indicator lamps 34 . Each one of the first quartet of indicator lamps 34 is operationally coupled to the receiver assembly 22 . Each one of the first quartet of indicator lamps 34 is associated with a first relative distance. Each one of the first quartet of indicator lamps 34 is uniquely associated with a relative direction. Each one of the first quartet of indicator lamps 34 is illuminatable by the receiver assembly 22 for providing an visual indication for the user that an emergency vehicle is within the first relative distance and positioned approximately at the relative direction.

Each one of the second quartet of indicator lamps 36 is operationally coupled to the receiver assembly 22 . Each one of the second quartet of indicator lamps 36 is associated with a second relative distance. The second relative distance is substantially less than the first relative distance. Each one of the second quartet of indicator lamps 36 is uniquely associated with a relative direction. Each one of the second quartet of indicator lamps 36 is illuminatable by the receiver assembly 22 for providing an visual indication for the user that an emergency vehicle is within the second relative distance and positioned approximately at the relative direction.

A proximity indicator lamp 38 is operationally coupled to the receiver assembly 22 . The proximity indicator lamp 38 is associated with a third relative distance. The third relative distance is substantially less than the second relative distance. The proximity indicator lamp 38 provides a visual indication for the user than an emergency vehicle is within the third relative distance. The first relative distance is greater than 150 yards, the second relative distance is greater than 100 yards, the third relative distance is less than 50 yards.

In an embodiment the plurality of indicator lamps 32 further includes a plurality of relative direction lamps 40 . Each one of the plurality of relative direction lamps 40 is uniquely associated with a relative directions. Each one of the plurality of relative direction lamps 40 is operationally coupled to the receiver assembly 22 and illuminatable by the receiver assembly 22 . The plurality of relative direction lamps 40 providing a visual indication to the user of a relative direction of the emergency vehicle.

Each one of the plurality of relative distance lamps 42 is uniquely associated with a relative distance. Each one of the plurality of relative distance lamps 42 is operationally coupled to the receiver assembly 22 and illuminatable by the receiver assembly 22 . The plurality of relative distance lamps 42 providing a visual indication to the user of a relative distance of the emergency vehicle.

In use, a user would mount the present invention to a dash board of a vehicle or other location that can be easily viewed by the driver. When an emergency vehicle approaches indication lamps light to show the direction of the emergency vehicle and the distance of the emergency vehicle proximate to your vehicle.