Automatic brake light safety system

An integrated progressive brake light system for vehicles in which different sequences of brake lights are illuminated dependent on operator activation input. The brake light system uses a progressive multiple selective illumination in which additional central oriented brake lights are actuated as metered increase of operator input to indicate the relative degree of applied braking force as will be evident to the visual interpretation thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This device is related to vehicle stop lights that are positioned on the rear of the vehicle to indicate to following traffic when the vehicle is stopping.

2. Description of Prior Art

Prior art devices of this type have all been based on the accepted brake light system currently used on motor vehicles. Typically, two brake lights are positioned on the rear surface of the vehicle and are actuated once the driver applies any pressure to the brake pedal. They normally are illuminated jointly and at the same intensity as long as the user's foot remains on the brake pedal.

Alternate brake light systems have been developed in which multiple lights come on in different sequences depending on the relative braking effort or degree of deceleration that is occurring. Such systems have used different colored lights also to indicate the degree of braking, see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,753,769, 6,268,792, 7,002,459 and 7,019,632.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,753,769 a progressive slow stop signaling system is disclosed wherein a number of different colored light sets on a vehicle are illuminated to indicate relative speed of the vehicle at that time.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,792 claims a progressive brake light gauge using an accelerometer actuating a plurality of lamps in response thereto in all or separate sequence illumination.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,002,459 discloses a vehicle braking indicator that uses analysis of vehicle speed determined by engine revolution and progressive segment lighting associated therewith.

Finally, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,019,632 a vehicle braking light system is disclosed in which signal activation braking and intended braking of the driver by actuating a portion of the light display in association therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A “light saver” braking light system of the invention that combines multiple brake lights in a multiple level orientation with progressive activation and illumination depending on the degree of braking that is taking place. The system imparts a unique visual indication by light position and illumination as to the degree and severity of the braking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1of the drawings, a brake light system10of the invention can be seen in which multiple individual brake lights generally referred to as11are illustrated in use position for representative purposes.

A first pair of brake lights12can be seen as having a rectangular shape of equal size positioned in spaced horizontal relation to one another. Each of the brake lights12have a red semi-transparent lens13with a light source14positioned therein. A second pair of brake lights15A and15B of equal size being greater than that of hereinbefore described first pair of brake lights12are positioned in spaced vertical relation to one another midway between said first pair of brake lights12, as best seen inFIG. 2of the drawings. The brake light15A is in longitudinal alignment with said respective brake lights12so as to form a multiple horizontal light array. Each of the brake lights15A and15B have corresponding red colored lens16with an independent light source17therewithin.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the light sources14and17can be of incandescent light bulbs or of an LED type, for example, that would be energized by an electric current supplied by the automobile's electrical system and be controlled, as noted by an electric control circuit responsive to operator brake activation input.

In operation, an electric control circuit is provided in which sequential illumination of the respective brake lights12;15A and15B are achieved in the following operational examples.

Referring toFIG. 1of the drawings a “light braking” (easy) illustration pattern is shown in which just the first brake light pair14is activated indicating to the following vehicle that braking is occurring in the subject vehicle.

Referring toFIG. 2of the drawings a “normal braking” action is illustrated in which the primary brake lights12are illuminated with the addition of the enlarged brake light15A therebetween indicating a normal braking venue is occurring.

Referring now toFIG. 3of the drawings, an “extreme braking” (hard) is shown emergency in which both the brake light pairs12and15A and15B are activated with all at maximum equal intensity, thus alerting the following driver (not shown) that extreme, hard, emergency braking is taking place.

It will be seen that by providing multiple brake light sequence with additional brake lights of increased size positioned between smaller brake lights that distinct patterns can be achieved imparting a quick visual clue to the following driver that braking is taking place and the nature of that braking that is occurring. Such as an indication of all four lights being illuminated, as noted, would quickly alert the driver to rapid extreme hard braking occurring in the vehicle so equipped and give the operator of the following vehicle adequate time to respond. Again, normal braking would be indicated by three brake lights which form a distinct pattern over that of light braking in which the operator would perhaps simply place his or her foot on the brake pedal which is now indistinguishable in normal automotive braking light usage.

It will thus be seen that a new and novel multiple sequential braking system has been illustrated and described that imparts a visual, numerical and pattern orientation indication to alert the following driver to the various degrees of braking taking place, thus achieving a safer operator performance to avoid unwanted impacts and injuries.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.