Spotlight mounted motion detector

An object-detection system for use with a police vehicle that is operative to provide an alarm to the police officer sitting in the vehicle of an approaching object. The system includes an object-detection device and at least one alarm generator in communication with the object-sensing device wherein the alarm generator is operative to generate an alarm upon receiving an electrical signal from the object-sensing device indicative of an object approaching a police vehicle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to motion detector systems and, more particularly, to a motion detector and alarm system for alerting a police officer to potential danger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Police officers are taught that all sorts of nasty surprises can come in motor vehicles. Fugitives, drug runners, illegal aliens, and belligerent drunks are just a few of the unpleasant possibilities that can occur at a traffic stop. Sometimes, there are warning signs; sometimes, there aren't. To make matters worse, a person in the vehicle being pulled over may be armed and may decide to be confrontational at some point during the traffic stop. In some cases, the police officer may just be in for a hard time and a few harsh words from the violator; and at other times, his or her life may actually be in danger.

In a typical nighttime traffic stop, an officer alerts the driver of the subject vehicle to pull over. Thereafter, the officer directs the illumination from the police vehicle spotlight at the rearview mirror of the subject's vehicle. The officer then exits his vehicle to inform the driver of the subject vehicle why he or she is being pulled over and thereafter receives the subject's registration and driver's license to begin writing the ticket at the police car. Once in the police car, the officer again ensures that the spotlight of the police vehicle is directed toward the rearview mirror of the subject vehicle. In this fashion, the driver of the subject vehicle is prevented from seeing what the officer is doing in the vehicle via the rearview mirror of the subject vehicle. This will prevent a driver having bad intentions from planning a sneak attack on the police officer while the officer is distracted when running a computer check or is writing a ticket.

However, under the above-described circumstances, the reflection from the rearview mirror of the subject's vehicle doesn't completely prevent the driver or passengers of the stopped vehicle from approaching the law enforcement vehicle and surprising an officer who is busy writing a ticket or running a computer check on the stopped vehicle. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means to alert an officer during a nighttime traffic stop to potential danger from a violent motorist who wants to inflict harm upon the officer while the officer is writing a traffic ticket in the police vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a motion detector and alarm system that has utility for alerting an officer to a person moving toward the vehicle while the officer is sitting in the vehicle.

The present invention is to be disposed on the police vehicle either as original equipment or as an aftermarket item which can be purchased directly by the police department and easily installed on the police vehicle. The motion detector system includes a motion detector mountable to a spotlight of the police vehicle. The motion detector may be disposed on the spotlight via any conventional fastening means or may be integrated as part of the spotlight as original equipment. Preferably, the motion detector is powered by the battery of the vehicle, and most preferably operates off the same power supply as the spotlight of the police vehicle. The motion detector may be equipped with a sensitivity adjustment means whereby the officer can set the sensitivity of the motion detector system to a desired level. It is appreciated that other object-detection devices may be used for such purpose which illustratively include a capacitive sensing device, a vibration sensor or even a beam which would be broken by a person's movement across the beam.

The motion detector of the present invention is in electrical communication with an audio generator that is operative to receive a signal from the motion detector to activate an alarm. Preferably, the audio generator operates off the power supply of the vehicle. Most preferably, the audio generator is comprised of a circuit integrated within the audio system or police radio of the vehicle whereby when an object moves within the sensing range of the motion detector, an electrical signal is communicated to the police radio or audio system to generate an alarm to alert the officer of potential danger.

The communication link between the motion detector and audio generator may be wired or wireless. However, if a wireless system is used, it is appreciated that the transmission frequency of the electrical signal is not such that it would interfere with any other wireless communications being received by the vehicle. Most preferably, wireless transmissions will be communicated within the same bandwidth as other wireless signals being received by the police vehicle. Alternatively, the audio generator may be a separate unit discreet from the police radio and/or audio system as described above, wherein such a motion detector system could be easily adapted to a police vehicle after market.

It is appreciated that other alerting means may be used to alert the police officer to potential danger. Such alerting means may illustratively include a visual means, a tactile means or any other means capable of being sensed by the police officer.

In an alternative embodiment, the motion detection sensor may be mounted elsewhere on the vehicle other than the spotlight of the vehicle such as near the front grill of the police vehicle, preferably adjacent the driver's side of the police vehicle whereby a disgruntled motorist would be easily detected upon approaching the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings and as can best be seen inFIG. 1, a law enforcement vehicle or police vehicle10is provided with a spotlight12that is standard equipment on most law enforcement vehicles. A motion detector14is mounted to the spotlight12. As already indicated, the motion detector14can be a part of a kit to be mounted to the spotlight12as an aftermarket product or it could be integral with the spotlight12and provided as original equipment with the vehicle.

As indicated by the arrows16inFIG. 1, the spotlight12of the law enforcement vehicle10is directed toward the rearview mirror (not shown) of a stopped vehicle18. This is standard procedure to prevent the driver20or passengers of the stopped vehicle18from using their rearview mirror to see where the law enforcement offer22is and what he is doing. This use of the spotlight12also properly positions the motion detector14so that it is lined up with the stopped vehicle18so that movement from the stopped vehicle18will be within the range of detection of the motion detector14.

Thus if the driver20of the stopped vehicle18or a passenger were to exit from the vehicle18and move toward the law enforcement vehicle10, the motion detector14would sound an alarm24and alert the law enforcement officer22to the approaching potential danger.

As best seen inFIG. 2, the spotlight12and motion detector14can be electrically connected as shown. The motion detector14is also electrically connected to the alarm24positioned in the law enforcement vehicle10. The alarm24could be part of the radio system (not shown) already provided in the vehicle10.

The foregoing description and figures are provided as illustrative of an embodiment of this invention and are not intended to be all-inclusive. It is understood that various changes to the central components and concepts of the system may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims as presented.