Abstract:
A backup alarm that is adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle. The backup alarm is activated when the motor vehicle is placed in a reverse gear. The backup alarm makes an audible tone to alert individuals of the motor vehicle&#39;s intended reverse travel. The alarm unit allows the vehicle to include a backup alarm and a reversing lamp in the same location, mounted to the vehicle. The lamp consists of an array of light emitting diodes LEDs arranged in a pattern at the face of the unit so as to provide clear illumination and serve as a reverse warning lamp. Also, in the same unit is a backup alarm.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/119,882 filed on Dec. 04, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to alarms, and particularly to alarms used in motor vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a backup alarms used to alert individuals that a motor vehicle is reversing or preparing to reverse. In order to be effective, a vehicle backup (reversing) alarm needs to be mounted on the rear of the vehicle as close as feasible to the rear hazard zone, so as to provide a clear warning during reverse movement of the vehicle. 
         [0003]    Many commercial vehicles use a standard size rubber grommet to hold their reverse warning lamps, some manufacturers have utilized this grommet to mount a backup alarm to the vehicle, however, this results in removal of one of the reversing lamps, reducing the night time illumination to the rear of the vehicle when reversing and also the ease of recognition of the reverse operation of the vehicle by other road users. The present disclosure relates to two backup alarm designs. One of which uses the existing rubber mounting grommet, the other uses the hole in the vehicle from which the grommet is removed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to the present disclosure, a backup alarm is an audible alarm adapted to be mounted to a motor vehicle. The backup alarm is activated when the motor vehicle is placed in a reverse gear. The backup alarm makes an audible tone to alert individuals of the motor vehicle&#39;s intended reverse travel. 
         [0005]    In illustrative embodiments the alarm unit allows the vehicle to include a backup alarm and a reversing lamp in the same location, mounted through a standard lamp hole in the vehicle. The lamp consists of an array of white light emitting diodes LEDs arranged in a pattern at the face of the unit so as to provide clear illumination and serve as a reverse warning lamp. Also, in the same unit is a backup alarm. 
         [0006]    Illustrative embodiments, the alarm unit is installed onto a vehicle by either removing the present reversing lamp and grommet or by cutting or stamping out a standard size hole in the vehicle&#39;s body or other external, flat surface. The lamp may be controlled so as to provide continuous output when powered or alternatively to flash in conjunction with the output pulse (beeps) of its audible backup alarm, so as to provide easier identification of the specific vehicle reversing. Also, the present disclosure provides for a more recognizable indication to hearing impaired persons. 
         [0007]    Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1 . is a perspective view of the rear portion of a truck showing the backup alarm units positioned between the vehicle tail lights; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the backup alarm unit; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  showing the alarm housing and a cover on the alarm housing containing a series of individual lights and also showing the transducer and control circuit board positioned within the housing; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3   a  is an enlarged perspective view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the cover of the backup alarm unit showing a centrally located grill and a series of radially spaced apart lights positioned around the grill; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the cover; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a rear view of the cover; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the backup alarm; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7  showing a rear housing containing a transducer and a control board and further showing the outer horn coupled to the rear housing and an inverted inner horn having a series of lights; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the inverted inner horn showing the center portion containing a series of lights surrounded by a grill having a series of openings; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the inverted inner horn; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the inverted inner horn; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a third embodiment showing the grill at the front of the alarm; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the backup alarm having a transparent lens cover and a series of lights positioned behind the lens or through the lens to create a back light and also showing a series of elongated slots formed around the perimeter of the alarm that form sound ports to transmit the sound of the alarm; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a front elevational view of the alarm of  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the follow description or illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0025]    The alarm unit  10  includes a backup alarm  12  and cover  14  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The cover  14  includes a peripheral rim  21 , which latches into the vehicle&#39;s lamp mounting grommet during installation. The cover  14  engages and locks onto the front of the backup alarm  12 . The backup alarm  12  includes a housing  16  that includes an annular wall  18  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The housing  16  is open at a first end  20  and includes a bottom wall  22  at a second end  23 . The first end  20  includes a mouth  24  opening receive the cover  14 . The housing  16  includes a receiving chamber  26 , that is configured to house a transducer  28 , and a control circuit assembly  30 . 
         [0026]    The bottom wall  22  includes either a rubber grommet  31 , which seals the power wires  34  to prevent moisture from entering the housing  16  or alternatively includes a molded connector  36  to allow for easy connection to the vehicles original backup lamp power plug, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0027]    The cover  14  includes a disk shaped housing  15 , which may be made of a colored, opaque or clear material such as nylon, ABS plastic or polycarbonate as shown in  FIG. 4 . The cover  14  may also be designed to have a multi-faceted (Prismatic) surface  33 , or have a reflective surface film applied to it so as to reflect light directed toward it from headlamps of vehicles at night. 
         [0028]    The housing  15 , contains an array of white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)  32  and a grille  34  which allows sound from the transducer  28  to pass through the cover  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The LEDs  32  are either molded into the cover or are inserted into individual openings formed in the cover  14 . The array of LEDs is electrically connected together culminating with a short pair of power wires  29  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The power wires  29  are routed past the transducer  28  and into the housing  16  where they are soldered or plugged onto the control circuit assembly  30 . 
         [0029]    The cover  14  is twist locked or threaded and may be permanently glued or sonic welded onto the mouth  24  of the housing  16  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The Transducer  28  is connected to, and powered by, electronic circuitry on the control circuit assembly  30 , which causes the transducer  28  to oscillate and output a high sound pressure audible sound signal. The transducer  28  may be a speaker or piezo, or other type of sound producing element that is capable of converting an electrical signal into audible sound. 
         [0030]    In a second embodiment, the alarm unit  110  includes a horn  112 , nose cone assembly  114  and rear cap  116  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The horn  112  includes a peripheral rim  121 , which prevents the alarm unit  110  from falling through the mounting hole in the vehicle. The peripheral rim  121 , includes radially spaced reinforced holes  122 , to be used for mounting to the vehicle. The rear of the peripheral rim  121 , includes a gasket  123  made of rubber, nylon, neoprene or ABS to create a weathertight seal between the alarm unit  110  and the mounting surface of the vehicle, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0031]    The alarm unit  110  includes a horn  112  that is open at a first end  120  and includes a bottom wall  125  which separates the horn  112  from second end  124  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The first end  120  includes a mouth opening. The horn consists of a tapered annular wall  113  which is mathematically dimensioned so as to form the third segment of a three segment dual reflex horn. 
         [0032]    The second end  124  includes the rear side of wall  125  which is profiled so as to create a tapered Cone Plug  127 , the cone plug fits into the space formed by the speaker cone  130  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The second end  124  has a surrounding circular wall  131  which is externally threaded. 
         [0033]    The bottom wall  125  includes a centrally positioned horn tube  126  projecting forward. The horn tube  126  has a tapered annular wall which is mathematically dimensioned so as to form the first segment of a three-segment dual reflex horn. The rear cap  16  includes a receiving chamber  126  that is configured to house a transducer  132 , and a control circuit assembly  133 . 
         [0034]    The rear cap  116  includes either a rubber grommet  134 , which seals the power wires  135  to prevent moisture from entering the rear cap  116  to allow for easy connection to the vehicles original backup lamp power plug. 
         [0035]    The nose cone assembly  114  consists of a tapered annular wall  115  which is mathematically dimensioned so as to form the second segment of a three segment dual reflex horn. The nose cone assembly  114  also includes a molded grill  137  positioned midway along its outer wall. The grill  137  allows sound to pass through but prevents foreign objects from entering the inner structure of the alarm unit. Alternatively the grill  137  can be positioned farther forward as shown in  FIG. 12 . The surface or details of the grill  137  may also be designed to have multi-faceted (Prismatic) surfaces  142 , so as to reflect light directed toward it from headlamps of vehicles at night as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0036]    The closed end of the nose cone assembly  114  contains an array of white Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)  138 ; these are either molded into the nose cone  114 , or are inserted into individual openings formed in the nose cone  114 . The array of LEDs is electrically connected together culminating with a short pair of power wires  139 . The power wires  139  are routed through the bottom wall  125  where they are soldered or plugged onto the control circuit assembly  133 . The LEDs are controlled by the power circuit assembly  133  and may be controlled so as to provide continuous light output when powered or alternatively to flash in conjunction with the sound output pulses (beeps) of its audible backup alarm, so as to provide easier identification of the specific vehicle reversing. 
         [0037]    The nose cone assembly may be made of a colored, opaque or clear material such as nylon, ABS plastic or polycarbonate. The surface may also be designed to have a multi-faceted (Prismatic) surface  140 , so as to reflect light directed toward it from headlamps of vehicles at night. 
         [0038]    The rear cap  116  is twist locked or threaded and may be permanently glued or sonic welded onto the circular wall  131 . The Transducer  132  is attached to the bottom wall and positioned so as to project sound energy into the horn tube  126 . The transducer  132  is connected to, and powered by, electronic circuitry on the control circuit assembly  133 , which causes the speaker  132  to oscillate and output a high sound pressure audible sound signal. 
         [0039]    The application of electrical power to the power wires  135  powers the electronic circuit assembly  133  to oscillate and the output signal is conducted to the speaker  132  via the signal wires  143  as shown in  FIG. 8 . The speaker converts the electrical signal into a high power audio signal which travels along the horn tube  126  gradually expanding as the dimensions of the sound tube expand, the sound strikes the inside of the nose cone  114  and follows the contour to change direction 180 degrees continuing to expand as the inner wall of the nose cone  114  increases in size. The sound strikes the bottom wall  125  and follows the contour of the wall  125  then enters the horn  112 , the sound pressure waves expand as the diameter of the horn increases, the sound passes through grill  137  and finally exits the alarm as a greatly amplified sound. 
         [0040]    In another embodiment, an alarm unit  200  includes a housing  210  and a lens cover  212  coupled to the housing  210 . The housing  210  of the alarm unit  200  is adapted to be coupled to a motor vehicle. The housing  210  includes a front side  214  and a spaced apart rear side  216 . The alarm unit includes a sound transmitter positioned within the housing  210  the sound transmitter configured to emit an audible sound when the motor vehicle is in reverse. The lens cover  212  is coupled to the housing  210  and is positioned to lie near the front side  214  of the housing  210 . 
         [0041]    The alarm unit  200  includes a series of lighting elements  218  that are configured to project light through the lens cover  212 . The lighting elements (light emitters)  218  are configured to be illuminated when the motor vehicle is in reverse as they are wired into the backup lights of the motor vehicle. The alarm unit includes openings  220  positioned near the front side  214  of the housing  210 . The openings  220  are configured to permit sound from the sound transmitter to exit the alarm unit  200  to alert people that the motor vehicle is in reverse. The openings  220 , in the illustrative embodiment, are elliptical in shape and are positioned around the outer perimeter of the alarm unit  200 . 
         [0042]    While embodiments have been illustrated and described in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustrations and description are considered to be exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. The applicants have provided description and figures which are intended as illustrations of embodiments of the disclosure, and are not intended to be construed as constraining or implying limitation of the disclosure to those embodiments. There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from various features set forth in the description. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the disclosure and associated methods, without undue experimentation, that incorporate one or more of the features of the disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims.