Abstract:
A Integrated Vehicle Overturn Alarm Device is disclosed. The device is self-contained and include a sensor to detect when a vehicle rollover has occurred, and a loud audible alarm to alert other individuals of the incident. The device is contained within a water-resistant housing to make the device particularly applicable to the off-road vehicle environment. The device further includes a plurality of attachment appurtenances to provide flexibility in where and how it is attached to the vehicle. An alternate version of the invention is an original equipment feature installed in an all-terrain vehicle.

Description:
[0001]     This invention is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/864,931, filed Jun. 9, 2004, currently pending. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates generally to vehicle safety systems and, more specifically, to an Integrated Vehicle Overturn Alarm Device.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Riding All-terrain vehicles (ATV&#39;s) and all-terrain cycles (ATC&#39;s) is an extremely popular recreational activity. Most motorcycle manufacturers offer a variety of models for virtually all age, experience and size of rider. One significant safety problem exists with these vehicles—the hazard of tipping or rolling the vehicle over. Even the most seasoned ATV/ATC rider can encounter unexpected terrain or hazards that may pitch the vehicle to the side far enough so that the vehicle and rider(s) roll over. Since the average ATV/ATC weighs several hundred pounds, if it rolls onto a rider, it can be harmful and even fatal.  
         [0006]     While it is typical for riders to stay together in groups, or at least to join friends for weekends of off-roading, it is also common for individuals to become separated from their peers in the course of their ride. Being separated from his or her co-riders makes the ATV/ATC experience even more dangerous. If a sole rider becomes pinned under a rolled or tipped vehicle, it is very possible that his or her co-riders won&#39;t even know of the incident. Furthermore, since the terrain used for off-roading is generally very hilly, riders on the ground may not even be able to find their downed co-rider.  
         [0007]     What is needed, then, is a device that detects when an ATV/ATC (or other vehicle) rolls or tips, and then responsively transmits an audible alert that can be easily heard by individuals in the vicinity of the rolled or tipped vehicle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and systems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Integrated Vehicle Overturn Alarm Device. The device should be self-contained and include a sensor to detect when a vehicle rollover has occurred, and a loud audible alarm to alert other individuals of the incident. The device should be contained within a water-resistant housing to make the device particularly applicable to the off-road vehicle environment. The device should further be provided with a plurality of attachment appurtenances to provide flexibility in where and how it is attached to the vehicle.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional all-terrain vehicle;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle rollover alert device of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the vehicle rollover alert device of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit one embodiment of the device of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of another embodiment of the device of  FIGS. 2 and 3 ; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device of  FIGS. 2-5  attached to a conventional ATV.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]     The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a Integrated Vehicle Overturn Alarm Device.  
         [0017]     The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional all-terrain vehicle (ATV)  10 . The major difference between an ATV and an ATC is that an ATV has four or more wheels  12 , while an ATC only has two or three wheels. The rider of an ATV sits atop a seat provided at the rear of the body  14 . Steering of the ATV is accomplished via handlebars  16 . Now turning to  FIG. 2 , we can begin discussing the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle rollover alert device  20  of the present invention. The working parts of the device  20  are enclosed within a housing  22 . The housing  22  is preferably sealed to be water- and dirt-resistant. As such, all switches or openings in the housing  22  are sealed to the outside environment. In a non-depicted version, the housing  22  is actually filled with epoxy in order to protect all of the internal components from moisture or dirt damage.  
         [0019]     The housing  22  is defined by a front face, two side faces  29 A and  29 B, a bottom face  31 , and a top face  33 . An audible alert device  30  is either contained within the housing  22 , or attached to the outside thereof. The audible alert device  30  provides a loud noise when the device  20  is tipped to the side and/or is rolled over and remains in that position for a preset period of time. An alarm reset button  32  is disposed on the top surface  33  of the housing  22 . If the alarm sounds, it will continue to alert until either the internal power supply runs out of power, or the reset button  32  is depressed. If the audible alert device  30  is enclosed within the housing  22 , there will be one or more apertures formed in the wall of the housing to enable the device  30  to be heard clearly. These apertures would be sealed from the inner components of the device  20  in order to protect them from water and dirt.  
         [0020]     Also shown here is a first mounting tab  24 A extending from the side of the housing  22 . The tab  24 A has one or more mounting apertures formed in it to accept a screw, bolt or the like for attaching the device  20  to an ATV, ATC or other vehicle. Now we shall turn to  FIG. 3  to continue to explore this invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the vehicle rollover alert device  22  of  FIG. 2 . In this version, a battery access door  36  is provided on the second side face  29 B for access to the internal power supply for maintenance. Second and third mounting fins  24 B and  24 C are also shown here on the side face  29 B and bottom face, respectively. The housing  22  is further defined by a rear face  33 . The rear face  33  may have a mounting clamp  34  extending outwardly from it to provide yet another mounting option for the user.  FIG. 4  provides detail regarding the functional components of the device  20   
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit one embodiment of the device of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In most embodiments, substantially all of the components depicted here are contained within a single housing—this provides a unique, compact and easily installable on or in virtually any vehicle.  
         [0023]     The audible sound is provided by a sound device/element  50 . One choice would be a piezo element—piezo elements are known to be compact and durable, and yet able to provide sounds in excess of 130 dB in magnitude. The piezo element  50  is activated by the processor device  42  (in this embodiment, a 555 timer device), and powered by the internal power supply  44 .  
         [0024]     The processor device  42  obtains inputs from a position sensor device  54 . The position sensor  54 A provides an alarm input to the processor device  42  whenever the sensor  54 A is tipped or overturned (when power is supplied to the sensor  54 ). In this version, capacitor C 1  also provides a delay prior to the alarm being sounded after the sensor  54 A is tipped. Changing the size of the capacitor C 1  will result in a change in the duration of this delay. The delay circuit is provided to prevent inadvertent alarming such as due to riding over bumps, etc.  
         [0025]     The reset switch  52  is operatively associated with the reset button discussed above in connection with previous drawing figures. It operates to trigger the processor device to stop an activated alarms from sounding. Once an audible alert begins sounding, only the reset switch  52 , or removal or discharge of the internal power source will stop the alarm from sounding. A ready indicator lamp (not shown), such as an LED is provided to give the user an indication that the unit is in operating condition. Turning to  FIG. 5 , we can examine another embodiment of the circuit of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of another embodiment of the device of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . This version has a normally open tilt switch  54 B. This version does not include a delay between switch  54 B trigger and the audible alert sounding. The audible alert will remain on until such time as the reset switch  52  is opened, or the battery  44  runs out of power. Finally, turning to  FIG. 6 , we can examine the device in use.  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device of  FIGS. 2-5  attached to a conventional ATV. In this depiction, the device  20  is attached to the body  12  of the ATV via the mounting clamp  34 . Alternatively, the device  20  could be attached to a fender or other location on the body or chassis of the vehicle.  
         [0028]     In another (non-depicted) version of the present invention, the device is implemented within an original equipment off-road or all-terrain vehicle (e.g. a convention ATV). In such a circumstance, the spacial sensor, audible alarm and visual alarm will all be located in water-resistant casings. These components may be contained in one master housing, or in individual component housings. Similarly, the reset button my be located separate from the other components of the device, such as on the handlebars of the ATV. This “OEM” version of the present invention would use power from the main vehicle battery for it&#39;s main power source, but it may further have an auxiliary backup battery associated with it to provide for the possibility of catastrophic damage to the ATV and/or it&#39;s electrical system. If there was a secondary (water-resistant) power source for the vehicle overturn alarm, then the alarm would operate even where the main power to the ATV is interrupted.  
         [0029]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.