VISUAL WARNING ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A visual warning assembly, configured to make a warning from one vehicle to another vehicle. The visual warning assembly has a case with a front face joined to a base and an antenna. A channel display button, a channel selector button, a power button, a green lighted button, a yellow lighted button and a red lighted button, arranged on the front face. A mounting ball is magnetically joined to the base. A microcontroller is electrically coupled to the green lighted button, the yellow lighted button, and the red lighted button. The microcontroller is programmed with instructions to: receive a communication from a second visual warning assembly. Then, engage one member of a lighted button set consisting of the red button, the yellow button, and the green button creating an indicating light. Finally, receiving a signal from a user making the indicating light an activated button

Claims

1. A visual warning assembly, configured to make a warning from one vehicle to another vehicle; the visual warning assembly comprising: a case further comprising a front face joined to a base and an antenna; a channel display button, arranged on the front face; a channel selector button, arranged on the front face; a power button, arranged on the front face; a green lighted button, arranged on the front face; a yellow lighted button, arranged on the front face; a red lighted button, arranged on the front face; a mounting ball, magnetically joined to the base; and a microcontroller, electrically coupled to the green lighted button, the yellow lighted button, and the red lighted button; wherein the microcontroller is programmed with instructions to: receive a communication from a second visual warning assembly; engage one member of a lighted button set consisting of the red button, the yellow button, and the green button creating an indicating light; and receiving a signal from a user, making the indicating light an activated button.

2. The visual warning assembly of claim 1, wherein the yellow lighted button lights to make an indicating light and then becomes an activated button.

3. The visual warning assembly of claim 2, further comprising: a mounting arm, further comprising: a handlebar mount, joined to the mounting arm with a first ball joint; and a case mount, joined to mounting ball with a second ball joint.

4. The visual warning assembly of claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller, electrically coupled to the green lighted button, the yellow lighted button, and the red lighted button; a battery, electrically coupled to the microcontroller, and electrically coupled to a USB-C port in order to charge the battery; a power switch, electrically coupled to the microcontroller; a power indicator, electrically coupled to the microcontroller; and a low range radio transceiver module, electrically coupled to the microcontroller.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a is a perspective view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic view according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is an alternative schematic view according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view according to another alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view according to another alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] This description of the preferred embodiment of the invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0020] By way of example, and referring to FIGS. 1-9, a visual warning assembly 10 is configured to make a warning from one vehicle to another vehicle. The visual warning assembly 10 further comprises a case further comprising a front face 12a joined to a base 12b and an antenna 12c. In certain embodiments, a mounting ball 18 is magnetically joined to the base 12b. Other mounting means are contemplated, i.e. clamps, X-mounts, Quad Locks, or other mounting systems known in the art. Antenna 12c can also be fully enclosed within the case. A channel display button 14a is arranged on the front face 12a. A channel selector button 14b is arranged on the front face 12a. A power button 14c is arranged on the front face 12a. In certain embodiments, the visual warning assembly may include an ambient light sensor, typically, but not necessarily located on the front face 12a. The ambient light sensor detects the amount of light present and accordingly adjusts the brightness of the various displays. The ambient light sensor is particularly useful if the visual warning assembly is being used in a low-light environment, i.e., at night or in a tunnel. A green-lighted button 16a is arranged on the front face 12a. A yellow-lighted button 16b is arranged on the front face 12a. A red-lighted button 16c is arranged on the front face 12a. In certain embodiments, lighted buttons featuring different or changeable colors are contemplated. In certain other embodiments, lighted buttons absent color are contemplated. In yet more embodiments, uniquely shaped (i.e., non-round) buttons are contemplated. In alternative embodiments, the channel display button 14a, channel selector button 14b, and power button 14c, are arranged in locations distinct from the front face 12a. These locations distinct from the front face 12a may be changed to conform to the preferences of the end user. Additionally, the green-lighted button 16a, yellow-lighted button 16b and red-lighted button 16c may be located in positions distinct from the front face depending on end user preferences. In certain other embodiments, the front face 12a includes a status light indicating the connectivity status to a second visual warning assembly 20b. In certain other embodiments, the status light is located in a location distinct from the front face 12a.

[0021] A microcontroller 22 is electrically coupled to the green-lighted button 16a, the yellow-lighted button 16b, and the red-lighted button 16c. The microcontroller 22 is programmed with instructions to receive a communication from a second visual warning assembly 20b. Then, illuminate one member of a typically non-illuminated lighted button set consisting of the red-lighted button 16c, the yellow-lighted button 16b, and the green-lighted button 16a, creating an illuminated indicating light. The illuminated button corresponds to the button selected on the second visual warning assembly. In certain embodiments, the illuminated button is continuously illuminated. In other embodiments, the illuminated button blinks. In yet further embodiments, the illuminated button either blinks or stays continuously illuminated depending on the signal received from the second visual warning assembly. Finally, the illuminated button is depressed on the first visual warning assembly resulting in a change in the illumination of the corresponding lighted button on the second visual warning assembly. The microcontroller is electrically coupled to a battery. The battery is preferably rechargeable and in certain embodiments, the visual warning system includes a charging port. In certain embodiments, the charging port is a USB-C port.

[0022] In certain embodiments, a mounting arm 19 further comprising a handlebar mount 19b joined to the mounting arm 19 with a first ball joint 19c. A case mount 19a is joined to a mounting ball with a second ball joint 19c. Other mounting arrangements are contemplated.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, in operation, a first user 20a with a first visual warning assembly and a second user 20b with a second visual warning assembly are separated by an unaffiliated vehicle 20c. The second user 20b must communicate with the first user 20a to avoid becoming separated. The second user 20b depresses the presently non-illuminated yellow-colored button 16e. A signal 20d is sent from the second visual warning assembly to the first visual warning assembly. Upon receipt of the signal 20d, the corresponding yellow-colored button 16d illuminates on the first warning assembly. The first user 20a then depresses the now-illuminated yellow-colored button 16d, indicating receipt of the communication from the second user 20b. Upon depression of the yellow-colored button 16d on the first visual warning assembly, a signal 20d is sent to the second visual warning assembly causing a change in the illumination status of the yellow-colored button 16e. The first user 20a and the second user 20b, now having received each other's communications, respond appropriately to the situation.

[0024] Alternative embodiments are depicted in FIGS. 6-9. As shown, the microcontroller 22 is electrically coupled to the green lighted button 46a, 56a, 60a, the yellow lighted button 46b, 56b, 60b, the red lighted button 46c, 56c, 60c, a power indicator 34b, 44a, 54a, 64a, a power switch 44b, 64b. These can be in various configurations 40, 50, and 60.

[0025] A battery is electrically coupled to the microcontroller, and electrically coupled to a USB-C port in order to charge the battery. A power switch 44b, 64b is electrically coupled to the microcontroller 22. A power indicator 34b, 44a, 54a, 64a, is electrically coupled to the microcontroller 22. A low range radio transceiver module is electrically coupled to the microcontroller with a 9-channel selector 34a. In certain embodiments, the channel selector allows for more or less channels than nine.

[0026] Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiment thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to various modifications and adaptations, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.