Abstract: The pickup truck tailgate monitor includes a control panel mounted adjacent to an operator station in the cab of the truck. The control panel is connected to the master switch for the vehicle. A monitor switch on the control panel is closed to activate the monitor. If the monitor is operational, an indicator light of a first circuit is illuminated. A second circuit with an audible indicator is energized by a sensor switch that is closed. The sensor switch is closed when the tailgate is open. When the tailgate is closed, the sensor switch is open.

Abstract: An indicator device (1) for alerting the driver of a pickup truck to the orientation of the tailgate (10) includes an indicator rod (7), connected to a housing (4) that is attached to the truck tailgate (10). In the first embodiment, the indicator rod (7) can be rotationally retracted into the housing (4) and its position secured between retracted and extended positions with a threaded thumb screw (6). In a second embodiment, an the indicator rod (107) slides in relation to a housing (104) attached to the vehicle tailgate (10), and the indicator rod (107) is secured between retracted and extended positions by a spring loaded plunger (106). In a third embodiment, an indicator rod (207) passes through channels (214, 216, and 218) in a block (212) and is frictionally held in place by the natural resilience of the indicator rod material.

Abstract: The instant invention is a navigation aid for use in depicting the buoyage system for navigable waters. The device has a support base that is secured to the helm of the vessel having a rotatable faceplate with daymark indicia placed thereon. The device provides a reminder to the vessel operator of the buoyage system and the position of the vessel in relation to the buoyage system. The device may be illuminated for nighttime usage by either direct or indirect illumination. A method of incorporating the positioning indicia in combination with a chart plotter is provided.

Abstract: A tail flag assembly for installation on a rear end of an utility pole laid on a pole trailer. The tail flag assembly comprises a ring mountable over the rear end of the pole and a plurality of screws extending radially through the ring for clamping the ring onto the rear end of the pole. The tail flag assembly also comprises a plurality of staffs affixed to the ring and extending outwardly tangentially from the ring, with each staff having a rectangular brightly coloured flag affixed thereto. In one aspect of the invention, each flag has a stripe sewn thereon. The stripe is made of a highly light-reflecting material. The stripe is sewn on a first side of the flag from an upper outside corner thereof to a midpoint on the hem thereof, and on the other side of the flag, from a midpoint on the hem to the lower outside corner thereof. When the flag flaps back and forth, the movement of the stripe simulates a flashing light bar when seen at night under the reflection of the headlights of a vehicle for example.

Abstract: A direction gauge enables easy recognition of an indicated direction by constructing an arrow-shaped indication segment made up of an unshared segment and a pair of adjacent shared segments. The combination of shared and unshared segments forms an indication segment having a sharp outward-directed tip and a blunt base. The sharp outward directed tip is the outer end of the unshared segment. The blunt base is a combination of the inner end of the unshared segment together with the two adjacent shared segments. The indication segment provides a good indication of direction even if the indicia on the remainder of the display cannot be seen because of darkness.

Abstract: A flashing motorcycle brake light enhancement system including a plurality of super bright light emitting diode (LED) modules which signal the driver of a following vehicle to slow down to avoid a rear-end collision. The application of the motorcycle's brake supplies input current to a plurality of (LED) modules via a flasher unit and connected wiring. The flashing circuit is controlled by a single, blinking light emitting diode, which is operated in combination with a resistor matched to a relay coil, to actuate a mechanical relay, which passes full battery voltage to the (LED) modules. In one embodiment the flashing (LED) modules are contained within weather-resistant housings which are attached in symmetrical arrangement and externally of the rear-mounted motorcycle brake light housing.

Abstract: A vehicle safety or caution sign is attached to the side of a vehicle. The sign is held by an elongated member which is coupled by a first pivot to a mounting member that attaches to the vehicle. The first pivot enables the sign to be swung in a fore and aft direction relative to and toward and from the vehicle. The sign has a bearing member secured thereto and which operates as a second pivot and is coupled with the elongated member to enable the sign to hang in a generally vertical position when the vehicle is moving at a slow speed or is stopped, and to enable swinging of the sign to a generally horizontal position when the vehicle is moving in excess of a predetermined speed.

Abstract: The turn signal actuator for motor vehicles consists of thumb actuated switches attached to the hand control accelerator-brake control grip and signal arm actuators attached to the steering column. The thumb actuated switches are used by the vehicle driver to activate the signal arm actuators rotating the turn signal arm clockwise for right turns or rotating the turn signal arm counterclockwise for left turns. Because the thumb actuated switches are attached to the hand control accelerator-brake control grip, they are used to signal vehicle turns with momentary thumb pressure without releasing or changing the settings of the hand control accelerator-brake control grip.

Abstract: A self contained electronic vehicle parking device that indicates the relative position of a vehicle in a garage to the operator. A multiple timing circuit is provided to preset indicator activation time and reset the circuit for the next use.

Abstract: A handicap turn signal bar is adapted to be mounted on an automobile's steering column. The steering column has a vertically actuated turn signal lever horizontally positioned and extending generally radially from the steering column. The handicap turn signal bar includes an elongated lever member substantially parallel to the turn signal lever. The member is pivotally mounted at the bottom of the steering column and one longitudinal end of the member is proximate a portion of the steering wheel. The other longitudinal end of the member is disposed in the vertical plane movement of the turn signal lever. A split clamp is attached to that other end of the member and is removably attached to the turn signal lever. The split clamp includes first and second mating parts which define a varied dimensional through-hole adapted to loosely encircle the turn signal lever.

Abstract: A turn signal light housing has a translucent lens of arrow shaped configuration mounted on the housing in place of conventional circular lens without any need for modification of the housing.

Abstract: An indicating arrangement for a distance warning system in motor vehicles which are equipped with measuring and evaluating devices for determining the distance of the vehicle to an obstacle disposed in front thereof and for determining the approach velocity to this vehicle; a desired value is thereby derived from the determined values for the brake deceleration necessary for the avoidance of a collision and an actual value is determined from the actual deceleration values attained during the braking operation whereby only the difference or the ratio of desired and actual value is thereby indicated to the driver.

Abstract: A two-odometer heading sensor wherein an accumulator is incremented or decremented in response to detected increments of turn angle. Provisions are disclosed for avoiding errors due to spurious differences in the distance sensed by the respective odometers.

Abstract: A traffic signaling attachment device for bicycles has a supporting framework securable at one end to the bicycle post clamp, pivotally journaled along which framework is a control rod having a manually actuable handle at the front end just forward of the seat, and a perpendicularly outwardly-extending signal arm at the other end adapted for left or right turn signaling, or caution signaling, upon rotary manipulation of the handle.

Abstract: An inertia actuated warning signal device for vehicles has an inertia member supported for limited reciprocating movement in a path extending along a direction of motion of an associated accelerating and decelerating vehicle, and for rotating movement about the path of reciprocating movement simultaneously with movement along the latter mentioned path.

Abstract: A pivoting guard arm device is detachably mounted at one side of a two-wheel vehicle such as a bicycle. Mounting means secured to the bicycle holds the guard arm in a normally retracted position at one side of the bicycle. From its retracted position, the arm may be swung outwardly into laterally projecting relationship to that side of the bicycle exposed to passing traffic when operated on a highway or other thoroughfare. A reflector or other desired signalling means located on the outer end of the guard arm aids in indicating the presence of the bicycle to vehicles approaching from the rear and especially serves to indicate proximity of vehicles passing the bicycle so that a safe passing clearance may be more readily maintained. The mounting means may be attached at some desirable point on the bicycle body, and preferably may be engaged about the rear bicycle wheel shaft.

Abstract: A pliable, directional, protective finial comprising an initially substantially flat resilient member having a longitudinal axis of symmetry, a first geometric shape at the top thereof providing different color indications toward the front and back of the finial in installation, and a pair of geometric shapes at the bottom thereof on opposite sides of the axis of symmetry adapted to be placed in alignment on folding of the bottom of the finial about a finial shaft, structure for securing the end of the shaft to the resilient member adjacent the upper geometric shape and for holding the bottom of the finial on the finial shaft in position folded about the shaft along the longitudinal axis of symmetry thereof. The geometric shapes are of direction indicating colors which are light reflective, and the finial is inherently aerodynamically stable in the folded position whereby correct directional information is assured.

Abstract: A workshop installation in which a user can service equipment, machines, vehicles and the like comprising one or more enclosures each having a single access space with a displaceable barrier thereat. The barrier is normally retracted to allow free entry into the respective enclosure via the access space and it is closable after entry into the space. A plurality of tools are supported in tool carriers within the enclosure for utilization by the user within the enclosure. A pre-payment device in the enclosure is coupled to the barrier and the tool supports for allowing removal of the tools after sufficient payment has been made in the pre-payment device corresponding to a pre-determined period of time. A barrier locking device is actuated when a tool has been removed from the tool supports. An electrical warning circuit is provided for each enclosure and is activated when the predetermined period of time of the pre-payment device has expired and the tools have not been returned to the tool supports.