U.S. patent application number 15/971674 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-06 for system for assisting with vehicle traffic stops.
The applicant listed for this patent is JAMES G. GETSAY, CHRISTINA KNOX. Invention is credited to JAMES G. GETSAY, CHRISTINA KNOX.
Application Number | 20180251098 15/971674 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58720039 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180251098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GETSAY; JAMES G. ; et
al. |
September 6, 2018 |
SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING WITH VEHICLE TRAFFIC STOPS
Abstract
A system for assisting with vehicle traffic stops wherein a
first vehicle stops a second vehicle is provided. The system
includes a control system structured to be operative from within
the first vehicle and an arm assembly structured to be coupled to
the first vehicle. The arm assembly includes a telescoping arm
member, a drive system, and a remote assembly coupled to a distal
end of the arm member. The remote assembly includes a number of
electronic devices for (i) collecting information at or from a
location adjacent the remote assembly and providing the information
to the control system and (ii) enabling two-way communication
between the first vehicle and the location, wherein the arm member
is structured to be selectively elongated and retracted by the
drive system under control of the control system.
Inventors: |
GETSAY; JAMES G.; (HARMONY,
PA) ; KNOX; CHRISTINA; (HARMONY, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GETSAY; JAMES G.
KNOX; CHRISTINA |
HARMONY
HARMONY |
PA
PA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58720039 |
Appl. No.: |
15/971674 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14948771 |
Nov 23, 2015 |
9963110 |
|
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15971674 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 7/087 20130101;
B60R 99/00 20130101; G01N 33/4972 20130101; G06K 7/1413 20130101;
B60R 19/48 20130101; H04N 5/33 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 99/00 20060101
B60R099/00; G01N 33/497 20060101 G01N033/497; G06K 7/08 20060101
G06K007/08; G06K 7/14 20060101 G06K007/14; H04N 5/33 20060101
H04N005/33; B60R 19/48 20060101 B60R019/48 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. A system comprising: a control system structured to be
operative from a first vehicle; and an arm assembly structured to
be coupled to the first vehicle, the arm assembly including: a
telescoping arm member; a drive system; and a remote assembly
coupled to a distal end of the arm member, the remote assembly
including a number of electronic devices.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices are for collecting information at or from a location
adjacent the remote assembly and providing the information to the
control system
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the number of electronic
devices are further for enabling two-way communication between the
first vehicle and the location.
30. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices are for enabling two-way communication between the first
vehicle and the location.
31. The system of claim 27, wherein the arm member is structured to
be selectively elongated and retracted by the drive system under
control of the control system.
32. The system of claim 27, wherein the arm member is structured to
be coupled to a front portion of the first vehicle in a condition
wherein the arm member is in a retracted state and is parallel to a
front bumper of the first vehicle, and wherein the control system
is structured to cause the drive system to pivot the arm member
away from the front bumper and then cause the arm member to move to
an elongated state.
33. The system of claim 27, wherein the drive system is a pneumatic
drive system.
34. The system of claim 27, wherein the arm assembly further
includes a wheel assembly provided at the distal end of the arm
member.
35. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices includes a first microphone for capturing first audio
signals and a first video camera for capturing first video signals,
the first audio signals and the first video signals being at least
part of the information provided to the control system, and wherein
the control system includes a second microphone for capturing
second audio signals from within the vehicle and a second video
camera for capturing second video signals from within the first
vehicle, wherein the system is structured to communicate the second
audio signals and the second video signals to the remote
assembly.
36. The system of claim 35, wherein the control system includes a
first speaker for transmitting first audio based on the first audio
signals and a first display for transmitting first video based on
the first video signals, and wherein the remote assembly includes a
second speaker for transmitting second audio based on the second
audio signals and a second display for transmitting second video
based on the second video signals.
37. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices includes an image capture device for capturing electronic
images to be communicated to the control system.
38. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices includes a number of bar code readers for capturing bar
code information to be communicated to the control system.
39. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices includes a magnetic stripe reader for capturing magnetic
stripe information to be communicated to the control system.
40. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices includes a thermal imaging device for capturing thermal
image information to be communicated to the control system.
41. The system of claim 27, wherein the number of electronic
devices includes a breath analysis device for capturing breath
analysis information to be communicated to the control system.
42. A method of conducting a vehicle traffic stop wherein a first
vehicle stops a second vehicle, comprising: pulling the first
vehicle adjacent the second vehicle, the first vehicle having an
arm member coupled thereto and having a remote assembly coupled to
a distal end of the arm member; elongating the arm member in a
manner that positions the remote assembly adjacent a driver's side
window of the second vehicle; collecting information at or from a
location adjacent the remote assembly and providing the information
to the first vehicle; and conducting two-way communications between
the first vehicle and second vehicle using the remote assembly.
43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the arm member is
coupled to a portion of the first vehicle in a condition wherein
the arm member is in a retracted state and is parallel to a bumper
of the first vehicle, and wherein the method includes pivoting the
arm member away from the bumper prior to elongating the arm
member.
44. The method of claim 42, wherein the collecting information
comprises capturing information from a driver's license and a
vehicle registration using one or more electronic devices forming a
part of the remote assembly.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more electronic
devices comprise at least one of an image capture device, a barcode
reader, and a magnetic stripe reader.
46. The method of claim 42, wherein the two-way communications
comprise two-way audio and two-way video.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention pertains to vehicle traffic stops
performed by, for example and without limitation, police officers,
and, in particular, to a system for assisting with such vehicle
traffic stops that enables the stop to be conducted without
requiring the police officer to leave his or her vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A traffic stop is initiated when a police officer observes a
motorist failing to abide by one or more traffic laws. Presently,
the majority of traffic stops are conducted in a regimented and
uniform manner as follows. First, the officer pulls his or her law
enforcement vehicle up behind the identified motorist vehicle and
initiates the lights of the law enforcement vehicle. This signals
to the motorist that the officer wants to conduct a traffic stop.
In response, the motorist will typically pull to the side of the
road and stop his or her vehicle. The law enforcement vehicle will
follow the motorist vehicle and stop behind it, leaving
approximately a car length's distance between the two vehicles.
Typically, the officer will position the law enforcement vehicle
about two feet further toward the main roadway relative to the
motorist vehicle so as to serve as a protective barrier to passing
traffic.
[0003] As the vehicles are taking position on the side of the
roadway as just described, the officer will communicate with his or
her dispatch center via radio to provide the current location, the
make/model of the motorist vehicle, and the license plate number of
the motorist vehicle. During the majority of traffic stops, the
officer will wait inside the law enforcement vehicle while the
validity of the vehicle and license plate are verified. Each agency
has a different standard operating procedure to obtain these
verifications. If no issues with these identifiers arise, the
officer will, in most circumstances, then exit the law enforcement
vehicle and approach the stopped motorist vehicle on the driver's
side thereof. During the initial contact with the motorist, the
officer will request the motorists driver's license and
registration documentation. The officer may also ask a series of
questions related to the traffic infraction(s) that led to the
stop. With documentation in hand, the officer will typically return
to the law enforcement vehicle to further examine the validity of
the documentation. If a citation or written warning is warranted,
the officer will draft citation or written warning and return to
the motorist vehicle to deliver it along with the motorist's
documentation. At this time, the motorist is typically free to
leave.
[0004] Traffic stops are inherently dangerous for police officers,
many of whom patrol and conduct stops alone. Officers typically
take steps to protect themselves from passing traffic, such as
using their own car as a barrier as described above. In addition,
many states have enacted laws requiring freeway traffic approaching
a stopped police vehicle to merge over to the left, leaving an
entire lane as a buffer zone for the officer. Notwithstanding these
efforts, according to FBI statistics, more officers are killed or
injured annually during the course of traffic stops than at any
other time, excluding vehicle accidents and affecting arrests.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one embodiment, a system for assisting with vehicle
traffic stops wherein a first vehicle stops a second vehicle is
provided. The system includes a control system structured to be
operative from within the first vehicle and an arm assembly
structured to be coupled to the first vehicle. The arm assembly
includes a telescoping arm member, a drive system, and a remote
assembly coupled to a distal end of the arm member. The remote
assembly includes a number of electronic devices for (i) collecting
information at or from a location adjacent the remote assembly and
providing the information to the control system and (ii) enabling
two-way communication between the first vehicle and the location,
wherein the arm member is structured to be selectively elongated
and retracted by the drive system under control of the control
system.
[0006] In another embodiment, a method of conducting a vehicle
traffic stop is provided wherein a first vehicle stops a second
vehicle. The method includes pulling the first vehicle behind the
second vehicle, the first vehicle having an arm member coupled
thereto and having a remote assembly coupled to a distal end of the
arm member, elongating the arm member in a manner that positions
the remote assembly adjacent a driver's side window of the second
vehicle, collecting information at or from a location adjacent the
remote assembly and providing the information to the first vehicle,
and conducting two-way communications between the first vehicle and
second vehicle using the remote assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view and FIG. 2 is a front
elevational view of a system for performing vehicle traffic stops
according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosed
concept;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing certain selected portions
of the traffic stop enhancement system of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0009] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are various views illustrating deployment
of the traffic stop enhancement system of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a remote data collection
and communications assembly according to an alternative exemplary
embodiment of the disclosed concept; and
[0011] FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view, FIG. 9 is a schematic
front elevational view, and FIG. 10 is a schematic top plan view of
an arm assembly according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of
the disclosed concept;
[0012] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a wheel and remote data
collection and communications assembly according to an alternative
exemplary embodiment of the disclosed concept;
[0013] FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative arm assembly having
an alternative drive wheel assembly (in a retracted condition) that
may be employed in a system for performing vehicle traffic stops
according to another alternative non-limiting exemplary embodiment
of the disclosed concept;
[0014] FIG. 13 is a side view of the alternative arm assembly of
FIG. 12 showing the drive wheel assembly in an extended
condition;
[0015] FIG. 14 is a front view of the alternative arm assembly of
FIG. 12 showing the drive wheel assembly in an extended
condition;
[0016] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the drive wheel assembly of
FIGS. 12 and 13;
[0017] FIG. 16 is a rear view of the alternative arm assembly of
FIG. 12;
[0018] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of the alternative arm
assembly of FIG. 12;
[0019] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a remotely operated
vehicle that may be employed in connection with an alternative
embodiment of the disclosed concept; and
[0020] FIG. 19 is a lock diagram showing portions of the remotely
operated vehicle of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0021] As used herein, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise.
[0022] As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or
elements are "coupled" shall mean that the parts are joined or
operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one
or more intermediate parts or elements, so long as a link
occurs.
[0023] As used herein, "directly coupled" means that two elements
are directly in contact with each other.
[0024] As used herein, "fixedly coupled" or "fixed" means that two
elements are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a
constant orientation relative to each other.
[0025] As used herein, the "unitary" means a part is created as a
single piece or unit. That is, a part that includes pieces that are
created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a
"unitary" part or body.
[0026] As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts or
elements "engage" one another shall mean that the parts exert a
force against one another either directly or through one or more
intermediate parts or elements.
[0027] As employed herein, the term "number" shall mean one or an
integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
[0028] As employed herein, the term "video camera" shall mean a
device structured for performing electronic motion picture
acquisition.
[0029] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and
without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front,
back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the
elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims
unless expressly recited therein.
[0030] As described in detail herein, the disclosed concept
provides a system that serves as a facilitator for vehicle traffic
stops by remotely gathering information, such as visual, audio,
and/or olfactory information, from a stopped motorist vehicle and
relaying that information back to the officer in the law
enforcement vehicle for analysis. The system of the disclosed
concept will eliminate the initial unknowns of traffic stops by
allowing both the police officer and the motorist to remain in
their respective vehicles. As described in detail herein, the
system provides a mechanism for replacing the current preliminary
face-to-face interface between officer and motorist by utilizing a
remotely operated (by the officer from his or her vehicle)
apparatus that will facilitate communication and gather vital
information to assess the validity of the motorists legal right to
remain on the roadway.
[0031] FIG. 1 is an isometric view and FIG. 2 is a front
elevational view of a system 2 for performing vehicle traffic stops
according to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosed
concept. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, system 2 includes a typical
exemplary law enforcement vehicle 4 that is further equipped with a
traffic stop enhancement system 6 according to the disclosed
concept. As described in greater detail herein, traffic stop
enhancement system 6 enables a police officer to remotely, from
within law enforcement vehicle 4, gather information from a
motorist vehicle during a traffic stop.
[0032] Traffic stop enhancement system 6 includes a folding and
telescoping arm assembly 8 that is coupled to a front bumper 10 of
law enforcement vehicle 4 below a push guard 12 of law enforcement
vehicle 4. In addition, referring to FIG. 3, which is a block
diagram of certain selected portions of traffic stop enhancement
system 6, traffic stop enhancement system 6 further includes an
in-vehicle control system 14 structured to enable a police officer
to control traffic stop enhancement system 6 from within law
enforcement vehicle 4. As described herein, arm assembly 8 is
structured to be selectively deployed by a police officer from
within law enforcement vehicle 4 during a traffic stop using
control system 14 for purposes of gathering information from and/or
providing information to the motorist during the traffic stop.
[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, arm assembly 8 includes a
telescoping arm member 16 that is coupled to front bumper 10 using
a bracket assembly 18. Telescoping arm member 16 is structured to,
under control of control system 14, be selectively elongated and
retracted in a telescoping manner. The purpose of this telescoping
functionality is described in detail elsewhere herein. Furthermore,
a guide wheel assembly 20 including a pair of guide wheels 21 is
provided at the distal end 22 of arm member 16. Also provided at
distal end 22 of arm member 16 is a post member 24 that carries a
remote data collection and communications assembly 26. As described
in greater detail herein, remote data collection and communications
assembly 26 includes a number of electronic information devices 28
for gathering information from and/or providing/communicating
information to a motorist during a traffic stop. Referring to FIG.
3, in one basic, non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the disclosed
concept, the electronic information devices 28 provided as part of
remote data collection and communications assembly 26 include a
speaker 30 for communicating audio information to a motorist
(generated from within law enforcement vehicle 4 as described
herein), a microphone 32 for collecting audio information from a
motorist, a video camera 34 for collecting video images from a
motorist and/or from within the motorist's vehicle, a display 36,
such as a liquid crystal display, for providing video images to a
motorist (generated from within law enforcement vehicle 4 as
described herein), an image capture device 38, such as digital
camera, for capturing images of certain items as described herein,
a number of barcode readers 40, such as a 1D and/or a 2D barcode
reader, for capturing barcode information as described herein, and
a magnetic stripe reader 42 for capturing magnetic stripe
information as described herein.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 3, arm assembly 8 further includes an arm
drive mechanism 44 that, under the control of control system 14,
controls the movement of arm assembly 8 as described herein. In the
exemplary embodiment, arm assembly 8 is structured for movement in
two manners. First, arm assembly 8 is selectively movable in a
folding manner away from and back toward front bumper 10. In
particular, arm assembly 8 is movable from a first, non-deployed
position as shown in FIG. 1 wherein it is substantially parallel to
front bumper 10, to a second, intermediately deployed position as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein it is substantially perpendicular
to front bumper 10. Second, arm assembly 8 is also selectively
movable in a telescoping manner such that it can be selectively
extended and retracted as desired. In particular, arm assembly 8 is
movable from a retracted position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to a
fully deployed, elongated position as shown in FIG. 6. For this
purpose, as seen in FIG. 6, arm member 16 includes a plurality of
arm portions or segments 46 (labeled 46A-46E) that are able to be
nested within one another and extended relative to one another to
perform the telescoping function. The significance of being able to
move arm assembly 8 from the non-deployed position to the fully
deployed position in connection with the performance of a vehicle
traffic stop is described elsewhere herein.
[0035] Arm drive mechanism 44 may be any of a number of known or
hereafter developed drive mechanisms that are structured to enable
the selective movement of arm assembly 8 under the control of
control system 14 as just described. For example, and without
limitation, arm drive mechanism 44 may include a number of
pneumatic drives which are structured to independently provide the
folding and telescoping movement of arm assembly as described
above. Still other types of arm drive mechanisms, non-limiting
examples of which are described elsewhere herein, may also be
employed within the scope of the disclosed concept.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 3, certain selected elements of
control system 14 according to the exemplary embodiment will now be
described. As noted elsewhere herein, the elements of control
system 14 are housed and provided within law enforcement vehicle 4
so as to be accessible by a police officer while sitting therein,
and are operatively coupled to the elements of arm assembly 8. As
seen in FIG. 3, the exemplary control system 14 includes an input
apparatus 48, such as a keypad or touchscreen, a display 50, such
as an LCD, and a control unit 52. A police officer is able to
provide input into control unit 52 using input apparatus 48, and
control unit 52 provides output signals to display 50 to enable
display 58 to display information to the police officer as
described in detail herein. Control unit 52 is operatively coupled
to each of the elements of arm assembly 8 shown in FIG. 3 and
comprises a processor and a memory. The processor may be, for
example and without limitation, a microprocessor (.mu.P), a
microcontroller, or some other suitable processing device, that
interfaces with the memory. The memory can be any one or more of a
variety of types of internal and/or external storage media such as,
without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), FLASH, and the
like that provide a storage register, i.e., a machine readable
medium, for data storage such as in the fashion of an internal
storage area of a computer, and can be volatile memory or
nonvolatile memory. The memory has stored therein a number of
routines that are executable by the processor to enable operation
and control of arm assembly 8 as described herein. In addition,
control system 14 includes a microphone 54 structured to enable a
police officer to provide audio that is output by remote data
collection and communications assembly 26, a speaker 58 that is
structured to communicate audio to the police officer that is
collected by remote data collection and communications assembly 26
(by microphone 32), and a video camera 60 that is structured to
capture video of the police officer for output by remote data
collection and communications assembly 26 (by display 36).
[0037] Operation of traffic stop enhancement system 6 during a
typical vehicle traffic stop will now be described. First, after
the motorist pulls the motorist vehicle off the roadway in response
to the lights of law enforcement vehicle 4, the police officer will
pull law enforcement vehicle 4 up behind the motorist vehicle,
leaving about a car's length between the two vehicles. The police
officer will then, from within law enforcement vehicle 4 and using
input apparatus 48 of control system 14, deploy arm assembly 8. In
particular, the officer will provide inputs to control unit 52 (via
input apparatus 48) which in turn will cause control unit 52 to
control arm drive mechanism 44 to cause arm assembly 8 to fold out
as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As a result, arm member 16 will extend
from front bumper 10 and will be positioned in a forward manner
slightly left of the rear bumper of the motorist vehicle. While the
officer remains in law enforcement vehicle 4, the officer will
provide further inputs to control unit 52 which in turn will cause
control unit 52 to control arm drive mechanism 44 to cause arm
member 16 to elongate outwardly as shown in FIG. 6 towards the
driver's side window of the motorist's vehicle. The positioning of
arm member 16 in this manner serves two purposes. First, it
transports remote data collection and communications assembly 26 to
the driver's side window so that it is in a position to gather
and/or communicate information. In the exemplary embodiment, remote
data collection and communications assembly 26 will include an
additional drive mechanism (not shown), such as an electric motor,
that is controllable by control system 14 (e.g., by a portion of
input apparatus 48) that allows remote data collection and
communications assembly 26 to be selectively moved to be in an
optimal position for data collection and/or communication. Second,
the positioning of arm member 16 acts as a barricade to the
driver's side front and rear doors, preventing the motorist from
opening and exiting the vehicle.
[0038] Next, through cooperative use and operation of speaker 30,
microphone 32, video camera 34, display 50, microphone 56, speaker
58, and video camera 60, the police officer will be able to
visually inspect the motorist and the interior of the motorist
vehicle (within the plain view doctrine parameters) and communicate
with the motorist (including 2-way audio and video), all without
leaving the confines of law enforcement vehicle 4. In addition, in
a typical vehicle traffic stop, the motorist will be instructed to
provide his or her license and registration, which will both be
electronically scanned by remote data collection and communications
assembly 26 so that the information contained therein can be
provided to the police officer for scrutiny. In particular, the
motorist will be instructed to position his or her license and
registration so that image capture device 38 can capture one or
more images thereof, which images are transmitted to control unit
14 for display on display 50. The motorist will also be instructed
to utilize barcode reader(s) 40 to read one or more barcodes from
those items and utilize magnetic stripe reader 42 to read one or
more magnetic stripes on those items, if present. The information
which is read will be transmitted to control unit 14 for display on
display 50. At this point, the police officer, without leaving law
enforcement vehicle 4, will have all of the information that is
needed to determine whether a citation or written warning is
warranted. In the exemplary embodiment, if it is determined that a
citation or written warning is warranted, the motorist will be
advised by audio signal that the citation or written warning will
be mailed to him or her for payment and/or review. At this time,
the motor vehicle stop has concluded and the motorist is free to
leave.
[0039] If at any time during the vehicle traffic stop the officer
instructs the motorist to exit the motorist vehicle, arm member 16
can be remotely retracted from within law enforcement vehicle 4 to
allow for this action.
[0040] In the exemplary embodiment of traffic stop enhancement
system 6 described above, remote data collection and communications
assembly 26 is described as including a particular group of
exemplary electronic data devices 28. It will be understood,
however, that the enumerated devices are meant to be exemplary
only, and that such devices may include additional devices in
addition to or instead of the enumerated devices. FIG. 7 is a
schematic diagram of a remote data collection and communications
assembly 26' according to an alternative exemplary embodiment.
Remote data collection and communications assembly 26' includes
many of the same elements and components as remote data collection
and communications assembly 26, and like elements are labeled with
like reference numerals. However, remote data collection and
communications assembly 26' includes a number of additional
electronic data devices 28 that may be used in any combination or
subset (for example, with one or more of the devices shown in FIG.
3) to form a particular implementation. In the illustrated
embodiment, the additional electronic data devices 28 are
operatively coupled to control system 14 and include a thermal
imaging device 62, such as a thermal imaging camera, which may be
used to detect the number of occupants in a stopped motorist
vehicle, a breath analysis device (e.g., a Breathalyzer.RTM.
device) 64 for estimating blood alcohol content (BAC) from a breath
sample taken form the motorist, an explosives detection device 66
for detecting trace signatures for various explosive materials,
such as detection devices that are based on mass spectrometry and
gas chromatography, a controlled substance detection device 68 for
detecting trace signatures for various controlled substances, such
as detection devices that are based on mass spectrometry and gas
chromatography, a number of safety lights 70, such as, without
limitation, red and blue and/or yellow LED lights, and a lighting
device 72, such as a spotlight or strobe.
[0041] FIGS. 8-11 are schematic diagrams showing various portions
of an alternative system 2' for performing vehicle traffic stops
according to an alternative non-limiting exemplary embodiment of
the disclosed concept. System 2' includes a number of the same
elements as system 2, and like elements are labeled with like
reference numerals. System 2' includes an alternative arm assembly
8' that is coupled to push guard 12 of law enforcement vehicle 4
using a mounting bracket 74. In the exemplary embodiment, as seen
in FIG. 8, push guard extends out past the alternative arm assembly
8' when the alternative arm assembly 8' is not deployed. As seen in
FIG. 8, alternative arm assembly 8' includes arm member 16 that has
been modified to include a bell housing member 76 that is provided
at the distal end of a portion 46A arm member 16. Bell housing 76
is a member made of, for example, and without limitation, a
flexible material such as rubber or silicone that is structured to
be biased into a closed position as shown in FIG. 8. The purpose of
bell housing member 76 is to protect alternative wheel and remote
data collection and communications assembly 78 (FIG. 11) when not
in use. As seen in FIG. 11, alternative wheel and remote data
collection and communications assembly 78 includes a wheel assembly
80 that is similar to wheel assembly 20, and a remote data
collection and communications assembly 82 that is similar to remote
data collection and communications assembly 26 (and includes
similar parts). However, in remote data collection and
communications assembly 78, wheel assembly 80 and remote data
collection and communications assembly 82 are spring biased
outwardly from one another as shown by the arrows in FIG. 11. The
significance of this feature is described below. In addition, as
seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, alternative arm assembly 8' includes a
pneumatic drive mechanism 84 (forming part of arm drive mechanism
44) for pivoting modified arm member 16 away from front bumper 10
under control of control system 14.
[0042] In operation, when it is desired to deploy alternative arm
assembly 8', modified arm member 16 is first pivoted away from
front bumper 10 to a position as shown in FIG. 10. Then, by
operation of arm drive mechanism 44, arm member 16 is caused to
elongate. When this is done, bell housing 76 is caused to open
(i.e., it is pushed open) and wheel assembly 80 and remote data
collection and communications assembly 82 are caused to move away
from one another as shown in FIG. 11 by operation of the spring
assembly thereof. When fully elongated, alternative arm assembly 8'
will be deployed in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 6, and
remote data collection and communications assembly 82 will able to
provide the same functionality as remote data collection and
communications assembly 26 as described herein.
[0043] FIGS. 12-17 are schematic diagrams showing various portions
of another alternative arm assembly 8'' that may be coupled to push
guard 12 of law enforcement vehicle 4 to form another alternative
version of system 2 for performing vehicle traffic stops according
to another alternative non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the
disclosed concept. Arm assembly 8'' includes a number of the same
elements as arm assembly 8, and like elements are labeled with like
reference numerals. Arm assembly 8'' includes telescoping arm
member 86 (similar to arm member 16) that includes a plurality of
(e.g., four) arm portions or segments 88 (labeled 88A-88D; FIG. 17)
that are able to be nested within one another and extended relative
to one another to perform the telescoping function described
herein. As seen in FIG. 17, segment 80A includes a retaining ring
90A at the distal end thereof, segment 88B includes a retaining
ring 90B at the distal end thereof and a number of retaining rings
92 provided on the outside of the proximal end thereof, segment 88C
includes a retaining ring 90C at the distal end thereof and a
number of retaining rings 92 provided on the outside of the
proximal end thereof, and segment 80D includes a number of
retaining rings 92 provided on the outside of the proximal end
thereof. Retaining rings 90 and 92 of each respective segment 80
function together to provide a abutting stops during extension of
arm member 86 as described herein. In the exemplary embodiment,
retaining rings 90 and 92 may be made of PVC, Teflon.RTM.,
Delrin.RTM., nylon, or any other suitable material. In the
exemplary embodiment, segment 80A is a 4 inch PVC schedule 80 pipe
(75 inches long), segment 80B is a 3 inch PVC schedule 80 pipe,
segment 80C is a 2.5 inch PVC schedule 80 pipe, and segment 80D is
a 2 inch PVC schedule 80 pipe.
[0044] Referring again to FIGS. 12 and 13, arm assembly 8''
includes a drive wheel assembly 94 that is movably coupled to the
distal end of segment 88D. Arm assembly 8'' also includes post
member 24 as described herein that carries remote data collection
and communications assembly 26 as described herein. FIG. 12 shows
the drive wheel assembly 94 and the post member 24 and remote data
collection and communications assembly 26 in a retracted position,
and FIG. 13 shows the drive wheel assembly 94 and the post member
24 and remote data collection and communications assembly 26 in an
extended position (the position in which it would be used during a
traffic stop). Referring to FIG. 14, which is a front isometric
view of arm assembly 8'', arm assembly 8'' includes a motor 96
(e.g., a 12 V gear motor) coupled to a shaft 98. Motor 96 and shaft
98 are provided within the interior of the distal end of segment
88D. Shaft 98 is operatively coupled to drive wheel assembly 94.
Motor 96 and shaft 98 function to selectively extend and retract
drive wheel assembly 94 under control of control system 14. Arm
assembly 8'' further includes a motor 100 coupled to shaft 102.
Motor 100 and shaft 102 are provided on the exterior of the distal
end of segment 88D. Shaft 102 is operatively coupled to post member
24. Motor 100 and shaft 102 function to selectively extend and
retract post member 24 and data collection and communications
assembly 26 under control of control system 14.
[0045] As described in greater detail herein, drive wheel assembly
94 is provided to enable the selective extension of arm member 86
under control of control system 14. Referring to FIG. 15, which is
an isometric view of drive wheel assembly 94, drive wheel assembly
94 includes a framework 104 that supports a motor 106 (e.g., a 12 V
reversible gear motor) and a pair of wheels 108. Motor 106 is
coupled to a shaft 110 having chain sprockets 112 located at
opposite ends thereof. The chain sprockets 112 are coupled to
chains 114, which in turn are coupled to sprockets 116. Each
sprockets 116 is coupled to a shaft of a respective one of the
wheels 108. As will be appreciated, as motor 106 turns shaft 110,
the rotation of chain sprockets 112 is coupled to chain sprockets
116 by chains 114 so as to rotate wheels 108. In an alternate
embodiment, wheels 108 may be replaced by track members that are
similarly driven by motor 106.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the proximal end of segment
88A includes a motor 118 coupled to the outside of segment 88A.
Motor 118 is coupled to and drives a shaft 120 under control of
control system 14. A cable 122 (e.g., a 1/6 or 1/8 inch stainless
steel aircraft grade cable) has a first end coupled to shaft 120
and a second end coupled to the proximal end of segment 88D by an
appropriate coupling member 124, such as a ring. Motor 118 and
cable 122 are utilized to retract arm assembly 8'' under control of
control system 14.
[0047] In operation, when it is desired to deploy arm assembly 8'',
arm member 86 is first pivoted away from front bumper 10 as
described herein (e.g., by pneumatic drive mechanism 84) to a
position similar to that shown in FIG. 10. Next, motor 96 and motor
100 are each driven to extend drive wheel assembly 94 and post
member 24 and data collection and communications assembly 26,
respectively, to the position shown in FIG. 13. Then, motor 118 is
driven to move wheels 108 as described herein to elongate arm
member 86. When fully elongated, arm assembly 8'' will be deployed
in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 6, and the traffic stop
may proceed as described elsewhere herein. When the traffic stop is
completed, motor 96 and motor 100 are each driven to retract drive
wheel assembly 94 and post member 24 and data collection and
communications assembly 26, respectively. Then, motor 118 is driven
to retract arm member 86 to the position shown in FIG. 12.
Thereafter, arm member 86 is pivoted back toward front bumper 10 so
that law enforcement vehicle 4 will then be in a condition to drive
away.
[0048] In still a further alternative embodiment, drive wheel
assembly 94 and post member 24 and data collection and
communications assembly 26 of FIGS. 12-17 may be replaced by a
remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 126 as shown in FIG. 18. ROV 126 is
structured to be controlled by control system 14, and is separable
from and selectively dockable to the distal end of arm member 86.
ROV 126 includes a main housing 128, and a docking funnel/port 130
coupled to main housing 128 that is structured to enable selective
docking of ROV 126 to the distal end of arm member 86. ROV 126 also
includes post member 24 that carries a remote data collection and
communications assembly 26 as described elsewhere herein. In the
exemplary embodiment, post member 24 is a selectively retractable
folding member. ROV 126 also includes a drive assembly 132 that is
coupled to main housing 128 by selectively foldable/extendable
support legs 134. Drive assembly 132 may include a track member as
shown, or, alternatively, a pair of wheels similar to wheels 108.
As shown in FIG. 19, main housing 128 houses a control unit 136,
which may be similar in structure to control unit 52 described
elsewhere herein, a number of motors 138 coupled to post member 24,
support legs 134 and drive assembly 132 to selectively drive those
components, and a wireless communications module 140 structured to
enable wireless communications with control unit 14 of law
enforcement vehicle 4. In this embodiment, drive assembly 132,
driven by a motor 138, is the mechanism which is used to extend arm
member 86 under control of control unit 14 during a vehicle stop.
In addition, in this embodiment, control unit 14 may cause ROV 126
to be separated from arm member 86 when arm member 86 is fully
extended to enable ROV 126 to be selectively moved around the
stopped vehicle using drive assembly 132 in order to collect data
and/or communicate using data collection and communications
assembly 26 as described herein. Thus, this embodiment provides
added flexibility by enabling data collection and/or communications
to occur at various locations separate from the distal end of arm
member 86. When the traffic stop is completed, ROV 126 may be
re-docked with the distal end of arm member 86 using docking
funnel/port 130, and arm member 86 may be retracted using motor 118
and cable 122 as described herein. In addition, in the exemplary
embodiment, before such retraction is performed, post member 24 and
support legs 134 will be retracted by a motor 138 under control of
control system 14.
[0049] Thus, as described in detail above, the disclosed concept
provides various embodiments of a system that serves as a
facilitator for vehicle traffic stops that will allow a police
officer to remotely gather information and to communicate with a
motorist without leaving the law enforcement vehicle. The disclosed
concept also provides a mechanism that acts as a barricade,
preventing a motorist from exiting his or her vehicle.
[0050] In the claims, any reference signs placed between
parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word
"comprising" or "including" does not exclude the presence of
elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device
claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be
embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word "a" or "an"
preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality
of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means,
several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of
hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in
mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these
elements cannot be used in combination.
[0051] Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent
arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present
invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more
features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more
features of any other embodiment.
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