GM has filed a patent application for a selectively deployable handicap alert system for a vehicle. The application was assigned patent number US 2024/0300408 A1 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was published on September 12th, 2024. The GM patent application was originally filed on March 8th, 2023, and lists two Michigan-based engineers as the inventors, namely Zachary Michael Masse and Kenneth V. Hollewa.
The GM patent application describes a system designed to assist handicapped drivers in parking spaces by deploying a visible alert that will notify other drivers that an adjacent buffer area is required to access the vehicle. This system is particularly useful for those those using wheelchairs, as the adjacent buffer zones is often needed to help users exit and enter their vehicles.
The system consists of three main components: a fixed first member that attaches to the vehicle, a second member pivotally connected to the first, and a third member which serves as the actual alert mechanism. When deployed, the second member extends outward from the vehicle, while the third member drops down to “block” access to the adjacent space. This visible barrier and sign helps prevent non-handicap vehicles from parking in the buffer zone, thus ensuring that a handicapped user has the space they need to maneuver safely.
The system includes a motor that controls the deployment of the second and third members, with the alert only activated as needed when the vehicle is parked in a handicap space. Sensors are used to detect whether the system has been fully deployed, and an alert can be issued if something obstructs it. Additionally, the sign deployment can be tied to certain vehicle conditions, such as setting the transmission in park, or when the parking brake is engaged.
Indeed, for handicap drivers, this particular invention should provide a clear visual signal to other drivers to stay clear of the buffer zone, thus enhancing accessibility and safety in the process.
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