Interpretation ID: nht89-3.5

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 09/28/89

FROM: MARK F. HOLMES

TO: STEVE WOOD -- ASST. CHIEF COUNSEL N.H.T.S.A.

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 10/31/89 FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD -- NHTSA TO MARK F. HOLMES; REDBOOK A34-VSA 108[A][2][A]; STANDARD 108 LETTER DATED 09/28/89 FROM MARK F. HOLMES TO STEVE WOOD -- NHTSA; OCC 3980

TEXT: Dear Mr. Wood:

Prior to our phone conversation, enclosed please review a bit of information concerning two new multi-purpose products, THE STROBALARM, and THE SPOTLIGHT ALARM that may be of interest to your Company.

For a number of years, I have studied all the car alarm systems that are sold on the market today. During my studies, I have learned that all of these alarms are basically the same with just a bit of variation. There similarity begins with the sounding of a ordinary siren that cannot be seen or detected in a crowded parking lot, or on a dark street covered or uncovered by light. These sirens do very little to ward off a thief, and they offer no real protection for the vehicle, it's valuables, and it' s owner.

The Strobalarm, with it's bright strobe light and 12-volt filament, can be incorporated into any existing alarm system. This unique concept will easily ward off a potential thief by exposing him to the people in his immediate surrounding. The Strobalar m attracts attention like bees to honey. It allows the endangered vehicle to be seen by many in any given area during the course of an evening. It is just as effective in the rain, snow, and fog, as it is on sunny days!

*An example of just how powerful and noticeable a strobe light is can be seen by viewing an airplane in flight during the night. The unique feature of the Strobalarm is that it uses very little energy to produce it's flash.*

The Strobalarm has been reconstructed and redesigned a number of times with the automobile and it's owner in mind. The incorporation of a CAR LOCATOR with its remote control key case is evidence of that. The car locator will allow an owner to locate hi s or her vehicle from a far away distance of 400 feet. The 12-volt filament can be turned on and remain on with the same key case. This will allow the owner to see who may be standing around the vehicle.

The Carfinder, which is the latest device for finding cars, only allows the head lights to blink off and on. But in a crowded parking lot, and if you happen to have a small vehicle surrounded by larger vehicles these blinking lights will not be seen. T he blinking head lights may also be mistaken for something else such as, an alarm going off, someone parked with their headlights on, or the simple switching of headlights to high beams. The Carfinder does not work with vehicles that have hidden headlig hts, such as Corvettes, Porches 928, 944, and Texas AMs.

The DISTRESS EMERGENCY FLARE SIGNAL, would serve useful during emergencies, such as highway break-downs. With the use of pink color lens the Distress flare Signal will eliminate the danger of having to use those pink colored torches that are seen on hig hways at night. Most insurance companies offer premiums on cars equipped with passive alarm, the Strobalarm is such an alarm.

The Spotlight Alarm, which is designed for smaller vehicles with a little less headroom, is equipped with Halogen Beam Lights that blink off and on with the assistance of the key case control. The Spotlight, like the Strobalarm, can be used only as a ca r locator and/or it can be connected to any alarm system.

The STROBALARM and the SPOTLIGHT ALARM are ideas of today and with newer cars having more windshield, side and rear window, these ideas would certainly be items of interest in the future.

Mr. Wood, if you find the alarm or just the Car Locator with or without the built-in Distress to be of interest, feel free to notify me. I would be more than willing to come to your office at my own expense to present the technical drawing for the simpl e to use, easy to install and cost efficient alarm device. A device that is easy to build and does not exceed the cost of systems already on the market.

A preliminary patent search has already been concluded and a disclosure document has been filed with the U.S. Patent Office for Patentability of these concepts.

Sincerely,