US3568146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rear-alerting signal for automotive vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1967-02-20
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1987-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A rear-alerting signal for an automotive vehicle is described in which actuation of a speed control such as the brake of the vehicle causes immediate flashing of two lamps at the rear of the vehicle. The two lamps are connected in separate electrical circuits with separate switches and a source of power, and both of the switches are controlled by a cam to alternately close the switches. The cam is driven by an electrical motor connected in a series circuit controlled by a switch mechanically coupled to the speed control of the vehicle, and this series circuit includes a normally closed delay switch for deactuating the cam after the lapse of a period of time. Actuation of the time delay switch causes continuous illumination of both lamps until the speed control is deactuated.
Inventors
- 👤 August J Knez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:25
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising, in combination: a pair of lamps mounted on the vehicle in spaced relation and visible from the rear of the vehicle; a first series electrical circuit including a source of electromotive force, a switch having an actuation member mechanically coupled to the speed control of the motor vehicle, a second electrical switch having an actuation member, the second electrical switch being electrically connected in a second series electrical circuit with the source of electromotive force and the first of the lamps of said pair, a third electrical switch having an actuation member, the third electrical switch being electrically connected in a third series electrical circuit with the source of electromotive forCe and the second of the lamps of said pair; means for driving the actuation members of the second and third switches comprising a cam having a plurality of high sectors separated by low sectors, the actuation members of the second and third switches riding on the cam and closing the switches when disposed on a high sector and opening the switches when disposed on a low sector, and an electrical motor mechanically coupled to the cam and electrically connected in a fourth series circuit with the source of electromotive force and the first switch for rotating the cam responsive to closing of the first switch, said fourth series circuit including a normally closed time delay switch for deactuating the motor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising, in combination: a pair of lamps mounted on the vehicle in spaced relation and visible from the rear of the vehicle; a first series electrical circuit including a source of electromotive force, a switch having an actuation member mechanically coupled to the speed control of the motor vehicle, a second electrical switch having an actuation member, the second electrical switch being electrically connected in a second series electrical circuit with the source of electromotive force and the first of the lamps of said pair, a third electrical switch having an actuation member, the third electrical switch being electrically connected in a third series electrical circuit with the source of electromotive forCe and the second of the lamps of said pair; means for driving the actuation members of the second and third switches comprising a cam having a plurality of high sectors separated by low sectors, the actuation members of the second and third switches riding on the cam and closing the switches when disposed on a high sector and opening the switches when disposed on a low sector, and an electrical motor mechanically coupled to the cam and electrically connected in a fourth series circuit with the source of electromotive force and the first switch for rotating the cam responsive to closing of the first switch, said fourth series circuit including a normally closed time delay switch for deactuating the motor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising the combination of claim 1 wherein the cam has high and low sections of approximately equal arc lengths and the actuation members of the first and second electrical switches ride on the cam at points disposed on radii displaced by the angle enscribed by said arc length or a multiple thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising the combination of claim 1 in combination with a time delay relay having a pair of relay contacts electrically connected between the source of electromotive force and the electric motor, said time delay relay having a pair of control terminals electrically connected in a closed series circuit with the first electrical switch and the source of electromotive force, said relay contacts being normally closed and opening after power is applied to the control terminals for a period of time of from 2 to 5 seconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising the combination of claim 3 in combination with a relay having a control coil electrically connected in parallel with the electric motor and two pair of normally closed switch contacts; said switch contacts opening on energizing of the control coil, the first pair of switch contacts being electrically connected in a closed series circuit with the first lamp, the first electrical switch and the source of electromotive force, and the second pair of switch contacts being electrically connected in a closed series circuit with the second lamp, the first electrical switch and the source of electromotive force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising the combination of claim 3 wherein the time delay relay has a heater mounted adjacent to a thermally expandable core, said core being mounted against translation at one end, a clapper abutting the other end of said core and being mounted for pivotal movement about an axis approximately normal to the expansion axis of the core and displaced therefrom, one of the relay contacts of the time delay relay being mounted on the clapper and the other relay contact being in a fixed position relative to said time delay relay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising the combination of claim 5 wherein the clapper carries two additional electrical contacts electrically interconnected with the first contact thereof, each of the additional electrical contacts confronting a stationary electrical contact and being normally spaced therefrom, one of said stationary contacts being electrically connected to the first lamp and the other stationary contact being electrically connected to the second lamp, movement of the clapper achieving contact between the additional contacts and the stationary contacts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A signaling system responsive to actuation of a motor vehicle speed control comprising the combination of claim 1 wherein the second and third series electrical circuits include the first switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3305829A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |