Patent US3571537A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3571537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automobile turning-light switch
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-01-07
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Granted: 1971-03-23
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Expires: 1990-01-07
Abstract
Abstract An automobile directional signal switch having signal control buttons positioned at the center of the automobile steering wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Darlo J Cook
- 👤 Thomas E Boyance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1446; B60Q1/1453; B60Q1/1461; B60Q1/1484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
372 words
In combination with an automobile steering wheel shaft rotatably journaled in a stationary housing, a turning-light switch, comprising: a. a cylindrical steering wheel hub member mounted at the upper end of the shaft, in linear alignment with the housing; b. an electrical nonconducting disc, mounted at the upper end of the housing, with three concentric, electrical conducting, rings embedded therein; the middle ring being connected to the car battery, the inner and outer rings being connected to the left and right turning-light signals, respectively; c. the hub member having an upper cavity, closed by a removable cap, and a lower cavity open to the three rIngs of the housing disc; d. two spaced and parallel, nonconducting, nonrotative, switch rods mounted in the hub member, for independent vertical movement; e. the upper ends of the switch rods extending through the hub closure cap, to define push buttons; f. the lower end of each rod having a pair of metal rollers spaced apart a distance to bridge two adjacent of said disc rings through a metal shaft journaled in a vertically elongated bore proximate the rod lower end; g. the roller shaft being normally spring biased toward the lower end of the bore; h. the switch rods being selectively movable between a first, raised position wherein the rollers are spaced upwardly of the disc rings, and a second, depressed, position wherein the paired rollers bear against adjacent disc rings, to complete an electric circuit therebetween, thereby energizing their associated turning-light signals; i. spring-pressed means mounted in the hub wall, engageable with each switch rod, and operable to maintain the switch rods in either their first or second positions; j. spring-biased dogs tiltably mounted on the housing disc in the circular path of each switch rod, operable to tilt level with the disc surface, when its associated switch rod, while in its second position, passes over it as the steering wheel hub is rotated in a wheel turning direction; and k. each dog acting to raise its associated switch rod from its second to its first position, thereby breaking the electrical circuit of its associated turning-light signal, when the switch rod passes over it as the steering wheel hub is rotated in a wheel-straightening direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
372 words
In combination with an automobile steering wheel shaft rotatably journaled in a stationary housing, a turning-light switch, comprising: a. a cylindrical steering wheel hub member mounted at the upper end of the shaft, in linear alignment with the housing; b. an electrical nonconducting disc, mounted at the upper end of the housing, with three concentric, electrical conducting, rings embedded therein; the middle ring being connected to the car battery, the inner and outer rings being connected to the left and right turning-light signals, respectively; c. the hub member having an upper cavity, closed by a removable cap, and a lower cavity open to the three rIngs of the housing disc; d. two spaced and parallel, nonconducting, nonrotative, switch rods mounted in the hub member, for independent vertical movement; e. the upper ends of the switch rods extending through the hub closure cap, to define push buttons; f. the lower end of each rod having a pair of metal rollers spaced apart a distance to bridge two adjacent of said disc rings through a metal shaft journaled in a vertically elongated bore proximate the rod lower end; g. the roller shaft being normally spring biased toward the lower end of the bore; h. the switch rods being selectively movable between a first, raised position wherein the rollers are spaced upwardly of the disc rings, and a second, depressed, position wherein the paired rollers bear against adjacent disc rings, to complete an electric circuit therebetween, thereby energizing their associated turning-light signals; i. spring-pressed means mounted in the hub wall, engageable with each switch rod, and operable to maintain the switch rods in either their first or second positions; j. spring-biased dogs tiltably mounted on the housing disc in the circular path of each switch rod, operable to tilt level with the disc surface, when its associated switch rod, while in its second position, passes over it as the steering wheel hub is rotated in a wheel turning direction; and k. each dog acting to raise its associated switch rod from its second to its first position, thereby breaking the electrical circuit of its associated turning-light signal, when the switch rod passes over it as the steering wheel hub is rotated in a wheel-straightening direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A turning-light switch, as in claim 1, wherein the two switch rods are linked through a rocker arm pivotally mounted, at its center point, within the hub member upper cavity between the switch rods; said rocker arm acting to prevent both switch rods from being simultaneously in their second positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A turning-light switch, as in claim 1, wherein the upper end of each switch rod has an electric bulb housed therein, electrically connected to the switch rod roller shaft; said bulb being energized when the switch rod is in its second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
A turning-light switch, as in claim 1, wherein the upper hub cavity has a cancel button mounted therein which extends through the closure cap; said button being linked, through separate rocker arms, to each switch rod; said button being vertically movable between a first, raised position and a second, depressed position; and, spring-biasing means mounted within the upper hub cavity, engaged with the lower end of the button, to normally maintain it in its first position; said cancel button, when in its second position, acting to tilt its rocker arms to raise the switch rods to their first positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-22 | 1974-09-21 | 1975-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-22 | 1978-09-21 | 1979-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-22 | 1982-09-21 | 1983-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |