US3596244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stop and turn light signaling system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-03-21
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A visual signaling system for use on motor vehicles to signal stops and turns made by the vehicle. The system is electrical circuitry which includes a battery, and further includes a brake pedal stop light switch, and a turn signal flasher connected in series with the battery, and in parallel with each other. A common selector switch is connected in both the turn signal flasher circuit and the stop light switch circuit to selectively place either of a pair of lights in the stop signal switch circuit, or alternately, another combination of lights in the turn signal flasher circuit. A stop light flasher is connected in series with the stop light switch and in parallel with the turn signal flasher. The stop light flasher is a device which will cause the brake lights to flash on and off when the brake pedal is depressed to close the stop light switch, but will also permit instant lighting of the stop lights at that time. A switching device is provided for automatically inactivating the stop light flasher at such times as the turn signal flasher circuit is closed to energize the turning lights, thus permitting at least one stop light to burn steadily at this time, provided that the brake pedal stop light switch is closed. A second switching device for manually accomplishing the same purpose may also be provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernhardt J Litke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/38; B60Q1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
341 words
A visual signaling system for a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of brake-turn lights comprising at least one light adapted to be mounted on each of the opposite sides of said vehicle at the rear portion thereof; additional flashing lights mounted on said vehicle; a source of electrical power; electrical circuitry interconnecting said power source and said brake-turn lights and said additional flashing lights, said electrical circuitry comprising: a turn signal circuit having a turn signal flasher device therein for automatically opening and closing said turn signal circuit after manual actuation of said turn signal flasher device; a stop signal circuit connected to said power source in parallel with said turn signal circuit and including a brake actuated stop light switch therEin, and further having a stop signal flasher device therein for automatically opening and closing said stop signal circuit when said brake actuated stop light switch is closed; a turn signal switch for alternately connecting and disconnecting said additional flashing lights to said turn signal circuit; additional switches associated with each of said brake-turn lights for alternately connecting each of said brake-turn lights either in said stop signal circuit or in said turn signal circuit; means interconnecting said turn signal switch and additional switches for simultaneous movement to concurrently connect one of said brake-turn lights and one of said additional flashing lights on one side of said vehicle to said turn signal circuit, and one of said brake-turn lights on the opposite side of said vehicle to said stop signal circuit, and alternately, to disconnect said additional flashing lights from said turn signal circuit when said brake-turn lights are both connected to said stop signal circuit; and means connected to said turn signal circuit for energization by current flowing in said turn signal circuit, and connected in said stop signal circuit for deactivating said stop signal flasher device and permitting current to continuously flow in said stop signal circuit through said deactivated stop signal flasher device when said stop light switch is closed and said turn signal circuit is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
341 words
A visual signaling system for a motor vehicle comprising: a plurality of brake-turn lights comprising at least one light adapted to be mounted on each of the opposite sides of said vehicle at the rear portion thereof; additional flashing lights mounted on said vehicle; a source of electrical power; electrical circuitry interconnecting said power source and said brake-turn lights and said additional flashing lights, said electrical circuitry comprising: a turn signal circuit having a turn signal flasher device therein for automatically opening and closing said turn signal circuit after manual actuation of said turn signal flasher device; a stop signal circuit connected to said power source in parallel with said turn signal circuit and including a brake actuated stop light switch therEin, and further having a stop signal flasher device therein for automatically opening and closing said stop signal circuit when said brake actuated stop light switch is closed; a turn signal switch for alternately connecting and disconnecting said additional flashing lights to said turn signal circuit; additional switches associated with each of said brake-turn lights for alternately connecting each of said brake-turn lights either in said stop signal circuit or in said turn signal circuit; means interconnecting said turn signal switch and additional switches for simultaneous movement to concurrently connect one of said brake-turn lights and one of said additional flashing lights on one side of said vehicle to said turn signal circuit, and one of said brake-turn lights on the opposite side of said vehicle to said stop signal circuit, and alternately, to disconnect said additional flashing lights from said turn signal circuit when said brake-turn lights are both connected to said stop signal circuit; and means connected to said turn signal circuit for energization by current flowing in said turn signal circuit, and connected in said stop signal circuit for deactivating said stop signal flasher device and permitting current to continuously flow in said stop signal circuit through said deactivated stop signal flasher device when said stop light switch is closed and said turn signal circuit is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
A visual signaling system as defined in claim 1 wherein said stop signal flasher device is a normally closed, alternating switching device comprising: a first contact connected to said stop light switch; a second contact connected to said additional switches to facilitate connection of said stop signal circuit through said additional switches to selected ones of said brake-turn lights; a resistance heater element; a third contact connected through said resistance heater element to said first contact and in parallel with said second contact; a movable fourth contact connected to said first contact, and normally contacting said second contact, said fourth contact being movable in response to heating of said resistance heater element to contact said third contact and short said resistance heater element whereby said heater element can then cool, and said movable fourth contact can return to its position in which it contacts said second contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A visual signaling system as defined in claim 2 and further characterized to include a pilot light connected between said third contact and ground and illuminable when said resistance heater element is shorted by contact between said third and fourth contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A visual signaling system as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for deactivating said stop signal flasher device comprises a device for automatically short circuiting said resistance heater element when said turn signal circuit is connected to one of said additional flashing lights to energize said light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A visual signaling system as defined in claim 4 wherein said short circuiting device comprises a silicon controlled rectifier having a cathode connected to said third contact, an anode connected to said second contact, and a gate connected to said additional flashing lights which are alternately connected to said turn signal circuit by said turn signal switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A visual signaling system as defined in claim 5 and further characterized as including an additional switching device connected between said second and third contacts for short circuiting said resistance heater element to deenergize said stop signal flasher device at any time desired, and regardless of the status of the turn signal circuit, by closure of said additional switching device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A visual signaling system as defined in claim 1 and further characterized as including an additional switching device connected in said stop signal circuit for deenergizing said stop signal flasher device at any time desired and regardless of the status of the turn signal circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |