Patent US1792066A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3601655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Circuit continuity monitoring, warning and proving device
Assignee: Old Carco LLC
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Filing: 1970-05-25
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A circuit continuity and signal warning device for monitoring the continuity of an electrical circuit controlling the activation of a motor vehicle inflatable occupant restraining system. The monitoring warning device is connected by parallel circuit connections to the existing electrical circuit wiring of the vehicle and the electrical control circuit for the air bag system and provides a signal warning in the event of a circuit discontinuity in the electrical energization circuit, including the electrical detonation device, of the air bag system to warn the operator that the circuit is inoperative and the system is defective. The continuity monitoring device further features a signal proving or checking circuit that is operated each time the motor vehicle is started to prove the operability of the warning device.
Inventors
- 👤 Poul H Andersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/017; B60R21/0173; B60R21/0176; B60Q; B60Q11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A continuity monitoring and signal warning device for an electrical load energizable from an electrical source through an electrical switching device and comprising in combination voltage dropping means connected across said switching device in series with said load to form a voltage divider therewith the voltage at the junction of which is at a first distinct level in the absence of a circuit discontinuity between the switching device and the electrical load, including the electrical load, and is at a second distinct level in the presence of such a discontinuity, an electrically energizable signalling device, and switching means connected in energizing circuit control relation with said signalling device across said electrical source and responsive to a change in the voltage level at the voltage divider junction from said first level to said second level to actuate said switching means for energization of said signal warning device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A continuity monitoring and signal warning device for an electrical load energizable from an electrical source through an electrical switching device and comprising in combination voltage dropping means connected across said switching device in series with said load to form a voltage divider therewith the voltage at the junction of which is at a first distinct level in the absence of a circuit discontinuity between the switching device and the electrical load, including the electrical load, and is at a second distinct level in the presence of such a discontinuity, an electrically energizable signalling device, and switching means connected in energizing circuit control relation with said signalling device across said electrical source and responsive to a change in the voltage level at the voltage divider junction from said first level to said second level to actuate said switching means for energization of said signal warning device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said voltage dropping means presents an electrical circuit impedance much greater than that of said load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said switching means is connected to the junction of said voltage dropping means and said electrical load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said continuity monitoring and signal warning device includes a checking circuit connected between said source and said switching means for application of an actuating voltage thereto to test the operability of the signalling device and switching means upon selective application of said actuating voltage thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination in accordance with claim 4 including a normally open electrical switch in said checking circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said switching means has an input control section connected in circuit to the junction of said voltage dropping means and said electrical load and has a controlled output section connected in energizing control relation with the signal warning device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination in accordance with claim 6 including feedback preventing means between said checking circuit and the junction of said voltage dropping means and said electrical load to prevent forward feed of current from the checking circuit to said electrical load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination in accordance with claim 7 above wherein said feedback preventing means includes a unilateral conducting device between said voltage divider junction and the input of said switching device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said switching device is an electronic switching device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 above wherein said voltage dropping means includes a pair of resistors connected in series across said first mentioned electrical switching device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination in accordance with claim 5 above adapted for a motor vehicle and wherein said normally open electrical switch in said checking circuit is a momentary contact switch that is operated each time the motor vehicle is started.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination in accordance with claim 11 above wherein said motor vehicle includes an electrical ignition switch and wherein the momentary contact switch is part of the ignition switch of the motor vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said load device is a low impedance detonation squib and the first mentioned electrical switch is an inertia switch actuated by collision impact of the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination in accordance with claim 1 including a plurality of electrical loads each independently energizable from said source and simultaneously monitored by the continuity monitoring and signal warning device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination in accordance with claim 14 wherein said electrical switching device has a plurality of simultaneously activatable, but electrically isolated output switching contacts each connected to a different one of said electrical loads and wherein a separate voltage dropping means is connected to the switching device for each of said electrical loads and to the switching means of the continuity monitoring and signal warning device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination in accordance with claim 15 wherein the same signalling device is used with said continuity monitoring and signal warning device for each of the loads monitored thereby and further includes a common checking circuit connected between said source and said switching meaNs to test the operability of the signalling device and switching means.
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) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |