US3666959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery protective memory system for automotive vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-01-28
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1991-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A novel battery protective system for automotive vehicles is provided in which both the running lights and the parking lights are controlled by a common light switch operator, which operator is restricted, and in some circumstances actuated, by the key controlled, ignition switch actuator. In the normal, nonoperating condition of the ignition switch actuator, according to my invention, the running lights are necessarily off and cannot be turned on. The parking lights may be turned on and off manually, but are turned off and blocked against being turned on by operation of the ignition switch actuator to running position or to the utilities position. The turning of the ignition switch actuator to running position or to utilities position makes possible the manual turning on and turning off of the running lights, but turns off the parking lights (if on) and blocks the turning on of the parking lights. Return of the ignition switch actuator to normal, non-operating position turns off the running lights but does not restore the parking lights. No running or parking lights will ever be turned on or left on immediately following the turning off of the ignition switch actuator. No running or parking lights will ever be turned on or left on immediately following the turning on of the ignition switch actuator. The system is fool-proof.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence M Crews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/20; H01H9/26; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
Battery protective means in an automotive vehicle having a storage battery, an ignition switch actuator operable between a normal, non-operating position and a running position, and running lights, the combination with said battery, ignition switch actuator and the running lights of a. a manually operable light switch operator having an ''''off'''' position and a running-light-energizing position, and b. mechanical means directly connected for operation by, and in harmony with, the ignition switch actuator and effective at times mechanically to restrict operation of the light switch operator, and at times to operate the light switch operator to the ''''off'''' position, said mechanical means being constructed and arranged 1. physically to block the light switch operator against manual operation to the running-light-energizing position so long as the ignition switch actuator stands in its normal, nonoperating position, 2. to free the light switch operator for voluntary manual operation to and from the running-light-energizing position, in response to the placing of the ignition switch actuator in the engine operating position, and 3. mechanically to return the light switch operator to the ''''off'''' position and thereby to extinguish the running lights, if they have been turned on, in response to the manual operation of the ignition switch actuator from the running position to the normal, non-operating position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
Battery protective means in an automotive vehicle having a storage battery, an ignition switch actuator operable between a normal, non-operating position and a running position, and running lights, the combination with said battery, ignition switch actuator and the running lights of a. a manually operable light switch operator having an ''''off'''' position and a running-light-energizing position, and b. mechanical means directly connected for operation by, and in harmony with, the ignition switch actuator and effective at times mechanically to restrict operation of the light switch operator, and at times to operate the light switch operator to the ''''off'''' position, said mechanical means being constructed and arranged 1. physically to block the light switch operator against manual operation to the running-light-energizing position so long as the ignition switch actuator stands in its normal, nonoperating position, 2. to free the light switch operator for voluntary manual operation to and from the running-light-energizing position, in response to the placing of the ignition switch actuator in the engine operating position, and 3. mechanically to return the light switch operator to the ''''off'''' position and thereby to extinguish the running lights, if they have been turned on, in response to the manual operation of the ignition switch actuator from the running position to the normal, non-operating position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
to free the light switch operator for voluntary manual operation to and from the running-light-energizing position, in response to the placing of the ignition switch actuator in the engine operating position, and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
to free the light switch operator for voluntary manual operation to and from the running-light-energizing position, in response to the placing of the ignition switch actuator in the engine operating position, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the ignition switch actuator also has a utilities position at the opposite side of the normal, non-operating position from the running position, in which the mechanical means connected for operation by the ignition switch actuator is constructed and arranged to free the light switch operator for voluntary manual operation to and from running-light-energizing position by movement of the ignition switch actuator to the utilities position, and to extinguish the running lights, if they have been turned on, by mechanically returning the running-light-switch operator to the normal ''''off'''' position in response to operation of the ignition switch actuator from the utilities position to the normal, non-operating position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 2 in which the mechanical means driven directly by the ignition switch actuator consists of a cam having a protruding lobe, and the running-light-switch operator includes an arm which is engaged by said cam lobe in the normal, non-operating position of the ignition switch actuator to prevent operation of the running-light-switch operator in a direction to turn on the running lights, said arm being cleared by the lobe when the ignition switch actuator is turned to the running position or to the utilities position, but being placed in the path of the lobe, by turning on of the running lights, so that the return of the ignition switch actuator to the normal non-operating position will, through the lobe and arm, force the turning out of the running lights.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
mechanically to return the light switch operator to the ''''off'''' position and thereby to extinguish the running lights, if they have been turned on, in response to the manual operation of the ignition switch actuator from the running position to the normal, non-operating position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
mechanically to return the light switch operator to the ''''off'''' position and thereby to extinguish the running lights, if they have been turned on, in response to the manual operation of the ignition switch actuator from the running position to the normal, non-operating position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
233 words
Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which the vehicle is also equipped with parking lights, and the light switch operator is designed to be moved in one direction from said ''''off'''' position for turning on the running lights and to be turned in the opposite direction from the ''''off'''' position for turning on the parking lights, and in which the mechanical means directly operated by the ignition switch actuator, and the light switch operator, include cooperating parts, constructed and arranged to permit the parking lights to be manually turned on and off by the light switch operator when the ignition switch actuator is in the normal, non-operating position, but to be mechanically turned off by the manual operation of the ignition switch actuator away from the normal, non-operating position, the construction and arrangement being such that both the parking lights and the running lights will necessarily be out immediately following operation of the ignition switch actuator to the running position or to the normal, non-operating position, the running lights being free to be manually turned on and off by the light switch operator following the operation of the ignition switch actuator to running position and the parking lights being free to be manually turned on and off by the light switch operator following the operation of the ignition switch actuator to the normal, non-operating position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 4 in which the mechanical means operated by the ignition switch actuator, and the light switch operator are so related that manual operations of the ignition switch actuator to and from the utilities position have the same effects, respectively, upon the light switch operator as manual operations of the ignition switch actuator to and from the running position have.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
Battery protective means for an automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 1 in which a grounding connection is provided for rendering the ignition circuit inoperative, even through a jumper, when the ignition switch actuator is locked in the normal, non-operating position, said grounding connection including a normally open switch which is made responsive to the ignition switch actuator through the mechanical means directly connected for operation by and with the ignition switch actuator, said switch being freed to spring open for making the ignition circuit operative, in response to operation of the ignition switch actuator away from the normal, non-operating position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3385998A
Cited
US3391301A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |