US3671757A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tractor trailer lighting systems
Assignee: KLEIN AND ANDERSON Ltd
•
Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1972-06-20
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract To protect the tractor lighting system from the effects of short circuits in the trailer lighting system the tractor and trailer lighting systems are separated. The tractor system includes a control element such as the coil of a relay and the trailer system a switching element operable by the control element.
Inventors
- 👤 John Ray Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q11/00; B60Q11/005; B60Q11/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
Circuit protector apparatus for a tractor unit having a plurality of light circuits and trailer unit having a corresponding plurality of light circuits, said apparatus comprising a battery on the tractor unit, a normally off switching device, a circuit breaker, first circuit means for connecting said battery, said switching device and said circuit breaker in a series circuit, separable plug and socket means for connecting said series circuit to one of said trailer unit light circuits, and further circuit means connected to the tractor light circuit corresponding to said one of said trailer light circuits and including control means for controlling switching of said switching device of said first circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
Circuit protector apparatus for a tractor unit having a plurality of light circuits and trailer unit having a corresponding plurality of light circuits, said apparatus comprising a battery on the tractor unit, a normally off switching device, a circuit breaker, first circuit means for connecting said battery, said switching device and said circuit breaker in a series circuit, separable plug and socket means for connecting said series circuit to one of said trailer unit light circuits, and further circuit means connected to the tractor light circuit corresponding to said one of said trailer light circuits and including control means for controlling switching of said switching device of said first circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the circuit breaker is resettable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the circuit breaker is automatically resettable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the circuit breaker comprises a bi-metal element adapted to break the circuit upon the existance of a high temperature and to re-establish the circuit as the temperature falls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said switching element is a transistor having an emitter collector circuit, and a base that constitutes the control element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which said switching element is a transistor having an emitter collector circuit, and a base that constitutes the control element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the control element comprises a solenoid and the switching element comprises contacts operable by the solenoid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 in which the control element comprises a solenoid and the switching element comprises contacts operable by the solenoid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the solenoid is grounded to complete the circuit including the second conductor only when the plug and socket are coupled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
129 words
Circuit protector apparatus for a tractor unit having a plurality of light circuits and trailer unit having a corresponding plurality of light circuits, said apparatus comprising a battery on the tractor unit, a normally off switching device, a circuit breaker, first circuit means for connecting said battery, said switching device and said circuit breaker in a series circuit, separable plug and socket means for connecting said series circuit to one of said trailer unit light circuits, and further circuit means connected to the tractor light circuit corresponding to said one of said trailer light circuits and including a solenoid for controlling switching of said switching device of said first circuit means, said apparatus further comprising a conductor for connecting said solenoid to ground through said plug and socket means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
Circuit protector apparatus for a tractor unit having a plurality of light circuits and trailer unit having a corresponding plurality of light circuits, said apparatus comprising a battery on the tractor unit, a normally off switching device, a circuit breaker, first circuit means for connecting said battery, said switching device and said circuit breaker in a series circuit, separable plug and socket means for connecting said series circuit to one of said trailer unit light circuits, and further circuit means connected to the tractor light circuit corresponding to said one of said trailer light circuits and including a solenoid for controlling switching of said switching device of said first circuit means, said apparatus further comprising a conductor for connecting said solenoid to ground through said plug and socket means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which said circuit breaker is automatically resettable.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3467830A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-20 | 1975-12-20 | 1976-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-20 | 1979-12-20 | 1980-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-20 | 1983-12-20 | 1984-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |