US3673561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Steering indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-08-06
•
Granted: 1972-06-27
•
Expires: 1989-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A steering indicator including gearing to transmit rotation of the steering shaft of an automobile to a worm drive gear. Movement of the worm drive gear changes the position of the pair of insulated brushes which makes contact along resistance areas and this has the effect of changing the resistance in two circuits. One circuit involves an indicating meter, such that a given amount of rotation of the steering shaft causes a change in circuit resistance to cause corresponding deflection of the indicating meter, thereby giving the reading of the front wheels position. The second circuit includes a pair of indicator lights, such that change of resistance in the second circuit causes one of the lights to glow more brightly as the steering wheel is turned further away from its straight ahead position to give additional warning to the driver.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Bronstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:19
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D15/00; B62D15/02; B62D15/0205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A steering indicator including gearing to transmit rotation of a steering shaft to a worm drive gear, variable resistance value change means operated by said worm drive gear, a first electrical circuit including an electrically actuated indicating meter and variable resistances, the variable resistances in said first electrical circuit being varied as said resistance value change means are operated by said worm drive gear to give a reading on said meter, and a second electrical circuit having variable resistances, said second electrical circuit also including indicator lights, the resistance values in said second electrical circuit being varied at the same time the resistance values in said first electrical circuit are varied by operation of said worm drive gear and resistance value change means, whereby the resistance value in said second electrical circuit will decrease to enable said second electrical circuit indicator lights to brighten as said steering shaft is turned to an extreme position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A steering indicator including gearing to transmit rotation of a steering shaft to a worm drive gear, variable resistance value change means operated by said worm drive gear, a first electrical circuit including an electrically actuated indicating meter and variable resistances, the variable resistances in said first electrical circuit being varied as said resistance value change means are operated by said worm drive gear to give a reading on said meter, and a second electrical circuit having variable resistances, said second electrical circuit also including indicator lights, the resistance values in said second electrical circuit being varied at the same time the resistance values in said first electrical circuit are varied by operation of said worm drive gear and resistance value change means, whereby the resistance value in said second electrical circuit will decrease to enable said second electrical circuit indicator lights to brighten as said steering shaft is turned to an extreme position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The steering indicator of claim 1 including a brush that is moved by said resistance value change means to vary the resistance value of said second electrical circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steering indicator of claim 2 wherein said resistance value change means are actuated by a common control.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The steering indicator of claim 1 wherein said meter includes an indicating needle that is moved in accordance with the movement of said steering shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
225 words
A steering indicator including gearing to transmit rotation of a steering shaft within a steering column to a worm drive gear, variable resistance value change means operated by said worm drive gear, electrical supply means, a first electrical circuit, including variable resistances and being actuated by said electrical supply means, said first electrical circuit including an electrically actuated current meter, the variable resistances in said first electrical circuit being varied as said resistance value change means are operated by said worm drive gear to vary the electrical current in said first electrical circuit, there being a brush that is moved by said resistance value change means to vary the resistance of said first electrical circuit, and said brush being in contact with said variable resistances in said first electrical circuit, whereby rotation of said steering shaft is indicated by said current meter, and a second electrical circuit having variable resistances, said second electrical circuit also including indicator lights, the resistance values in said second electrical circuit being varied at the same time the resistance values in said first electrical circuit are varied by operation of said worm drive gear and resistance value change means, whereby the resistance value in said second electrical circuit will decrease to enable said second electrical circuit indicator lights to brighten as said steering shaft is turned to an extreme position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
225 words
A steering indicator including gearing to transmit rotation of a steering shaft within a steering column to a worm drive gear, variable resistance value change means operated by said worm drive gear, electrical supply means, a first electrical circuit, including variable resistances and being actuated by said electrical supply means, said first electrical circuit including an electrically actuated current meter, the variable resistances in said first electrical circuit being varied as said resistance value change means are operated by said worm drive gear to vary the electrical current in said first electrical circuit, there being a brush that is moved by said resistance value change means to vary the resistance of said first electrical circuit, and said brush being in contact with said variable resistances in said first electrical circuit, whereby rotation of said steering shaft is indicated by said current meter, and a second electrical circuit having variable resistances, said second electrical circuit also including indicator lights, the resistance values in said second electrical circuit being varied at the same time the resistance values in said first electrical circuit are varied by operation of said worm drive gear and resistance value change means, whereby the resistance value in said second electrical circuit will decrease to enable said second electrical circuit indicator lights to brighten as said steering shaft is turned to an extreme position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The steering indicator of claim 5 wherein said resistance value change means is a gear meshing with said worm drive gear, there being a brush that is moved by said resistance value change means to vary the resistance of said first electrical circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The steering indicator of claim 6 wherein said brush is in contact with a meter resistance in said first electrical circuit in order to vary resistance values in said first electrical circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The steering indicator of claim 5 including a completely enclosed drive assembly within said steering column.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The steering indicator of claim 5 wherein said meter is calibrated by adjustable resistances when wheels are turned to extreme positions and the meter needle centers automatically.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The steering indicator of claim 8 wherein said meter includes a needle, with said needle falling to the extreme left position when power is off.
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) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |