US3684049A — Vehicle foot brake locking mechanism; foot brake …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 641 words

In a movable vehicle having foot brakes operated by a foot brake pedal, a foot brake locking mechanism for locking the foot brakes in the brakes applied position; said locking mechanism including an electrically operable mechanism for locking said brakes; said electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a first electric circuit, which first circuit must be completed before said electrically operable mechanism will cause said foot brakes to lock; said first circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch including cooperating contacts, which cooperating contacts of each switch must be engaged to complete said first circuit; said switches are: an ignition key switch, the contacts of which are engaged when said vehicle ignition key is at the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and are separated when said key is at other than the vehicle ''''ON'''' position; a switch connected with said vehicle gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear and separated when said gear shifT lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear; a switch responsive to the position of the brake pedal, the contacts of which are closed when the brake pedal is depressed; a switch mechanically connected with said locking mechanism and having contacts which are caused to be mechanically engaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is deactivated and which are caused to be disengaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is activated, whereby once said locking mechanism is activated, said contacts of that said switch separate and said first electric circuit is broken, thereby preventing unneeded power loss and premature deterioration of said electrically operable mechanism; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches are engaged, said locking mechanism is activated to lock said brake pedal in the brakes applied position; a foot brake locking mechanism release means including a second electrically operable mechanism; said second electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a second electric circuit, which second circuit must be completed before said second electrically operable mechanism will cause release of said foot brake locking mechanism; said second circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch having cooperating contacts which must be engaged to complete said second circuit; said second circuit switches including: said ignition key switch; a second gear shift lever switch connected with said gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear and separated when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear; a second switch mechanically connected with said locking mechanism and having contacts which are mechanically engaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is activated and which are separated by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is deactivated; a first motor condition sensing switch, the contacts of which are normally engaged and are responsive to activation of a first relay; a first relay associated with and positioned to act upon said contacts of said first motor condition sensing switch to cause same to separate when the vehicle motor is off while said ignition key switch is at the ''''ON'''' position and to cause same to reengage when the vehicle motor is also on; a vehicle movement initiating means switch connected with the means in the vehicle which initiates movement of the vehicle, which switch has contacts that are normally disengaged and which are engaged by operation of the vehicle movement initiating means in a manner which will initiate vehicle movement; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches of said second circuit are engaged, said foot brake pedal locking mechanism release means is activated to release said brake pedal from said locking mechanism.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 641 words

In a movable vehicle having foot brakes operated by a foot brake pedal, a foot brake locking mechanism for locking the foot brakes in the brakes applied position; said locking mechanism including an electrically operable mechanism for locking said brakes; said electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a first electric circuit, which first circuit must be completed before said electrically operable mechanism will cause said foot brakes to lock; said first circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch including cooperating contacts, which cooperating contacts of each switch must be engaged to complete said first circuit; said switches are: an ignition key switch, the contacts of which are engaged when said vehicle ignition key is at the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and are separated when said key is at other than the vehicle ''''ON'''' position; a switch connected with said vehicle gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear and separated when said gear shifT lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear; a switch responsive to the position of the brake pedal, the contacts of which are closed when the brake pedal is depressed; a switch mechanically connected with said locking mechanism and having contacts which are caused to be mechanically engaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is deactivated and which are caused to be disengaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is activated, whereby once said locking mechanism is activated, said contacts of that said switch separate and said first electric circuit is broken, thereby preventing unneeded power loss and premature deterioration of said electrically operable mechanism; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches are engaged, said locking mechanism is activated to lock said brake pedal in the brakes applied position; a foot brake locking mechanism release means including a second electrically operable mechanism; said second electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a second electric circuit, which second circuit must be completed before said second electrically operable mechanism will cause release of said foot brake locking mechanism; said second circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch having cooperating contacts which must be engaged to complete said second circuit; said second circuit switches including: said ignition key switch; a second gear shift lever switch connected with said gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear and separated when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear; a second switch mechanically connected with said locking mechanism and having contacts which are mechanically engaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is activated and which are separated by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is deactivated; a first motor condition sensing switch, the contacts of which are normally engaged and are responsive to activation of a first relay; a first relay associated with and positioned to act upon said contacts of said first motor condition sensing switch to cause same to separate when the vehicle motor is off while said ignition key switch is at the ''''ON'''' position and to cause same to reengage when the vehicle motor is also on; a vehicle movement initiating means switch connected with the means in the vehicle which initiates movement of the vehicle, which switch has contacts that are normally disengaged and which are engaged by operation of the vehicle movement initiating means in a manner which will initiate vehicle movement; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches of said second circuit are engaged, said foot brake pedal locking mechanism release means is activated to release said brake pedal from said locking mechanism.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 121 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes and a foot brake locking mechanism release means of claim 1, said vehicle motion initiating means comprising an accelerator pedal that is adapted to move into engagement with and to then operate a rod connected with the vehicle throttle, which rod, when operated, causes throttle operation; means for supporting said accelerator pedal a predetermined distance away from said throttle rod; said vehicle movement initiating means switch being positioned to engage said accelerator pedal when that said pedal is held away from said throttle rod; that said switch being so positioned that as soon as said accelerator pedal is moved toward said throttle rod, the contacts of that said switch are caused to be engaged.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 111 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes and a foot brake locking mechanism release means of claim 1, said second circuit further including an uphill travel rollback prevention switch means comprising, in electrical parallel: a gravity controlled switch mEans the contacts of which are adapted to be engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when the vehicle is to move downhill on an incline and the contacts of which are adapted to be disengaged when the vehicle is to move uphill, and a vacuum switch connected to the vehicle induction manifold and whose contacts are adapted to be engaged upon a reduction of pressure in the induction manifold.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 338 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes and a foot brake locking mechanism release means of claim 1, said vehicle having a parking brake which is applied by manual means by the vehicle operator, a locking mechanism for holding said parking brake in the applied position after it has been manually applied, and a parking brake locking mechanism release means; said parking brake locking mechanism including a holding device for engaging and holding said parking brake in the applied position; said parking brake locking mechanism release means including a third electrically operable mechanism for releasing said parking brake from said second holding device; said third electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a third electric circuit, which third circuit must be completed before said third electrically operable mechanism will cause release of said parking brake; said third circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch having cooperating contacts which must be engaged to complete said third circuit; said third circuit switches including: said ignition key switch; said second gear shift lever switch; a third switch mechanically connected with said parking brake and having contacts which are mechanically engaged by said parking brake when said parking brake is locked in the applied position and which are separated by said parking brake when said parking brake is released from the applied position; a second motor condition sensing switch, the contacts of which are normally engaged and are responsive to activation of a second relay; a second relay associated with and positioned to act upon said contacts of said second motor condition sensing switch to cause same to separate when the vehicle motor is off while said ignition key switch is at the ''''ON'''' position and to cause same to reengage when the vehicle motor is also on; said vehicle motion initiating means switch; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches of said third circuit are engaged, said parking brake locking mechanism is released to release said parking brake from the applied position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 111 words

In the movable vehicle having parking brakes and a parking brake locking mechanism release means of claim 4, said third circuit further including an uphill travel rollback prevention switch means comprising, in electrical parallel; a gravity controlled switch means the contacts of which are adapted to be engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when the vehicle is to move downhill on an incline and the contacts of which are adapted to be disengaged when the vehicle is to move uphill, and a vacuum switch connected to the vehicle induction manifold and whose contacts are adapted to be engaged upon a reduction of pressure in the induction manifold.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 120 words

In the movable vehicle having parking brakes and a parking brake locking mechanism release means of claim 4, said vehicle motion initiating means comprising an accelerator pedal that is adapted to move into engagement with and to then operate a rod connected with the vehicle throttle, which rod, when operated, causes throttle operation; means for supporting said accelerator pedal a predetermined distance away from said throttle rod; said vehicle movement initiating means switch being positioned to engage said accelerator pedal when that said pedal is away from said throttle rod; that said switch being so positioned that as soon as said accelerator pedal is moved toward said throttle rod, the contacts of that said switch are caused to be engaged.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 49 words

In the movable vehicle having brakes of claim 1, said first circuit further including a manually operable switch, the contacts of which are engageable and separable by the vehicle operator; said manually operable switch being connected in electrical parallel to said switch connected with said vehicle gear shift lever.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

In the movable vehicle having brakes of claim 1, said first circuit further including an inertia controlled switch the contacts of which are closed upon the vehicle halting after undergoing rapid deceleration.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 47 words

In the movable vehicle having brakes of claim 8, wherein said inertia controlled switch is a mercury switch the fixed contact of which is positioned to be contacted by the liquid mercury contact on the reaction motion of the vehicle when it is halted after rapid deceleration.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 49 words

In the movable vehicle having brakes of claim 8, said first circuit further including a manually operable switch, the contacts of which are engageable and separable by the vehicle operator; said manually operable switch being connected in electrical parallel to said switch connected with said vehicle gear shift lever.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

In the movable vehicle having brakes of claim 1, said electrically operable mechanism comprising a solenoid device having a plunger connected to said locking mechanism and being positioned to cause activation of said locking mechanism when said first circuit, which is connected to operate upon said solenoid device, is completed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 70 words

In the movable vehicle having brakes of claim 11, said solenoid device being connected to said power supply through the contacts of a first relay; said contacts of said first relay being normally separated; said first relay being connected with said first electric circuit such that when said first electric circuit is completed, said contacts of said first relay are engaged and the circuit to said solenoid device is completed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 141 words

In the movable vehicle having brakes of claim 11, said foot brake pedal being connected to a master cylinder hydraulic fluid source and said fluid source being connected to the vehicle brakes, whereby depressing said foot brake pedal transmits fluid pressure to the vehicle brakes to brake the vehicle; said locking mechanism further comprising a flow switch interposed between said brake pedal and the vehicle brakes, which switch is selectively adjustable between a first position which permits one-way flow away from said brake pedal, thereby only permitting said brake pedal to be depressed and the brakes to be applied, and a second position which permits two-way flow both away from and back towards said brake pedal; said solenoid device plunger being connected with said switch to cause same to shift to its said first position when said solenoid device is activated.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 51 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes operated by a foot pedal of claim 13, said foot brake locking mechanism release means; being connected with said flow switch in a manner such that when said release means is activated, it causes said flow switch to shift to its said second position.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 427 words

In a movable vehicle having foot brakes operated by a foot pedal, a foot brake locking mechanism; and a foot brake locking mechanism release means; said release means including an electrically operable mechanism for releasing said foot brakes from said locking mechanism; said electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a first electric circuit, which first circuit must be completed before said electrically operable mechanism will cause release of said brakes; said first circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch having cooperating contacts which must be engaged to complete said first circuit; said switches including: an ignition key switch, the contacts of which are engaged when the vehicle ignition key is at the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and are disengaged when said key is at other than the vehicle ''''ON'''' position; a gear sHift lever switch connected with said gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear and separated when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear; a motor condition sensing switch, the contacts of which are normally engaged and are responsive to activation of a first relay; a first relay associated with and positioned to act upon said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch to cause same to separate when the vehicle motor is off while said ignition key switch is at the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and to cause same to reengage when the vehicle motor is also on; a switch mechanically connected with said locking mechanism and having contacts which are mechanically engaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is activated and which are separated by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is deactivated; whereby once said locking mechanism is released under the influence of said electrically operable mechanism, said contacts of said switch that is mechanically connected with said locking mechanism separate and said first electric circuit is broken, thereby preventing unneeded power loss and premature deterioration of said electrically operable mechanism; a vehicle movement initiating means switch connected with the means in the vehicle which initiates movement of the vehicle, which switch has contacts that are normally disengaged and which are engaged by operation of the vehicle movement initiating means in a manner which will initiate vehicle movement; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches of said first circuit are engaged, said foot brake pedal locking mechanism release means is activated to release said brake pedal from said locking mechanism.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 427 words

In a movable vehicle having foot brakes operated by a foot pedal, a foot brake locking mechanism; and a foot brake locking mechanism release means; said release means including an electrically operable mechanism for releasing said foot brakes from said locking mechanism; said electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a first electric circuit, which first circuit must be completed before said electrically operable mechanism will cause release of said brakes; said first circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch having cooperating contacts which must be engaged to complete said first circuit; said switches including: an ignition key switch, the contacts of which are engaged when the vehicle ignition key is at the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and are disengaged when said key is at other than the vehicle ''''ON'''' position; a gear sHift lever switch connected with said gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear and separated when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear; a motor condition sensing switch, the contacts of which are normally engaged and are responsive to activation of a first relay; a first relay associated with and positioned to act upon said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch to cause same to separate when the vehicle motor is off while said ignition key switch is at the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and to cause same to reengage when the vehicle motor is also on; a switch mechanically connected with said locking mechanism and having contacts which are mechanically engaged by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is activated and which are separated by said locking mechanism when said locking mechanism is deactivated; whereby once said locking mechanism is released under the influence of said electrically operable mechanism, said contacts of said switch that is mechanically connected with said locking mechanism separate and said first electric circuit is broken, thereby preventing unneeded power loss and premature deterioration of said electrically operable mechanism; a vehicle movement initiating means switch connected with the means in the vehicle which initiates movement of the vehicle, which switch has contacts that are normally disengaged and which are engaged by operation of the vehicle movement initiating means in a manner which will initiate vehicle movement; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches of said first circuit are engaged, said foot brake pedal locking mechanism release means is activated to release said brake pedal from said locking mechanism.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 111 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes and a foot brake locking mechanism release means of claim 15, said first circuit further including an uphill travel rollback prevention switch means comprising, in electrical parallel; a gravity controlled switch means the contacts of which are adapted to be engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when the vehicle is to move downhill on an incline and the contacts of which are adapted to be disengaged when the vehicle is to move uphill, and a vacuum switch connected to the vehicle induction manifold and whose contacts are adapted to be engaged upon a reduction of pressure in the induction manifold.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 178 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes and a foot brake locking mechanism release means of claim 15, said first circuit including a gravity controlled switch means; said gravity controlled switch means comprising: a gear shift lever position responsive switch adapted to be selectively engageable with one of two gravity controlled switch devices which are connected in electrical parallel; said gear shift lever switch being connected with a first gravity controlled switch device when the gear shift lever is in one of the forward motion gears, and being connected with the second such switch device when the gear shift lever is in a rearward motion gear; said first gravity controlled switch having its contacts so arranged that they are disengaged when the vehicle is facing uphill and engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when it is facing downhill; said second gravity controlled switch having its contacts so arranged that they are disengaged when the vehicle is facing uphill and engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when it is facing uphill.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 58 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes and a foot brake locking mechanism release means of claim 17, both said first and said second gravity controlled switch devices being mercury switches with the fixed contact being positioned to be contacted by the movable mercury contact when the vehicle is respectively facing other than uphill and other than downhill.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 121 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes and a foot brake locking mechanism release means of claim 15, said vehicle motion initiating means comprising an accelerator pedal that is adapted to move into engagement with and to then operate a rod connected with the vehicle throttle, which rod, when operated, causes throttle operation; means for supporting said accelerator pedal a predetermined distance away from said throttle rod; said vehicle movement initiating means switch being positioned to engage said accelerator pedal when that said pedal is held away from said throttle rod; that said switch being so positioned that as soon as said accelerator pedal is moved toward said throttle rod, the contacts of that said switch are caused to be engaged.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 69 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes, a foot brake locking mechanism and a release means for said locking mechanism of claim 15, said electrically operable mechanism comprising a solenoid device having a plunger connected to said brake locking mechanism and being positioned to move said locking mechanism away from said brakes applied position when said first circuit, which is connected to operate upon said solenoid device, is completed.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 203 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes, a foot brake pedal locking mechanism and a release means for said locking mechanism of claim 15, a second relay which is connected through a second electric circuit to said first relay; said second relay having contacts, which, when engaged, complete the second circuit to said first relay, and which, when separated, break said second circuit to said first relay; a power supply connected to said first relay through a third electric circuit including said second relay and said ignition key switch; when said contacts of said ignition key switch are engaged and said contacts of said second relay are engaged, said second circuit is completed and said first relay is activated and said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch are separated; said second relay being connected with the motor of said vehicle such that when said motor is operating, said contacts of said second relay are separated and said second circuit to said first relay is broken thereby deactivating said first relay, which, in turn, permits said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch to be normally biased into engagement, which permits said first electric circuit of said electrically operable mechanism to be completed.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 84 words

In the movable vehicle having foot brakes, a foot brake locking mechanism and a release means for said locking mechanism of claim 21, said solenoid device being connected to said power supply through the contacts of a third relay; said contacts of said third relay being normally separated; said third relay being connected with said first electric circuit such that when said first electric circuit is completed, said contacts of said third relay are engaged and the circuit to said solenoid device is completed.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 422 words

In a movable vehicle having a parking brake which is applied by manual means by the vehicle operator, a locking mechanism for holding said parking brake in the applied position after it has been manually applied, and a parking brake locking mechanism release means; said parking brake locking mechanism including a holding device for engaging and holding said parking brake in the applied position; said release means including an electrically operable mechanism for releasing said parking brake from said holding device; said electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a first electric circuit, which first circuit must be completed before said electrically operable mechanism will cause release of said parking brake; said first circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch having cooperating contacts which must be engaged to complete said first circuit; said switches including: an ignition key switch, the contacts of which are engaged when said vehicle ignition key is At the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and are disengaged when said key is at other than the ''''ON'''' position; a gear shift lever switch connected with said gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear and separated when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear; a switch mechanically connected with said parking brake and having contacts which are mechanically engaged by said parking brake when said parking brake is locked in the applied position and which are separated by said parking brake when said parking brake is released from the applied position; a motor condition sensing switch, the contacts of which are normally engaged and are responsive to activation of a first relay; a first relay associated with and positioned to act upon said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch to cause same to separate when the vehicle motor is off while said ignition key switch is at the ''''ON'''' position and to cause same to reengage when the vehicle motor is also on; a vehicle motion initiating means switch connected with the means in the vehicle which initiates movement of the vehicle, which switch has contacts that are normally disengaged and which are engaged by operation of the vehicle movement initiating means in a manner which first initiates the vehicle movement; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches of said first circuit are engaged, said parking brake locking mechanism is released to release said parking brake from the applied position.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 422 words

In a movable vehicle having a parking brake which is applied by manual means by the vehicle operator, a locking mechanism for holding said parking brake in the applied position after it has been manually applied, and a parking brake locking mechanism release means; said parking brake locking mechanism including a holding device for engaging and holding said parking brake in the applied position; said release means including an electrically operable mechanism for releasing said parking brake from said holding device; said electrically operable mechanism being connected to a power source by means of a first electric circuit, which first circuit must be completed before said electrically operable mechanism will cause release of said parking brake; said first circuit including a plurality of switches, with each switch having cooperating contacts which must be engaged to complete said first circuit; said switches including: an ignition key switch, the contacts of which are engaged when said vehicle ignition key is At the vehicle ''''ON'''' position and are disengaged when said key is at other than the ''''ON'''' position; a gear shift lever switch connected with said gear shift lever and having its contacts arranged so that they are engaged when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle driving gear and separated when said gear shift lever is shifted into a vehicle non-driving gear; a switch mechanically connected with said parking brake and having contacts which are mechanically engaged by said parking brake when said parking brake is locked in the applied position and which are separated by said parking brake when said parking brake is released from the applied position; a motor condition sensing switch, the contacts of which are normally engaged and are responsive to activation of a first relay; a first relay associated with and positioned to act upon said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch to cause same to separate when the vehicle motor is off while said ignition key switch is at the ''''ON'''' position and to cause same to reengage when the vehicle motor is also on; a vehicle motion initiating means switch connected with the means in the vehicle which initiates movement of the vehicle, which switch has contacts that are normally disengaged and which are engaged by operation of the vehicle movement initiating means in a manner which first initiates the vehicle movement; whereby when said contacts of all of said switches of said first circuit are engaged, said parking brake locking mechanism is released to release said parking brake from the applied position.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 111 words

In the movable vehicle having parking brakes and a parking brake locking mechanism release means of claim 23, said first circuit further including an uphill travel rollback prevention switch means comprising, in electrical parallel; a gravity controlled switch means the contacts of which are adapted to be engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when the vehicle is to move downhill on an incline and the contacts of which are adapted to be disengaged when the vehicle is to move uphill, and a vacuum switch connected to the vehicle induction manifold and whose contacts are adapted to be engaged upon a reduction of pressure in the induction manifold.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 178 words

In the movable vehicle having parking brakes and a parking brake locking mechanism release means of claim 23, said first circuit including a gravity controlled switch means; said gravity controlled switch means comprising: a gear shift lever position responsive switch adapted to be selectively engageable with one of two gravity controlled switch devices which are connected in electrical parallel; said gear shift lever switch being connected with a first gravity controlled switch device when the gear shift lever is in one of the forward motion gears, and being connected with the second such switch device when the gear shift lever is in a rearward motion gear; said first gravity controlled switch having its contacts so arranged that they are disengaged when the vehicle is facing uphill and engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when it is facing downhill; said second gravity controlled switch having its contacts so arranged that they are disengaged when the vehicle is facing uphill and engaged when the vehicle is on a level surface and when it is facing uphill.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 58 words

In the movable vehicle having parking brakes and a parking brake locking mechanism release means of claim 25, both said first and said second gravity controlled switch devices being mercury switches with the fixed contact being positioned to be contacted by the movable mercury contact when the vehicle is respectively facing other than uphill and other than downhill.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 121 words

In the movable vehicle having parking brakes and a parking brake locking mechanism release means of claim 23, said vehicle motion initiating means comprising an accelerator pedal that is adapted to move into engagement with and to tHen operate a rod connected with the vehicle throttle, which rod, when operated, causes throttle operation; means for supporting said accelerator pedal a predetermined distance away from said throttle rod; said vehicle movement initiating means switch being positioned to engage said accelerator pedal when that said pedal is held away from said throttle rod; that said switch being so positioned that as soon as said accelerator pedal is moved toward said throttle rod, the contacts of that said switch are caused to be engaged.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 203 words

In the movable vehicle having a parking brake, a parking brake locking mechanism and a release means for said locking mechanism of claim 23, a second relay which is connected through a second electric circuit to a first relay; said second relay having contacts which, when engaged, complete the second circuit to said first relay, and which, when separated, break said second circuit to said first relay; a power supply connected to said first relay through a third electric circuit including said second relay and said ignition key switch; when said contacts of said ignition key switch are engaged and said contacts of said second relay are engaged, said second circuit is completed and said first relay is activated and said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch are separated; said second relay being connected with the motor of said vehicle such that when said motor is operating, said contacts of said second relay are separated and said second circuit to said first relay is broken thereby deactivating said first relay, which, in turn, permits said contacts of said motor condition sensing switch to be normally biased into engagement, which permits said first electric circuit of said electrically operable mechanism to be completed.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 75 words

In the movable vehicle having a parking brake, a parking brake locking mechanism and a release means for said locking mechanism of claim 23, said electrically operable mechanism comprising a solenoid device having a plunger connected to said locking mechanism, and said solenoid device and plunger thereof being positioned to engage said locking mechanism and cause same to be released when said first circuit, which is connected to operate upon said solenoid device, is completed.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 85 words

In the movable vehicle having a parking brake, a parking brake locking mechanism and a release means for said locking mechanism of claim 29, said solenoid device being connected to said power supply through the contacts of a third relay; said contacts of said third relay being normally separated; said third relay being connected with said first electric circuit such that when said first electric circuit is completed, said contacts of said third relay are engaged and the circuit to said solenoid device is completed.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1975-08-15	1976-02-14	1976-08-15	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1979-08-15	1980-02-14	1980-08-15	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1983-08-15	1984-02-14	1984-08-15	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vehicle foot brake locking mechanism; foot brake locking mechanism release means; and parking brake locking mechanism release means

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