US3693151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Initially intermittently flashing brake lamp circuit
Assignee: Toyota Motor Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-14
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-04-14
Abstract
Abstract Brake lamp circuit in automobile or other vehicle comprises brake lamps and brake lamp switch operated by depressing brake pedal. Both are connected in series to power source. Time relay is connected between brake lamp switch and brake lamps, and flasher unit is connected between time relay and brake lamps. Time relay and flasher function to cause brake lamps to flash intermittently for a predetermined period of time after and while the brake pedal of vehicle is depressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsuo Hasegawa
- 👤 Ikuya Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:16
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
In a brake lamp circuit for operating an automobile brake lamp, the circuit including a power source connected to a brake lamp with a brake switch operable by brake pedal action connected in a series circuit with the power source and the brake lamp, and a flasher connected to the brake switch and having normally closed contacts in said series circuit for causing the brake lamp to flash for a few seconds whenever the brake pedal is depressed and then light uninterruptedly during the remainder of the braking period, the improvement comprising a capacitor charging time-delay relay connected to said series circuit between the brake switch and the flasher, the relay including a coil and a capacitor connected in series and having a normally open switch connected to the flasher whereby when the brake pedal is depressed the capacitor is charged, the coil is energized and the normally open switch is closed to activate the flasher, and when the capacitor is fully charged the coil is de-energized and the normally open switch returns to its open position to disable the flasher, and the brake lamp circuit also including a discharge circuit between the capacitor and the brake switch for rapidly discharging the capacitor whenever the brake switch is opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
In a brake lamp circuit for operating an automobile brake lamp, the circuit including a power source connected to a brake lamp with a brake switch operable by brake pedal action connected in a series circuit with the power source and the brake lamp, and a flasher connected to the brake switch and having normally closed contacts in said series circuit for causing the brake lamp to flash for a few seconds whenever the brake pedal is depressed and then light uninterruptedly during the remainder of the braking period, the improvement comprising a capacitor charging time-delay relay connected to said series circuit between the brake switch and the flasher, the relay including a coil and a capacitor connected in series and having a normally open switch connected to the flasher whereby when the brake pedal is depressed the capacitor is charged, the coil is energized and the normally open switch is closed to activate the flasher, and when the capacitor is fully charged the coil is de-energized and the normally open switch returns to its open position to disable the flasher, and the brake lamp circuit also including a discharge circuit between the capacitor and the brake switch for rapidly discharging the capacitor whenever the brake switch is opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a brake lamp circuit for operating an automobile brake lamp, the circuit including a power source connected to a brake lamp with a brake switch operable by brake pedal action connected in a series circuit with the power source and the brake and lamp, and a flasher connected to the brake switch and having normally closed contacts in said series circuit for causing the brake lamp to flash for a few seconds whenever the brake pedal is depressed and then light uninterruptedly during the remainder of the braking period, the improvement comprising a capacitor charging time-delay switching means connected to said series circuit connected between the brake switch and the flasher, the switching means including a transistor having its base connected through a capacitor to said series circuit between the brake switch and the flasher and having its emitter-collector circuit connected to the flasher whereby when the brake pedal is depressed the capacitor is charged and the collector and emitter of the transistor close the circuit to the flasher to activate the flasher, and when the capacitor is fully charged the collector and emitter of the transistor open the circuit to the flasher to disable the flasher, and the brake lamp circuit also including a discharge circuit for the capacitor for rapidly discharging the capacitor whenever the brake switch is opened.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a brake lamp circuit for operating an automobile brake lamp, the circuit including a power source connected to a brake lamp with a brake switch operable by brake pedal action connected in a series circuit with the power source and the brake and lamp, and a flasher connected to the brake switch and having normally closed contacts in said series circuit for causing the brake lamp to flash for a few seconds whenever the brake pedal is depressed and then light uninterruptedly during the remainder of the braking period, the improvement comprising a capacitor charging time-delay switching means connected to said series circuit connected between the brake switch and the flasher, the switching means including a transistor having its base connected through a capacitor to said series circuit between the brake switch and the flasher and having its emitter-collector circuit connected to the flasher whereby when the brake pedal is depressed the capacitor is charged and the collector and emitter of the transistor close the circuit to the flasher to activate the flasher, and when the capacitor is fully charged the collector and emitter of the transistor open the circuit to the flasher to disable the flasher, and the brake lamp circuit also including a discharge circuit for the capacitor for rapidly discharging the capacitor whenever the brake switch is opened.
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) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |