US3699286A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Directional signaling mechanism for automotive vehicle
Assignee: Tokai Rika Co Ltd
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Filing: 1971-04-06
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1991-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A direction signalling apparatus for a vehicle has an actuating member which is movable manually from a neutral position to one of two operating positions for indicating selectively a left-hand or a right-hand turn, or to intermediate positions between the operative positions for signaling a change of lanes. The actuating member will be returned automatically to its neutral position from either of its intermediate positions upon release of the actuating member, but it will be returned from either of its two operating positions only upon backward rotation of the steering wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaru Suzuki
- 👤 Yoshihiro Kawai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 22:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/40; B60Q1/42; B60Q1/425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A direction signaling apparatus for a vehicle comprising a support member, an actuating member rotatably mounted on said support member and settable manually from a neutral position to one of two operating positions where either a left-hand or a right-hand turning signal is activated, resiliently-actuated means acting between confronting surfaces of said two members, and means for releasably and resiliently holding the actuating member in its neutral and in its two operating positions, one of said members having angularly spaced abutments thereon, said resiliently actuated means being displaced angularly about the axis of rotation of the actuating member from said holding means and being mounted on the other of said members for engagement with one of said abutments to stop movement of the actuating member when the actuating member is turned to one of two locations intermediate said operating positions, and in which locations the electric circuits for the left-hand or right-hand turning signals are activated, said resiliently actuated means being compressible by said abutments upon exertion of added turning pressure on said actuating member to allow the actuating member to be turned beyond said intermediate locations to either one of the two operating positions, said holding means being operative to return said actuating member automatically from the intermediate locations to the neutral position upon the release of the actuating member by a driver of the vehicle, and said resiliently actuated means being removably mounted on said other member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A direction signaling apparatus for a vehicle comprising a support member, an actuating member rotatably mounted on said support member and settable manually from a neutral position to one of two operating positions where either a left-hand or a right-hand turning signal is activated, resiliently-actuated means acting between confronting surfaces of said two members, and means for releasably and resiliently holding the actuating member in its neutral and in its two operating positions, one of said members having angularly spaced abutments thereon, said resiliently actuated means being displaced angularly about the axis of rotation of the actuating member from said holding means and being mounted on the other of said members for engagement with one of said abutments to stop movement of the actuating member when the actuating member is turned to one of two locations intermediate said operating positions, and in which locations the electric circuits for the left-hand or right-hand turning signals are activated, said resiliently actuated means being compressible by said abutments upon exertion of added turning pressure on said actuating member to allow the actuating member to be turned beyond said intermediate locations to either one of the two operating positions, said holding means being operative to return said actuating member automatically from the intermediate locations to the neutral position upon the release of the actuating member by a driver of the vehicle, and said resiliently actuated means being removably mounted on said other member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
183 words
A direction signaling apparatus for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, in which said resiliently actuated means comprises a spring-loaded ball mounted in a recess in said other member, said abutments comprise the end walls of a groove in said one member and said ball is biased towards the groove in said one member, a spring is mounted in said recess to bias said ball in a direction perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said rotatable member, said ball is positioned to engage one of said end walls to stop movement of the actuating member when the actuating member is turned through an angular distance by which it reaches one of said intermediate locations, and said holding means comprises a second spring-loaded ball mounted on one member and interposed between said members and engageable in V-shaped grooves on the other member resiliently to hold said actuating member in each of its neutral and its operating position, and said balls being angularly spaced from each other about the axis of rotation of said actuating member, and being operable independently of one another.
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) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |