Vehicle headlight switch with time delay

Claim 1

A control system for the exterior lighting system of a vehicle which includes headlamps, a direct current power source, a common ground circuit, a control switch, and means interconnecting said lighting system elements, the improvement comprising, a time delay circuit including a normally open relay switch connected between said power source and said headlamps, a coil for activating said relay switch, a transistor switch responsive to said power source for controlling current to said coil, resistive means for creating a voltage differential to cause said transistor switch to conduct, capacitive means to store an electrical charge from said power source to enable said transistor switch to conduct for a period of time after removal of an activating potential from said power source, a momentary on switch including a first and second terminal for providing connection between said ground and said resistive means and said capacitive means to cause said transistor switch to conduct and said capacitive means to store an electric charge, a movable contact in said normally open relay switch responsive to current flow in said coil; a fixed contact in said normally open relay switch for engagement by said movable contact when said coil is energized; a housing for said time delay circuit including a first terminal to provide electrical connection between said movable contact and said headlamps, a second terminal to provide electrical connection between said fixed contact and said power source, a third terminal to provide connection between said relay coil and said ground, and a fourth terminal to prOvide connection between said resistive means and said capacitive means and said momentary on switch, electrically conductive mounting means affixed to said housing for securing said housing to said vehicle, said mounting means having a U-shape for receiving the lower edge of a vehicle dashboard including holes for receiving mounting screws and an extension for supporting said momentary on switch in a position accessible to the operator; a conductive threaded terminal electrically connected to said coil for engaging one of said mounting screws; an insulated electrical conductor connected between said resistive means and said capacitive means and said momentary on switch first terminal, an electrical conductor connected between said momentary on switch second terminal and said electrically conductive mounting means, and a resilient pad between said electrically conductive mounting means and the normally observable surface of said dashboard for preventing abrasive disfigurement of said dashboard.