US3702459A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle deceleration circuit
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1971-06-03
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Granted: 1972-11-07
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Expires: 1991-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for indicating deceleration and braking of a vehicle. The apparatus includes first and second groups of brake lamps each of which includes a first lamp on the left side of the vehicle and a second lamp on the right side of the vehicle. On application of the vehicle brakes all four of the brake lamps are energized to advise following motorists that the vehicle is being braked. When the vehicle is being decelerated at greater than a certain rate of deceleration while travelling faster than a certain speed only the second group of brake lamps is energized to indicate deceleration of the vehicle to following motorists.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L Bauchan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:09
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44; B60Q1/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
268 words
Apparatus for inDicating deceleration and braking of a vehicle comprising, in combination, first and second lamp groups of parallel connected stop lamps secured to the vehicle for indicating deceleration of the vehicle to following motorists, a power source for energizing the lamps, a brake switch that is responsive to application of the vehicle brakes connecting the power source to the first lamp group so as to effect energization of the lamps in the first lamp group when the vehicle brakes are applied, a deceleration switch that is responsive to deceleration of the vehicle, a speed switch that is responsive to the speed of the vehicle, means connecting the speed and deceleration switches in series between the power source and the second lamp group so as to effect energization of the lamps in the second lamp group when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain speed and the vehicle is decelerating at a rate greater than a predetermined rate, and unidirectional current conducting means connecting the brake switch to the second lamp group so as to effect energization of the lamps in the second lamp group whenever the vehicle brakes are applied while preventing current flow from the speed and deceleration switches to the first lamp group, application of the vehicle brakes thereby effecting energization of the lamps in both lamp groups regardless of the vehicle deceleration rate and speed and deceleration of the vehicle in excess of the predetermined rate while the vehicle is travelling faster than the certain speed thereby effecting energization of the lamps in the second lamp group regardless of whether the vehicle brakes are applied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
268 words
Apparatus for inDicating deceleration and braking of a vehicle comprising, in combination, first and second lamp groups of parallel connected stop lamps secured to the vehicle for indicating deceleration of the vehicle to following motorists, a power source for energizing the lamps, a brake switch that is responsive to application of the vehicle brakes connecting the power source to the first lamp group so as to effect energization of the lamps in the first lamp group when the vehicle brakes are applied, a deceleration switch that is responsive to deceleration of the vehicle, a speed switch that is responsive to the speed of the vehicle, means connecting the speed and deceleration switches in series between the power source and the second lamp group so as to effect energization of the lamps in the second lamp group when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain speed and the vehicle is decelerating at a rate greater than a predetermined rate, and unidirectional current conducting means connecting the brake switch to the second lamp group so as to effect energization of the lamps in the second lamp group whenever the vehicle brakes are applied while preventing current flow from the speed and deceleration switches to the first lamp group, application of the vehicle brakes thereby effecting energization of the lamps in both lamp groups regardless of the vehicle deceleration rate and speed and deceleration of the vehicle in excess of the predetermined rate while the vehicle is travelling faster than the certain speed thereby effecting energization of the lamps in the second lamp group regardless of whether the vehicle brakes are applied.
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) | 1975-11-07 | 1976-05-08 | 1976-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-07 | 1980-05-08 | 1980-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-07 | 1984-05-08 | 1984-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |