Patent US3767966A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3767966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic headlight control system for automobiles
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-07-06
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Granted: 1973-10-23
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Expires: 1992-07-06
Abstract
Abstract An electrical automobile headlight control device in modular form adapted for convenient interconnection with the electrical circuitry of automotive vehicles and serving as an automatically operating auxiliary device for appropriate control of the vehicle running lights under various conditions of vehicle operation is described. The electrical circuitry of the module is adaptable, by selective connection, to use in vehicles having accessory potential returned either to positive or negative vehicle battery, and includes means not only for automatically energizing the vehicle running lights upon the manually switching on of the vehicle windshield wipers but, as a principal feature, a memory means for retaining the running lights in operating condition until such time as the operator effects an additional manual control or adjustment, thereby preventing automatic turnoff of the vehicle running lights when needed for safe driving even after previous manual turning off of the windshield wiper switch.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:04
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415; B60Q1/1423; B60Q1/143; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/30; B60Q2300/31; B60Q2300/312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for controlling the operation of the operating lights of an automotive vehicle having headlights, parking lights and tail lights, one or more electrical windshield wipers, a vehicle battery and electrical circuitry including the vehicle battery, a manually controlled vehicle lighting switch for energizing the vehicle headlights, parking lights and tail lights, and a windshield wiper switch for manually switching on the windshield wipers, the vehicle circuitry further including a vehicle ignition switch having an ''''on'''' position for energizing the vehicle circuitry including the vehicle ignition system, an ''''off'''' position for de-energizing the vehicle ignition system and an ''''accessory'''' position for energizing accessory electrical devices energized through the ignition switch, the improvement comprising; auxiliary switch means connectable with the vehicle electrical circuitry for switching the vehicle headlights and tail lights on and off independently of the vehicle lighting switch, said auxiliary switch means normally being in opencircuit condition, circuit means connectable in series with the vehicle windshield wiper switch and operative to close-circuit said auxiliary switch means upon manual closure of the windshield wiper switch and thereby automatically simultaneously energize the vehicle headlights independently of the manually-controlled vehicle lighting switch, said auxiliary switch means comprising memory means automatically operative to retain said auxiliary switch means in close-circuited condition upon subsequent opening of said windshield wiper switch.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
217 words
A device for controlling the operation of the operating lights of an automotive vehicle having headlights, parking lights and tail lights, one or more electrical windshield wipers, a vehicle battery and electrical circuitry including the vehicle battery, a manually controlled vehicle lighting switch for energizing the vehicle headlights, parking lights and tail lights, and a windshield wiper switch for manually switching on the windshield wipers, the vehicle circuitry further including a vehicle ignition switch having an ''''on'''' position for energizing the vehicle circuitry including the vehicle ignition system, an ''''off'''' position for de-energizing the vehicle ignition system and an ''''accessory'''' position for energizing accessory electrical devices energized through the ignition switch, the improvement comprising; auxiliary switch means connectable with the vehicle electrical circuitry for switching the vehicle headlights and tail lights on and off independently of the vehicle lighting switch, said auxiliary switch means normally being in opencircuit condition, circuit means connectable in series with the vehicle windshield wiper switch and operative to close-circuit said auxiliary switch means upon manual closure of the windshield wiper switch and thereby automatically simultaneously energize the vehicle headlights independently of the manually-controlled vehicle lighting switch, said auxiliary switch means comprising memory means automatically operative to retain said auxiliary switch means in close-circuited condition upon subsequent opening of said windshield wiper switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A control device as defined in claim 1 including means controlled by operation of said vehicle lighting switch to render said memory means inoperative to retain and switch auxiliary means in closecircuit condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said circuit means connectable in series with said windshield wiper switch comprises a pair of connector leads selectively connectable in series with the windshield wiper switch to accommodate operation of the vehicle electrical circuitry in instances wherein the electrical windshield wipers are returned either to positive vehicle battery or vehicle chassis ground.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A vehicle control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary switch means comprises an electromagnetic switching relay, a plurality of normally open electrical switches controlled by said switching relay, and connector leads extending from said plurality of switches and connectable in the vehicle electric circuitry for energizing the vehicle headlights, parking lights and tail lights.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A vehicle control device as defined in claim 4, wherein said memory means comprises latch circuit means controlled by one of said plurality of switching relay switches for actuating said switching relay, said latch circuit means having means including a connector lead connectable in the vehicle electric circuitry and operative to effect deactuation of said switching relay upon the application thereto of a predetermined battery potential.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vehicle control device as defined in claim 5, wherein said latch circuit means potential is in the order of full vehicle battery potential, permitting connection to the vehicle lighting switch for applying controlling potential upon the manual switching on of said vehicle lighting switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A vehicle control device as described in claim 4 wherein said circuit means comprises an energization circuit for said electromagnetic relay, including a pair of connector leads connectable between the ''''accessory'''' terminal of the vehicle ignition switch and vehicle chassis ground.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle control device as defined in claim 7 wherein said circuit means comprises solid state circuitry including normally non-conductive solid state circuit elements controlled for conduction by manual closure of the windshield wiper switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A vehicle control device as defined in claiM 8 wherein said auxiliary switch means, said electromagnetic relay and said solid state circuitry is encapsulated in a unitary modular structure, said connector leads extending outwardly of said modular structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3600596A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-22 | 1977-04-23 | 1977-10-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-22 | 1981-04-23 | 1981-10-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-22 | 1985-04-23 | 1985-10-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |