Automotive speed control system

Claim 2

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle including an element manually movable by the vehicle-driver whenever the drive leaves the vehicle, and said vehicle also including a source of fluid pressure that varies as a function of the position of said control means, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and including a member operated by at least a portion of said pressure and adapted to produce forces acting on said control means in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, means operated by said brake-actuating means upon movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, activating means operatively associated with said brake-actuating means and said mechanism and operable in response to changes in said pressure varying as a result of manual advancement of said control means to automatically cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means after said advancement thereof by the vehicle-driver, valve means operable in response to said manual movement of said element for affecting the said pressure-portion transmitted to said pressureoperated member, and restraining means automatically operable in response to said operation of said valve means for rendering said mechanism inoperative and adapted to prevent inadvertent activation of said mechanism until deliberately activated by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 3

The combination of means defined in claim 1, and a fluid circuit communicating with said source pressure, and selector valve means in said circuit to control the transmission of said pressure-portion to said regulator mechanism, manual means operated by the vehicle-drive for causing movement of said selector valve means to a first position for transmitting said pressure-portion to said pressure-operated member, said restraining means including pressure-sensitive means operatively associated with said selector valve means and subjectable to fluid pressure in said circuit when said selector valve means stands in said first position for producing forces acting on itself to maintain said selector valve means in said first position, anD means acting on said pressure-sensitive means upon said operations of said first-named valve means to change said source pressure for automatically causing movement of said selector valve means to a second position for precluding said pressure-portion from acting on said pressure-operated member, until said pressure-sensitive means is again subjected to said source pressure upon deliberate operation of said manual means by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 4

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally operated by the vehicle-driver to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including means providing a source of pressure, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and including a pressure-responsive member adapted to produce forces acting on said control means in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive to transmit said forces to said control means, activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and operated selectively by said driver to cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means, and restraining means including valve means automatically operable in response to a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed for affecting said pressure-responsive member and to render said mechanism inoperative.

Claim 5

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally operated by the vehicle-driver to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including means providing a source of pressure, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and including a pressure-responsive member adapted to produce forces acting on said control means in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive to transmit said forces to said control means, activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and operated selectively by said driver to cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means, and restraining means including valve means automatically operable in response to a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed for affecting said pressure-responsive member and to render said mechanism inoperative.

Claim 6

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having an intake passage for the flow of air therethrough and a throttle therein which produces vacuum on the downstream side thereof varying in accordance with changes in the position of the throttle, said throttle being manually advanced to increase vehicle speed accompanied by a reduction in said vacuum, and conversely, said vehicle including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said throttle and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said throttle in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said throttle, activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and including a pressure-responsive member exposed to said intake passage vacuum and operable thereby to automatically cause activation of said regulator mechanism with respect to said control means when said intake passage vacuum reduces to a predetermined value as a result of manual advancement of said throttle by the vehicle-driver, and restraining means operable in response to a signal accompanying a change in vehicle-speed for rendering said mechanism inoperative, said automatic activation being effected at a vehicle speed substantially lower than said regulated speed, and said regulator mechanism being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from said lower speed to said regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said selected regulated speed thereafter.

Claim 7

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having an intake passage for the flow of air therethrough and a throttle therein which produces vacuum on the downstream side thereof varying in accordance with changes in the position of the throttle, said throttle being manually advanced to increase vehicle speed accompanied by a reduction in said vacuum, and conversely, said vehicle including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said throttle and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said throttle in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said throttle, activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and including a pressure-responsive member exposed to said intake passage vacuum and operable thereby to automatically cause activation of said regulator mechanism with respect to said control means when said intake passage vacuum reduces to a predetermined value as a result of manual advancement of said throttle by the vehicle-driver, and restraining means operable in response to a signal accompanying a change in vehicle-speed for rendering said mechanism inoperative, said automatic activation being effected at a vehicle speed substantially lower than said regulated speed, and said regulator mechanism being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from said lower speed to said regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said selected regulated speed thereafter.

Claim 8

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including a door manually movable in opening and closing directions by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising; a source of fluid pressure variable in response to changes in the position of said control means, a regulator mechAnism operatively associated with said control means and including means operated by at least a portion of said pressure to produce forces acting on said control means in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, valve means operated by said brake-actuating means for movement into a first position upon normal movements of said brake-actuating means for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and adapted to operate said valve means for affecting the operation of said pressure operated means, said activating means including a pressure responsive member exposed to said source pressure for maintaining said valve means in said first position, and said activating means also including means to cause movement of said valve means to a second position when said source pressure changes sufficiently upon partial advancement of said control means to automatically effect said activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means, second valve means operable in response to said manual movements of said door for affecting the said pressure-portion transmitted to said pressure-operated member, and restraining means operable in response to said operation of said second valve means for rendering said mechanism inoperative and adapted to prevent inadvertent activation of said mechanism until deliberately activated by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 9

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including a door manually movable in opening and closing directions by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising; a source of fluid pressure variable in response to changes in the position of said control means, a regulator mechAnism operatively associated with said control means and including means operated by at least a portion of said pressure to produce forces acting on said control means in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, valve means operated by said brake-actuating means for movement into a first position upon normal movements of said brake-actuating means for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and adapted to operate said valve means for affecting the operation of said pressure operated means, said activating means including a pressure responsive member exposed to said source pressure for maintaining said valve means in said first position, and said activating means also including means to cause movement of said valve means to a second position when said source pressure changes sufficiently upon partial advancement of said control means to automatically effect said activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means, second valve means operable in response to said manual movements of said door for affecting the said pressure-portion transmitted to said pressure-operated member, and restraining means operable in response to said operation of said second valve means for rendering said mechanism inoperative and adapted to prevent inadvertent activation of said mechanism until deliberately activated by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 10

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle including means providing a fluid pressure that varies as a function of the position of said control means, said vehicle also including a door manually movable in opening and closing directions by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and including servo-motor means operated by said fluid pressure to produce forces acting on said control means in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, a fluid circuit including means for transmitting at least a portion of said pressure to said regulator mechanism, activating means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable to a first position by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to control said fluid pressure for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, said activating means including pressure-responsive means cooperating with said valve means and subjected to said varying fluid pressure for maintaining said valve means in said first position after said brake-actuating means is released by the vehicle-driver, said pressure-responsive means being disposed to cause movement of said valve means to a second position in response to a change in said pressure produced by advancing said control means, said valve means in said second position being adapted to enable transmission of said pressure-portion to said regulator mechanism for automatically effecting activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means after said advancement thereof by the vehicle-driver, second valve means operable in response to said manual movements of said door for affecting the said pressure-portion transmitted to said pressure-operated member, restraining means operable in response to said operation of said second valve means for rendering said mechanism inoperative and to maintain said inoperative status when said door is moved in said closing direction to prevent inadvertent activation of said mechanism until deliberately activated by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 11

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle including means providing a fluid pressure that varies as a function of the position of said control means, said vehicle also including a door manually movable in opening and closing directions by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and including servo-motor means operated by said fluid pressure to produce forces acting on said control means in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, a fluid circuit including means for transmitting at least a portion of said pressure to said regulator mechanism, activating means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable to a first position by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to control said fluid pressure for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, said activating means including pressure-responsive means cooperating with said valve means and subjected to said varying fluid pressure for maintaining said valve means in said first position after said brake-actuating means is released by the vehicle-driver, said pressure-responsive means being disposed to cause movement of said valve means to a second position in response to a change in said pressure produced by advancing said control means, said valve means in said second position being adapted to enable transmission of said pressure-portion to said regulator mechanism for automatically effecting activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means after said advancement thereof by the vehicle-driver, second valve means operable in response to said manual movements of said door for affecting the said pressure-portion transmitted to said pressure-operated member, restraining means operable in response to said operation of said second valve means for rendering said mechanism inoperative and to maintain said inoperative status when said door is moved in said closing direction to prevent inadvertent activation of said mechanism until deliberately activated by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 12

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including a vehicle-door movable in opening and closing directions, said vehicle also including a source of fluid pressure produced as a result of operation of the engine, the combination comprising; mechanism including a member operated by at least a portion of said pressure to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, valve means mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby and operatively associated with said pressure source and said pressure-operated member for causing said fluid pressure-portion to be transmitted to said pressure-operated member, and restraining means operated in response to said opening movements of said door and said operation of said valve means for rendering said pressure-operated member inoperative to regulate said control means.

Claim 13

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including a vehicle-door movable in opening and closing directions, said vehicle also including a source of fluid pressure produced as a result of operation of the engine, the combination comprising; mechanism including a member operated by at least a portion of said pressure to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, valve means mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby and operatively associated with said pressure source and said pressure-operated member for causing said fluid pressure-portion to be transmitted to said pressure-operated member, and restraining means operated in response to said opening movements of said door and said operation of said valve means for rendering said pressure-operated member inoperative to regulate said control means.

Claim 14

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including a vehicle-door movable in opening and closing directions, said vehicle also including a source of air under vacuum produced as a result of operation of the vehicle, the combination comprising: mechanism including a member operated by at least a portion of said vacuum to regulate automatically the position of said control means for maintaining the speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver; valve means mounted adjacent said door and operatively associated with said vacuum source and said vacuum-operated member for enabling said vacuum-portion to be transmitted to said vacuum-operated member; selector valve means to control the transmission of said vacuum portion to said mechanism; manual means operated by the vehicle-driver for causing movement of said selector valve means to a first position for transmitting said vacuum portion to said vacuum-operated member; a chamber subjectable to said source vacuum; pressure-sensitive means comprising at least one wall of said chamber and movable in relation to the other walls of said chamber for closing said chamber or opening same to the surrounding atmosphere; said movable wall being normally open to the surrounding atmosphere about its entire perimiter in its inoperative position; said movable wall being disposed to close said chamber when said selector valve means is caused to move to its said first position by said manual means to produce vacuum-caused forces acting on itself for maintaining said selector valve means in said first position as long as said vacuum is produced by the vehicle; and means acting on said movable wall upon sufficient change of said source vacuum for automatically causing movement of said selector valve means to a second position for precluding said vacuum portion from operating said vacuum-operated member and said movable wall until said selector valve means is again manually caused to move to said first position deliberately by the vehicle-driver, to establish vacuum acting on said movable wall.

Claim 15

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including a vehicle-door movable in opening and closing directions, said vehicle also including a source of air under vacuum produced as a result of operation of the vehicle, the combination comprising: mechanism including a member operated by at least a portion of said vacuum to regulate automatically the position of said control means for maintaining the speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver; valve means mounted adjacent said door and operatively associated with said vacuum source and said vacuum-operated member for enabling said vacuum-portion to be transmitted to said vacuum-operated member; selector valve means to control the transmission of said vacuum portion to said mechanism; manual means operated by the vehicle-driver for causing movement of said selector valve means to a first position for transmitting said vacuum portion to said vacuum-operated member; a chamber subjectable to said source vacuum; pressure-sensitive means comprising at least one wall of said chamber and movable in relation to the other walls of said chamber for closing said chamber or opening same to the surrounding atmosphere; said movable wall being normally open to the surrounding atmosphere about its entire perimiter in its inoperative position; said movable wall being disposed to close said chamber when said selector valve means is caused to move to its said first position by said manual means to produce vacuum-caused forces acting on itself for maintaining said selector valve means in said first position as long as said vacuum is produced by the vehicle; and means acting on said movable wall upon sufficient change of said source vacuum for automatically causing movement of said selector valve means to a second position for precluding said vacuum portion from operating said vacuum-operated member and said movable wall until said selector valve means is again manually caused to move to said first position deliberately by the vehicle-driver, to establish vacuum acting on said movable wall.

Claim 16

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including a vehicle-door movable in opening and closing directions, said vehicle also including a source of fluid pressure produced as a result of operation of the engine, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism including a member operated by at least a portion of said pressure to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on said control means by said driver; valve means mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby and operatively associated with said pressure source and said pressure-operated member for controlling the transmission of said fluid pressure to said pressure-operated member; a portion of said door comprising movable sealing means for said valve means; restraining means operated in response to opening movements of said door and said valve means for rendering said pressure-operated member inoperative to regulate said control means; and manually operated means operatively associated with said restraining means to enable actuation thereof deliberately and consciously by the vehicle-driver for enabling transmission of said pressure-portion to said pressure-operated member.

Claim 17

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including a vehicle-door movable in opening and closing directions, said vehicle also including a source of fluid pressure produced as a result of operation of the engine, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism including a member operated by at least a portion of said pressure to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on said control means by said driver; valve means mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby and operatively associated with said pressure source and said pressure-operated member for controlling the transmission of said fluid pressure to said pressure-operated member; a portion of said door comprising movable sealing means for said valve means; restraining means operated in response to opening movements of said door and said valve means for rendering said pressure-operated member inoperative to regulate said control means; and manually operated means operatively associated with said restraining means to enable actuation thereof deliberately and consciously by the vehicle-driver for enabling transmission of said pressure-portion to said pressure-operated member.

Claim 18

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and including a member operated by at least a portion of said pressure to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means in normal movements thereof to at least temporarily inactivate said regulator mechanism with respect to said control means; valve means adjacent said door for operation thereby and operatively associated with said pressure source and said pressure-operated member for controlling the transmission of said fluid pressure to said pressure-operated member; restraining means including pressure-sensitive means automatically operable upon said operation of said valve means for when said door is opened rendering said pressure-operated member inoperative to regulate said control means; and manually operated means operatively associated with said pressure-sensitive means to enable actuation thereof deliberately and consciously by said vehicle-driver for causing transmission of said pressure-portion to said pressure-operated member when said door is closed.

Claim 19

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and including a member operated by at least a portion of said pressure to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means in normal movements thereof to at least temporarily inactivate said regulator mechanism with respect to said control means; valve means adjacent said door for operation thereby and operatively associated with said pressure source and said pressure-operated member for controlling the transmission of said fluid pressure to said pressure-operated member; restraining means including pressure-sensitive means automatically operable upon said operation of said valve means for when said door is opened rendering said pressure-operated member inoperative to regulate said control means; and manually operated means operatively associated with said pressure-sensitive means to enable actuation thereof deliberately and consciously by said vehicle-driver for causing transmission of said pressure-portion to said pressure-operated member when said door is closed.

Claim 20

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and also including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle having brake-actuating means and a vehicle-door movable by the vehicle-driver in opening or closing dirctions, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a regulated speed of the vehicle, said mechanism including a pressure-responsive member operatively connected to said control means for actuation thereof and subjected to at least a portion of said source pressure to enable said automatic regulation of said control means, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof at least to render said regulator mechanism inactive, manually operable selector means including valve means movable into a first position to enable transmission of said pressure to said pressure-responsive member, said selector means being adapted to enable said valve means to remain in said first position during operation of said regulator mechanism independent of and unaffected by said operations of said brake-actuating means, means operated by said door to automatically cause said valve means to move to a second position when said door is opened to preclude transmission of said pressure-portion to said pressure-operated member, and said selector means being adapted to enable said valve means to reside in said second position until said valve means is moved into said first position deliberately and consciously by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 21

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and also including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle having brake-actuating means and a vehicle-door movable by the vehicle-driver in opening or closing dirctions, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a regulated speed of the vehicle, said mechanism including a pressure-responsive member operatively connected to said control means for actuation thereof and subjected to at least a portion of said source pressure to enable said automatic regulation of said control means, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof at least to render said regulator mechanism inactive, manually operable selector means including valve means movable into a first position to enable transmission of said pressure to said pressure-responsive member, said selector means being adapted to enable said valve means to remain in said first position during operation of said regulator mechanism independent of and unaffected by said operations of said brake-actuating means, means operated by said door to automatically cause said valve means to move to a second position when said door is opened to preclude transmission of said pressure-portion to said pressure-operated member, and said selector means being adapted to enable said valve means to reside in said second position until said valve means is moved into said first position deliberately and consciously by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 22

In a speed control deVice for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and also including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle having brake-actuating means and a vehicle-door movable by the vehicle-driver in opening or closing directions, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a regulated speed of the vehicle, said mechanism including a pressure-responsive member operatively connected to said control means for actuation thereof and subjected to at least a portion of said source pressure to enable said automatic regulation of said control means, first valve means operable in a first position thereof to enable said source pressure to operate said pressure responsive member, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to cause operation of said first valve means to a second position thereof at least for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive, manually operable selector means including second valve means in a first position thereof to enable transmission of said pressure to said pressure responsive member, said selector means being disposed to enable said second valve means to remain in said first position during operation of said regulator mechanism independent of and unaffected by said operations of said brake-actuating means, means operated by said door to automatically cause said second valve means to move to a second position when said door is opened for rendering said regulator mechanism inoperative to operate said control means, and said selector means being adapted to enable said second valve means to reside in its said second position until said second valve means is moved deliberately and consciously by the vehicle-driver to its said first position.

Claim 23

In a speed control deVice for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and also including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle having brake-actuating means and a vehicle-door movable by the vehicle-driver in opening or closing directions, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a regulated speed of the vehicle, said mechanism including a pressure-responsive member operatively connected to said control means for actuation thereof and subjected to at least a portion of said source pressure to enable said automatic regulation of said control means, first valve means operable in a first position thereof to enable said source pressure to operate said pressure responsive member, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to cause operation of said first valve means to a second position thereof at least for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive, manually operable selector means including second valve means in a first position thereof to enable transmission of said pressure to said pressure responsive member, said selector means being disposed to enable said second valve means to remain in said first position during operation of said regulator mechanism independent of and unaffected by said operations of said brake-actuating means, means operated by said door to automatically cause said second valve means to move to a second position when said door is opened for rendering said regulator mechanism inoperative to operate said control means, and said selector means being adapted to enable said second valve means to reside in its said second position until said second valve means is moved deliberately and consciously by the vehicle-driver to its said first position.

Claim 24

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including a door movable whenever the driver leaves the vehicle, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver; means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof at least for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive; and restraining means including a pressure-sensitive member and valve means directly operated by said door for controlling said member to automatically render said regulator mechanism inoperative with respect to said control means whenever said driver leaves said vehicle.

Claim 25

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including a door movable whenever the driver leaves the vehicle, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver; means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof at least for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive; and restraining means including a pressure-sensitive member and valve means directly operated by said door for controlling said member to automatically render said regulator mechanism inoperative with respect to said control means whenever said driver leaves said vehicle.

Claim 26

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including a door movable whenever the driver leaves the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not iNoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, manually operable activating means operatively associated with said regulator mechanism to effect activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means, and restraining means including a pressure-sensitive member and valve means directly operated by said door for controlling said member to automatically render said regulator mechanism inoperative with respect to said control means whenever said driver leaves said vehicle.

Claim 27

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle also including a door movable whenever the driver leaves the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not iNoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, manually operable activating means operatively associated with said regulator mechanism to effect activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means, and restraining means including a pressure-sensitive member and valve means directly operated by said door for controlling said member to automatically render said regulator mechanism inoperative with respect to said control means whenever said driver leaves said vehicle.

Claim 28

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, said vehicle including an electric circuit, and also including a transmission and selector means therefor manually movable by the vehicle-driver into at least driving and non-driving positions, the combination comprising; means to position said control means to establish the operating speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, said selector means including a single switch adapted to be operated only while said selector means stands on either side of said driving position during transient movements thereof to and from said driving position, and restraining means including an electric device in said circuit adapted to be energized temporarily when said switch is operated upon movement of said selector means from said driving position to at least one said non-driving position to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means.

Claim 29

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, said vehicle including an electric circuit, and also including a transmission and selector means therefor manually movable by the vehicle-driver into at least driving and non-driving positions, the combination comprising; means to position said control means to establish the operating speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, said selector means including a single switch adapted to be operated only while said selector means stands on either side of said driving position during transient movements thereof to and from said driving position, and restraining means including an electric device in said circuit adapted to be energized temporarily when said switch is operated upon movement of said selector means from said driving position to at least one said non-driving position to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means.

Claim 30

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, said vehicle including an electric circuit, and also including a transmission and selector means therefor manually movable by the vehicle-driver into at least driving and non-driving positions, the combination comprising; means to position said control means to establish the operating speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, said selector means including switch means adapted to be operated only while said selector means stands on either side of said driving position during transient movements thereof to and from said driving position, said selector means including cam means acting on said switch means to cause said operation thereof upon said movements of said selector means to either side of said driving position, and restraining means including an electric device in said circuit adapted to be energized temporarily when said switch means is operated upon movement of said selector means from said driving position to at least one said non-driving position to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means.

Claim 31

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means therefor operable by manual effort of the vehicle-driver, said vehicle including an electric circuit, and also including a transmission and selector means therefor manually movable by the vehicle-driver into at least driving and non-driving positions, the combination comprising; means to position said control means to establish the operating speed of the vehicle independent of said manual effort on the control means by the vehicle-driver, said selector means including switch means adapted to be operated only while said selector means stands on either side of said driving position during transient movements thereof to and from said driving position, said selector means including cam means acting on said switch means to cause said operation thereof upon said movements of said selector means to either side of said driving position, and restraining means including an electric device in said circuit adapted to be energized temporarily when said switch means is operated upon movement of said selector means from said driving position to at least one said non-driving position to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means.

Claim 32

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, the combination comprising, a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, and automatic curve-compensation means including only one weight responsive solely to centrifugal forces produced by said weight as a result of changes in the curvature of said road both to the left or right and operatively associated with said regulator mechanism for automatically causing the vehicle-speed to reduce from said regulated speed by an amount varying as a function of said road curvature, said curve-compensation means being constructed and arranged to automatically return the vehicle speed to said regulated speed gradually as said road curvature diminishes to zero, and means operatively associated with said weight for restricting the movements thereOf solely to a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the vehicle for rendering said weight independent of the effects of vehicle acceleration and deceleration.

Claim 33

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, the combination comprising, a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, and automatic curve-compensation means including only one weight responsive solely to centrifugal forces produced by said weight as a result of changes in the curvature of said road both to the left or right and operatively associated with said regulator mechanism for automatically causing the vehicle-speed to reduce from said regulated speed by an amount varying as a function of said road curvature, said curve-compensation means being constructed and arranged to automatically return the vehicle speed to said regulated speed gradually as said road curvature diminishes to zero, and means operatively associated with said weight for restricting the movements thereOf solely to a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the vehicle for rendering said weight independent of the effects of vehicle acceleration and deceleration.

Claim 34

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed, said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means, said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces reflecting said change of vehicle speed, means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, automatic curve-compensation means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable solely in accordance with increases in the curvature of said road both to the left or right independent of vehicle speed-changes for modifying said pressure in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means to automatically cause the vehicle-speed to reduce from said selected speed by an amount varying as a function of said road-curvature, and said curve-compensation means being constructed and arranged to automatically restore said circuit pressure for returning the vehicle-speed to said selected speed gradually as said road-curvature diminishes to zero.

Claim 35

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed, said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means, said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces reflecting said change of vehicle speed, means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, automatic curve-compensation means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable solely in accordance with increases in the curvature of said road both to the left or right independent of vehicle speed-changes for modifying said pressure in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means to automatically cause the vehicle-speed to reduce from said selected speed by an amount varying as a function of said road-curvature, and said curve-compensation means being constructed and arranged to automatically restore said circuit pressure for returning the vehicle-speed to said selected speed gradually as said road-curvature diminishes to zero.

Claim 36

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed, said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means, said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces reflecting said change of vehicle speed, pilot means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, automatic curve-compensation means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable solely in accordance with increases in the curvature of said road for modifying said pressure in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means to automatically cause the vehicle-speed to reduce from said selected speed by an amount varying as a function of said road-curvature, said curve-compensation means being constructed and arranged to automatically restore said circuit-pressure for returning the vehicle-speed to said selected speed gradually as said road-curvature diminishes to zero, and said curve-compensation means including weight means to operate said valve means in response to changes in the centrifugal forces produced on said weight means when said vehicle traverses a road curve to cause said pressure-modifying movements of said valve means, and means operatively associated with said weight means for restricting the movements thereof solely to a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the vehicle for rendering said weight means independent of the effects of vehicle acceleration and deceleration.

Claim 37

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed, said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means, said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces reflecting said change of vehicle speed, pilot means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, automatic curve-compensation means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable solely in accordance with increases in the curvature of said road for modifying said pressure in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means to automatically cause the vehicle-speed to reduce from said selected speed by an amount varying as a function of said road-curvature, said curve-compensation means being constructed and arranged to automatically restore said circuit-pressure for returning the vehicle-speed to said selected speed gradually as said road-curvature diminishes to zero, and said curve-compensation means including weight means to operate said valve means in response to changes in the centrifugal forces produced on said weight means when said vehicle traverses a road curve to cause said pressure-modifying movements of said valve means, and means operatively associated with said weight means for restricting the movements thereof solely to a direction substantially transverse to the direction of the vehicle for rendering said weight means independent of the effects of vehicle acceleration and deceleration.

Claim 38

In a speed coNtrol device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, said vehicle including a steering mechanism having an element movable by the vehicle-driver to turn the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, and automatic curve-compensation means responsive to changes in the position of said element when moved away from a neutral position of said steering mechanism on road curves and operatively associated with said regulator mechanism for automatically causing the vehicle-speed to reduce from said regulated speed by an amount varying in accordance with the curvature of said road, and automatically returning the vehicle-speed to said regulated speed gradually when said steering mechanism is returned to said neutral position as said road-curvature diminishes to zero.

Claim 39

In a speed coNtrol device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, said vehicle including a steering mechanism having an element movable by the vehicle-driver to turn the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to effect automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, and automatic curve-compensation means responsive to changes in the position of said element when moved away from a neutral position of said steering mechanism on road curves and operatively associated with said regulator mechanism for automatically causing the vehicle-speed to reduce from said regulated speed by an amount varying in accordance with the curvature of said road, and automatically returning the vehicle-speed to said regulated speed gradually when said steering mechanism is returned to said neutral position as said road-curvature diminishes to zero.

Claim 40

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, said vehicle including a steering mechanism movable by the vehicle-driver to turn the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed, said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means, said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces varying as a function of vehicle speed, means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, automatic curve-compensation means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable in response to changes from a neutral position of said steering mechanism for modifying said pressure in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means to automatically cause the vehicle-speed to reduce from said selected speed by an amount varying in accordance with the curvature of said road, and to automatically return the vehicle-speed to said selected speed gradually as said road-curvature diminishes to zero.

Claim 41

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, when operating on roads and highways, said vehicle including a steering mechanism movable by the vehicle-driver to turn the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed, said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means, said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces varying as a function of vehicle speed, means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, automatic curve-compensation means including valve means operatively associated with said circuit and movable in response to changes from a neutral position of said steering mechanism for modifying said pressure in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means to automatically cause the vehicle-speed to reduce from said selected speed by an amount varying in accordance with the curvature of said road, and to automatically return the vehicle-speed to said selected speed gradually as said road-curvature diminishes to zero.

Claim 42

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said vehicle including a source of pressure fluid, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: means operatively associated with said control means to regulate the position thereof for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to at least temporarily inactivate said positioning means with respect to said control means; restraining means including a movable pressure-sensitive member subjectable to an actuating pressure transmitted from said pressure-source for enabling operation of said positioning means, said restraining means also including valve means communicating fluidically with said member and operated in response to opening movements of said door to modify said actuating pressure for causing movement of said member to automatically render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means, and incapable of inadvertent operation after said door is closed until activated deliberately by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 43

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said vehicle including a source of pressure fluid, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: means operatively associated with said control means to regulate the position thereof for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to at least temporarily inactivate said positioning means with respect to said control means; restraining means including a movable pressure-sensitive member subjectable to an actuating pressure transmitted from said pressure-source for enabling operation of said positioning means, said restraining means also including valve means communicating fluidically with said member and operated in response to opening movements of said door to modify said actuating pressure for causing movement of said member to automatically render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means, and incapable of inadvertent operation after said door is closed until activated deliberately by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 44

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said vehicle including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: means operatively associated with said control means to regulate the position thereof for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to at least temporarily inactivate said positioning means with respect to said control means; restraining means including a movable pressure-sensitive member subjectable to an actuating pressure transmitted from said pressure source for enabling operation of said positioning means, said restraining means also including valve means communicating fluidically with said member and mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby upon opening movements thereof to modify said actuating pressure for causing movements of said member to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means, said restraining means being constructed and arranged to be incapable of inadvertent operation after said door is closed until operated deliberately by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 45

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said vehicle including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: means operatively associated with said control means to regulate the position thereof for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to at least temporarily inactivate said positioning means with respect to said control means; restraining means including a movable pressure-sensitive member subjectable to an actuating pressure transmitted from said pressure source for enabling operation of said positioning means, said restraining means also including valve means communicating fluidically with said member and mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby upon opening movements thereof to modify said actuating pressure for causing movements of said member to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means, said restraining means being constructed and arranged to be incapable of inadvertent operation after said door is closed until operated deliberately by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 46

The combination of means defined in claim 23, and said source of pressure comprising air produced by a component in said vehicle; and said valve means including open port means secured to a fixed portion of said vehicle adjacent a movable portion of said door and communicating with said pressure-sensitive member; said door including surface means cooperating with said port means to comprise a portion of said valve means for closing said port means from the atmosphere whenever said door is closed, and to open said port means to the atmosphere whenever said door is opened for changing the pressure acting on said member sufficiently to render said positioning means inoperative.

Claim 47

The combination of means defined in claim 23, and second valve means including a movable valve element and operatively associated with said restraining means to control the transmission of said actuating pressure to said pressure-sensitive member; manual means operated by the vehicle-driver for causing movement of said movable valve element to a first position for effecting said transmission of said actuating pressure to said pressure-sensitive member while said door is closed for producing forces acting on itself to maintain said movable valve element in said first position; and means acting on said pressure-sensitive member upon sufficient change of said actuating pressure for automatically causing movement of said movable valve element to an inoperative position for precluding said actuating pressure from acting on said pressure-sensitive member, until said member is again subjected to said actuating pressure upon deliberate operation of said manual means by the vehicle-driver to cause movement of said valve element to said first position.

Claim 48

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said engine including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: means operatively associated with said control means to regulate the position thereof for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to temporarily render said positioning means inactive but not inoperative with respect to said control means; activating means operable selectively by the vehicle-driver at his discretion to cause activation of said positioning means with respecT to said control means; said device being constructed and arranged to provide automatic acceleration from the speed at which said selective activation occurs to the speed established by said positioning means; restraining means including a movable pressure-sensitive member subjectable to an actuating pressure transmitted from said pressure source for enabling operation of said positioning means, said restraining means also including valve means communicating fluidically with said member and mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby upon opening movements thereof to modify said actuating pressure for causing movement of said member to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means, said restraining means being constructed and arranged to be incapable of inadvertent operation after said door is closed until deliberately operated by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 49

In a control device for an automotive vehicle having an engine and control means for said engine, said engine including a source of fluid pressure, said vehicle also having brake-actuating means and having at least one door manually movable by the vehicle-driver, the combination comprising: means operatively associated with said control means to regulate the position thereof for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by said driver; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof to temporarily render said positioning means inactive but not inoperative with respect to said control means; activating means operable selectively by the vehicle-driver at his discretion to cause activation of said positioning means with respecT to said control means; said device being constructed and arranged to provide automatic acceleration from the speed at which said selective activation occurs to the speed established by said positioning means; restraining means including a movable pressure-sensitive member subjectable to an actuating pressure transmitted from said pressure source for enabling operation of said positioning means, said restraining means also including valve means communicating fluidically with said member and mounted adjacent said door for direct operation thereby upon opening movements thereof to modify said actuating pressure for causing movement of said member to render said positioning means inoperative with respect to said control means, said restraining means being constructed and arranged to be incapable of inadvertent operation after said door is closed until deliberately operated by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 50

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor, said vehicle also including a source of fluid pressure produced as a result of operation of the vehicle, the combination comprising: mechanism including means to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by the vehicle-driver; pressure-sensitive means for controlling the operative relationship of said positioning means with respect to said control means; manual means operatively associated with said pressure-sensitive means and operable by said driver to cause movement of said pressure-sensitive means from an inoperative position to an operative position, and conversely; said pressure-sensitive means in said operative position being subjectable to at least a portion of said source pressure for producing forces acting on itself to maintain same in said operative position for enabling said operative relationship of said positioning means and said control means; means acting on said pressure-sensitive means upon sufficient change of said source pressure for causing movement of said pressure-sensitive means to said inoperative position to preclude said pressure-portion from acting on said pressure-sensitive means for terminating said operative relationship, until said pressure-sensitive means is again subjected to said source pressure upon deliberate operation of said manual means by said driver; and pressure-regulating means operatively associated with said pressure-source for limiting to a predetermined value said pressure-portion when acting on said pressure-sensitive means, for enabling said manual movement of said pressure-sensitive means to said inoperative position without requiring excessive resistance force to operate said manual means.

Claim 51

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor, said vehicle also including a source of fluid pressure produced as a result of operation of the vehicle, the combination comprising: mechanism including means to regulate the position of said control means for establishing the speed of the vehicle independent of foot pressure on said control means by the vehicle-driver; pressure-sensitive means for controlling the operative relationship of said positioning means with respect to said control means; manual means operatively associated with said pressure-sensitive means and operable by said driver to cause movement of said pressure-sensitive means from an inoperative position to an operative position, and conversely; said pressure-sensitive means in said operative position being subjectable to at least a portion of said source pressure for producing forces acting on itself to maintain same in said operative position for enabling said operative relationship of said positioning means and said control means; means acting on said pressure-sensitive means upon sufficient change of said source pressure for causing movement of said pressure-sensitive means to said inoperative position to preclude said pressure-portion from acting on said pressure-sensitive means for terminating said operative relationship, until said pressure-sensitive means is again subjected to said source pressure upon deliberate operation of said manual means by said driver; and pressure-regulating means operatively associated with said pressure-source for limiting to a predetermined value said pressure-portion when acting on said pressure-sensitive means, for enabling said manual movement of said pressure-sensitive means to said inoperative position without requiring excessive resistance force to operate said manual means.

Claim 52

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, said vehicle including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce operating forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle; restraining means including a pressure-sensitive member and valve means responsive to a change in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed for affecting said member to render said regulator mechanism inoperative with respect to said control means whenever the vehicle-speed reduces below a predetermined value; and release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive.

Claim 53

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, said vehicle including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce operating forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle; restraining means including a pressure-sensitive member and valve means responsive to a change in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed for affecting said member to render said regulator mechanism inoperative with respect to said control means whenever the vehicle-speed reduces below a predetermined value; and release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive.

Claim 54

The combination of means defined in claim 28, and activating means operable selectively by said driver at any speed between said predetermined speed and said regulated speed to cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means Entirely at the discretion of said driver; said regulator mechanism upon said selective being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from the activation speed to said regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said regulated speed thereafter.

Claim 55

The combination of means defined in claim 28, and activating means operable selectively by said driver at any speed between said predetermined speed and said regulated speed to cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means entirely at the discretion of said driver; said regulator mechanism upon said activation being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from the activation speed to said regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said regulated speed thereafter; and said activating means including manually-operated means having an element mounted adjacent the driver and operable by the driver''s hand at his discretion when the vehicle-speed stands between said predetermined speed and said regulated speed to cause said activation of said regulator mechanism and said subsequent automatic acceleration to said regulated speed.

Claim 56

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced by the vehicle-driver to increase vehicle-speed, said vehicle also including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed; said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means; said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces reflecting said change of vehicle speed; pilot means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof; restraining means including means responsive to a change in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to maintain said regulator mechanism inoperative when the vehicle-speed is at least initially below a predetermined value, and to preclude operation of said mechanism until same is activated manually at least once by said driver when the vehicle-speed exceeds said predetermined value; said restraining means including pressure-sensitive means communicating with said circuit to control the transmission of said fluid pressure to said circuit for enabling operation of said pressure responsive means; and said signal-responsive means including second valve means responsive to said speed-signal change for controlling operation of said pressure-sensitive means; and release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive.

Claim 57

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced by the vehicle-driver to increase vehicle-speed, said vehicle also including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism for effecting automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated vehicle speed; said mechanism including pressure-responsive means operatively connected to said control means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof, a fluid circuit having a source of fluid pressure for operating said pressure-responsive means; said regulator mechanism also including sensing means responsive to changes in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to produce forces reflecting said change of vehicle speed; pilot means operated by said sensing means forces for controlling pressures in said circuit acting on said pressure-responsive means for causing said speed-regulating movements thereof; restraining means including means responsive to a change in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to maintain said regulator mechanism inoperative when the vehicle-speed is at least initially below a predetermined value, and to preclude operation of said mechanism until same is activated manually at least once by said driver when the vehicle-speed exceeds said predetermined value; said restraining means including pressure-sensitive means communicating with said circuit to control the transmission of said fluid pressure to said circuit for enabling operation of said pressure responsive means; and said signal-responsive means including second valve means responsive to said speed-signal change for controlling operation of said pressure-sensitive means; and release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive.

Claim 58

The combination of means defined in claim 31, and selective activating means including means operatively associated with said mechanism and operated in response to movement of said control means upon deliberate advancement thereof by said driver to cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means; said selective activation being effected at a vehicle speed between said predetermined speed and said regulated speed; and said regulator mechanism being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from said activation speed to said regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said regulated speed thereafter.

Claim 59

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an air intake passage and a throttle operatively mounted in said passage producing a vacuum on the downstream side of the throttle, wHich vacuum reduces as the throttle is advanced by the vehicle-driver to establish the speed of the vehicle, said vehicle also including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce operating forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a regulated speed of the vehicle; means restraining responsive to a change in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to render said regulator mechanism inoperative whenever the vehicle-speed reduces below a predetermined value, and to preclude operation of said mechanism until the vehicle speed exceeds said predetermined value; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative whenever the vehicle speed exceeds said predetermined value; selective activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and including a pressure-responsive member communicating with said intake passage vacuum and operable thereby to cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means at the discretion of said driver when said intake passage vacuum reduces to a predetermined value as a result of deliberate manual advancement of said throttle by said driver, said selective activation being effected at a vehicle-speed between said predetermined speed and said regulated speed; and said regulator mechanism being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from said activation speed to said regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said regulated speed thereafter.

Claim 60

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an internal combustion engine having an air intake passage and a throttle operatively mounted in said passage producing a vacuum on the downstream side of the throttle, wHich vacuum reduces as the throttle is advanced by the vehicle-driver to establish the speed of the vehicle, said vehicle also including brake-actuating means, the combination comprising: a regulator mechanism operatively associated with said control means and adapted to produce operating forces acting thereon in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle to cause automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a regulated speed of the vehicle; means restraining responsive to a change in a signal accompanying a change in vehicle speed to render said regulator mechanism inoperative whenever the vehicle-speed reduces below a predetermined value, and to preclude operation of said mechanism until the vehicle speed exceeds said predetermined value; release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative whenever the vehicle speed exceeds said predetermined value; selective activating means operatively associated with said mechanism and including a pressure-responsive member communicating with said intake passage vacuum and operable thereby to cause activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means at the discretion of said driver when said intake passage vacuum reduces to a predetermined value as a result of deliberate manual advancement of said throttle by said driver, said selective activation being effected at a vehicle-speed between said predetermined speed and said regulated speed; and said regulator mechanism being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from said activation speed to said regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said regulated speed thereafter.

Claim 61

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle including a source of fluid pressure, and also including an element manually movable by the vehicle-driver incident to normal operation of the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism including a fluid servo-motor adapted to be operatively connected to said control means to produce forces acting thereon, a fluid circuit communicating with said pressure source and with said servo-motor, said regulator mechanism including pilot valve means for directing at least a portion of said pressure to said servo-motor in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle for causing stable automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, activating means operable selectively by the vehicle-driver to cause immediate activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means entirely at the discretion of said driver, said regulator mechanism upon said activation being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from the speed at which said activation occurs to said selected regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said regulated speed thereafter, restraining means automatically operable in response to movements of said element to render said mechanism inoperative, selector valve means in said circuit to control the transmission of said pressure-portion to said regulator mechanism, manual means operated by the vehicle-driver for causing movement of said selector valve means to a first position for transmitting said pressure-portion to said servo-motor, pressure-sensitive means operatively associated with said selector valve means and subjectable to fluid pressure in said circuit when said selector valve means stands in said first posItion for producing forces acting on itself to maintain said selector valve means in said first position, and means acting on said pressure-sensitive means upon sufficient change of said circuit pressure for automatically causing movement of said selector valve means to a second position for precluding said pressure from acting on said servo-motor, until said pressure-sensitive means is again subjected to said circuit pressure upon deliberate operation of said manual means by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 62

In a speed control device for an automotive vehicle including an engine having control means therefor normally advanced to increase vehicle-speed, and conversely, and including vehicle brake-actuating means, said vehicle including a source of fluid pressure, and also including an element manually movable by the vehicle-driver incident to normal operation of the vehicle, the combination comprising; a regulator mechanism including a fluid servo-motor adapted to be operatively connected to said control means to produce forces acting thereon, a fluid circuit communicating with said pressure source and with said servo-motor, said regulator mechanism including pilot valve means for directing at least a portion of said pressure to said servo-motor in response to a signal accompanying a change in the speed of the vehicle for causing stable automatic regulating movements of said control means in a direction tending to maintain a selected regulated speed of the vehicle, release means operated by said brake-actuating means upon normal movements thereof for rendering said regulator mechanism inactive but not inoperative to transmit said forces to said control means, activating means operable selectively by the vehicle-driver to cause immediate activation of said mechanism with respect to said control means entirely at the discretion of said driver, said regulator mechanism upon said activation being constructed and arranged to cause automatic acceleration of the vehicle from the speed at which said activation occurs to said selected regulated speed and tending automatically to maintain said regulated speed thereafter, restraining means automatically operable in response to movements of said element to render said mechanism inoperative, selector valve means in said circuit to control the transmission of said pressure-portion to said regulator mechanism, manual means operated by the vehicle-driver for causing movement of said selector valve means to a first position for transmitting said pressure-portion to said servo-motor, pressure-sensitive means operatively associated with said selector valve means and subjectable to fluid pressure in said circuit when said selector valve means stands in said first posItion for producing forces acting on itself to maintain said selector valve means in said first position, and means acting on said pressure-sensitive means upon sufficient change of said circuit pressure for automatically causing movement of said selector valve means to a second position for precluding said pressure from acting on said servo-motor, until said pressure-sensitive means is again subjected to said circuit pressure upon deliberate operation of said manual means by the vehicle-driver.

Claim 63

The combination of means defined in claim 34, and said fluid comprising air under vacuum, and a chamber subjectable to said vacuum in said circuit, said pressure-sensitive means comprising at least one wall of said chamber and movable in relation to the other walls of said chamber for closing said chamber or opening same to the surrounding atmosphere, said movable wall being normally open to the surrounding atmosphere about its entire perimeter in its inoperative position, said movable wall being disposed to close said chamber when said selector valve means is caused to move to its said first position by said manual means to produce vacuum-caused forces acting on itself for maintaining said selector valve means in said first position as long as said vacuum is produced by the vehicle, and said means acting on said movable wall upon said change of said source vacuum automatically causing movement of said selector valve means to said second position for precluding said circuit vacuum from operating said servo-motor and said movable wall until said selector valve means is again manually caused to move to said first position deliberately by the vehicle-driver, to establish vacuum acting on said movable wall.

Claim 64

The combination of means defined in claim 3, and said source of pressure comprises air under vacuum; and said restraining means also including a vacuum-sensitive member subjectable to at least a portion of said source vacuum and affected by operation of said valve means to render said mechanism inoperative whenever the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value; a chamber subjectable to said source vacuum; said vacuum-sensitive member comprising at least one wall of said chamber and movable in relation to the other walls of said chamber for closing said chamber or opening same to the surrounding atmosphere; said movable wall being normally open to the surrounding atmosphere about its entire perimeter in its inoperative position; manual means operable by the vehicle-driver for causing movement of said vacuum-sensitive member to a first position for enabling said vacuum portion to be transmitted to said pressure-responsive member; said movable wall being disposed to close said chamber when said vacuum-sensitive member is caused to move to its said first position by said manual means to produce vacuum-caused forces acting on itself for maintaining said movable wall in its operative position as long as said vacuum is produced by the vehicle; and means acting on said movable wall upon sufficient change of said vacuum portion for automatically causing movement of said movable wall to said inoperative position for precluding said vacuum portion from operating said pressure-responsive member and said movable wall until said vacuum-sensitive member is again manually caused to move to said first position deliberately by the vehicle-driver, to establish vacuum acting on said movable wall.

Claim 65

The combination of means defined in claim 36, and vent valve means operatively connected to said manual means for movements thereby independent of said movable wall to vent said chamber to air at atmospheric pressure for dissipating said vacuum therein at the discretion of said vehicle-driver.