Automobile signalling system

Claim 1

In combination with a motor vehicle having braking means controlled by operator actuation of a brake member and which when released moves to a position in which no braking is applied and also having motor speed control means including a throttle member movable to vary the speed of the vehicle and which when released by the operator moves to a released position, deceleration of the vehicle normally involving release of the throttle member followed by initial movement of the brake member from its released position and then braking of the vehicle by application of force to the brake member after such initial movement; a visual signalling system comprising a plurality of light transmitting panels mounted on the rear of the motor vehicle forming first, second and third display areas, first, second and third lamp means adapted to separately illuminate the corresponding panels, said panels being disposed side by side in sequence and being characterized whereby they are visually distinguishable when illuminated, electrical circuitry means including a source of current and first, second and third circuits connected respectively to the first, second and third lamp means fOr energizing the same, first switch means actuated by release of the throttle member and serially included in said first circuit, second switch means actuated by initial movement of the brake member and included in series with the second circuit, third switch means actuated when force is applied to the brake member to effect braking of the vehicle and connected in series with the third circuit, actuation of said first switch means by release of the throttle member serving to close the first circuit to energize the first lamp means to illuminate the first panel, actuation of the second switch means by initial movement of the brake member from its released position serving to close the second circuit to energize the second lamp means to illuminate the second panel, and application of force to the brake member by the operator serving to actuate the third switch means to close the third circuit to energize the third illuminating means, and relay means in the circuitry serving to open the first circuit when the second circuit is closed and for opening both first and second circuits when the third circuit is closed.