Patent US3818267A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3818267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit breaker for the lighting systems of vehicles
Assignee: BRIMCO Mfg CO
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Filing: 1969-02-26
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1989-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A compact, solid state, switching circuit which functions as an automatic circuit breaker for the lighting systems of a motor vehicle comprises a relay, energized through an electronic switch which is gated off, preferably after a time delay, when the ignition switch of the vehicle is opened.
Inventors
- 👤 G Hill
- 👤 B Lund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A lighting circuit for vehicles comprising: a battery having a grounded terminal and a load terminal; lights and a lighting switch connected in series circuit between the terminals of said battery, said switch having an open position and a closed position; normally open relay contact points connected in series with said lighting switch between said lights and said load terminal of said battery; a relay coil and electronic switch means connected in series circuit between the terminals of said battery, said relay coil being operably associated with said relay contact points to close said points when it is energized, and said electronic switch means having an open condition and a closed condition so that said relay coil is energized when said electronic switch means is in closed condition and deenergized when said electronic switch means is in open condition; and control circuit means, including an automobile ignition switch, connected between the load terminal of said battery and said electronic switch means operable to close said electronic switch means when both the lighting switch and the ignition switch are closed and to open said electronic switch means in response to opening of the ignition switch even though the lighting switch remains closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A lighting circuit for vehicles comprising: a battery having a grounded terminal and a load terminal; lights and a lighting switch connected in series circuit between the terminals of said battery, said switch having an open position and a closed position; normally open relay contact points connected in series with said lighting switch between said lights and said load terminal of said battery; a relay coil and electronic switch means connected in series circuit between the terminals of said battery, said relay coil being operably associated with said relay contact points to close said points when it is energized, and said electronic switch means having an open condition and a closed condition so that said relay coil is energized when said electronic switch means is in closed condition and deenergized when said electronic switch means is in open condition; and control circuit means, including an automobile ignition switch, connected between the load terminal of said battery and said electronic switch means operable to close said electronic switch means when both the lighting switch and the ignition switch are closed and to open said electronic switch means in response to opening of the ignition switch even though the lighting switch remains closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A lighting circuit according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit means includes a time-delay trigger circuit adapted to open said electronic switch means after the ignition switch has been open for a selected time interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A lighting circuit according to claim 1, wherein the electronic switch means is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR); and the control circuit means comprises means for applying a positive potential to the gate of said SCR when the ignition switch is closed and means for connecting the anode of said SCR to ground in response to the opening of said ignition switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A lighting circuit according to claim 3, wherein the means for connecting the anode of the SCR to ground in response to opening of the ignition switch comprises a unijunction transistor triggering circuit including an RC charging circuit which is suppressed while the ignition switch is closed but which charges to trigger the unijunction transistor when the ignition switch is opened; and a transistor connected between the anode of the SCR and ground and connected to be triggered into conduction by pulses from said unijunction transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A lighting circuit according to claim 4, wherein the capacitor of the RC charging circuit is shunted to ground through a transistor with its base connected to the ignition switch such that when the ignition switch is closed the transistor is triggered into conduction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A lighting circuit according to claim 1, with a switch means in parallel with said normally open contact points for series connection in said lighting circuit such that said switch means may be operated to close said lighting circuit even when said contact points are open.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
168 words
A solid state circuit breaker for the lighting circuit of vehicles in which the lighting switch for energizing the lighting circuit is separately operable from the ignition switch of the vehicle, comprising: first, second, third, and fourth terminals for connection to the grounded side of a vehicle''s battery, the load side of a vehicle''s ignition switch, the load side of a vehicle''s lighting switch, and the load side of a vehicle''s lights, respectively; normally open contact points connected in series between said third and fourth terminals; a relay coil and electronic switch means having open and closed conditions connected in series between said third and first terminals, and control circuit means connected between said second terminal and said electronic switch means, operable when the terminals are connected as recited hereinbefore to close said electronic switch means when both the ignition switch and lighting switch are closed and to open said electronic switch means in response to opening of the ignition switch even though the lighting switch remains closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
A solid state circuit breaker for the lighting circuit of vehicles in which the lighting switch for energizing the lighting circuit is separately operable from the ignition switch of the vehicle, comprising: first, second, third, and fourth terminals for connection to the grounded side of a vehicle''s battery, the load side of a vehicle''s ignition switch, the load side of a vehicle''s lighting switch, and the load side of a vehicle''s lights, respectively; normally open contact points connected in series between said third and fourth terminals; a relay coil and electronic switch means having open and closed conditions connected in series between said third and first terminals, and control circuit means connected between said second terminal and said electronic switch means, operable when the terminals are connected as recited hereinbefore to close said electronic switch means when both the ignition switch and lighting switch are closed and to open said electronic switch means in response to opening of the ignition switch even though the lighting switch remains closed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
79 words
A circuit breaker according to claim 7, wherein the electronic switch means is an SCR and the control circuit means comprises a unijunction transistor triggering circuit including an RC charging circuit which is suppressed while the ignition switch is closed but which charges to trigger the unijunction transistor when the ignition switch is opened; and a transistor connected between the anode of the SCR and ground and connected to be triggered into conduction by pulses from said unijunction transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A circuit breaker according to claim 8 wherein the means for connecting the anode of the SCR to ground in response to opening of the ignition switch comprises a unijunction transistor triggering circuit including an RC charging circuit which is suppressed while the ignition switch is closed but which charges to trigger the unijunction transistor when the ignition switch is opened; and a transistor connected between the anode of the SCR and ground and connected to be triggered into conduction by pulses from said unijunction transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A circuit breaker according to claim 4 wherein the capacitor of the RC charging circuit is shunted to ground through a transistor with its base connected to the ignition switch such that when the ignition switch is closed the transistor is triggered into conduction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |