US3824403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power control circuit for automatic vehicles and the like
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
•
Filing: 1972-09-15
•
Granted: 1974-07-16
•
Expires: 1992-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A power control circuit operative to enable start-up of a vehicle engine in response to a predetermined sequence of events. Upon opening one or more doors by means of a keying circuit actuating a keyable control circuit, a control signal is provided to a timing circuit which in turn provides an enabling signal to an enabling circuit for a predetermined period of time during which engine start-up may be effected by depressing the brake pedal and subsequently actuating the ignition switch. The timer output and the actuation of the brake pedal switch cause energization of a solenoid which normally prevents actuation of the ignition switch. Energization of this solenoid enables actuation of the ignition switch, which in turn mechanically prevents the solenoid from preventing further actuation of the ignition switch after the solenoid is again de-actuated upon either expiration of the enabling signal or de-actuation of the brake light switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Guirk F Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
In a vehicle including a door lock means operative when keyed to generate a control signal, a multi-position ignition switch having at least power-off and power-on positions, and a brake light switch, the improvement comprising: power control circuit means operative upon actuation of said brake light switch within a predetermined period of time from the termination of said control signal to enable actuation of said ignition switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a vehicle including a door lock means operative when keyed to generate a control signal, a multi-position ignition switch having at least power-off and power-on positions, and a brake light switch, the improvement comprising: power control circuit means operative upon actuation of said brake light switch within a predetermined period of time from the termination of said control signal to enable actuation of said ignition switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said ignition switch, when actuated from said power-off positions, is operative to provide a dIsabling signal to said power control circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
3 words
voltage divider means;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
3 words
voltage divider means;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
enabling circuit means operative in response to said enabling signal and actuation of said brake light switch to provide an output signal which enables actuation of said ignition switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
enabling circuit means operative in response to said enabling signal and actuation of said brake light switch to provide an output signal which enables actuation of said ignition switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
a second, normally non-conductive transistor having its input terminals connected across the output terminals of said first transistor;
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
a second, normally non-conductive transistor having its input terminals connected across the output terminals of said first transistor;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
a relay having its winding connected in series between said brake light switch and an output terminal of said second transistor; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
a relay having its winding connected in series between said brake light switch and an output terminal of said second transistor; and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
9 words
charging circuit means including a normally-charged timing capacitance; and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
9 words
charging circuit means including a normally-charged timing capacitance; and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said power control circuit means comprises:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
semiconductor means operative to discharge said timing capacitance upon initiation of said control signal, and to generate said enabling signal from the termination of said control signal until said timing capacitance is recharged to a predetermined level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
semiconductor means operative to discharge said timing capacitance upon initiation of said control signal, and to generate said enabling signal from the termination of said control signal until said timing capacitance is recharged to a predetermined level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
a normally de-energized solenoid having its winding connected between said brake light switch and said relay.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
a normally de-energized solenoid having its winding connected between said brake light switch and said relay.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said ignition switch, when actuated from said power-off positions, remains actuable in the absence of said output signal from said enabling circuit means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said enabling circuit means is operative to receive a disabling signal from said ignition switch upon actuation thereof, and is thereby disabled from generating said output signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said enabling circuit means comprises:
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
The improvement according to claim 6 wherein said vehicle further includes at least one door locking solenoid operative when energized to lock an associated door, and door-switch controlled locking circuit means operative in response to the opening and subsequent closing of at least one door to energize the locking solenoid associated with said at least one door, and said enabling circuit means further comprises mode switch means operative in a first setting to connect the output of said door-switch controlled locking circuit means to said at least one door-locking solenoid, and operative in a second setting to open said connection and to close a connection from said brake light switch to the input terminal of said second transistor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement according to claim 6 wherein said disabling signal provided upon said actuation of said ignition switch is applied to the input terminal of said first transistor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The improvement according to claim 3 wherein said timing circuit means comprises:
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement according to claim 3 further comprising warning circuit means operative in response to said enabling signal to provide a warning signal for the duration of said enabling signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3723967A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |