US3846748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signaling system and sensor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-23
•
Granted: 1974-11-05
•
Expires: 1993-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A signal system indicates when a vehicle is decelerating, moving at substantially constant velocity, and/or accelerating. Mercury switches close circuits to amber signal lights when the vehicle is decelerating, and to green signal lights when the vehicle is accelerating and/or traveling at constant velocity. The mercury switches are preferrably adjustably mounted and are fixedly retained in adjusted position on the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 C Hopwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:13
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44; B60Q1/445; G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/135; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In a signal system for a vehicle, a sensor unit for actuating a signal responsive to movement of the vehicle, the sensor unit comprising, a body adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle, said body having a fulcrum part, a sensor including a container and a pair of spaced apart contacts for connection in circuit between a source of electrical power and the signal, and a mass of fluid movable in the container between a normal position out of circuit with at least one of the contacts and, responsive to a change of velocity of the vehicle a position in circuit with the contacts, for actuating the signal, a rigid block encasing said container and having a fulcrum part cooperating with the body fulcrum part, conductors, one connected with each of the contacts, and extending outwardly from the block, for connection in said circuit with the signal, and adjusting means mounted on the body and engaging the block for adjusting the disposition of the block and leveling the sensor after installation on the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a signal system for a vehicle, a sensor unit for actuating a signal responsive to movement of the vehicle, the sensor unit comprising, a body adapted to be operatively fixed to the vehicle, said body having a fulcrum part, a sensor including a container and a pair of spaced apart contacts for connection in circuit between a source of electrical power and the signal, and a mass of fluid movable in the container between a normal position out of circuit with at least one of the contacts and, responsive to a change of velocity of the vehicle a position in circuit with the contacts, for actuating the signal, a rigid block encasing said container and having a fulcrum part cooperating with the body fulcrum part, conductors, one connected with each of the contacts, and extending outwardly from the block, for connection in said circuit with the signal, and adjusting means mounted on the body and engaging the block for adjusting the disposition of the block and leveling the sensor after installation on the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A sensor unit as set forth in claim 1 in which the block fulcrum part is generally centrally located between opposite ends of the block, and the adjusting means includes spaced apart adjusting parts, one at each of said opposite ends, and the adjusting parts firmly engage the block to hold the block in operatively fixed adjusted position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A unit as set forth in claim 2 including a second signal, the signals indicating decelerating and acceleration of the vehicle, and in which said container has opposite ends, said contacts are positioned, one proximate each of said opposite ends, each contact adapted to be connected with a different one of the signals, said container provides a path for said mass and said path descends from proximate each of said opposite ends to a location intermediate said opposite ends, said normal position being proximate the intermediate location and the in-circuit position includes a pair of positions, one proximate each of said ends with the mass in-circuit with the proximate one of the contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A unit as set forth in claim 3 in which the sensor is a mercury switch, the mass of fluid is mercury and the container is a glass tube embedded in the block.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |