US3863077A — Starter lock-out circuit

Claim 1

Independent Claim 284 words

In combination with an electric starting system for cranking an internal combustion engine of the type having a battery providing electrical power; and electromechanical cranking system including a starter motor and means for engaging the starter motor with the engine; and a mechanical switch disconnecting the battery from circuit relationship with the cranking system in a first position and connecting the battery in circuit reLationship with said cranking system providing a current flow in a second position, said cranking system in response to the current flow couples the starter motor to the engine and subsequently applies power to the starter motor, the improvement comprising: bistable means having solid state components receiving electrical power from said battery independent of said mechanical switch for switching from an initial state to a lock-out signal generating second state in response to a signal indicative of a current flow to the cranking system, said bistable means operative to remain in said second state as long as said electrical power is received and for a predeterminable time after the removal of the electrical power from the bistable means; and a start control circuit electrically disposed between the mechanical switch and the cranking system for controlling the current flow to the cranking system, said start control circuit having at least one transistor switch, said transistor switch having an initial ON state permitting an initial current flow to said cranking system when said mechanical switch is in said second position and an OFF state inhibiting said ccurrent flow, said start control circuit operative to switch said at least one transistor switch to said OFF state in response to said lock-out signal after said initial current flow to the cranking system is terminated.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 284 words

In combination with an electric starting system for cranking an internal combustion engine of the type having a battery providing electrical power; and electromechanical cranking system including a starter motor and means for engaging the starter motor with the engine; and a mechanical switch disconnecting the battery from circuit relationship with the cranking system in a first position and connecting the battery in circuit reLationship with said cranking system providing a current flow in a second position, said cranking system in response to the current flow couples the starter motor to the engine and subsequently applies power to the starter motor, the improvement comprising: bistable means having solid state components receiving electrical power from said battery independent of said mechanical switch for switching from an initial state to a lock-out signal generating second state in response to a signal indicative of a current flow to the cranking system, said bistable means operative to remain in said second state as long as said electrical power is received and for a predeterminable time after the removal of the electrical power from the bistable means; and a start control circuit electrically disposed between the mechanical switch and the cranking system for controlling the current flow to the cranking system, said start control circuit having at least one transistor switch, said transistor switch having an initial ON state permitting an initial current flow to said cranking system when said mechanical switch is in said second position and an OFF state inhibiting said ccurrent flow, said start control circuit operative to switch said at least one transistor switch to said OFF state in response to said lock-out signal after said initial current flow to the cranking system is terminated.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 65 words

The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the movement of said mechanical switch to said second position may cause a momentary termination of current flow through said mechanical switch due to switch bounce, said start control circuit further includes means for keeping said at least one transistor switch in said ON state during said momentary termination of current flow due to said switch bounce.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 180 words

The combination as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one transistor switch is an electronic latch consisting of a first transistor switch in circuit relationship with a second transistor switch wherein said first transistor switch in its ON state places said second transistor switch in its ON state, and the current flow of said second transistor switch in its ON state responding to application of electrical power to said second transistor switch when said mechanical switch is placed in said second position, holds said first transistor switch in its ON state and said electronic latch remaining in said ON state with said first transistor switch and said second transistor switch in their respective ON state until said first transistor switch is switched to its OFF state in response to said lock out signal and the termination of current flow through said second transistor switch and wherein said means for keeping is an RC network providing a current flow to said first transistor switch for a predetermined time after the termination of current flow through said second transistor switch.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 145 words

The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein said bistable means comprises a first transistor switch in circuit relationship with a second transistor switch, wherein said first transistor switch in its ON state places said second transistor switch in its ON state and the conductance of said second transistor switch in its ON state, responding to said signal indicative of a current flow in said start control circuit, places said first transistor switch in its ON state forming a latched state, and said electronic latch remaining in latched state until said first transistor switch is switched to its OFF state by disconnecting said lock-out circuit from circuit relationship with said battery said second electronic latch further including an RC network providing current flow to said first transistor switch for a predeterminable period of time after said electrical power is removed from said second electronic latch.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 190 words

An electric starting system for cranking the engine of a motor vehicle comprising: a storage battery for providing electrical power; A manually operable switch having an OFF, ON, and START position, in circuit relationship with said battery; a starter motor including means for engaging said starter motor with said engine; latch means having solid state control devices connected between said switch and said starter motor having a first state, providing electrical power to said starter motor when said switch is in said START position and operative to switch to a second state terminating electrical power to said motor in response to a lock-out signal and the termination of electrical power to the starter motor; and lockout means having solid state control means for generating a lockout signal in response to said latch means providing electrical power to said starter motor, said lockout means operative to generate said lockout signal with said switch in said ON and said START position, and a predetermined time after said switch is placed in said OFF position, said lockout signal operative to inhibit said latch means switching from said second state to said first state.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 190 words

An electric starting system for cranking the engine of a motor vehicle comprising: a storage battery for providing electrical power; A manually operable switch having an OFF, ON, and START position, in circuit relationship with said battery; a starter motor including means for engaging said starter motor with said engine; latch means having solid state control devices connected between said switch and said starter motor having a first state, providing electrical power to said starter motor when said switch is in said START position and operative to switch to a second state terminating electrical power to said motor in response to a lock-out signal and the termination of electrical power to the starter motor; and lockout means having solid state control means for generating a lockout signal in response to said latch means providing electrical power to said starter motor, said lockout means operative to generate said lockout signal with said switch in said ON and said START position, and a predetermined time after said switch is placed in said OFF position, said lockout signal operative to inhibit said latch means switching from said second state to said first state.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 73 words

The starter system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the movement of said switch to said START position may cause a momentary termination of electrical power to said starter motor by said switch in said START position due to switch bounce, said latch means further includes means for preventing said latch means from switching to said second state for a predetermined period of time after the occurrence of said loss of electrical power.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-01-27	1978-07-29	1979-01-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-01-27	1982-07-29	1983-01-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-01-27	1986-07-29	1987-01-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Starter lock-out circuit

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