Patent US3891986A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3891986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio-visual warning system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1974-01-14
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1994-01-14
Abstract
Abstract Upon closure of a single, manually operable switch, such as a vehicle horn button, an electrical power source is connected to both an audible and a visual warning element. Timing means are disclosed in a variety of embodiments which insure continued operation of the visual element for a certain time period after closure of the switch whether or not it is opened prior to expiration of such period. In some embodiments, the timing means is effective to delay deactivation of the visual element for a fixed time after opening of the aforementioned switch irrespective of the time for which it is closed, while in other embodiments the visual element is deactivated immediately upon opening of the switch if it has remained closed for more than the predetermined time period. In another disclosed embodiment, a second visual warning element is provided which is constantly activated during operation of a vehicle on which the warning system is utilized.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon C Lipe
- 👤 William S Abbott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:54
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B7/00; G08B7/06; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A combined audible-visual warning system for use with a vehicle, or the like, comprising: a. an electrical power source; b. an electrically operated audible warning element; c. an electrically operated visual warning element; d. a single, manually operable switch selectively closable to effect connection of both said audible and visual warning elements to said power source; and e. timing means effective to insure that electrical power is provided to said visual warning element for at least a predetermined minimum time after closure of said switch irrespective of whether said switch is retained in the closed position for such minimum time, said timing means comprising a relay having: i. a first coil energized by closure of said switch; ii. first contacts closed by energization of said first coil to connect said audible warning element to said power source; iii. second contacts closed by energization of said first coil to connect said visual warning element to said power source; iv. a second coil energized by closure of at least one of said switch and said first contacts; and an RC timing network connected in parallel with said second coil to maintain the latter in an energized condition for a predetermined time after said first coil is deenergized by opening of said switch, the force exerted by said relay when said first coil is deenergized and said second coil is energized being effective to maintain only said second contacts closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
A combined audible-visual warning system for use with a vehicle, or the like, comprising: a. an electrical power source; b. an electrically operated audible warning element; c. an electrically operated visual warning element; d. a single, manually operable switch selectively closable to effect connection of both said audible and visual warning elements to said power source; and e. timing means effective to insure that electrical power is provided to said visual warning element for at least a predetermined minimum time after closure of said switch irrespective of whether said switch is retained in the closed position for such minimum time, said timing means comprising a relay having: i. a first coil energized by closure of said switch; ii. first contacts closed by energization of said first coil to connect said audible warning element to said power source; iii. second contacts closed by energization of said first coil to connect said visual warning element to said power source; iv. a second coil energized by closure of at least one of said switch and said first contacts; and an RC timing network connected in parallel with said second coil to maintain the latter in an energized condition for a predetermined time after said first coil is deenergized by opening of said switch, the force exerted by said relay when said first coil is deenergized and said second coil is energized being effective to maintain only said second contacts closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention according to claim 1 and further including a second switch and a second visual warning element activated by closure of said second switch, and wherein operation of the vehicle with which the warning system is associated necessitates closure of said second switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 2 and further including an electrical ignition system associated with the vehicle, and wherein closure of said second switch connects said ignition system to said power source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said timing means comprises a thermal delay device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said thermal delay device includes a heater element connected to said power source by closure of said switch and a pair of normally closed contacts opened a predetermined time after connection of said heater element to said power source, and said timing means further comprises a relay having a coil energized by closure of said switch to close the relay contacts, and a circuit connection from said power source to both said relay coil and said visual warning element through said relay contacts and said normally closed contacts, whereby said coil remains energized and said visual warning element remains activated for at least the time required for said heater element to cause said normally closed contacts to open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said thermal delay device includes a heater element connected to said power source by closure of said switch and a pair of normally open contacts which closed in response to connection of said heater element to said power source and open a predeTermined time after disconnection of said heater element from said power source, a first circuit connection from said power source through said switch to said visual warning element, and a second circuit connection from said power source through said normally open contacts to said visual warning element, whereby the latter remains connected to said power source for said predetermined time after said switch opens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said thermal delay device comprises a bi-metallic device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said thermal delay device comprises an oil-can type switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein said oil-can switch includes a heater element and a pair of normally open contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said timing means comprises a retractable and expansible bellows.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention according to claim 10 and further including a pair of contacts moved between closed and open positions by retraction and expansion of said bellows, spring means biasing said bellows toward the position wherein said contacts are open, and means for moving said bellows to the position wherein said contacts are closed in response to closure of said switch, said power source being connected to said visual warning element only when said contacts are in the closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention according to claim 11 wherein said means for moving said bellows comprises a solenoid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said timing means comprises an electric motor initially energized in response to closure of said switch, and a pair of normally open contacts movable to the closed position in response to energization of said motor, said power source being connected to said visual warning element only when said contacts are in the closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention according to claim 13 and further including means for maintaining said motor in an energized condition for a predetermined time after said switch is opened.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention according to claim 14 wherein said means for maintaining said motor in an energized condition comprises an RC timing network.
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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) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |