Patent EP0393784A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3898613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle fuel economy meter
Assignee: Vencore Services and Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-11
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A device for sensing and indicating the relative acceleration rate of a vehicle comprises a housing having an acceleration rate sensing switch carried by an adjusting member and an indicator operatively connected to the switch and a battery power source. The adjusting member is operative to position the switch for sensing vehicle acceleration rate above a given threshold level. When the vehicle acceleration rate exceeds the preset threshold level, the switch is actuated to its ON state and the indicator is energized for presenting an indication of excessive vehicle acceleration rate and increased fuel consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin H Nahikian
- 👤 Edward J Goldman
- 👤 Robert L Brown
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P15/00; G01P15/02; G01P15/08; G01P15/135; H; H01; H01H; H01H29/00; H01H29/002; H01H35/00; H01H35/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
An electrically powered device for sensing uneconomical acceleration rate of a vehicle, said device adapted for interconnection with a power source, said device comprising: a. a housing having an interior chamber, said housing formed with an opening that communicates with said interior chamber; b. adjusting means movably mounted to said housing in said opening, said adjusting means extending within said interior chamber, said adjusting means being accessible exterior of said housing, said adjusting means constrained for manual rotation and fixed against free rotation; c. switch means for sensinG vehicle acceleration rate mounted to said adjusting means, said switch means disposed within said interior chamber, said switch means having opened and closed states, said adjusting means operative to position said switch means for establishing an acceleration rate threshold level, said switch means in said closed state when the vehicle acceleration rate exceeds said acceleration rate threshold level; and d. indicator means mounted to said housing, said indicator means having energized and deenergized states, said indicator means providing a warning signal when in said energized state; e. an electrical path established between the power source and said indicator means when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means generating said wraning signal when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means electrically disconnected from the power source when said switch means is in said opened state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
230 words
An electrically powered device for sensing uneconomical acceleration rate of a vehicle, said device adapted for interconnection with a power source, said device comprising: a. a housing having an interior chamber, said housing formed with an opening that communicates with said interior chamber; b. adjusting means movably mounted to said housing in said opening, said adjusting means extending within said interior chamber, said adjusting means being accessible exterior of said housing, said adjusting means constrained for manual rotation and fixed against free rotation; c. switch means for sensinG vehicle acceleration rate mounted to said adjusting means, said switch means disposed within said interior chamber, said switch means having opened and closed states, said adjusting means operative to position said switch means for establishing an acceleration rate threshold level, said switch means in said closed state when the vehicle acceleration rate exceeds said acceleration rate threshold level; and d. indicator means mounted to said housing, said indicator means having energized and deenergized states, said indicator means providing a warning signal when in said energized state; e. an electrical path established between the power source and said indicator means when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means generating said wraning signal when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means electrically disconnected from the power source when said switch means is in said opened state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said switch means includes a casing having first and second terminals electrically insulated from one another, an electrically conducting mass contained within said casing, said mass operative to establish an electrical path between said first and second terminals when the vehicle acceleration rate exceeds said acceleration rate threshold level, said switch means in said closed state when said first and second terminals are electrically connected to one another through said mass.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said electrically conducting mass is a charge of mercury and said switch means is mercury switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjusting means includes a shank portion, a medial flange and a head, a reentrant slot formed about a longitudinal axes of said adjusting means, said reentrant slot operative to divide said adjusting means into a bifurcated member having opposed legs joined at said head, a cavity formed in said shank portion, an axis of said cavity in substantially perpendicular relationship with a longitudinal axis of said reentrant slot, said cavity operative to captively hold said switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing includes mating first and second frames, said first frame having upper and lower walls and a rear wall, said first frame having a substantially C-shaped profile in right cross section, said second frame having opposed sidwalls and a forward wall, said second frame having a substantially C-shaped profile in right cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second frame is formed with a partition between said sidewalls, said partition in spaced parallel relationship with said sidewalls and in perpendicular relationship with said forward wall, the power source held between said partition and one of said sidewalls.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
303 words
A device for sensing and indicating acceleration rate of a vehicle, said device adapted for interconnection with a battery, said device comprising: a. a housing; b. adjusting means mounted to said housing, said adjusting means constrained for manual rotation and fixed against free rotation, said adjusting means including a shank portion, a medial flange and a head, a reentrant slot formed about a longitudinal axis of said adjusting means, said reentrant slot operative to divide said adjusting means into a bifurcated member having opposed legs joined at said head, a cylindrical cavity formed in said shank portion about a longitudinal axis of said slot, the longitudinal axes of said cavity and said slot intersecting in perpendicular relationship; c. switch means for sensing vehicle acceleration rate mounted to said adjusting means within said cylindrical cavity, said switch means including a casing having first and second terminals electrically insulated from one another, an electrically conducting fluid mass contained within said casing, said fluid mass operative to establish an electrical path between said switch meAns first and second terminals, said switch means having opened and closed states, said switch means in said closed state when said electrical path is established between said first and second terminals, said adjusting means operative to position said switch for establishing an acceleration rate threshold level, said switch means in said closed state when the vehicle acceleration rate exceeds said acceleration rate threshold level; and d. indicator means mounted to said housing, said indicator means having energized and deenergized states, said indicator means providing a warning signal when in said energized state; e. said switch means and indicator means operatively interconnected with the battery so that said indicator means is energized when said switch means is in said closed state and deenergized when said switch means is in said opened state.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
303 words
A device for sensing and indicating acceleration rate of a vehicle, said device adapted for interconnection with a battery, said device comprising: a. a housing; b. adjusting means mounted to said housing, said adjusting means constrained for manual rotation and fixed against free rotation, said adjusting means including a shank portion, a medial flange and a head, a reentrant slot formed about a longitudinal axis of said adjusting means, said reentrant slot operative to divide said adjusting means into a bifurcated member having opposed legs joined at said head, a cylindrical cavity formed in said shank portion about a longitudinal axis of said slot, the longitudinal axes of said cavity and said slot intersecting in perpendicular relationship; c. switch means for sensing vehicle acceleration rate mounted to said adjusting means within said cylindrical cavity, said switch means including a casing having first and second terminals electrically insulated from one another, an electrically conducting fluid mass contained within said casing, said fluid mass operative to establish an electrical path between said switch meAns first and second terminals, said switch means having opened and closed states, said switch means in said closed state when said electrical path is established between said first and second terminals, said adjusting means operative to position said switch for establishing an acceleration rate threshold level, said switch means in said closed state when the vehicle acceleration rate exceeds said acceleration rate threshold level; and d. indicator means mounted to said housing, said indicator means having energized and deenergized states, said indicator means providing a warning signal when in said energized state; e. said switch means and indicator means operatively interconnected with the battery so that said indicator means is energized when said switch means is in said closed state and deenergized when said switch means is in said opened state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said electrically conducting fluid mass is a charge of mercury.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said housing includes mating first and second frames, said first frame having upper and lower walls and a rear wall, said second frame having opposed sidewalls, a partition, and a forward wall, said partition disposed between said sidewalls, said partition in spaced parallel relationship with said sidewalls and in perpendicular relationship with said forward wall, the battery held between said partition and one of said sidewalls, the other of said sidewalls formed with an aperture adapted to receive said adjusting mounting means, said forward wall formed with an aperture adapted to receive said indicator means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said indicator mans is a light emitting device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
198 words
A batery powered device for sensing uneconomical acceleration rate of a vehicle, said device comprising: a. a housing having an interior chamber, said housing formed with an opening that communicates with said interior chamber; b. adjusting means mounted to said housing in said opening, said adjusting means extending within said interior chamber, said adjusting means being accessible exterior of said housing, said adjusting means constrained for manual rotation and fixed against free rotation; c. switch means for sensing vehicle motion mounted to said adjusting means, said switch means disposed within said interior chamber, said switch means having opened and closed states, said switch means in said closed state when the vehicle motion exceeds a predetermined level; and d. indicator means mounted to said housing, said indicator means having energized and deenergized states, said indicator means providing a warning signal when in said energized state; e. an electrical path established between the battery and said indicator means when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means generating said warning signal when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means electrically disconnected from the battery when said switch means is in said opened state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
198 words
A batery powered device for sensing uneconomical acceleration rate of a vehicle, said device comprising: a. a housing having an interior chamber, said housing formed with an opening that communicates with said interior chamber; b. adjusting means mounted to said housing in said opening, said adjusting means extending within said interior chamber, said adjusting means being accessible exterior of said housing, said adjusting means constrained for manual rotation and fixed against free rotation; c. switch means for sensing vehicle motion mounted to said adjusting means, said switch means disposed within said interior chamber, said switch means having opened and closed states, said switch means in said closed state when the vehicle motion exceeds a predetermined level; and d. indicator means mounted to said housing, said indicator means having energized and deenergized states, said indicator means providing a warning signal when in said energized state; e. an electrical path established between the battery and said indicator means when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means generating said warning signal when said switch means is in said closed state, said indicator means electrically disconnected from the battery when said switch means is in said opened state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said switch means is unidirectional switch means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said switch means is bi-directional switch means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said switch means is omni-directional switch means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said omni-directional switch means is pendulum switch means.
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) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |