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US3899770A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple input warning system for a motor vehicle
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1974-04-01
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-04-01
Abstract
Abstract Multiple input warning system for a motor vehicle utilizing a single preferably audible warning device. It is actuated when a vehicle door is open and a key is in the ignition switch or when the door is open and the vehicle instrument panel lights are energized. Also, the warning device is energized if the ignition switch is in a particular position and an undesirable vehicle condition exists, such as vehicle speed in excess of a predetermined level, excessive engine coolant temperature or exhaust emission control system failure. Indicating lamps may be provided to give a visual indication of such undesirable vehicle conditions, and the multiple input system of the invention may include means for establishing the operability of the indicating lamps, without concurrent energization of the warning device, when the ignition switch is in a particular condition. Preferably, low cost integrated circuitry is utilized in the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth G Slotkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q5/00; G; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/08; G07C5/0816
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
400 words
A multiple input warning system for a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle including: a. a DC source of electrical potential; b. first and second voltage supply leads connected to opposite terminals of said DC source of electrical potential; c. a warning device electrically actuable upon the application of an electrical potential difference across its terminals; d. a door on said vehicle; e. a switch controlled by the opening and closing of said door, said switch being nonconductive when said door is closed and conductive is open; said door isopen; f. an instrument panel lamp; g. a light switch, coupled to said instrument panel lamp, for controlling the supply of electrical potential to said instrument panel lamp; h. an ignition switch operated by the insertion in it of a key, said ignition switch including a key switch for sensing the presence of a key in said ignition switch, said key switch having a first state of conductivity when a key is in said ignition switch and a second state of conductivity in the absence of a key in said ignition switch, said ignition switch being connected to said first lead and having an electrical pole, said ignition switCh having a condition wherein said first voltage supply lead is connected to said pole; i. an indicating lamp; and j. a switching device connected in series with said indicating lamp, a junction thereby being formed between said switching device and said indicating lamp, said series-connected indicating lamp and switching device being connected, through said ignition switch, across said first and second voltage supply leads when said ignition switch is in said condition; wherein the improvement comprises: k. circuit means, coupled to said second voltage supply lead, to said pole of said ignition switch, to the junction formed between said series-connected indicating lamp and switching device, to said door switch, to said light switch, to said key switch and to said warning device, for applying an electrical potential, derived from said first and second voltage supply leads, across terminals of said warning device: when said key switch is in its first state of conductivity, said ignition switch is not in said condition and said door switch is closed; when said ignition switch is in said condition and said indicating lamp is energized; and when said instrument panel lamp is energized, said ignition switch is not in said condition and said door switch is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
400 words
A multiple input warning system for a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle including: a. a DC source of electrical potential; b. first and second voltage supply leads connected to opposite terminals of said DC source of electrical potential; c. a warning device electrically actuable upon the application of an electrical potential difference across its terminals; d. a door on said vehicle; e. a switch controlled by the opening and closing of said door, said switch being nonconductive when said door is closed and conductive is open; said door isopen; f. an instrument panel lamp; g. a light switch, coupled to said instrument panel lamp, for controlling the supply of electrical potential to said instrument panel lamp; h. an ignition switch operated by the insertion in it of a key, said ignition switch including a key switch for sensing the presence of a key in said ignition switch, said key switch having a first state of conductivity when a key is in said ignition switch and a second state of conductivity in the absence of a key in said ignition switch, said ignition switch being connected to said first lead and having an electrical pole, said ignition switCh having a condition wherein said first voltage supply lead is connected to said pole; i. an indicating lamp; and j. a switching device connected in series with said indicating lamp, a junction thereby being formed between said switching device and said indicating lamp, said series-connected indicating lamp and switching device being connected, through said ignition switch, across said first and second voltage supply leads when said ignition switch is in said condition; wherein the improvement comprises: k. circuit means, coupled to said second voltage supply lead, to said pole of said ignition switch, to the junction formed between said series-connected indicating lamp and switching device, to said door switch, to said light switch, to said key switch and to said warning device, for applying an electrical potential, derived from said first and second voltage supply leads, across terminals of said warning device: when said key switch is in its first state of conductivity, said ignition switch is not in said condition and said door switch is closed; when said ignition switch is in said condition and said indicating lamp is energized; and when said instrument panel lamp is energized, said ignition switch is not in said condition and said door switch is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said circuit means includes a transistor having an output circuit connected in series with said warning device and having a control electrode, said output circuit controlling the application of said electrical potential across terminals of said warning device, said control electrode controlling the conductivity of said output circuit and being coupled to said first voltage supply lead through said door switch and through said ignition switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as in claim 2, wherein said circuit means includes a second transistor having a control electrode coupled to said key switch and having an output circuit coupled to said control electrode of said first-mentioned transistor, the output circuit of said second transistor having a state of conductivity which prevents said output circuit of said first-mentioned transistor from being fully conductive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 3, wherein said circuit means includes a third transistor having a control electrode coupled to said light switch and having an output circuit coupled to said control electrode of said second transistor, said thrid transistor when conductive in its output circuit preventing full conductivity in said output circuit of said second transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A system as in claim 1, wherein said ignition switch has a second pole which is connected to said second voltage supply lead, wherein said ignition switch has a second condition and wherein said circuit means further includes conductive means for proofing said indicating lamp, said conductive means connecting the junction formed between said series-connected indicating lamp and switching device to said second pole of said ignition switch when said ignition switch is in its second condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A system as in claim 5: (1) wherein said circuit means comprises a solid-state switching device having an output circuit coupled to said warning device to control the application across the terminals of said warning device of said derived electrical potential, said solid-state switching device having a control electrode the electrical potential at which determines the state of conductivity of said output circuit; and (2) wherein said control electrode is coupled to said first voltage supply lead through ignition switch and said ignition switch forms an open circuit between said control electrode and said first voltage supply lead when said ignition switch is in its second condition, thereby, to prevent the supply of electrical potential to said control electrode via said ignition switch when said ignition switch is in its second condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
A system as in claim 6, wherein said solid-state switching device is a transistor, having collector, emitteR and base electrodes, said output circuit being the collector-emitter electrodes of said transistor, said collector and emitter electrodes being connected in series with said warning device, said controlled electrode being the base electrode of said transistor, said circuit means further comprising means for coupling said transistor base electrode to said first voltage supply lead through a first diode and a second diode and through said door switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as in claim 7, wherein said circuit means includes a second transistor having a control electrode coupled to said key switch and having an output circuit coupled to said control electrode of said first-mentioned transistor, said output circuit of said second transistor having a state of conductivity which prevents said output circuit of said first-mentioned transistor from being fully conductive.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 8, wherein said circuit means includes a third transistor having a control electrode coupled to said light switch and having an output circuit coupled to said control electrode of said second transistor, said third transistor when conductive in its output circuit preventing full conductivity in said output circuit of said second transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein said circuit means further includes a fourth transistor having a control electrode coupled to said junction formed between said series-connected indicating lamp and switching device, said fourth transistor having an output circuit coupled to said control electrode of said first-mentioned transistor and to said ignition switch, said switching device and said ignition switch together having conditions permitting said output circuit of said fourth transistor to be conductive and said output circuit of said first-mentioned transistor being nonconductive when said output circuit of said fourth transistor is conductive.
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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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |