US3914739A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle brake and indicator light control system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-01-31
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1992-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A light control system for vehicle brake lights that functions to blink the brake lights a number of times, such as three, upon applying the brakes and then holds the brake lights in the on condition as long as the brakes are held on. The control system uses a pulse counting arrangement, in which the light system is normally on, but is turned off successively with the count and then is held in the on condition. The control system is used with existing cars with existing turn indicator switch arrangements or can be used as original equipment on vehicles where the pulsing mechanism functions as the turn indicator flasher circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 James Daniel Caughlin
- 👤 William John Ozeroff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/38; B60Q1/381
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a vehicle brake and indicator light control system, a first electrical circuit for energizing signal lights, first and second switch means in said first electrical circuit, said first switch means closing said first electrical circuit and energizing said signal lights in response to actuating the vehicle''s brakes, said second switch means opening said first electrical circuit and de-energizing said signal lights upon being de-energized, a source of timed pulses, second circuit means responsive to said closing of said first switch means for initating timed pulses from said source, counter means for counting said timed pulses and providing output pulses in response to counting said timed pulses and a steady state output signal after counting a given number of said pulses, gate means responsive to said timed pulses and said output pulses for providing an output signal to said second switch means energizing and deenergizing said second switch means and said signal lights, and said gate means being responsive to said steady state output signal for energizing said second switch means closing said first electrical circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a vehicle brake and indicator light control system, a first electrical circuit for energizing signal lights, first and second switch means in said first electrical circuit, said first switch means closing said first electrical circuit and energizing said signal lights in response to actuating the vehicle''s brakes, said second switch means opening said first electrical circuit and de-energizing said signal lights upon being de-energized, a source of timed pulses, second circuit means responsive to said closing of said first switch means for initating timed pulses from said source, counter means for counting said timed pulses and providing output pulses in response to counting said timed pulses and a steady state output signal after counting a given number of said pulses, gate means responsive to said timed pulses and said output pulses for providing an output signal to said second switch means energizing and deenergizing said second switch means and said signal lights, and said gate means being responsive to said steady state output signal for energizing said second switch means closing said first electrical circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a vehicle brake and indicator light control system as claimed in claim 1 including, said source of timed pulses providing pulses of opposite polarities in first and second lines simultaneously, said times pulses supplies to said gate means having a first polarity in said first line, second gate means responsive to said timed pulses of the second polarity in said second line and to said output pulses of said counter means for gating said timed pulses of said second line to said counter means for counting, and said second gate means only passing a pulse to be counted upon said timed pulse in said second line and said counter output pulse having substantially the same level and polarity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a vehicle brake and indicator light control system as claimed in claim 1 including, said signal lights comprising right and left brake lights, flasher circuit for providing flasher pulsed power output, turn indicator switch means for disconnecting said first electrical circuit from said signal lights and for switching said flasher power output to the right or left brake light for turn indication, and means for connecting a steady power output to the opposite brake light to the brake light to which said flasher power output is being supplied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
In a vehicle brake and indicator light control system as claimed in claim 2 in which, said source of timed pulses comprising a multivibrator that simultaneously provides output pulses of different polarities or levels with one of said multivibrator outputs comprising said first timed pulses to said gate means and the other of said outputs comprising said second timed pulses supplied to said second gate means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a vehicle brake and indicator light control system as claimed in claim 1 including, said signal lights comprising right and left brake lights, and turn indicator switch means for switching said first electrical circuit to the right or left brake lights.
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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |