Patent US3963941A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3963941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic light switch and battery disconnect
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-04-16
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1995-04-16
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a circuit for automatically turning off the lights of a vehicle after the ignition switch is turned off. A delay in the turning off of the lights is produced with the aid of a thermally responsive switch in series with the light switch. The light switch is initially in series with the ignition switch through the thermally responsive switch. The heat source of the thermally responsive switch is shut off with the ignition so that when the ignition switch is turned off, the heat source is deenergized and the bimetallic switch controlled thereby changes its shape to disconnect the light switch from the car battery. The heat source may be an electric heating element, or it may be some part of the vehicle power plant such as the exhaust pipe.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar H. Banker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:56
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
In a vehicle having lights, a control switch for the lights, a source of electric current, an ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine and an ignition switch in the ignition circuit having "on" and "off" positions, said ignition switch in its "on" position energizing both the ignition and accessories circuits, a thermally responsive relay switch having a heating element and a single pole, double throw switch responsive to the temperature of said heating element, the pole of said last-mentioned switch being connected at one end to the control switch for the lights, one contact of the double throw switch being connected to the accessories circuit and the other contact of said double throw switch being connected to the source of electric current, whereby upon setting the ignition switch in its "on" position, the source of electric current is connected to the light control switch through the accessories circuit and thereafter the source of electric current to the light switch is dependent only upon the thermally responsive relay switch for supplying current to the light control switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a vehicle having lights, a control switch for the lights, a source of electric current, an ignition circuit for an internal combustion engine and an ignition switch in the ignition circuit having "on" and "off" positions, said ignition switch in its "on" position energizing both the ignition and accessories circuits, a thermally responsive relay switch having a heating element and a single pole, double throw switch responsive to the temperature of said heating element, the pole of said last-mentioned switch being connected at one end to the control switch for the lights, one contact of the double throw switch being connected to the accessories circuit and the other contact of said double throw switch being connected to the source of electric current, whereby upon setting the ignition switch in its "on" position, the source of electric current is connected to the light control switch through the accessories circuit and thereafter the source of electric current to the light switch is dependent only upon the thermally responsive relay switch for supplying current to the light control switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination defined in claim 1, said heating element being connected to a source of energy which is rendered effective in timed relation to the energization of the ignition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination defined in claim 2, said source of energy being the source of electric current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination defined in claim 2, said source of energy being an exhaust pipe for an internal combustion engine in said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
91 words
The combination defined in claim 1, including further a fuse box having an input connected to the source of current and a plurality of output circuits adapted to be connected to the lights through the control switch for the lights, a common lead connecting the output circuits adapted to be connected to the lights, said common lead being connected to the said other contact of said double throw switch, and another common lead connecting the input to the control switch for the lights to the said pole of said last-mentioned switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination defined in claim 5, said thermally responsive relay switch being disposed in proximity to the fuse box.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination defined in claim 1, said heating element comprising an electrical resistance unit having one side connected to the accessories circuit and the other side connected to ground such that said heating element is deenergized when the ignition switch is in its "off" position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination defined in claim 1, said heating element comprising a section of an exhaust gas system for a vehicle engine, and means mounting the thermally responsive relay on the said section of an exhaust gas system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
The combination defined in claim 8, said heating element comprising a section of an exhaust gas pipe for the vehicle engine, and said means mounting the thermally responsive relay on the said section of an exhaust gas pipe comprising a base plate on the said relay, a spacer between the said section of an exhaust gas pipe and the base plate for holding the base plate a fixed distance from the said section of an exhaust gas pipe and means clamping the base plate, spacer and gas pipe together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3433969A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |