US3964019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Timer
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-19
•
Granted: 1976-06-15
•
Expires: 1993-12-19
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a timer for use with a turn signal electrical circuit of a vehicle such as an automobile. The timer includes an audio or visual alarm to indicate to the operator of the vehicle when the turn signals have been actuated for an excessively prolonged period such as caused by failure to cancel the signal after completion of a turn. The timing circuit of the timer employs a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) with a charging capacitor, which receives a pulsed input from the turn signal circuit, in the triggering circuit of the SCR and in a holding circuit to the SCR to sustain the alarm for several periods of pulsed input from the turn signal circuit. The timer includes a capacitor discharge circuit activated by the brake switch of the vehicle to deactivate the timer when the brake pedal is depressed to avoid premature alarm activation when the vehicle is delayed from turning by traffic or a traffic signal. Preferred embodiments of the timer include a voltage regulating circuit to maintain the preset timing period constant and independent of the electrical loads of the vehicle as well as circuit means to permit fixed adjustability of the duration of the timing period.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Wethe
- 👤 Charles W. Behn
- 👤 Richard B. Willetts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
281 words
An electric circuit means useful for timing of the duration of a turn signal circuit of a vehicle having turn signal and brake lights energized by a battery through flasher and manual turn signal switches to generate an intermediate electrical potential and a brake switch which comprises: first and second conductor means in circuit with said flasher for input of said intermittent electrical potential to said electrical circuit means; an electronic switch circuit connected across said first and second conductor means and including alarm means and a silicon controlled rectifier having its electrodes in series connection with said alarm means and having a gate terminal; a timer circuit to operate said electronic switch circuit comprising: capacitive means in series with a first current limiting resistance means also connected between said first and second conductor means; voltage divider means including resistance means in parallel connection to said capacitive means and connected across the terminals of said capacitive means; connector means extending from the gate terminal of said silicon controlled rectifier to an intermediate position on said voltage divider means; a holding circuit comprising diode means in series with second current limiting resistor means connected between said capacitive means and one side of said electronic switch means and operative to permit discharging current flow from said capacitive means through said electronic switch means during the off portions of the input intermittent potential whereby said electronic switch means is maintained in a conducting mode for a plurality of pulses of said input intermittent potential; and conductor means connecting said brake switch in circuit with said capacitive means and including diode means to permit discharge of said capacitive means when said brake switch is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
281 words
An electric circuit means useful for timing of the duration of a turn signal circuit of a vehicle having turn signal and brake lights energized by a battery through flasher and manual turn signal switches to generate an intermediate electrical potential and a brake switch which comprises: first and second conductor means in circuit with said flasher for input of said intermittent electrical potential to said electrical circuit means; an electronic switch circuit connected across said first and second conductor means and including alarm means and a silicon controlled rectifier having its electrodes in series connection with said alarm means and having a gate terminal; a timer circuit to operate said electronic switch circuit comprising: capacitive means in series with a first current limiting resistance means also connected between said first and second conductor means; voltage divider means including resistance means in parallel connection to said capacitive means and connected across the terminals of said capacitive means; connector means extending from the gate terminal of said silicon controlled rectifier to an intermediate position on said voltage divider means; a holding circuit comprising diode means in series with second current limiting resistor means connected between said capacitive means and one side of said electronic switch means and operative to permit discharging current flow from said capacitive means through said electronic switch means during the off portions of the input intermittent potential whereby said electronic switch means is maintained in a conducting mode for a plurality of pulses of said input intermittent potential; and conductor means connecting said brake switch in circuit with said capacitive means and including diode means to permit discharge of said capacitive means when said brake switch is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit means of claim 1 wherein voltage regulating means is connected between said first and second conductors in parallel to said capacitive means and said first current limiting resistance means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit means of claim 1 wherein said first current limiting resistance means has means for the fixed adjustability of its resistance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit means of claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises an audio alarm means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit means of claim 4 wherein said alarm means also includes visual alarm means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electric circuit means of claim 1 wherein said brake switch is also connected in circuit with said holding circuit.
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) | 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 |