Patent US4016536A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4016536A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Speed warning device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-01-23
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Granted: 1977-04-05
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Expires: 1996-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A speed alarm system which is actuated by the pointer of a speedometer. The device is completely self-contained and self-powered. It is adapted for attachment to the existing speedometer of an automobile or the like with a minimum of modification. It includes a battery powered audible oscillator which, when the battery circuit is closed to the oscillator, drives a transducer which generates an audible warning sound loud enough to be heard by the driver. Closure of the circuit is effected by a special type of switch in the shape of a small cylinder which may be inserted from the outside through a hole drilled in the plastic cover plate of the speedometer at the point at which the speed warning is to be sounded. The switch includes a hair-fine wire extending axially of the cylinder beyond the end thereof so that it may be moved by the speedometer pointer to contact a metallic sleeve of the activation switch, thus completing the circuit to energize the transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo La Chapelle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P1/00; G01P1/07; G01P1/08; G01P1/10; G01P1/11; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An annunciator system for mounting in association with a speedometer or the like, comprising: an annunciator unit having an electrical circuit operable by a switch to generate an audible signal; and an activating switch connected in said circuit and adapted for mounting from outside an instrument adjacent a movable indicator of the instrument at a selected warning position, the switch having a fine, resiliently flexible, conducting filamentary member supported from an insulated support member within the switch in a cantilever mounting and extending outwardly from a body of the switch into the path of the indicator of the instrument for deflection by the indicator to a position of closure of said switch, the switch comprising a body having a generally cylindrical portion of reduced diameter extending along the filamentary member and a base portion of larger diameter relative to the diameter of the other portion to facilitate mounting of the switch in a hole in the cover plate of the instrument.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An annunciator system for mounting in association with a speedometer or the like, comprising: an annunciator unit having an electrical circuit operable by a switch to generate an audible signal; and an activating switch connected in said circuit and adapted for mounting from outside an instrument adjacent a movable indicator of the instrument at a selected warning position, the switch having a fine, resiliently flexible, conducting filamentary member supported from an insulated support member within the switch in a cantilever mounting and extending outwardly from a body of the switch into the path of the indicator of the instrument for deflection by the indicator to a position of closure of said switch, the switch comprising a body having a generally cylindrical portion of reduced diameter extending along the filamentary member and a base portion of larger diameter relative to the diameter of the other portion to facilitate mounting of the switch in a hole in the cover plate of the instrument.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises a hollow cylindrical metal sleeve encircling the conducting filamentary member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein the filamentary member is coaxially mounted within the sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein the metal sleeve is adapted to extend to a length which is shorter than the filamentary member and constitutes one contact of the switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the length of the filamentary member extending beyond the metal sleeve is such that an instrument pointer engaging the end of the filamentary member to move the filamentary member into contact with the sleeve may readily move past the position of said contact to release the filamentary member from said contact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electrical switch adapted for activation in response to the application of the application of very slight force comprising: a substantially hollow conducting metal cylinder sleeve of reduced diameter and further including a base member at one end of the cylinder of a second diameter greater than the said reduced diameter, the base member and the cylinder being configured to adapt the switch for mounting with the cylinder extending through a small mounting hole and held therein by said base, said sleeve constituting a first contact of the switch; a resiliently flexible filamentary member constituting a second contact of the switch, and extending beyond a distal end of the sleeve remote from the mounting means for lateral engagement by an activating element of an associated device; insulating means mounting the filamentary member coaxially within the sleeve adjacent a proximal end thereof in a cantilevered support arrangement; and a pair of electrical conductors connected respectively to the sleeve and filamentary member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
An electrical switch adapted for activation in response to the application of the application of very slight force comprising: a substantially hollow conducting metal cylinder sleeve of reduced diameter and further including a base member at one end of the cylinder of a second diameter greater than the said reduced diameter, the base member and the cylinder being configured to adapt the switch for mounting with the cylinder extending through a small mounting hole and held therein by said base, said sleeve constituting a first contact of the switch; a resiliently flexible filamentary member constituting a second contact of the switch, and extending beyond a distal end of the sleeve remote from the mounting means for lateral engagement by an activating element of an associated device; insulating means mounting the filamentary member coaxially within the sleeve adjacent a proximal end thereof in a cantilevered support arrangement; and a pair of electrical conductors connected respectively to the sleeve and filamentary member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The switch in accordance with claim 6 wherein the base member constitutes the mounting means for the filamentary member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The switch of claim 7 further including an illuminating element connected across the connections to the filamentary member and the sleeve for energization by a voltage across the switch and de-energization by the establishment of electrical contact between the filamentary member and the sleeve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switch of claim 8 wherein the illuminating element comprises a light emitting diode embedded in the base member in a position to be visible therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The switch of claim 8 wherein the switch contacts are closed by movement of the filamentary member to touch the sleeve at the distal end thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
146 words
A combination instrument and annunciator for providing a warning signal comprising: an instrument having a movable indicator mounted within a housing including a cover plate; an activation switch mounted adjacent a selected position of the indicator at which the warning is to be given, said switch including first and second conducting elements, the first element comprising a fine resiliently flexible filamentary member projecting into the path of the indicator and movable by said indicator into a position of contact with the second conducting element, said switch adapted to permit the indicator to move past the position of contact of the filamentary member with said second conducting element and thereby release the filamentary member from said position of contact, and an annunciator connected to the switch and having an annunciator circuit adapted to be closed by the contact of the filamentary member with said second conducting element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
146 words
A combination instrument and annunciator for providing a warning signal comprising: an instrument having a movable indicator mounted within a housing including a cover plate; an activation switch mounted adjacent a selected position of the indicator at which the warning is to be given, said switch including first and second conducting elements, the first element comprising a fine resiliently flexible filamentary member projecting into the path of the indicator and movable by said indicator into a position of contact with the second conducting element, said switch adapted to permit the indicator to move past the position of contact of the filamentary member with said second conducting element and thereby release the filamentary member from said position of contact, and an annunciator connected to the switch and having an annunciator circuit adapted to be closed by the contact of the filamentary member with said second conducting element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said second conducting element comprises a cylindrical metal sleeve encircling the filamentary member, the filamentary member extending outwardly from a distal portion of said sleeve, and further including insulating means within the proximal portion of the sleeve for supporting the filamentary member in a centilever mounting.
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) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |