Patent US4042816A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4042816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated curb feeler
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-02-02
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Granted: 1977-08-16
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Expires: 1996-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle has four curb feelers each one attached adjacent a wheel of the vehicle and each one having a light bulb mounted at the outer end thereof. A conductor wire couples from the light bulb to a control circuit which in turn connects to the existing wiring in the car for operating the light bulb at two different illumination levels depending upon, for example, whether the turn signal has been used or the parking light has been lit. The bulb is protected by means of a surrounding metal coil and the assembly is encapsulated.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Smoot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q9/00; B60Q9/002; B60Q9/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
An illuminated curb feeler for use with a motor vehicle comprising; an elongated member, means at one end of the member for supporting the member from the vehicle extending outwardly from the vehicle to position said curb feeler to contact a curb, a lamp socket, means for securing the socket to the other end of the member, a lighting assembly received by the socket and including a bulb when said assembly contacts a curb and means encapsulating the bulb to protect the bulb, and means for coupling power to the socket to illuminate the bulb.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
An illuminated curb feeler for use with a motor vehicle comprising; an elongated member, means at one end of the member for supporting the member from the vehicle extending outwardly from the vehicle to position said curb feeler to contact a curb, a lamp socket, means for securing the socket to the other end of the member, a lighting assembly received by the socket and including a bulb when said assembly contacts a curb and means encapsulating the bulb to protect the bulb, and means for coupling power to the socket to illuminate the bulb.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said elongated member includes a coil means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for supporting the coil means includes a bracket for attaching the coil means to the vehicle body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forthin claim 3 including means for adjusting the position of the coil means relative to the bracket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 4 wherein said socket is secured to the other end of the coil means by a solder joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 5 including a second coil means surrounding the bulb.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means encapsulating the bulb comprises a boot over the bulb, a coil means disposed over the bulb and boot, and a hard filler material surrounding the coil means and boot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 1 including means for pivotally adjusting the position of the elongated member relative to the supporting means for the elongated member, and said elongated member being flexible.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 1 including control means coupled between the power coupling means and the existing vehicle wiring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 9 wherein said control means connects to two different wires associated with different lights of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 10 wherein said control means includes two path defining means, one responsive to operation of a first light of the vehicle for illuminating the bulb at a first light level and another responsive to operation of a second light of the vehicle for illuminating the bulb at a second light level different from the first light level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 11 wherein one of said path defining means includes a current limiting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illuminated curb feeler as set forth in claim 12 wherein both path defining means includes a unilaterally conducting device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-08-15 | 1981-02-14 | 1981-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-15 | 1985-02-14 | 1985-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-15 | 1989-02-14 | 1989-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |