Patent US4057742A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4057742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle light switch apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-03-19
•
Granted: 1977-11-08
•
Expires: 1996-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically turning on vehicle road lights responsive to the operation of the vehicle windshield wipers. The vehicle windshield wiper switch is connected by an electrical circuit to the road light switch of the vehicle. A first diode circuit connects the windshield wiper switch to the headlight actuation position of the road light switch so that a diode allows the headlight switch to override the vehicle light connection through the windshield wiper switch. A second diode circuit is connected to the first diode circuit and prevents the headlights from being disengaged through the windshield wiper switch when the parking lights are actuated. Heavier wiring between the battery and the ignition and between the ignition and the windshield wiper switch is required along with a heavier fuse and an auxiliary switch disengaging the windshield wiper headlight circuit when desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest W. Binegar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:37
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415; B60Q1/1423; B60Q1/143; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/08; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/30; B60Q2300/31; B60Q2300/312
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for automatically turning on vehicle lights responsive to the operation of the vehicle windshield wipers comprising in combination: a vehicle windshield wiper switch located in a vehicle; vehicle light switch means having a headlight switch and parking light switch; a first circuit connecting said windshield wiper switch to said headlight switch of said vehicle light switch means; a first diode located in said first circuit for operatively disengaging said first circuit responsive to actuation of said headlight switch; a second circuit coupled between said first circuit and said parking light switch of said vehicle light switch means; and a second diode located in said second circuit for operatively disengaging said second circuit without disengaging said first circuit when said vehicle light switch means is connected to said parking light switch whereby said vehicle windshield wiper switch controls said vehicle lights unless over-ridden by said headlight switch.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A system for automatically turning on vehicle lights responsive to the operation of the vehicle windshield wipers comprising in combination: a vehicle windshield wiper switch located in a vehicle; vehicle light switch means having a headlight switch and parking light switch; a first circuit connecting said windshield wiper switch to said headlight switch of said vehicle light switch means; a first diode located in said first circuit for operatively disengaging said first circuit responsive to actuation of said headlight switch; a second circuit coupled between said first circuit and said parking light switch of said vehicle light switch means; and a second diode located in said second circuit for operatively disengaging said second circuit without disengaging said first circuit when said vehicle light switch means is connected to said parking light switch whereby said vehicle windshield wiper switch controls said vehicle lights unless over-ridden by said headlight switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system in accordance with claim 1 in which said first diode is a power diode for handling a heavier amperage than said second diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which said first diode is rated for at least 15 amps and said second diode is rated for at least 5 amps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, in which a conductor between the vehicle windshield wiper switch and ignition is a conductor rated to handle the additional load of the vehicle lights.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which a conductor connecting the vehicle battery source to the ignition for said windshield wipers is a heavier conductor for handling the additional load of the vehicle lights.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which a fuse is located between the vehicle windshield wiper switch and the windshield wipers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system in accordance with claim 1 in which an override switch is located in said first circuit for disabling said first and second circuits.
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) | 1980-11-07 | 1981-05-09 | 1981-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-07 | 1985-05-09 | 1985-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-07 | 1989-05-09 | 1989-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |