Patent US4087784A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4087784A
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Hazard signal, turn signal, and brake signal system for an automotive vehicle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-04-02
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Granted: 1978-05-02
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Expires: 1996-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved hazard signal, turn signal, and brake signal system for an automotive vehicle which is characterized in that each of the foregoing signal indications may be provided independently and/or simultaneously without interfering with one another. In a preferred embodiment the system comprises eight two-filament light sources arranged in groups of two sources at each of the four normal corners of the vehicle. One of the light sources in each of the four units serve as either a hazard light or a turn signal light, depending on the desired mode of operation. An important feature resides in that simultaneous energization of the hazard signals, turn signals, and/or brake signals do not serve to override one another, but may be provided simultaneously as separate indications.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe O. West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/38; B60Q1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A hazard signal, turn signal, and brake signal system for an automotive vehicle, which comprises: a source of electrical energy; a plurality of light sources arranged in a plurality of units, said units being disposed in discrete locations about the exterior of said vehicle; and means for controlling the energization of each of said plurality of light sources for permitting simultaneous indications of a plurality of vehicle operation conditions; said vehicle operating conditions including a turning condition indicated by the flashing of at least two of said plurality of light sources located respectively at either the front left and rear left or the front right and rear right of said vehicle, a braking condition indicated by the steady actuation of at least one additional light source located at the rear of said vehicle, and a hazard condition indicated by the simultaneous flashing of at least four further light sources located respectively at front left, front right, rear left, and rear right positions on said exterior of said vehicle; said at least two of said plurality of light sources, said at least one additional light source and said at least four further light sources being independently actuable so as to permit simultaneous indications of said turning condition, said braking condition and said hazard condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A hazard signal, turn signal, and brake signal system for an automotive vehicle, which comprises: a source of electrical energy; a plurality of light sources arranged in a plurality of units, said units being disposed in discrete locations about the exterior of said vehicle; and means for controlling the energization of each of said plurality of light sources for permitting simultaneous indications of a plurality of vehicle operation conditions; said vehicle operating conditions including a turning condition indicated by the flashing of at least two of said plurality of light sources located respectively at either the front left and rear left or the front right and rear right of said vehicle, a braking condition indicated by the steady actuation of at least one additional light source located at the rear of said vehicle, and a hazard condition indicated by the simultaneous flashing of at least four further light sources located respectively at front left, front right, rear left, and rear right positions on said exterior of said vehicle; said at least two of said plurality of light sources, said at least one additional light source and said at least four further light sources being independently actuable so as to permit simultaneous indications of said turning condition, said braking condition and said hazard condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of units include at least one unit comprising two of said plurality of light sources.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plurality of units includes at least four units.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 3, wherein two of said four units are located in the front of said vehicle and two of said four units are located in the rear of said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said four units are comprised of at least two light sources from said plurality of light sources.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The hazard signal, turn- signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 5, wherein said four units of light sources are respectively located at said left front, right front, left rear, and right rear position on said exterior of said vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said controlling means comprises a hazard signal switch having ON and OFF positions, a hazard flasher connecting said source of electrical energy to said hazard signal switch, said hazard signal switch serving to intermittently energize one of said two light sources in each of said four units of sources when in its ON position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said controlling means further comprises a turn signal switch having LEFT, RIGHT and OFF positions, a turn signal flasher connecting said source of electrical energy to said turn signal switch, said turn signal switch serving to intermittently energize the other of said two light sources in said left front and left rear units when in said LEFT position and intermittently energize the other of said two right sources in said right front and right rear units when in said RIGHT position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said controlling means further comprises a brake light switch having ON and OFF positions and which, when in the ON position, serves to steadily energize said other of said two light sources in said left rear and right rear units.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said hazard signal switch comprises first and second sets of four terminals and a hot terminal, said hot terminal connected to said hazard flasher for receiving electrical impulses therefrom, said hazard signal switch including means for interconnecting said hot terminal with said first set of four terminals when in its ON position and for interconnecting said first set of four terminals with said second set of four terminals when in its OFF position, said four terminals in said first set each being respectively connected to said one of said two light sources in each of said four units of sources.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 10, wherein said turn signal switch includes a single set of four terminals which are connected respectively to said other of said two light sources in each of said units of sources and to said four terminals in said second set of terminals in said hazard signal switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said interconnecting means of said hazard signal switch comprises four elongate electrically conductive pads movably positionable between said first and second set of terminals and said hot terminal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 12, wherein said plurality of light sources further comprises at least four additional light sources one of each being respectively associated with said four units of light sources.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 13, further comprising a parking light switch which, when actuated, steadily energizes said four additional light sources.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 14, said plurality of light sources further comprising four more light sources one of each being respectively associated with said four units of light sources and being connected in parallel with said four additional light sources.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 15, wherein said plurality of light sources are comprised of eight light bulbs each having two independently energizable filaments, each of said four units of light sources being comprised of two of said eight light bulbs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
77 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 16, further comprising ninth and tenth two-filament light bulbs one of which is disposed with said left rear unit, the other of which is disposed with said right rear unit, a first filament in each of said ninth and tenth bulbs being connected to said parking light switch, the second filament in said ninth and tenth bulbs being connected to said turn signal switch.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
75 words
The hazard signal, turn-signal, and brake signal system as set forth in claim 16, further comprising ninth and tenth two-filament bulbs which together comprise a fifth light source unit located intermediate said left and right rear units, the first filament of each of said ninth and tenth bulbs being commonly connected to said parking light switch, the second filament of each of said ninth and tenth bulbs being commonly connected to said brake light switch.
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) | 1981-05-01 | 1981-10-31 | 1982-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-05-01 | 1985-10-31 | 1986-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-05-01 | 1989-10-31 | 1990-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |