US4123632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Turn signal mechanism for use in motor vehicles
Assignee: Tokai Rika Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1976-10-27
•
Granted: 1978-10-31
•
Expires: 1996-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A turn signal indicating mechanism for use in motor vehicles comprising a housing, a movable bracket movable to right, left and neutral positions provided in the housing, an operating lever pivotally coupled to the movable bracket which is pivotable back and forth from a neutral position and a turn signal switch actuated the pivotable operating lever whereby turn signals for a lane change are generated by pivoting the operating lever without moving the movable bracket and turn signal for a left or right turn are generated by pivoting the operating lever until the movable bracket is moved to either the right or left turn position.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiya Muto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:43
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/40; B60Q1/42; B60Q1/425
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A turn signal indicating mechanism comprising: a housing; a movable bracket movable to right and left turn and neutral positions provided in said housing; an operating lever pivotally coupled to said movable bracket which is pivotable from a neutral position relative to said movable bracket to right and left lane change positions, said operating lever further causing said movable bracket to move to said right and left turn positions when said operating lever is pivoted beyond said right and left lane change positions; and a turn signal switch operated by said lever such that a turn signal for a lane change is generated by pivoting the operating lever from said neutral position to a lane change position without moving said movable bracket and a turn signal for a right or left turn is generated by pivoting the operating lever beyond said lane change positions until the movable bracket is moved to either said right or left turn positions from said neutral position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A turn signal indicating mechanism comprising: a housing; a movable bracket movable to right and left turn and neutral positions provided in said housing; an operating lever pivotally coupled to said movable bracket which is pivotable from a neutral position relative to said movable bracket to right and left lane change positions, said operating lever further causing said movable bracket to move to said right and left turn positions when said operating lever is pivoted beyond said right and left lane change positions; and a turn signal switch operated by said lever such that a turn signal for a lane change is generated by pivoting the operating lever from said neutral position to a lane change position without moving said movable bracket and a turn signal for a right or left turn is generated by pivoting the operating lever beyond said lane change positions until the movable bracket is moved to either said right or left turn positions from said neutral position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A turn signal indicating mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a detent means for holding said movable bracket in said right and left turn and said neutral positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A turn signal indicating mechanism according to claim 2 further comprising a means for automatically returning said operating lever to said neutral position after said operating lever is pivoted from said neutral position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A turn signal indicating mechanism according to claim 3 further comprising a means for automatically returning said movable bracket to said neutral position after said movable bracket has been moved to said right or left turn positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3180177A
Cited
USRE26648E
Cited
US3372252A
Cited
US3459909A
Cited
US3604975A
Cited
US3699286A
Cited
US3710049A
Cited
US3914566A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-30 | 1982-05-01 | 1982-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-30 | 1986-05-01 | 1986-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-30 | 1990-05-01 | 1990-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |