US4162384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Manual downshift deacceleration shift lever with switch array
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-01-24
•
Granted: 1979-07-24
•
Expires: 1997-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A normally open switch is mounted on the gear shift knob and manually operated to activate the rear brake lights during downshifting. The switch is optimally positioned to minimize inadvertent activation of the brake lights. In some embodiments the switch may be repositioned to suit each drive. A flasher unit may be included in the circuitry to cause the brake light to flash during activation.
Inventors
- 👤 Gustave J. Chicoine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:16
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/06; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/44; F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; F16H59/0217; H01H2009/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A device which permits a driver to manually activate the vehicle braking lights while repositioning the shift lever via a shift knob mounted on the threaded end portion thereof during transmission downshift deacceleration, comprising: a switch support bracket having an aperture therethrough adapted to receive the threaded end portion of the shift lever, and to be releaseably secured on the threaded end portion of the shift lever proximate the shift knob, the bracket is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the threaded end portion when released; a manually operated switch for activating the braking lights, mounted on the switch support bracket at a position along an arc of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the threaded end portion determined by rotating the switch support bracket when released; and threaded means adapted to engage the threaded end portion of the shift lever for releaseably securing the switch support bracket to the shift lever to permit rotation of the bracket and positioning of the switch along the arc of rotation when released.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A device which permits a driver to manually activate the vehicle braking lights while repositioning the shift lever via a shift knob mounted on the threaded end portion thereof during transmission downshift deacceleration, comprising: a switch support bracket having an aperture therethrough adapted to receive the threaded end portion of the shift lever, and to be releaseably secured on the threaded end portion of the shift lever proximate the shift knob, the bracket is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the threaded end portion when released; a manually operated switch for activating the braking lights, mounted on the switch support bracket at a position along an arc of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the threaded end portion determined by rotating the switch support bracket when released; and threaded means adapted to engage the threaded end portion of the shift lever for releaseably securing the switch support bracket to the shift lever to permit rotation of the bracket and positioning of the switch along the arc of rotation when released.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the switch support bracket is elongated with the manually operated switch mounted at one end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the aperture in the elongated support bracket is a slot therein along the elongated dimension thereof for receiving the threaded end portion of the shift lever and for permitting the bracket to be shifted in position along the slot as well as rotated when released.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the shift knob is spherical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the elongated support bracket is curved to match the spherical shift knob.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 5, wherein the manual switch may be raised and lowered relative to the shift knob by shifting the position of the elongated support bracket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the elongated support bracket engages the surface of the spherical shift knob along a great circle thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 7, wherein the manual switch may be tilted about a traverse axis by shifting the position of the elongated support bracket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 8, wherein the traverse axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the threaded end portion of the shift lever.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 9, wherein the threaded means are formed in a cavity in the shift knob adapted to receive the threaded end portion of the shift lever.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3073918A
Cited
US3268680A
Cited
US3326315A
Cited
US3790729A
Cited
US3723687A
Cited
US3805003A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-07-23 | 1983-01-22 | 1983-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-07-23 | 1987-01-22 | 1987-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-07-23 | 1991-01-22 | 1991-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |