US4587512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Turn signal alarm
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-09-20
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Granted: 1986-05-06
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Expires: 2004-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A safety-promoting device provided in the form of an electrical circuit that reminds vehicle operators to use the turn signals supplied with the vehicle in a safe manner. The circuitry has no effect where the operator properly begins signaling a turn prior to the commencement of a braking operation associated with a turn, but causes the immediate activation of a reminder bell where a braking operation is not accompanied by use of the turn signals. If a preselected amount of time passes while the driver persists in braking in the absence of turn signal activation, the front and rear turn signal lights will begin flashing to warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold W. Casey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/34; B60Q1/38; B60Q1/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
319 words
A safety mechanism for vehicles equipped with a depressable brake pedal, left and right turn signal lights, a directional switch for selectively activating the turn signal lights, and a flasher means for effecting synchronous flashing of said turn signal lights, comprising: a pressure sensitive switch means that is operably connected to said brake pedal and which is activated in response to pressure applied to said brake pedal, a first relay means electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, a timer means electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, said timer means adapted to measure preselected periods of time and to generate an electrical signal at the expiration of the measured period of time, a second relay means electrically connected to said first relay means and disposed in shunting relation to said timer means, an audible alarm means electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, a source of power electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, said timer means and said alarm means through said first relay means so that depression of said brake pedal in the absence of prior directional switch activation serves to activate said alarm means and said timer means, said alarm means being activated to advise a person operating a vehicle equipped with said safety mechanism that said directional switch has not been properly activated, said timer means electrically connected to said flasher means so that said flasher means is activated by said timer means at the expiration of the time measured by said timer means to thereby effect synchronous flashing of all of the turn signal lights of said vehicle, said source of power electrically connected to said first relay means through said directional switch so that said first relay means is tripped in response to activation of said directional switch which in turn effects tripping of said second relay means and the deactivation of said timer means and alarm means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
319 words
A safety mechanism for vehicles equipped with a depressable brake pedal, left and right turn signal lights, a directional switch for selectively activating the turn signal lights, and a flasher means for effecting synchronous flashing of said turn signal lights, comprising: a pressure sensitive switch means that is operably connected to said brake pedal and which is activated in response to pressure applied to said brake pedal, a first relay means electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, a timer means electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, said timer means adapted to measure preselected periods of time and to generate an electrical signal at the expiration of the measured period of time, a second relay means electrically connected to said first relay means and disposed in shunting relation to said timer means, an audible alarm means electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, a source of power electrically connected to said pressure sensitive switch means, said timer means and said alarm means through said first relay means so that depression of said brake pedal in the absence of prior directional switch activation serves to activate said alarm means and said timer means, said alarm means being activated to advise a person operating a vehicle equipped with said safety mechanism that said directional switch has not been properly activated, said timer means electrically connected to said flasher means so that said flasher means is activated by said timer means at the expiration of the time measured by said timer means to thereby effect synchronous flashing of all of the turn signal lights of said vehicle, said source of power electrically connected to said first relay means through said directional switch so that said first relay means is tripped in response to activation of said directional switch which in turn effects tripping of said second relay means and the deactivation of said timer means and alarm means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said source of power is a twelve volt DC battery member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wheren said first and second relay means are normally closed solenoid members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said alarm means is a bell.
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) | 1989-05-05 | 1989-11-04 | 1990-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-05 | 1993-11-04 | 1994-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-05 | 1997-11-04 | 1998-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |