US4596215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drag racer competition control system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-07-16
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Granted: 1986-06-24
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Expires: 2005-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A control system for a drag race vehicle limits engine RPM to a selected Launch RPM limit when the vehicle is staged at the starting line and which limits engine RPM to an Elapsed Time RPM limit after the vehicle is shifted to high gear. The Launch RPM control is controlled by the same driver-controlled Launch switch which controls the line lock or transmission brake solenoid, so that the Launch RPM limit is removed at the same time that the vehicle is permitted to move forward. The Elapsed Time RPM control is actuated by a second driver-controlled Elapsed Time Enable switch. The control system is particularly useful for Super Class drag racers, in which the winner must be the first to the finish line without going under a predetermined elapsed time.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony L. Palesotti
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/10; B60W10/11; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; F; F02; F02P; F02P9/00; F02P9/002; F02P9/005; G; G07; G07C; G07C1/00; G07C1/22; B60W2300/00; B60W2300/28; B60W2710/00; B60W2710/06; B60W2710/0644
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
For use in a drag racing vehicle which has means for preventing movement of the vehicle when the vehicle is at a starting line and a first driver-controlled switch for controlling operation of the means for preventing movement, the improvement comprising: Launch RPM control means for limiting engine RPM of the vehicle to a selected Launch RPM limit, the Launch RPM control means being operably connected to the first driver-controlled switch to be operable simultaneously with the means for preventing movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
For use in a drag racing vehicle which has means for preventing movement of the vehicle when the vehicle is at a starting line and a first driver-controlled switch for controlling operation of the means for preventing movement, the improvement comprising: Launch RPM control means for limiting engine RPM of the vehicle to a selected Launch RPM limit, the Launch RPM control means being operably connected to the first driver-controlled switch to be operable simultaneously with the means for preventing movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising: Elapsed Time RPM control means for limiting engine RPM of the vehicle to an Elapsed Time RPM limit; and a second driver-controlled switch for selectively enabling the Elapsed Time RPM control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the Launch RPM control means comprises: engine RPM control means connected to an ignition system of the vehicle for limiting engine RPM as a function of an impedance connected between a pair of terminals; first adjustable impedance means for providing a first adjustable impedance representative of the selected Launch RPM limit; and means for selectively connecting the first adjustable impedance means to the pair of terminals as a function of a state of the first driver-controlled switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein the first driver-controlled switch has a first state in which the means for preventing movement on the vehicle is actuated and a second state in which the means for preventing movement is deactuated, and wherein the means for selectively connecting is responsive to the state of the first dirver-controlled switch to connect the first adjustable impedance means to the pair of terminals when the first-driver controlled switch has the first state and disconnects the first adjustable impedance means from the pair of terminals when the first driver-controlled switch has a second state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 3 and further comprising: second adjustable impedance means for providing a second adjustable impedance representative of an Elapsed Time RPM limit; and a second driver-controlled switch for selectively connecting the second adjustable impedance means to the pair of terminals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
175 words
A control system for a drag racing vehicle comprising: a solenoid means for preventing movement of the vehicle when energized; engine RPM control means connected to an ignition system of the vehicle for limiting engine RPM to a selected value as a function of an impedance connected to the engine RPM control means; Launch RPM impedance means for providing a first impedance representative of a selected Launch RPM limit; a driver-controlled Launch switch having a first state and a second state, the Launch switch being connected to the solenoid means so that the solenoid means is energized when the Launch switch has a first state and is deenergized when the Launch switch has a second state; and means for connecting the Launch RPM impedance means to the engine RPM control means to cause the engine RPM to be limited to the selected Launch RPM limit when the Launch switch has the first state and for disconnecting the Launch RPM impedance means from the engine RPM control means when the Launch switch has the second state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
175 words
A control system for a drag racing vehicle comprising: a solenoid means for preventing movement of the vehicle when energized; engine RPM control means connected to an ignition system of the vehicle for limiting engine RPM to a selected value as a function of an impedance connected to the engine RPM control means; Launch RPM impedance means for providing a first impedance representative of a selected Launch RPM limit; a driver-controlled Launch switch having a first state and a second state, the Launch switch being connected to the solenoid means so that the solenoid means is energized when the Launch switch has a first state and is deenergized when the Launch switch has a second state; and means for connecting the Launch RPM impedance means to the engine RPM control means to cause the engine RPM to be limited to the selected Launch RPM limit when the Launch switch has the first state and for disconnecting the Launch RPM impedance means from the engine RPM control means when the Launch switch has the second state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention of claim 6 and further comprising: Elapsed Time RPM impedance means for providing a second impedance representative of an Elapsed Time RPM limit; and a driver-controlled Elapsed Time Enable switch for selectively connecting the Elapsed Time RPM impedance means to the engine RPM control means to cause the engine RPM to be limited to the Elapsed Time RPM limit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein the Launch RPM impedance means and the Elapsed Time RPM impedance means comprise first and second potentiometers, respectively.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4336778A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-06-23 | 1989-12-23 | 1990-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-23 | 1993-12-23 | 1994-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-23 | 1997-12-23 | 1998-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |