US4751493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Kit for retrofitting automobiles with deceleration warning light
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-07-27
•
Granted: 1988-06-14
•
Expires: 2007-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A kit for retrofitting automobiles, primarily standard passenger cars, with a rear deck warning light to warn the drivers of following vehicles of the removal of the driver's foot from the accelerator pedal. The kit includes a self-adhesive rear deck lamp housing, a length of double wire cable that may be fed through the body of the car to the trunk and attached to leads from the lamp housing; an adjustable switch bracket for mounting to the depending pivot bracket of an accelerator pedal pivoting linkage; a switch mounted on the bracket and wiring leads for connection to the cable; a device for tapping into a source of voltage at the fuse box of the vehicle; and a self-adhering miniature lamp electrically connected to the switch by a self-adhering flat ribbon cable. When the kit is properly installed, the removal of the driver's foot from the accelerator pedal closes the switch and lights the rear deck lamp and the miniature lamp which is secured to the outside surface of the dashboard within easy view of the driver. An alternative lamp housing having three interchangeable visors that allow the lamp to adapt to different angled rear windows.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry G. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/30; B60Q1/302; B60Q2900/00; B60Q2900/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A deceleration warning light kit for installation in an automobile having an accelerator linkage controlled by a pedal and including a lever having a pivot secured to a pivot bracket mounted on the fire wall by a plurality of releasable headed fasteners, said automobile also having a fuse box and a rear structure upon which a warning light can be mounted, said kit comprising: a lamp housing having an electric light bulb mounted therein and an amber lens; mounting means for securing said lamp housing to the rear structure of the automobile; a switch support assembly; said switch support assembly having a first longitudinally extending leg and a foot extending laterally from one end of said first leg; said foot adapted to be secured to the pivot bracket by the head of one of the plurality of headed fasteners; said first leg having a longitudinally extending slot therein; said switch support assembly having a second longitudinally extending leg and a switch support ear extending laterally from one end of said second leg; said second leg having a longitudinally extending slot therein; said switch support assembly having a clamp including a shank extending through said slots of said first and second legs, and an angular adjustment retaining device, whereby said first and second legs may be secured together at a desired position along each of said longitudinally extending slots and at a desired angular relationship to each other; a switch mounted on said switch support ear; an insulated cable of sufficient length to run a circuitous path between the fuse box, said switch and said lamp housing; said cable having connectors for making connections to said fuse box, said switch and said electric light bulb; and said cable containing at least one conductor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
A deceleration warning light kit for installation in an automobile having an accelerator linkage controlled by a pedal and including a lever having a pivot secured to a pivot bracket mounted on the fire wall by a plurality of releasable headed fasteners, said automobile also having a fuse box and a rear structure upon which a warning light can be mounted, said kit comprising: a lamp housing having an electric light bulb mounted therein and an amber lens; mounting means for securing said lamp housing to the rear structure of the automobile; a switch support assembly; said switch support assembly having a first longitudinally extending leg and a foot extending laterally from one end of said first leg; said foot adapted to be secured to the pivot bracket by the head of one of the plurality of headed fasteners; said first leg having a longitudinally extending slot therein; said switch support assembly having a second longitudinally extending leg and a switch support ear extending laterally from one end of said second leg; said second leg having a longitudinally extending slot therein; said switch support assembly having a clamp including a shank extending through said slots of said first and second legs, and an angular adjustment retaining device, whereby said first and second legs may be secured together at a desired position along each of said longitudinally extending slots and at a desired angular relationship to each other; a switch mounted on said switch support ear; an insulated cable of sufficient length to run a circuitous path between the fuse box, said switch and said lamp housing; said cable having connectors for making connections to said fuse box, said switch and said electric light bulb; and said cable containing at least one conductor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The kit of claim 1 for an automobile having a dash above the accelerator pedal, further including: an indicator lamp electrically connected with said electric light bulb so as to be lighted when said light bulb is connected to electric power and out when said light bulb is not connected; a small cross section insulated electrical cable, to which said indicator lamp is connected at its end and which is so sized in length and so constructed so as to allow said indicator lamp to be mounted on the dash.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The kit of claim 2, wherein: said small cross-section cable and said indicator lamp have adhesive affixed to them, said adhesive being covered by a release media so that said small cross-section cable and said indicator lamp can be secured in place by removing said release media and being pressed in place.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The kit of claim 1 for an automobile having a rear window, wherein: said mounting means includes a pedestal which may be secured to the bottom of said lamp housing whereby said lamp housing may be easily mounted inside the automobile adjacent the rear window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
The kit of claim 1 for an automobile having a rear window, wherein: said lamp housing includes a visor mount for receiving and mounting a visor; at least two visors, each having common means for being secured to said visor mount but having different-angled front surfaces providing adaptation to closely fit the interior surface of automobile rear windows of differing angles; and said housing being capable of being mounted outside of the window at the rear of an automobile or inside the rear window of an automobile of the type corresponding to one of the visors without initial reflection of light from the inside of the rear window by securing the visor to the housing and against the inside surface of the rear window.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The kit of claim 5, wherein: the window edge of the visors is made of foam so as to more closely conform to the inside surface of the rear window of the automobile.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The kit of claim 5, wherein: said visors have adhesive at their window edge so that they may be affixed to the inside surface of the window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
268 words
A deceleration warning light kit for installation in an automobile having an accelerator linkage controlled by a pedal and including a lever having a pivot secured to a pivot bracket mounted on the fire wall by a plurality of releasable headed fasteners, said automobile also having a fuse box and a rear structure upon which a warning light can be mounted, said kit comprising: a lamp housing having an electric light bulb mounted therein and an amber lens; mounting means for securing said lamp housing to the rear structure of the automobile; a switch support assembly; said switch support assembly having a first longitudinally extending leg having a foot extending laterally from one end of said first leg and an opening through said leg; said foot adapted to be secured to the pivot bracket by the head of one of the plurality of headed fasteners; said switch support assembly having a second longitudinally extending leg having a switch support ear extending laterally from one end of said second leg and an opening through said leg; said switch support assembly having clamping means including a shank extending through said openings of said first and second legs, whereby said first and second legs may be secured together at a desired angular relationship to each other; a switch mounted on said switch support ear; an insulated cable of sufficient length to run a circuitous path between the fuse box, said switch and said lamp housing; said cable having connectors for making connections to said fuse box, said switch and said electric light bulb; and said cable containing at least one conductor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
268 words
A deceleration warning light kit for installation in an automobile having an accelerator linkage controlled by a pedal and including a lever having a pivot secured to a pivot bracket mounted on the fire wall by a plurality of releasable headed fasteners, said automobile also having a fuse box and a rear structure upon which a warning light can be mounted, said kit comprising: a lamp housing having an electric light bulb mounted therein and an amber lens; mounting means for securing said lamp housing to the rear structure of the automobile; a switch support assembly; said switch support assembly having a first longitudinally extending leg having a foot extending laterally from one end of said first leg and an opening through said leg; said foot adapted to be secured to the pivot bracket by the head of one of the plurality of headed fasteners; said switch support assembly having a second longitudinally extending leg having a switch support ear extending laterally from one end of said second leg and an opening through said leg; said switch support assembly having clamping means including a shank extending through said openings of said first and second legs, whereby said first and second legs may be secured together at a desired angular relationship to each other; a switch mounted on said switch support ear; an insulated cable of sufficient length to run a circuitous path between the fuse box, said switch and said lamp housing; said cable having connectors for making connections to said fuse box, said switch and said electric light bulb; and said cable containing at least one conductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
The kit of claim 8 for an automobile having a dash above the accelerator pedal, further including: an indicator lamp electrically connected with said electric light bulb so as to be lighted when said light bulb is connected to electric power and out when said light bulb is not connected; a small cross section insulated electrical cable, to which said indicator lamp is connected at its end and which is so sized in length and so constructed so as to allow said indicator lamp to be mounted on the dash.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The kit of claim 9, wherein: said small cross-section cable and said indicator lamp have adhesive affixed to them, said adhesive being covered by a release media so that said small cross-section cable and said indicator lamp can be secured in place by removing said release media and being pressed in place.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The kit of claim 8 for an automobile having a rear window, wherein: said mounting means includes a pedestal which may be secured to the bottom of said lamp housing whereby said lamp housing may be easily mounted inside the automobile adjacent the rear window.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
124 words
The kit of claim 8 for an automobile having a rear window, wherein: said lamp housing includes a visor mount for receiving and mounting a visor; at least two visors, each having common means for being secured to said visor mount but having different-angled front surfaces providing adaptation to closely fit the interior surface of automobile rear windows of differing angles; and said housing being capable of being mounted outside of the window at the rear of an automobile or inside the rear window of an automobile of the type corresponding to one of the visors without initial reflection of light from the inside of the rear window by securing that visor to the housing and against the inside surface of the rear window.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The kit of claim 12, wherein: the window edge of the visors is made of foam so as to more closely conform to the inside surface of the rear window of the automobile.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The kit of claim 12, wherein: said visors have adhesive at their window edge so that they may be affixed to the inside surface of the window.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The kit of claim 8, wherein: said visors may be mounted to the housing in an inverted manner when the housing is installed outside of the rear window.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-12-14 | 1992-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-14 | 1995-12-14 | 1996-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-14 | 1999-12-14 | 2000-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |