US4972172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable, blinking alarm status and theft deterrent indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-06-12
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Granted: 1990-11-20
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Expires: 2009-06-12
Abstract
Abstract An electrical blinking light indicator device pluggable into an automotive cigarette lighter receptacle to generate a pulsing alarm signal for deterring unauthorized persons from entering or using the automobile. The indicator device includes a rechargeable battery for supplying electrical energy to a light-emitting diode in the absence of automotive electrical power at the cigarette lighter receptable. Circuitry within the device recharges the battery from the automotive power supply during normal vehicle operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack M. McLaughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:05
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/01; B60R25/018; G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/22; G08B5/36; G08B5/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
321 words
A blinking light indicator comprising a dielectric housing adapted for insertion into an automotive cigarette lighter receptacle; said housing having an elongated annular side surface terminating in first and second housing ends; a first spring-biased plunger electrode (38) extending through said first end of the housing for electrical contact with a positively charged component in a cigarette lighter receptacle; a second deflectable electrode (40) projecting through said annular side surface of the housing for electrical contact with a negatively grounded component in a cigarette lighter receptacle; a rechargeable battery (64) physically located within said housing, said rechargeable battery having a positive terminal; said rechargeable battery having a negative terminal connected to said deflectable electrode (40); a light-emitting diode (30) having a positive terminal; said light-emitting diode having a negative terminal connected to said deflectable electrode; said light-emitting diode being physically located in said second end of the housing so that its light output is directed externally of the housing; said light-emitting diode being constructed so that it has a pulsed blinking light output; a rectifier diode (D1) and a resistor (R1) mounted within said housing; said resistor being electrically connected between said plunger electrode and the positive terminal of the light-emitting diode; said rectifier diode (D1) having a first terminal connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery, and a second terminal connected to the positive terminal of the light-emitting diode and to said resistor (R1); said rectifier diode (D1) being fully conductive in the direction from said rechargeable battery to the light-emitting diode and weakly conductive in the direction from said resistor (R1) to the rechargeable battery; said rectifier diode being operable to deliver recharging current to the rechargeable battery when the light-emitting diode is being energized through the resistor; said rectifier diode being operable to deliver current from the rechargeable battery to the light-emitting diode in the absence of current flow through said plunger electrode and said resistor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
321 words
A blinking light indicator comprising a dielectric housing adapted for insertion into an automotive cigarette lighter receptacle; said housing having an elongated annular side surface terminating in first and second housing ends; a first spring-biased plunger electrode (38) extending through said first end of the housing for electrical contact with a positively charged component in a cigarette lighter receptacle; a second deflectable electrode (40) projecting through said annular side surface of the housing for electrical contact with a negatively grounded component in a cigarette lighter receptacle; a rechargeable battery (64) physically located within said housing, said rechargeable battery having a positive terminal; said rechargeable battery having a negative terminal connected to said deflectable electrode (40); a light-emitting diode (30) having a positive terminal; said light-emitting diode having a negative terminal connected to said deflectable electrode; said light-emitting diode being physically located in said second end of the housing so that its light output is directed externally of the housing; said light-emitting diode being constructed so that it has a pulsed blinking light output; a rectifier diode (D1) and a resistor (R1) mounted within said housing; said resistor being electrically connected between said plunger electrode and the positive terminal of the light-emitting diode; said rectifier diode (D1) having a first terminal connected to the positive terminal of the rechargeable battery, and a second terminal connected to the positive terminal of the light-emitting diode and to said resistor (R1); said rectifier diode (D1) being fully conductive in the direction from said rechargeable battery to the light-emitting diode and weakly conductive in the direction from said resistor (R1) to the rechargeable battery; said rectifier diode being operable to deliver recharging current to the rechargeable battery when the light-emitting diode is being energized through the resistor; said rectifier diode being operable to deliver current from the rechargeable battery to the light-emitting diode in the absence of current flow through said plunger electrode and said resistor.
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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) | 1993-11-19 | 1994-05-21 | 1994-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-19 | 1998-05-21 | 1998-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-19 | 2002-05-21 | 2002-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |