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US5086253A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Automatic headlight dimmer apparatus

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-10-15
•
Granted: 1992-02-04
•
Expires: 2010-10-15
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus within a vehicle including a plurality of high beams in electrical communication with an automatic circuit to direct voltage to each associated high beam, wherein a photo-transistor is arranged in parallel circuitry to a relay coil and resistor, with the junction transistor arranged to interface between the first and the second parallel circuit, including the photo-transistor and adjustable resistor respectively. A modified detector circuit includes a second resistor in series with the resistor, and a third resistor in parallel relationship to the relay coil to effect a time delay in actuation of the high beam members of the vehicle. A third junction transistor is arranged in a third circuit parallel to the first and second circuit to direct current to the respective high beam for increased sensitivity relative to the incoming light source from a remote vehicle.

Inventors

  • 👤 Louis N. Lawler

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 09:40
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/02; B60Q1/04; B60Q1/14; B60Q1/1415; B60Q1/1423; B60Q2300/00; B60Q2300/05; B60Q2300/052; B60Q2300/40; B60Q2300/42

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 223 words
An automatic headlight dimmer switch comprising, in combination, a light directional tube mounted to a vehicle, the directional tube including a beveled left side to permit light into the directional tube from an oncoming vehicle, and the directional tube including a photo-sensitive transistor mounted within the tube, the photo-sensitive transistor arranged in a first circuit loop parallel to a second circuit loop, the second circuit loop including a first adjustable potentiometer resistor in series with a relay coil, and a first junction transistor coupled between the first circuit loop and the second circuit loop, and a high beam voltage input line coupled to at least one high beam lamp mounted within the vehicle, and operative to direct voltage to the high beam lamp upon absence of light directed into the light directional tube upon actuation of the relay coil, and a third circuit loop arranged parallel to the first and second circuit loop, with the third circuit loop including a second junction transistor at a junction between the first, second, and third circuit loops, and a second resistor in series with the first adjustable resistor, and a third resistor in parallel with the relay coil, and a capacitor in series with the third resistor to effect a time delay in actuation of the relay coil to permit complete passage of the oncoming vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 223 words
An automatic headlight dimmer switch comprising, in combination, a light directional tube mounted to a vehicle, the directional tube including a beveled left side to permit light into the directional tube from an oncoming vehicle, and the directional tube including a photo-sensitive transistor mounted within the tube, the photo-sensitive transistor arranged in a first circuit loop parallel to a second circuit loop, the second circuit loop including a first adjustable potentiometer resistor in series with a relay coil, and a first junction transistor coupled between the first circuit loop and the second circuit loop, and a high beam voltage input line coupled to at least one high beam lamp mounted within the vehicle, and operative to direct voltage to the high beam lamp upon absence of light directed into the light directional tube upon actuation of the relay coil, and a third circuit loop arranged parallel to the first and second circuit loop, with the third circuit loop including a second junction transistor at a junction between the first, second, and third circuit loops, and a second resistor in series with the first adjustable resistor, and a third resistor in parallel with the relay coil, and a capacitor in series with the third resistor to effect a time delay in actuation of the relay coil to permit complete passage of the oncoming vehicle.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2853651A Cited
US3011092A Cited
US2959709A Cited
US3274434A Cited
US3775639A Cited
US4665321A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-02-03 1995-08-05 1996-02-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-02-03 1999-08-05 2000-02-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-02-03 2003-08-05 2004-02-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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