Patent US5410294A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5410294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auto rear window signal
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1994-01-13
•
Granted: 1995-04-25
•
Expires: 2014-01-13
Abstract
Abstract Mandated by law in most states is an original equipment manufacture (OEM) auto rear window brake-operated light which displays itself as a steady light signal when the brake is operated. This same light is now given a flashing mode to indicate the "cruise control" is on so that an approaching motorist is encouraged to make a safe lane change rather than to "tailgate".
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Gold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/30; B60Q1/302
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A safer method of operating an auto of type having first and second operating modes during driving operation thereof, of which a first operating mode is providing a visual display as a signal to an approaching motorist consisting of a light in a strategic display location centrally and along a bottom edge of a rear window of said auto, and of which a second operating mode is cruise-controlling the operation of said auto at a selected unchanging speed, said safer auto-operating method comprising the steps of electrically operating said strategically-located light optionally in a first steady mode and in a second flashing mode, operating said strategically-located light in said first steady mode coincident only with the operation of a brake of said auto, and operating said strategically-located light in said second flashing mode coincident only with the cruise-controlled operation of said auto, whereby a flashing light signal is provided to an approaching motorist during said cruise-controlled operation of said auto to provide a tailgate-averting instruction to said approaching motorist related to said unchanging speed of said auto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A safer method of operating an auto of type having first and second operating modes during driving operation thereof, of which a first operating mode is providing a visual display as a signal to an approaching motorist consisting of a light in a strategic display location centrally and along a bottom edge of a rear window of said auto, and of which a second operating mode is cruise-controlling the operation of said auto at a selected unchanging speed, said safer auto-operating method comprising the steps of electrically operating said strategically-located light optionally in a first steady mode and in a second flashing mode, operating said strategically-located light in said first steady mode coincident only with the operation of a brake of said auto, and operating said strategically-located light in said second flashing mode coincident only with the cruise-controlled operation of said auto, whereby a flashing light signal is provided to an approaching motorist during said cruise-controlled operation of said auto to provide a tailgate-averting instruction to said approaching motorist related to said unchanging speed of said auto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3949361A
Cited
US4800377A
Cited
US5058698A
Cited
US4952909A
Cited
US4990886A
Cited
US5164701A
Cited
US5166681A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-24 | 1998-10-24 | 1999-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-24 | 2002-10-24 | 2003-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-24 | 2006-10-24 | 2007-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |