Vehicle signaling system
First Claim
1. In a motor vehicle of the type having left and right spaced-apart tail lights to signal when an operator is braking, turning, or backing up, the improvement comprising:
- an indicator light at a rear portion of the vehicle, at least a portion of the indicator light positioned horizontally between the left and right tail lights, wherein the indicator light has a visual appearance when lit that is readily distinguishable from a visual appearance of the left and right tail lights;
a movable switch having an ON position and an OFF position, the switch being biased into the ON position, the switch positioned in an interior of the vehicle to be readily accessible to an operator of the vehicle, wherein the switch is coupled to the indicator light and initially turns the indicator light on when the switch is in the ON position; and
a timer circuit feature operably coupled to the indicator light and turning the indicator light off after a predetermined time interval has passed from when the indicator light was turned on, wherein the indicator light is not turned on again unless the switch is again moved to the ON position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A motor vehicle includes a conventional tail light arrangement, and also includes an indicator light that can be actuated by a vehicle operator. The indicator light is configured to provide a signal to a driver of another vehicle that the other driver is “tailgating” or otherwise following the lead vehicle too closely. The indicator light arrangement may include a timer that turns the indicator light off a preselected time, such that the light is not turned on again unless the vehicle operator again actuates the switch.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a motor vehicle of the type having left and right spaced-apart tail lights to signal when an operator is braking, turning, or backing up, the improvement comprising:
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an indicator light at a rear portion of the vehicle, at least a portion of the indicator light positioned horizontally between the left and right tail lights, wherein the indicator light has a visual appearance when lit that is readily distinguishable from a visual appearance of the left and right tail lights;
a movable switch having an ON position and an OFF position, the switch being biased into the ON position, the switch positioned in an interior of the vehicle to be readily accessible to an operator of the vehicle, wherein the switch is coupled to the indicator light and initially turns the indicator light on when the switch is in the ON position; and
a timer circuit feature operably coupled to the indicator light and turning the indicator light off after a predetermined time interval has passed from when the indicator light was turned on, wherein the indicator light is not turned on again unless the switch is again moved to the ON position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A motor vehicle signaling system, comprising:
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first and second spaced-apart lights configured to be mounted to a vehicle;
a manually actuatable switch;
an electrical device operably coupled to the lights and the switch, wherein the electrical devices turns the first and second lights on and off in an alternating left and right blinking manner upon actuation of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A motor vehicle signaling system, comprising:
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a first group of rear vehicle lights, the first group including at least turn signal lights, brake lights and back up lights, the first group of lights defining a plurality of distinct visual appearances when selected ones of the lights are turned on;
an indicator light having a visual appearance when lit that is substantially different than the distinct visual appearances of the first group of lights;
a manually operable switch located remote from the first group of lights and the indicator light;
a timer coupled to the switch and the indicator light, and wherein;
the indicator light is initially lit when the switch is actuated, and the timer turns the indicator light off after a preselected time interval. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification