Apparatus for operating a plurality of control circuits having a common conductor and a circuit therefor
First Claim
1. A multi-purpose common conductor electrical system for use with a vehicle steering assembly or the like, comprising:
- (a) a steering assembly having a rotable steering wheel adapted for directing a vehicle;
(b) first and second control circuits connected to said steering wheel and rotable therewith;
(c) a common conductor connected to said first and said second control circuits and extending along at least a portion of the length of said steering assembly;
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-purpose common conductor electrical system for use with a vehicle steering assembly or the like, comprising a steering assembly having a rotatable steering wheel and being adapted for directing a vehicle; first and second control circuits connected to said steering wheel and rotatable therewith; a common conductor connected to said first and said second control circuits and extending at least a portion of said steering assembly length; a common power supply connected to said common conductor for providing power to said first and said second control circuits; blocking means for preventing the unintended conducting of power to said first control circuit when power is conducted to said second control circuit; and, limiting means for intentionally conducting power to said first control circuit when power is conducted to said second control circuit for permitting simultaneous operation of said first and said second control circuits is disclosed.
16 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A multi-purpose common conductor electrical system for use with a vehicle steering assembly or the like, comprising:
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(a) a steering assembly having a rotable steering wheel adapted for directing a vehicle; (b) first and second control circuits connected to said steering wheel and rotable therewith; (c) a common conductor connected to said first and said second control circuits and extending along at least a portion of the length of said steering assembly; - View Dependent Claims (3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29)
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2. (d) a power supply connected to said common conductor for providing power to said first and second control circuits;
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(e) blocking means for preventing the unintended conducting of power to said first control circuit when power is conducted to said second control circuit; (f) limiting means for intentionally diverting excess power to said first control circuit when power is conducted to said second control circuit for permitting simultaneous operation of said first and said second control circuit; (g) first intiation means mounted to said vehicle remote from said steering assembly and connected to said first control circuit through said common conductor for initiating operation of said first control circuit; and
,(h) said second control circuit includes a second initiation means mounted generally to said steering wheel and an operator mounted to said vehicle remote from said steering assembly and connected to said second control circuit through said common conductor. - View Dependent Claims (4, 6, 8, 10, 12)
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14. A circuit for operating a plurality of control circuits connected through a common conductor, comprising:
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(a) first and second power supplies, each of said power supplies having an associated voltage and said first voltage being in excess of said second voltage; (b) first and second control circuits connected to a common conductor; (c) first grounding means connected to said common conductor and to said first power supply for conducting current from said first power supply to said first and second control circuits; (d) second grounding means connected to said common conductor and to said second power supply for conducting current to said second control circuit; (e) current blocking means connected to said first control circuit and to said common conductor for permitting current flow from said first power supply to said first control circuit and for preventing current flow from said second power supply to said first control circuit whereby said second control circuit may be operated; (f) current limiting means connected to said second control circuit and to said common conductor for preventing grounding of said first power supply by said second grounding means whereby current flows from said first power supply to said first control circuit and said first control circuit may be simultaneously operated by said first grounding means; and
,(g) said first grounding means connected to a first end portion of said common conductor and said second grounding means connected to generally a second end portion of said common conductor and said first end portion being spaced a distance from said second end portion. - View Dependent Claims (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 28)
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Specification