Brake light signal system for a motor vehicle

• US 4,667,177 A
• Filed: 12/26/1985
• Issued: 05/19/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ravindra G. Athalye
• Original Assignee: Ravindra G. Athalye
• Inventors: Athalye, Ravindra G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/813,493
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 340/71, 340/72, 340/69, 340/66, 340/67, 340/74, 340/669, 307/10 LS
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/444 with indication of the braking strength or speed changes, e.g. by changing shape or intensity of the indication B60Q1/1407, B60Q1/442, B60Q1/447 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/445 controlled by inertial devices

Abstract

A brake light signal system for a motor vehicle which utilizes a plurality of different colored lights which are to be visually observed by individuals located rearward of the motor vehicle. As in increasing amount of braking force is applied, a different colored light is activated to thereby indicate to the individuals located to the rear of the motor vehicle whether only a slight amount of braking force is being applied, or whether a medium amount of braking force is being applied, or a severe amount of braking force is being applied. The actuation of the brake light signal system is made nearly independent of vehicle inclination from the horizontal either due to road gradient or suspension non-uniformity.

Claims

1. In combination with a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having a braking system, a brake light signal system connected to said motor vehicle, said brake light signal system being activated upon actuation of said braking system, said brake light signal system comprising:

a plurality of lights, each said light being visually distinctive from each other;

electrical circuitry for activating each of said lights, said circuitry including a first inertially sensitive switch in series with a first coil, a first by-pass switch connected in parallel with said first inertial sensitive switch, said first coil being activated upon closing of said first inertially sensitive switch, activation of said first coil closes said first by-pass switch electrically by-passing said first inertial sensitive switch; and

a first light switch, closing of said first light switch activates one of said lights, said first light switch being closed by said first coil.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 including:

a second inertially sensitive switch in series with a second coil a second by-pass switch connected in parallel with said second inertial sensitive switch, said second coil being activated upon closing of said second inertial sensitive switch, activation of said second coil closes said second by-pass switch; and

a second light switch, closing of said second light switch activates another of said lights, said second light switch being closed by said second coil.

3. The combination as defined in claim 2 including:

a third inertially sensitive switch in series with a third coil a third by-pass switch connected in parallel with said third inertial sensitive switch, said third coil being activated upon closing of said third inertial sensitive switch, activation of said third coil closes said third by-pass switch; and

a third light switch, closing of said third light switch activates another of said lights, said third light switch being closed by said third coil.

4. The combination as defined in claim 2 including:

a normally closed switch in series with said first coil, activation of said second coil causes opening of said normally closed switch which results in deactivation of its respective said light.

5. The combination as defined in claim 3 wherein:

each said inertially sensitive switch comprising a mercury switch, each said mercury switch being oriented in a different inclination angle in respect to each other, whereby each said mercury switch being activated at a different amount of motor vehicle braking force.

6. The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said distinctive means for each said light comprising a different color.

7. The combination as defined in claim 1 including:

a planar base, said brake light signal system being mounted on said planar base, a supporting bracket assembly mounted on said motor vehicle, said planar base being mounted on said supporting bracket assembly, said planar base being mounted about a first pivot axis on said bracket assembly, said bracket assembly being mounted about a second pivot axis on said motor vehicle, whereby as said motor vehicle assumes different angular positions as it is operated said planar base is to remain substantially horizontal.

8. The combination as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said motor vehicle having a normal forward straight-line direction of movement, said second pivot axis being located parallel to said first pivot axis, said first and second pivot axes being located perpendicular to said direction of movement, whereby said brake light signal system is only sensitive to inertia along said direction of movement and not sensitive to turning movement of said motor vehicle.

9. The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein:

said first inertially sensitive switch comprising a tubular mercury switch, said tubular mercury switch having a mercury bubble, said tubular mercury switch having a longitudinal axis along which said bubble is confined to move, said longitudinal axis coinciding with said direction of movement.

10. The combination as defined in claim 9 wherein:

the braking force of said braking system being capable of causing said mercury bubble to move along said longitudinal axis and activate said tubular mercury switch, said planar base being subject to pivoting about said first and second pivot axes upon applying of the braking force, said brake light signal system including means causing said tubular mercury switch to be substantially more sensitive to the braking force than said planar base, whereby said lights are activated before said planar base is able to pivot to adjust to the braking force.

11. The combination as defined in claim 10 wherein:

said means comprising a damper.

12. The combination as defined in claim 5 including:

a planar base, said brake light signal system being mounted on said planar base, a supporting bracket assembly mounted on said motor vehicle, said planar base being mounted on said supporting bracket assembly, said planar base being mounted about a first pivot axis on said bracket assembly, said bracket assembly being mounted about a second pivot axis on said motor vehicle, whereby as said motor vehicle assumes different angular positions as it is operated said planar base is to remain substantially horizontal.

13. The combination as defined in claim 12 wherein:

said motor vehicle having a normal forward straight-line direction of movement, said second pivot axis being located parallel to said first pivot axis, said first and second pivot axes being located perpendicular to said direction of movement, whereby said brake light signal system is only sensitive to inertia along said direction of movement and not sensitive to turning movement of said motor vehicle.

14. The combination as defined in claim 13 wherein:

each said inertially sensitive switch comprising a tubular mercury switch, each said tubular mercury switch being separated from each other, thereby each said mercury switch being unaffected by each other'"'"'s operation.

15. The combination as defined in claim 14 wherein:

each said mercury switch having a mercury bubble, each said mercury switch having a longitudinal axis along which said bubble is confined to move, each said longitudinal axis coinciding with said direction of movement.

16. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein:

the braking force of said braking system being capable of causing each said mercury bubble to move along said longitudinal axis and activate its resepective said tubular mercury switch, said planar base being subject to pivoting about said first and second pivot axes upon applying of the braking force, said brake light signal system including means causing each said tubular mercury switch to be substantially more sensitive to the braking force than said planar base, whereby said lights are activated before said planar base is able to pivot to adjust to the braking force.

17. The combination as defined in claim 16 wherein:

said means comprising a damper.