Vehicle brakelights activating device

• US 4,788,526 A
• Filed: 06/13/1986
• Issued: 11/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ATAL Technologies Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ATAL Technologies Ltd.
• Inventors: Eckstein, Mordechai, Shapira, Adir
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Jr., Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tumm, Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US06/873,979
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 340/71, 340/72, 340/66, 200/61.89, 200/86.5, 338/32 H, 324/207, 324/208, 324/228
• US Class Current: 340/467
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/441 Electric switches operable by the driver's pedals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20888 Pedals

Abstract

A device is provided, associated with the accelerator pedal of motor cars adapted to cause the lighting of the brake lights shortly before the brake pedal is applied in case of braking in an emergency. In one version of the device, it comprises a bellows mounted on the accelerator pedal. During normal driving, the bellows is pressed down to minimum volume thereof. When abruptly released, a sub-pressure is developed which is used to momentarily lift a metal flap which closes the brakelights circuit. The lights remain on until the light circuit is taken over by the brake pedal switching circuit. According to another version, the operation is based on the relative abrupt movement of a magnetic core surrounded by an induction coil. The electromotive force will generate a current effective to close the brakelights circuit.

Claims

1. A signalling device for a light of a motor vehicle comprising

a first member for mounting to the accelerator pedal of a vehicle, a second member for being pressed by a foot of the driver, the first and second members being connected to be displaceable with respect to each other upon the driver pressing upon the second member and, through the connection between the first and second members, upon the accelerator pedal and also upon the driver releasing the pressure upon the second member;

a magnetic core on one of the first and second members and an induction coil on the other member, the core and coil being respectively positioned that upon the second member moving away from the first member, the core and coil move past each other;

means for operating the light to illuminate, and an electrical connection from the coil to the operating means such that movement of the core past the coil operates the operating means for the light.

2. The signalling device of claim 1, wherein the light comprises the vehicle brake light and is connected to the operating means.

3. The signalling device of claim 1, further comprising a spring normally urging the first and second members to move apart against driver pressure upon the second member, whereby upon removal of driver pressure from the second member, the members are moved rapidly apart by the spring, causing the magnetic core and the coil to cooperate to induce a current for the operating means.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first and second members together form a housing having one wall thereof on the second member movable relative to another immovable wall on the first member, and the induction coil and the magnetic core being associated each with one of the walls.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the coil is fixed to the immovable wall.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the coil is fixed to the movable wall.

7. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the displaceable connection between the first and second members includes one of the walls being pivotally coupled to the other of the walls.

8. The signalling device of claim 7, further comprising a spring normally urging the first and second members to move apart against driver pressure upon the second member, whereby upon removal of driver pressure from the second member, the members are moved rapidly apart by the spring, causing the magnetic core and the coil to cooperate to induce a current for the operating means.

9. A signalling device for a light of a motor vehicle comprising

a first member for mounting to the accelerator pedal of a vehicle, a second member for being pressed by a foot of the driver, the first and second members being connected to be displaceable with respect to each other upon the driver pressing upon the second member and, through the connection between the first and second members, upon the accelerator pedal and also upon the driver releasing the pressure upon the second member;

an electromotive power generator comprising a magnetic core on one of the first and second members, generating means located in the generator and operable such that movement of the magnetic core together with the one member away from the other of the first and second members causes the generating means to generate a current, operating means for operating the light to illuminate, and an electrical connection from the generating means to the operating means such that movement of the core with respect to the other of the members operates the operating means for the light.

10. The signalling device of claim 9, further comprising a spring normally urging the first and second members to move apart against driver pressure upon the second member, whereby upon removal of driver pressure from the second member, the members are moved rapidly apart by the spring, causing the magnetic core and the generating means to cooperate to induce a current for the operating means.