Motor vehicle brake-state of motion signal-lights indicator

• US 4,837,554 A
• Filed: 08/12/1988
• Issued: 06/06/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony Gianforcaro
• Original Assignee: Anthony Gianforcaro
• Inventors: Gianforcaro, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chau, Annie H.
• Application Number:
  US07/231,262
• Time in Patent Office: 298 Days
• Field of Search: 340/66, 340/71, 340/72
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a combination of circuitries and signaling lights all fed through a brake-actuation switch in electrical circuit series, such that none of the signaling lights are operative except when the brake is applied. There are two basic signaling light circuitries and lights. The first is operative when a motion indicator switch registers that the automobile is in motion, thereby closing circuit, causing those lights to be lighted or flashing. There is a separate second circuit and lights which become activated when there is no motion, i.e. when motion has terminated if the brake is still being applied. The motion switch has the alternative positions and is preferably connected to the speedometer or other conventional motion-indicator not requiring any newly manufactured motion switch. Each of the separate light circuitries and lights thereof have lights on the front of the automobile and on each of the left and right faces of the automobile near the front of the automobile. Thereby, an oncoming driver or a person or driver on either side of the automobile may be thus advised readily as to the state of braking and movement or non-movement of this motor vehicle. The lights indicating motion--when the brake is depressed, are red, while the lighs indicating no motion--when the brake is depressed, are green.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle signaling-light device comprising in combination:

a power source means for providing direct current electricity, having a positive terminal outlet and having a ground negative terminal;

a brake switch means for making and breaking electrical circuit, having a brake switch input terminal and having a brake switch output terminal;

a brake switch power input circuit including a brake switch power lead connected between said positive terminal outlet and said brake switch input terminal;

first forward signal light means including a first forward signal light, for mounting on at least a forwardly-directed face of a motor vehicle, such that any forward signal lights thereof are viewable from at least a forwardly direction and having a first forward light input terminal and forward light output terminal;

a motion switch means including a motion switch power input terminal electrically connected to said brake switch output terminal, and at least a first motion switch power outlet terminal, for directing electrical current from the motion switch inlet terminal to said first motion switch power outlet terminal when a vehicle on which the motion switch is mounted is motionless, and for breaking electrical circuit to said first motion switch power inlet terminal when the motor is in motion; and

a motion switch first power lead connected between said first motion switch power outlet terminal and said first forward light input terminal; and

said brake switch power input circuit additionally including a brake switch circuit ground lead connected between said first forward light output terminal and said main ground negative terminal, whereby said first forward signal light becomes activated by receiving electric power when simultaneously said brake switch means is in a closed circuit state resulting from a brake pedal being depressed when concurrently the motor vehicle is in a motionless state.

2. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 1, in which said first forward signal light means includes second forward light and includes a second forward signal light input and output terminals to and from said second forward signal light, said second forward light outlet terminal being connected electrically in circuit to said main ground negative terminal, and in which said motion switch means includes a second motion switch power outlet terminal;

and including a motion switch second power lead connected between said second forward light input terminal and said second motion switch power outlet terminal, said motion switch means being further for making electrical circuit between said motion switch power input terminal and said second motion switch power outlet terminal when the motor vehicle is in motion, and for breaking electrical circuit between said motion switch power input terminal and said second motion switch power outlet terminal when the motor vehicle is in a motionless state, whereby when the brake of the motor vehicle is applied and when the automobile is still in motion the second forward signal light is energized and when the brake remains applied and the motor vehicle ceases its motion, the second forward signal light becomes deactivated and simultaneously the first forward signal light becomes turned-on to provide its light, said first and second lights including physical differences being distinguishable one from the other to a viewer thereof.

3. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 2, including a first message-conveying means for the first light imparting at least some of said physical differences thereto, and including a second and different message-conveying means for the second light imparting at least some of said physical difference, whereby the first and second lights are distinguishable one from the other when respectively lighted.

4. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 3, in which said first message-conveying means comprises a color-imparting structure by which the first light is a first color, and including a second color imparting means by which the second light is a second different color from the first color imparting means, whereby the first light when activated is distinguishable from the second light when activated by virtue of their different colors when observed by a viewer.

5. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 4, in which said first color imparting means causes said first light to impart a green light and in which said second color imparting means causes said second light to impart a red light, when viewed by a viewer.

6. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 5, including first and second side-viewable lights means for mounting on a motor vehicle on a left side and on a right side respectively thereof such that lights of each of the first and second side-viewable light means may be viewed from each of positions to the left and to the right of the motor vehicle, the first side-viewable light means having at least first right and left side lights, first right and left side light electrical power input terminals and a first right and left light ground terminals, and the second side-viewable light means having at least second right and left side lights, second right and left side light electrical power input terminals and second right and left ground terminals, and in which said motion switch first power lead is connected between said first motion switch power outlet terminal and said first right and left side lights, and including second switch lead connected between said second motion switch power outlet terminal and said second right and left side lights, and in which said brake switch circuit ground lead is connected between said main ground negative terminal and each of said first and second side light ground terminals, whereby said first right and left side lights and said first forward light become simultaneously and concurrently electrically energized and lighted when simultaneously the brake is applied and the motor vehicle is motionless, and whereby said second side lights and the second forward light become energized and lighted and viewable when simultaneously the vehicle brake is applied and the motor vehicle is in motion.

7. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 6, in which said color imparting means in association with the first and second side lights causes the first right and left side lights to be viewed as green lights when observed by a viewer and the second right and left side lights to be viewed as red lights when observed by a viewer.

8. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 1, including a color imparting means in association with the first light whereby the first light will cause a green light to be seen when observed by a viewer.

9. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 1, including first and second side-viewable lights means for mounting on a motor vehicle on a left side and on a right side respectively thereof such that lights of each of the first and second side-viewable light means may be viewed from each of positions to the left and to the right of the motor vehicle, the first right and left side-viewable light means having at least first right and left side lights, and the second side-viewable light means having at least a second right and left side lights, said first and second right and left side lights including physical differences such that the first right and left side lights are distinguishable from the second right and left side lights to a viewer thereof, the first side-viewable light means having first right and left side light electrical power input terminals and a first right and left side light ground terminals, and the second side-viewable light means having a second right and left side light electrical power input terminals and a second right and left side light ground terminals, and in which said motion switch first power lead is connected between said first motion switch power outlet terminal and said first right and left side lights, and including a second motion switch power lead connected between said second motion switch power outlet terminal and said second right and left side lights, and in which said brake switch circuit ground lead is connected between said main ground negative terminal and each of said first and second side light ground terminals, whereby said first right and left side lights become simultaneously and concurrently electrically energized and lighted when simultaneously the brake is applied and the motor vehicle is motionless, and whereby said second right and left side lights become energized and lighted and viewable when simultaineously the vehicle brake is applied and the motor vehicle is in motion.

10. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 7, including a first flasher means for causing said first light to flash alternately on and off, when energized.

11. A motor vehicle signaling light device of claim 10, including said first flasher means being connected operatively in electrical circuit with each of said first and second side lights, for causing said first and second side lights to flash alternately off and on, when energized.

12. A motor vehicle signaling light device of claim 9, including said first flasher means being connected operatively in electrical circuit with each of said first and second side lights, for causing said first and second side lights to flash alternately off and on, when energized.

13. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 1, including a first flasher means for causing said first light to flash alternately on and off, when energized.

14. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 1, including a second forward signal light means for mounting on at least a forwardly-directed face of a motor vehicle, such that any lights thereof are viewable from at least a forwardly direction and having a second forward light input terminal and second forward light output terminal, said brake switch circuit ground lead being connected between said second forward light output terminal and said main ground negative terminal, whereby said second light becomes activated by receiving electric power when simultaneously said brake switch means is in a closed circuit state resulting from a brake pedal being applied, and the motor vehicle is in a state of motion.

15. A motor vehicle signaling-light device of claim 14, including a first flasher means for causing said first light to flash alternately on and off, when energized.

16. A motor vehicle signaling light device of claim 15, including said first flasher means being connected operatively in electrical circuit with each of said first and second side lights, for causing said first and second side lights to flash alternately off and on, when energized.