Wireless taillight system

• US 4,859,982 A
• Filed: 01/07/1988
• Issued: 08/22/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stephen L. Seaburg
• Original Assignee: Stephen L. Seaburg
• Inventors: Seaburg, Stephen L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/141,563
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 340/52 R, 340/67, 340/73.74, 340/81 R, 340/66, 362/61, 362/233, 307/10 L S
• US Class Current: 340/475
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/305 Indicating devices for towed vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Abstract

A wireless taillight system including a transmit module adapted to receive taillight control signals from a towing vehicle and provide radio frequency control signals corresponding thereto. The system also includes a pair of taillight modules adapted to be mounted upon a towed vehicle. The taillight modules receive control signals from the transmit module and energize a taillight system contained therein. The system is adapted to provide run, stop and turn signal functions to a towed vehicle. The invention is registered under the Disclosure Document Program as Disclosure Document No. 171509.

Claims

1. A wireless taillight system comprising:

(A) a transmitting module adapted to be disposed in operative association with the taillight energizing circuitry of a vehicle, said module including;

input means operatively connected to said taillight energizing circuitry and adapted to receive taillight energizing signals therefrom;

a signal generator adapted to generate a first group of radio frequency control signals at a first frequency in response to the energizing signals from the right-side taillights of the vehicle and a second group of radio frequency control signals at a second frequency in response to the energizing signals from the left-side taillights of the vehicle; and

an antenna adapted to broadcast the radio frequency control signals;

(B) a first taillight module configured to be removably mounted on a vehicle at a location remote from the transmitting module and including;

a radio receiver-decoder adapted to receive the first group of radio frequency control signals broadcast by the antenna and generate lamp control signals corresponding thereto; and

signaling means including a signal lamp and a lamp controller, said controller adapted to receive the lamp control signals and energize the lamp in accordance with the energization of the right-side taillights; and

,

(C) a second taillight module configured to be removably mounted on a vehicle at a location remote from the transmitting module and including;

a radio receiver-decoder adapted to receive the second group of radio frequency control signals broadcast by the antenna and generate lamp control signals corresponding thereto; and

,

signaling means including a signal lamp and a lamp controller, said controller adapted to receive the lamp control signals and energize the lamp in accordance with the energization of the left-side taillights.

2. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein said first set of radio frequency signals are broadcast at approximately 27 MHZ, and the second set of radio frequency control signals are broadcast at approximately 49 MHZ.

3. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein said input means is adapted to receive taillight energizing signals from the vehicle corresponding to run, stop and turn functions and wherein the signal generator is adapted to provide differing radio frequency control signals for each of said taillight energizing signals.

4. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein said input means includes a jack adapted to connect the transmitting module to the taillight energizing circuitry of the vehicle.

5. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein each of said taillight modules includes a magnetic mount adapted to affix the module to a metallic surface.

6. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein each of said taillight modules further includes an antenna.

7. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein said signaling means includes a plurality of lamps.

8. A wireless taillight system as in claim 7, wherein said lamps are adapted to indicate run, stop and turn functions.

9. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein the signal generator of the transmitting module has associated therewith a logic center.

10. A wireless taillight system as in claim 1, wherein said taillight module includes a logic center adapted to decode received radio frequency control signals, generate lamp control signals corresponding thereto and energize the lamp in response to the lamp control signals.

11. A wireless taillight system comprising:

(A) a transmitting module adapted to be disposed in operative association with the taillight energizing circuitry of a vehicle, the module including;

(i) an input connector adapted to be connected to the taillight energizing circuitry of the vehicle so as to receive taillight energizing signals therefrom;

(ii) a first group of relays adapted to receive taillight energizing signals corresponding to the left brake, turn and run taillight function of the vehicle and to provide outputs corresponding thereto;

(iii) a first transmitter operating at a first radio frequency and adapted to receive the outputs of the first group of relays, said transmitter having associated therewith a logic center adapted to provide a plurality of discrete radio frequency signals at said first wavelength corresponding to said left turn, brake and run functions;

(iv) a second group of relays adapted to receive the taillight energizing signals corresponding to the right brake, turn and run functions and provide output signals corresponding thereto;

(v) a second radio frequency transmitter operating at a second wavelength and adapted to receive the outputs of the second group of relays, said transmitter having associated therewith a logic center adapted to provide a plurality of discrete output signals at said second wavelength corresponding to said right turn, brake and run functions; and

(vi) an antenna in operative communication with each of said transmitters and adapted to broadcast the radio frequency signals;

(B) a first taillight module disposed remote from the transmitting module and including;

(i) a radio receiver having associated therewith an antenna and adapted to receive radio signals at said first wavelength;

(ii) a logic center in operative association with said receiver and adapted to decode the received radio frequency control signals and generate lamp control signals corresponding thereto;

(iii) at least one lamp operatively connected to the logic center so as to be energized by lamp control signal provided thereby; and

(iv) a power supply adapted to energize the receiver and lamp;

(C) a second taillight module disposed remote from the transmitting module and including;

(i) a radio receiver having associated therewith an antenna and adapted to receive radio signals at said second wavelength;

(ii) a logic center in operative association with said receiver and adapted to decode the received radio frequency control signals and generate lamp control signals corresponding thereto;

(iii) at least one lamp operatively connected to the logic center so as to be energized by lamp control signals provided thereby; and

(iv) a power supply adapted to energize the receiver and lamp.