Vehicle light testing system for testing a plurality of lights using a scanning sequence
First Claim
1. A vehicle light testing system for testing a lighting system of a vehicle having a right directional flashing lit, a left directional flashing light and a brake function, wherein said testing system comprises:
- means fo coupling the testing system to the vehicle lighting system; and
a voltage power supply means; and
means coupled to said lighting system through said coupling means ad coupled to said voltage power supply means for automatically scanning the lights of said lighting system to apply voltage from the voltage power supply means to said lights to activate said lights in accordance with a predetermined sequence so that said left and right directional flashing lights and said brake light function are operated repetitively in accordance with said predetermined sequence so that a single testing operator can check the operation of the left and right directional flashing lights and the brake light function in a single trip around the vehicle,wherein said scanning means operates to respectively carry out the predetermined scanning sequence automatically and independently so that the operator can check the different light operating functions during the single trip without having to carry the testing system or communicate with it during the
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle light testing system is provided for testing the lighting systems of a vehicle having a plurality of lights (which have different operating functions). The testing system includes an arrangement for scanning the plurality of lights in a predetermined scanning sequence. This scanning allows a single testing operator to check the different operating functions of the lights in a single trip around the vehicle. Thus, the scanning sequence can progress from the left turn signal to the brake lights to the right turn signal (and then repeat the cycle again) so that an operator in the back of the vehicle can watch the lights progress through this sequence. The system also includes a number of other features concerned with the testing of vehicle lights in conjunction with the scanning feature, including detection of shorts, bad grounds, and low testing battery voltage, as well as a "freeze" feature and a convenient system status indicator arrangement.
57 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A vehicle light testing system for testing a lighting system of a vehicle having a right directional flashing lit, a left directional flashing light and a brake function, wherein said testing system comprises:
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means fo coupling the testing system to the vehicle lighting system; and a voltage power supply means; and means coupled to said lighting system through said coupling means ad coupled to said voltage power supply means for automatically scanning the lights of said lighting system to apply voltage from the voltage power supply means to said lights to activate said lights in accordance with a predetermined sequence so that said left and right directional flashing lights and said brake light function are operated repetitively in accordance with said predetermined sequence so that a single testing operator can check the operation of the left and right directional flashing lights and the brake light function in a single trip around the vehicle, wherein said scanning means operates to respectively carry out the predetermined scanning sequence automatically and independently so that the operator can check the different light operating functions during the single trip without having to carry the testing system or communicate with it during the - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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- 14. A vehicle testing system according to clain 1, wherein said testing system includes means coupled to said scanning means for determining whether a short circuit exists in the lights being tested, and means for indicating the existence of said short circuit.
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22. A testing apparatus for testing the lighting system of a trailier which lighting system includes a right turn signal, a left turn signal, a brake light function, a right taillight, a left taillight and top marker lights, wherein said testing apparatus includes:
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a multi-prong cable connector for connecting the testing apparatus to the lighting system of said trailer; a voltage power supply means; means coupled to the light system through said cable connector and coupled to said voltage power supply means for automatically scanning the lights of said lighting system of said trailer by applying voltag to the lights from the voltage power supply means in accordance with a predetermined sequence so that said left and right turn signals and said brake light function are operated repetitively in accordance with said predetermined sequence and means for separately activating said right taillight, said left taillighted and said top marker lights independently of said predetermined sequence so that a single testing operatior can check the operation of the right turn signal, the left turn signal, the brake light, the right taillight, the left taillight and the top marker lights of the trailer in a single trip around the trailer, wherein said scanning means operates to respectively carry out the predetermined scanning sequence automatically and independently so that the operator can check the different light operating functions during the single trip without having to carry the testing system or communicate with it during the testing; and a control panel including first switching means for activating said scanning means and second switching means for activating said means for separately activating said taillights and said top marker lights, said control panel further including indicator lights for indicating which point in the predetermined sequence the test system is at and which lights have been activated by said means for activating said taillights and said top marker lights. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification