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Two-stage brake light system

  • US 4,918,424 A
  • Filed: 09/12/1988
  • Issued: 04/17/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A two-stage brake light system for a vehicle equipped with a brake pedal, comprising:

  • a power source;

    warning light means for signalling that said brake pedal has been depressed a first selected amount;

    stop light means for a signalling that said brake pedal has been depressed a second selected amount which is greater than said first selected amount;

    switch means mounted proximate said brake pedal responsive to the quantity of depression of said brake pedal such that said warning signal means is connected to said power source when said brake pedal is depressed by said first selected amount and such that said stop light means is connected to said power source when said brake pedal is depressed by said second selected amount, said switch means having a plunger which is mechanically engaged by said brake pedal when said brake pedal is depressed, a housing that defines an internal cavity which slidably receives a portion of said plunger therein, and biasing means disposed within said cavity for urging said plunger outwardly towards said brake pedal, said switch means further including first and second contact pairs, said first of said contact pairs being warning light contacts electrically connected with said warning light means and said second of said contact pairs being stop light contacts electrically connected with said stop light means, said warning light contacts being actuated by contact actuators to energize said warning light means from said power source when said plunger is moved with respect to said housing by said first selected amount, and said stop light contacts being actuated by further contact actuators to energize said stop light means from said power source when said plunger is moved with respect to said housing by said second selected amount, said contact actuators and said further contact actuators being displaced by the surface contour of said plunger.

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