Vehicle directional signal switch with lane changing position interconnecting to flashing lamps on left and right side rear view mirrors and flashing brake lamps in reverse

• US 5,109,214 A
• Filed: 02/23/1990
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: William A. Heidman Jr
• Original Assignee: William A. Heidman Jr
• Inventors: Heidman, William A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Application Number:
  US07/484,477
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463-465, 340/468, 340/471, 340/472, 340/475, 340/479, 362/83.1, 362/61, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 340/475
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1003 Alarm systems characterised by arm or disarm features

Abstract

This invention is additional safety for vehicles passing in multiple traffic lanes to indicate passing of another vehicle is anticipated or intended or that change over to an inner or outer lane of multiple lane road is to be made. In heavy traffic, a passing driver may not see the rear turn signal lamp when an initial overlap occurs. On each side of the vehicle, the rear view mirrors attached to the front doors, are mounted flashing lane changing signal lamps which are readily visible to the passing driver, however, do not interfere in any way to the vision of the driver or passengers. For further safety in alerting others, these lamps also will flash in unison with brake lamps when vehicle is backing. In addition, third and fourth self contained thermostatic lamps also can be incorporated as a separate auxiliary hazard using minute drain on battery for long term signaling.

Claims

1. Lane changing lamps for an automotive vehicle, said vehicle having an ignition switch, a directional signal switch, front and rear directional signal lamps on each side thereof and front doors on each side thereof comprising:

left and right vehicle side rear view mirrors having an open housing with a forward and aft surface, said housing protruding from said vehicle on the forward side structure portion of the front vehicle doors on each side thereof within range of the vehicle operator'"'"'s normal line of vision, each mirror housing having an outer edge surface between forward and aft surfaces with a lane changing lamp set forward of said aft surface on said outer edge surface of said open housing out of the vehicle operator'"'"'s normal line of vision;

a backup lamp circuit;

a brake lamp circuit;

brake lamps;

a source of electrical energy interconnected through said ignition switch and a bypass flasher element connected to said backup and brake lamp circuits whereby when said brake lamp circuit and said backup lamp circuit are energized said brake lamps flash intermittently;

a directional lamp flasher (22);

a source of electrical energy connected to said directional lamp flasher in series through said ignition switch;

said directional signal switch having a lane changing position interconnecting on a selected side of said vehicle the electrical energy through said ignition switch and directional lamp flasher for selectively flashing said front and rear directional signal lamps and each of the side rear view mirror mounted lane changing lamps.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising an outer lane changing lamp lens protruding from said outer edge surface of said open housing.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes rear backup lamps and a rear backup lamp circuit for illuminating said backup lamps in a constant state, brake lamps and a brake lamp circuit, said brake lamp circuit and a third flasher associated with the rear backup lamp circuit for illuminating said brake lamps and the mirror mounted lane changing lamps in a flashing state when the backup lamp circuit is activated.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said brake lamp circuit further comprises a first and a second brake lamp switch and a backup lamp switch connected to said backup lamp circuit, said first brake lamp switch being closed only when the vehicle is braking and said second brake lamp switch being open only when the vehicle is in reverse.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 additionally comprising a second brake lamp circuit connected to said back up lamp circuit which operates simultaneously with said back up lamp circuit and disconnects the first mentioned brake lamp circuit for preventing said brake lamps from illuminating in a constant state when said backup circuit is activated thereby maintaining a flashing of said brake lamps when said backup circuit is energized.