Black-out controller system

• US 5,434,553 A
• Filed: 06/16/1993
• Issued: 07/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael E. Rhodes
• Original Assignee: Michael E. Rhodes
• Inventors: Rhodes, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peng, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Application Number:
  US08/077,094
• Time in Patent Office: 762 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/471, 340/463, 340/472, 340/479, 307/10.8
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/14 having dimming means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2611 Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 11/00 Arrangement of monitoring devices for devices provided for in groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q9/00

Abstract

A black-out controller system includes a harness attachable to the lighting system of a conventional vehicle. A controller is attachable to the harness for controlling the various lighting features of the vehicle. An illuminated switch panel located within the passenger compartment allows the driver to alter the normal lighting features of the vehicle. A brake and backup lights black-out switch is provided on the switch panel which disables the brake and backup lights of the vehicle. A tail lights black-out switch is also provided to disable the tail lights. A sneak light switch is provided to activate a sneak light located in front of the vehicle which may be used to provide less lighting in front of the vehicle than the normal headlights. Optional flashing features of emergency lights may be included in the black-out controller system.

Claims

1. A black-out controller system for use in an emergency vehicle having emergency lights, a backup switch for supplying power to backup lights of the vehicle when the vehicle is placed in reverse, a manually activated running light switch to provide power to running lights of the vehicle including tail lights, a dome light activated by opening doors, and a brake switch for supplying power to brake lights of the vehicle when a brake pedal within the vehicle is engaged, said black-out controller system comprising:

a manually activated emergency light switch for supplying power to the emergency lights of the vehicle;

a manually activated tail lights black-out switch;

a manually activated brake and backup light black-out switch;

tail lights black-out means for blocking the power supplied to the tail lights by the running light switch in response to the activation of said manually activated tail lights black-out switch;

brake lights black-out means for blocking the power supplied to the brake lights by the brake switch in response to the activation of said manually activated brake and backup lights black-out switch;

backup lights black-out means for blocking the power supplied to the backup lights by the backup switch in response to the activation of said manually activated brake and backup lights black-out switch; and

black-out override means for disabling said tail lights black-out means, said brake lights black-out means, and said backup lights black-out means upon activation of the manually activated emergency light switch.

2. A black-out controller system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said manually activated tail lights black-out switch includes means for illuminating said manually activated tail lights black-out switch upon activation thereof.

3. A black-out controller system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said manually activated emergency light switch is illuminated upon activation thereof.

4. A black-out controller system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes an ignition switch, a headlight switch, a radio display having a digital readout and a heater control display having a digital readout, said digital readout of said radio display and said digital readout of said heater control display are operable in a daytime mode, being fully illuminated upon activation of said ignition switch, said digital readout of said radio display and said digital readout of said heater control display are also operable in a nighttime mode, being partially illuminated upon activation of said running lights switch, said brake lights black-out means including means for placing said digital readout of said radio display and said readout of said heater control display in said nighttime mode of operation and said tail lights black-out means including means for cutting power going to said digital readout of said radio display and said readout of said heater control display.

5. A black-out controller system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said emergency vehicle further includes a highbeam headlight switch to activate right and left high beam headlights, a front grill, said emergency lights including right and left side emergency red lights located behind or in front of said front grill of the vehicle, said black-out controller system further comprising front wigwag flasher means activated upon the activation of said manually activated emergency light switch for alternately flashing the right high beam headlight in unison with the left side red light and the left high beam headlight in unison with the right side red light.

6. A black-out controller system as claimed in claim 5, further including a high beam override feature for deactivating said front wigwag flasher means in response to the activation of said high beam headlight switch.

7. A black-out controller system as claimed in claim 6, further including a manually activated front wigwag flasher override switch for deactivating said front wigwag flasher means upon activation of the running lights switch.

8. A black-out controller system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said brake lights include left and right brake lights and said backup lights include left and right backup lights, said black-out controller system further comprising a rear wigwag flasher means activated upon the activation of said manually activated emergency light switch for alternately flashing the right tail light in unison with the left backup light, and the left tail light in unison with the right backup light.