Flashing brake light apparatus

• US 5,677,670 A
• Filed: 07/20/1995
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rodney W. Gangloff
• Original Assignee: Rodney W. Gangloff
• Inventors: Gangloff, Rodney W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/504,504
• Time in Patent Office: 817 Days
• Field of Search: 340/467, 340/463, 340/464, 340/468, 340/479, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.53, 200/61.52
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window

Abstract

A flashing brake light apparatus includes a base assembly and a housing assembly attached to the base assembly. An illumination assembly is supported by the housing assembly and is located at the rear side of the housing assembly. An illumination flash signaller is in light-conductive communication with the illumination assembly. The flash signaller is visible from the front side of the housing assembly. An illumination control circuitry assembly, housed within the housing assembly, powers the illumination assembly. An adjustable inertia sensor assembly is partially housed within the housing assembly and partially extends outside the housing assembly. The inertia sensor assembly is used for adjusting a degree of inertia that activates the illumination control circuitry assembly for illuminating the illumination assembly. The base assembly includes an access aperture for receiving electrical wiring from an electrical power source. The inertia sensor assembly includes a wheel and axle assembly housed within the housing assembly. A mercury switch assembly is supported by the wheel and axle assembly and is electrically connected to the illumination control circuitry assembly. The housing assembly includes an inertia adjustment aperture, and a portion of the wheel and axle assembly projects out from the housing assembly through the inertia adjustment aperture.

Claims

1. A flashing brake light apparatus, comprising:

a base assembly,

a housing assembly attached to said base assembly, wherein said housing assembly has a rear side and a front side,

an illumination assembly supported by said housing assembly and located at said rear side of said housing assembly,

an illumination flash signaller in light-conductive communication with said illumination assembly, wherein said flash signaller is visible from said front side of said housing assembly,

an illumination control circuitry assembly, housed within said housing assembly, for powering said illumination assembly, and

an adjustable inertia sensor assembly partially housed within said housing assembly and partially extending outside said housing assembly, wherein said inertia sensor assembly is used for adjusting a degree of inertia that activates said illumination control circuitry assembly for illuminating said illumination assembly,

wherein;

said base assembly includes a plurality of support columns,

said housing assembly includes a plurality of connector apertures, wherein said connector apertures are placed in registration with said support columns when said housing assembly is placed over said base assembly, and

a plurality of housing connectors for placement through said connector apertures into said support columns for securing said housing assembly to said base assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base assembly includes an access aperture for receiving electrical wiring from an electrical power source.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said illumination control circuitry assembly includes a plurality of electrical circuit components supported on a circuit board.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said illumination assembly includes:

a reflector,

a lens placed rearward of said reflector, and

a lamp placed between said reflector and said lens.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said flash signaller is an extension of said lens which extends above said housing assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said housing assembly includes signaller slot and said flash signaller projects through said signaller slot to outside of said housing assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said inertia sensor assembly includes:

a wheel and axle assembly housed within said housing assembly, and

a mercury switch assembly supported by said wheel and axle assembly and electrically connected to said illumination control circuitry assembly.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

said housing assembly includes an inertia adjustment aperture, and

a portion of said wheel and axle assembly projects out from said housing assembly through said inertia adjustment aperture.

9. A flashing brake light apparatus, comprising:

a base assembly,

a housing assembly attached to said base assembly, wherein said housing assembly has a rear side and a front side,

an illumination assembly supported by said housing assembly and located at said rear side of said housing assembly,

an illumination flash signaller in light-conductive communication with said illumination assembly, wherein said flash signaller is visible from said front side of said housing assembly,

an illumination control circuitry assembly, housed within said housing assembly, for powering said illumination assembly, and

an adjustable inertia sensor assembly partially housed within said housing assembly and partially extending outside said housing assembly, wherein said inertia sensor assembly is used for adjusting a degree of inertia that activates said illumination control circuitry assembly for illuminating said illumination assembly,

wherein said illumination control circuitry assembly includes a plurality of electrical circuit components supported on a circuit board,

wherein;

said housing assembly includes a plurality of suspension columns that extend downward from a top portion of said housing assembly toward said base assembly,

said circuit board includes a plurality of connector apertures placed in registration with said suspension columns, and

a plurality of circuit board connectors for placement through said connector apertures into said suspension columns for securing said circuit board to said housing assembly.