Anti-lock braking system indicator

• US 5,850,177 A
• Filed: 08/21/1997
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael D. Zimmerman
• Original Assignee: Michael D. Zimmerman
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/915,745
• Time in Patent Office: 481 Days
• Field of Search: 340/479, 340/467, 340/453, 340/458, 340/464, 340/469, 340/471, 340/472, 303/122.05, 303/113.1, 303/118.1, 303/113.5
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/448 specially adapted for vehicles with ABS
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/172 Determining control parameters used in the regulation, e.g. by calculations involving measured or detected parameters B60T8/17551 takes precedence

Abstract

An anti-lock braking system indicator is provided including a brake switch relay for transmitting power upon the depression of a brake pedal of the vehicle. Associated therewith is an anti-lock braking system relay for transmitting power only upon both the prevention of wheels of the vehicle from locking during braking and the transmission of power by the brake switch. At least one lamp is mounted on the vehicle. Finally, a strobe mechanism is connected between the relay and each of the lamps. The strobe mechanism is adapted to intermittently transmit power to each lamp upon the receipt thereof.

Claims

1. An anti-lock braking system indicator comprising, in combination:

a brake switch relay having a coil connected to a braking system of a vehicle and adapted to actuate upon the depression of a brake pedal of the vehicle, the brake switch relay further including a normally open contact adapted to close only upon the actuation of the brake switch relay coil, the normally open contact of the brake switch relay having a first terminal connected to a constant voltage source;

an anti-lock braking system relay having a coil connected to an anti-lock braking system of the vehicle and adapted to actuate upon the prevention of wheels of the vehicle from locking during braking, the anti-lock braking system relay further including a normally open contact adapted to close only upon the actuation of the anti-lock braking system relay coil, the normally open contact of the anti-lock braking system relay having a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the normally open contact of the brake switch;

a plurality of lamps each situated within each of the lamp compartments of the vehicle, each lamp having xenon gas located therein for illuminating a high intensity light upon the receipt of power; and

strobe means connected between a second terminal of the normally open contact of the ant-braking system relay and each of the lamps, the strobe means adapted intermittently transmit power to the lamps upon the receipt thereof, wherein a voltage associated with the power is stepped up.

2. An anti-lock braking system indicator comprising:

an anti-lock braking system relay for transmitting power from a power source only upon the prevention of wheels of the vehicle from locking during braking;

at least one lamp mounted on the vehicle; and

strobe connected between the relay and each of the lamps, the strobe adapted to intermittently transmit power to the lamps upon the receipt thereof;

wherein the power source only delivers power upon the actuation of the vehicle, the system further including a delay relay connected to the power source and the anti-lock braking system relay and adapted to remain open for only a predetermined amount of time upon the receipt of power from the power source and further close upon the cessation of the predetermined amount of time thereby precluding the transmission of power to the strobe until after the actuation of the vehicle.

3. An anti-lock braking system indicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein the lamp is one of a set of reverse lights of the vehicle.

4. An anti-lock braking system indicator comprising:

an anti-lock braking system relay for transmitting power from a power source only upon the prevention of wheels of the vehicle from locking during braking;

at least one lamp mounted on the vehicle; and

strobe connected between the relay and each of the lamps, the strobe adapted to intermittently transmit power to the lamps upon the receipt thereof;

wherein the power source only delivers power upon the actuation of the vehicle, the system further including a trigger relay connected to an anti-lock braking system, the power source, and the anti-lock braking system relay and adapted to remain open upon the receipt of power from the power source and further closes upon the cessation of the receipt of a first power signal from the anti-lock braking system thereby allowing the transfer of power by the anti-lock brake relay to the strobe, wherein the trigger relay thereafter remains closed until the vehicle is deactuated, thereby preventing the actuation of the lamp upon the receipt of an initial voltage signal which is received from the anti-lock braking system upon the actuation of the vehicle.

5. An anti-lock braking system indicator as set forth in claim 4 wherein the lamp is one of a set of hazard lights of the vehicle.