Automatic turn signal deactivation system

• US 6,445,288 B1
• Filed: 12/24/1998
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pittman, Joseph C.
• Original Assignee: Pittman, Joseph C.
• Inventors: Pittman, Joseph C.
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US09/220,937
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 340/465, 340/475, 340/477, 340/476, 340/427, 340/431, 340/432, 367/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/40 having mechanical, electric or electronic automatic return to inoperative position

Abstract

A retrofittable automatic turn signal deactivation system is provided including a pair of solenoid assemblies each having a retracted orientation and an extended orientation only upon the actuation thereof for forcing a turn signal lever to its neutral position. The solenoid assemblies are each mounted on a retrofittable collar which is positioned about a steering column of the vehicle. A timer mechanism is included for actuating at least one of the solenoid assemblies only after the cessation of a predetermined delay.

Claims

1. An automatic turn signal deactivation system comprising, in combination:

a resilient collar defining a portion of cylinder and including an elongated slot formed therein and extending about a 20 degree angular section of the collar, a pair of free ends each having a lip integrally coupled thereto and extending radially therefrom with a pair of coaxial bores formed therein for allowing the securement of the collar about a steering column of a vehicle and bolted thereto with a turn signal lever situated within the elongated slot, and a pair of arcuate housings situated on opposite sides of the elongated slot with a radius of curvature equal to that of the collar and a pair of open ends, each housing extending about a 90 degree angular section of the collar;

a pair of spring-biased solenoid assemblies each situated within the corresponding one of the housings, each solenoid assembly including an arcuate plunger with a radius of curvature equal to that of the housing in which it is situated, each plunger having an unbiased retracted orientation and a biased extended orientation only upon the actuation thereof for forcing the turn signal lever to its neutral position;

a brake sensor connected to the solenoid assemblies for de-actuating either one of the actuated solenoid assemblies upon the detection of the depression of a brake pedal of the vehicle; and

a respective timer mechanism positioned in each of the housings of the collar and connected to the solenoid assembly within the housing, each timer mechanism including a momentary switch situated within each housing which are positioned to close only upon being depressed by one of the plungers when the turn signal lever is actuated, the respective timer mechanism being for actuating the coil of the solenoid assembly of the respective housing to retain the plunger against the spring with the plunger in its retracted position upon the depression of the respective momentary switch, upon the cessation of a predetermined delay of the respective timer mechanism the coil of the solenoid assembly is de-actuating such that the spring is allowed to force the plunger into the extended position returning the turn signal lever to a neutral position thereby deactivating the turn signal.

2. An automatic turn signal deactivation system comprising:

at least one solenoid assembly having a retracted orientation and an extended orientation, the solenoid assembly being for forcing a turn signal lever to its neutral position upon the actuation thereof; and

a brake sensor connected to the solenoid assembly for de-actuating the solenoid assembly upon the detection of the depression of a brake mechanism of the vehicles;

wherein the solenoid assembly is mounted on a collar which is positionable about a steering column of the vehicle;

wherein the collar is removable;

wherein the solenoid assembly includes an arcuate plunger;

wherein said collar further includes at least one timer mechanism having a momentary switch adapted to be closed by the plunger only when the turn signal lever is actuated, the timer mechanism being for actuating the solenoid assembly only upon the depression of the momentary switch and further de-actuating the solenoid assembly upon the cessation of a predetermined delay initiated by the momentary switch.

3. The automatic turn signal deactivation system of claim 2 including a pair of solenoid assemblies mounted on the collar.

4. The automatic turn signal deactivation system of claim 2 wherein the plunger of the solenoid assembly has an unbiased retracted orientation and a biased extended orientation only upon the actuation of the solenoid assembly for forcing the turn signal lever to its neutral position.

5. The automatic turn signal deactivation system of claim 2 wherein the collar defines a portion of cylinder and includes an elongated slot formed therein and extending about a 20 degree angular section of the collar, a pair of free ends each having a lip integrally coupled thereto and extending radially therefrom with a pair of coaxial bores formed therein for allowing the securement of the collar about a steering column of a vehicle and bolted thereto with a turn signal lever situated within the elongated slot, and a pair of arcuate housings situated on opposite sides of the elongated slot with a radius of curvature equal to that of the collar and a pair of open ends, each housing extending about a 90 degree angular