Motor vehicle safety lights

• US 6,710,709 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2000
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PDS Enterprises LLC
• Original Assignee: Louis F. Morin, Merribeth J. Morin
• Inventors: Morin, Merribeth J., Morin, Louis F.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US09/541,554
• Time in Patent Office: 1,450 Days
• Field of Search: 340/467, 340/468, 340/463, 340/464, 340/466, 340/471, 340/472, 340/479
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal

Abstract

Circuitry and/or device(s) provide a flashing or blinking light in the rear of a vehicle to alert others of a reduction in speed or directional change to substantially increase driver and passenger safety while travelling.

Claims

1. In a motor vehicle having circuitry inter-connecting between a power source, an existing brake switch, rear right and left brake lights and a center brake light, the improvement which comprises inserting a commercially available, low cost, heavy duty intermittent flasher relay into the existing circuitry at a selected location to effect flashing or blinking of the brake lights when the brake switch is activated.

2. In a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent relay is so positioned in the circuitry as to effect flashing or blinking of only the center brake light.

3. In a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent relay is so positioned in the circuitry as to effect flashing or blinking of all brake lights.

4. In a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the intermittent relay is adjustable to vary on and off frequency of flashing.

5. In a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry further interconnects between the power source, left and right turn switches and left and right turn signals, with the intermittent relay being inserted into the circuitry at a selected location along with a pair of unidirectional switches to effect flashing or blinking of the center brake light and the left or right turn signals when the left or right turn switches are activated.

6. In a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry further interconnects between the power source, a back-up light switch, and left and right back-up lights, with the intermittent relay being inserted into the circuitry at a selected location along with a unidirectional switch to effect flashing or blinking of the center brake light and the back-up lights when the back-up light switch is activated.