Brake lever dimmer switch

• US 6,729,750 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: Arctic Cat Incorporated (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Janisch, Darrel, Bergman, Ron
• Primary Examiner(s): Quach-Lee, Y. My
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neils, Peggy A.
• Application Number:
  US10/175,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231504A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 362/473, 362/474, 362/475, 362/529, 180/333, 340/432
• US Class Current: 362/475
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/16 Arrangement of switches
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/02 for control by a hand lever hand levers for control of cycles in general B62K23/06

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling a headlight system. The apparatus includes a control yoke control unit having a brake control, a dimmer switch, an actuating mechanism, and at least one control support for supporting the brake control and dimmer switch. Both controls are incorporated into the control unit. The control unit may have only a single control support with both controls therein, or it may have two control supports each with one control. The control unit also includes an electrical connector for connecting the dimmer switch to a headlight and a source of electrical power. The actuating mechanism is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the first direction actuates the brake control, and moving the actuating mechanism from the neutral position in the second direction actuates the dimmer switch.

Claims

1. A control yoke control unit comprising:

a brake control;

a dimmer switch;

at least one actuating mechanism;

at least one control support for supporting said brake control, said actuating mechanism, and said dimmer switch;

an electrical connector for connecting said dimmer switch to a headlight and a source of electrical power;

wherein said actuating mechanism is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving said actuating mechanism in said first direction actuates said brake control, and moving said actuating mechanism in said second direction actuates said dimmer switch.

2. A control yoke control unit according to claim 1, wherein:

said brake control, said actuating mechanism, and said dimmer switch are disposed within and supported by a first control support of said at least one control support.

3. A control yoke control unit according to claim 2, wherein:

said first control support is a single, integral unit.

4. A control yoke control unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least a second control support;

wherein each of said dimmer switch, said brake control, and said actuating mechanism are disposed in one of said at least two control supports.

5. A control yoke control unit according to claim 1, wherein:

said dimmer switch is a toggle switch.

6. A control yoke control unit according to claim 1, wherein:

said dimmer switch is a two setting switch.

7. A control yoke control unit according to claim 6, wherein:

said dimmer switch is a ratcheting push—

push switch.

8. A control yoke control unit according to claim 6, wherein:

said dimmer switch is actuatable between a high beam setting and a low beam setting.

9. A control yoke control unit according to claim 1, wherein:

said dimmer switch is actuatable between a plurality of settings.

10. A control yoke control unit according to claim 1, wherein:

said actuating mechanism comprises a lever.

21. A headlight system according to claim 10, further comprising:

a switching mechanism in communication with said dimmer switch, said at least one headlight, and said power source, configured such that said dimmer switch is in communication with said at least one headlight and said power source via said switching mechanism;

wherein actuating said dimmer switch actuates said switching mechanism, whereby said switching mechanism actuates said at least one headlight.

22. A headlight system according to claim 1, wherein:

said actuating mechanism comprises a lever.

11. A headlight system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one headlight;

a power source in communication with said at least one headlight;

a control yoke control unit, said handlebar control unit comprising;

at least one actuating mechanism;

a brake control;

a dimmer switch in communication with said at least one headlight and said power source, such that actuating said dimmer switch actuates said at least one headlight;

at least one control support for supporting said brake control, said dimmer switch, and said actuating mechanism;

wherein said actuating mechanism is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving said actuating mechanism in said first direction actuates said brake control, and moving said actuating mechanism in said second direction actuates said dimmer switch.

12. A headlight system according to claim 11, wherein:

said brake control, said dimmer switch, and said actuating mechanism are disposed within and supported by a first control support of said at least one control support.

13. A headlight system according to claim 12, wherein:

said first control support is a single, integral unit.

14. A headlight system according to claim 11:

said control unit further comprises at least a second control support;

wherein each of said dimmer switch, said brake control, and said actuating mechanism are disposed in one of said at least two control supports.

15. A headlight system according to claim 11, wherein:

said actuating mechanism, said brake control switch, and said dimmer switch all are disposed at least partially within and are supported by one of said at least one control support.

16. A headlight system according to claim 11, wherein:

said dimmer switch is a toggle switch.

17. A headlight system according to claim 11, wherein:

said dimmer switch is a two setting switch.

18. A control yoke control unit according to claim 17, wherein:

said dimmer switch is a ratcheting push—

push switch.

19. A headlight system according to claim 17, wherein:

said dimmer switch is actuatable between a high beam setting and a low beam setting such that said headlight actuates between a high beam setting and a low beam setting.

20. A headlight system according to claim 11, wherein:

said dimmer switch is actuatable between plurality of settings.

23. A vehicle, comprising:

a control yoke;

at least one headlight;

a power source in communication with said at least one headlight;

a control unit disposed on said control yoke, said control unit comprising;

at least one actuating mechanism;

a brake control;

a dimmer switch in communication with said at least one headlight and said power source, such that actuating said dimmer switch actuates said at least one headlight;

at least one control support for supporting said brake control, said dimmer switch, and said actuating mechanism;

wherein said actuating mechanism is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving said actuating mechanism in said first direction actuates said brake control, and moving said actuating mechanism in said second direction actuates said dimmer switch.

24. A vehicle according to claim 23, wherein:

said vehicle is one of the group consisting of a snowmobile, an all terrain vehicle, and a motorcycle.

25. Method for controlling a headlight system, comprising the steps of:

providing an actuating mechanism that is movable in first and second directions from a neutral position, such that moving said actuating mechanism from said neutral position in said first direction actuates a brake control, and moving said actuating mechanism from said neutral position in said second direction actuates a dimmer switch, wherein said actuating mechanism, said brake control, and said dimmer switch are supported by at least one control support of a control yoke control unit, and said dimmer switch being in communication with at least one headlight and a power source;

moving said actuating mechanism in said second direction so as to actuate said dimmer switch, thereby actuating said at least one headlight.