U-turn signal device for motor vehicles

• US 7,417,534 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tony Quach, Tuan Kim Quach, Yanxia Guo
• Original Assignee: Tony Quach, Tuan Kim Quach, Yanxia Guo
• Inventors: Quach, Tony, Quach, Tuan Kim, Guo, Yanxia
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Phung
• Application Number:
  US11/381,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20070132573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/465, 340/463, 340/464, 340/475
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect

Abstract

U-turn signaling device for vehicles is disclosed, which includes an LED array, and an integrated circuit control circuit which is produces LED activation control signals. These control signals activate the LED array to produce at least three modes of activity including a tail light mode, a turn mode and a U-turn mode in response to activation signals from the tail light, turn signal and U-turn signal respectively. The LED array can be a portable LED array, an embedded LED array or a double-sided LED array. The LED array is a preferably a combo LED array and further includes a monitor screen, which may be mounted in the dashboard of the vehicle, and may include a multi-position turn signal switch. Also disclosed is a flexible U-turn signal device, which may be activated by a wireless remote control switch.

Claims

1. A U-turn signaling device for vehicles, comprising:

an LED array;

an integrated circuit control circuit connected to said LED array and which is configured to produce a plurality of LED activation control signals which activate said LED array to a plurality of modes of activity in response to said LED activation control signals, wherein;

said integrated circuit control circuit produces signals which activate said LED array to at least three modes of activity;

said at least three modes of activity include a tail light mode, a turn mode and a U-turn mode; and

further comprising;

an input data line connected from an input of said integrated circuit control circuit to a turn signal switch of the vehicle, said input data line accepting input which triggers said IC control circuit to produce activation control signals which activate said LED array to exhibit said turn mode of activity.

2. The U-turn signaling device of claim 1, wherein:

said LED array is a portable LED array.

3. The U-turn signaling device of claim 1, wherein:

said LED array is an embedded LED array.

4. The U-turn signaling device of claim 1, wherein:

said embedded LED array is included as part of the left rear signal light of a vehicle.

5. The U-turn signaling device of claim 1, wherein:

said embedded LED array is included as part of the front light assembly of a vehicle.

6. The U-turn signaling device of claim 1, wherein:

said U-turn signaling device is a double-sided LED array.

7. The U-turn signaling device of claim 1, wherein:

said input data line is further connected from an input of said integrated circuit control circuit to a tail light switch of the vehicle, said input data line accepting input which triggers said integrated circuit control circuit to produce activation control signals which activate said LED array to exhibit said tail light mode of activity.

8. The U-turn signaling device of claim 1, wherein:

said LED array is a combo LED array.

9. The U-turn signaling device of claim 8, further comprising:

a monitor screen, whereby internal displays of U-turn signal activation and left turn signal activation are displayed.

10. The U-turn signaling device of claim 9, wherein:

said monitor screen is mounted in the dashboard of the vehicle.

11. The U-turn signaling device of claim 8, further comprising:

a multi-position turn signal switch.

12. The U-turn signaling device of claim 11, wherein:

said multi-position turn signal switch includes a switch pole a for activating left turn signals and a switch pole b for activating U-turn signals.

13. A U-turn signaling device for vehicles, comprising:

an LED array;

an integrated circuit control circuit connected to said LED array and which is configured to produce a plurality of LED activation control signals which activate said LED array to a plurality of modes of activity in response to said LED activation control signals, wherein;

said integrated circuit control circuit produces signals which activate said LED array to at least three modes of activity;

said at least three modes of activity include a tail light mode, a turn mode and a U-turn mode; and

further comprising;

an input data line connected from an input of said integrated circuit control circuit to a U-turn signal activation switch, said input data line accepting input which triggers said IC control circuit to produce activation control signals which activate said LED array to exhibit said U-turn mode of activity.

14. The U-turn signaling device of claim 13, wherein:

said input data line is further connected from an input of said integrated circuit control circuit to a tail light switch of the vehicle, said input data line accepting input which triggers said integrated circuit control circuit to produce activation control signals which activate said LED array to exhibit said tail light mode of activity.

15. The U-turn signaling device of claim 13, wherein:

said LED array is a portable LED array.

16. The U-turn signaling device of claim 13, wherein:

said LED array is an embedded LED array.

17. The U-turn signaling device of claim 13, wherein:

said LED array is a combo LED array.

18. The U-turn signaling device of claim 17, further comprising:

a monitor screen, whereby internal displays of U-turn signal activation and left turn signal activation are displayed.