Seatbelt signal light

• US 6,774,781 B1
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kyung Sang Lee
• Original Assignee: Kyung Sang Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Kyung Sang
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHMOOD, JENNIFER
• Application Number:
  US10/224,965
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 340/468, 340/457.1, 340/472, 340/457.3, 340/479, 340/464, 340/467, 180/268, 180/272, 180/273, 180/274, 180/275, 180/276, 188/1.11 R, 188/1.11 W, 188/1.11 L, 188/1.11 E
• US Class Current: 340/468
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/508 specific to vehicles driving in fleets or convoys
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4816 for sensing locking of buckle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4875 on vehicle exterior
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/48 Control systems, alarms, or interlock systems, for the correct application of the belt or harness

Abstract

A safety light for use in vehicles is disclosed. The safety light would comprise a brake light and a seat belt signal light. The brake light would function as a normal window-mounted brake light would function, with the seat belt signal light functioning when a driver does not have their seat belt properly installed.

Claims

1. A light assembly for the vehicle comprising:

(a) a brake light, the brake light preferably having a rectangular shape, the brake light normally being in an “

off”

position, the brake light being activated when the brake pedal in the vehicle is depressed,

(b) a seat belt signal light located in the middle of the brake light, the seat belt signal light having the shape of a thin strip, the seat belt signal light turning to an “

on”

position when a vehicle is started,

(c) power means for providing power to the brake light and the seat belt signal light,

(d) means for deactivating the seat belt signal light,

(e) wherein the light assembly is mounted within the vehicle in a position allowing the light assembly to be viewed by other vehicles or bystanders.

2. A light assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein the power means is a vehicle battery.

3. A light assembly for a vehicle according to claim 2 wherein the means for deactivating the seat belt signal light further comprises:

(a) a seat buckle assembly, the seat buckle assembly including a receiver, the receiver including an internal microswitch, the microswitch normally being in a closed position,

(b) electrical wiring having two ends, a first end and a second end, the first end of the electrical wiring being connected to the power means, the second end of the electrical wiring being connected to the seat buckle assembly, the electrical wiring also being connected to the seat belt signal light,

(c) a metal tab,

(d) wherein the microswitch is an open circuit upon the insertion of the metal tab into the receiver, thereby causing the seat belt signal light to deactivate.

4. A light assembly for a vehicle according to claim 3 wherein the light assembly is mounted on back side of a rear view mirror, the rear view mirror being attached to the inside surface of a front windshield within the vehicle.

5. A light assembly for a vehicle according to claim 3 wherein the light assembly is mounted on the inner surface of a rear window.