Method and system for actuating a brake light

• US 9,908,461 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2015
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph J. Gasper
• Original Assignee: Joseph J. Gasper
• Inventors: Gasper, Joseph J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Laura
• Application Number:
  US14/930,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20160121786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 362464
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2615 mounted on the vehicle body, e.g. with magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/445 controlled by inertial devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/10 Retrofit arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention can provide an accessory control system, a light control system, and/or a brake light control system for golf carts and/or other vehicles, including trailers, motorized vehicles, and non-motorized vehicles. Embodiments relate to a control system that can be easily installed on a golf cart and/or other vehicles. Specific embodiments relate to a light system that has few is any wires connecting the light system to, or interfering with, any existing electrical circuitry of the gold cart. Specific embodiments can be installed on any golf cart, such as in the same location(s) as prior light systems. Embodiments of the subject light system can be rear tail lights, rear braking lights, front running lights, and/or front headlights.

Claims

1. A brake light control system for a vehicle, comprising:

a tilt switch,

wherein the tilt switch is activated by deceleration of the vehicle;

at least one brake light operably connected to the tilt switch;

a power source operably connected to the at least one brake light and the at least one tilt switch,

wherein activation of the tilt switch activates the at least one brake light; and

a printed circuit board,

wherein the printed circuit board comprises a timer, and

wherein the timer deactivates the at least one brake light a predetermined period of time after the activation of the at least one brake light.

2. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the tilt switch is a rolling ball tilt switch, and

wherein the rolling ball tilt switch comprises:

a switch ball tube having a length;

a contact pin; and

a switch ball.

3. The system according to claim 2,

wherein the tilt switch is mounted at a tilt switch angle defined as the angle between horizontal and the switch ball tube, and

wherein the tilt switch angle is between 5°

and 7°

.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a bonding tape strip positioned between the vehicle and the printed circuit board such that the bonding tape strip attaches the printed circuit board to the vehicle and the bonding tape strip acts as a vibration absorber.

5. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the tilt switch is positioned a distance of 5/16″

to ⅜

″

from the printed circuit board.

6. The system according to claim 2,

wherein the contact pin is a center-mounted contact pin.

7. The system according to claim 2,

wherein the length of the switch ball tube does not exceed 6 mm.

8. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the vehicle is a golf cart.

9. A method for controlling at least one brake light for a vehicle, comprising:

providing the brake light control system for a vehicle according to claim 1; and

activating the tilt switch.

10. The method according to claim 9,

wherein the tilt switch is a rolling ball tilt switch, and

wherein the rolling ball tilt switch comprises:

a switch ball tube having a length;

a contact pin; and

a switch ball.

11. The method according to claim 10,

wherein the tilt switch is mounted at a tilt switch angle defined as the angle between horizontal and the switch ball tube, and

wherein the tilt switch angle is between 5°

and 7°

.

12. The method according to claim 9, further comprising:

a bonding tape strip positioned between the vehicle and the printed circuit board such that the bonding tape strip attaches the printed circuit board to the vehicle and the bonding tape strip acts as a vibration absorber.

13. The method according to claim 9,

wherein the tilt switch is positioned a distance of 5/16″

to ⅜

″

from the printed circuit board.

14. The method according to claim 10,

wherein the contact pin is a center-mounted contact pin.

15. The method according to claim 9,

wherein the length of the switch ball tube does not exceed 6 mm.

16. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the vehicle is a golf cart.