CA2180765A1 - Vehicle lighting switch - Google Patents
Vehicle lighting switchInfo
- Publication number
- CA2180765A1 CA2180765A1 CA002180765A CA2180765A CA2180765A1 CA 2180765 A1 CA2180765 A1 CA 2180765A1 CA 002180765 A CA002180765 A CA 002180765A CA 2180765 A CA2180765 A CA 2180765A CA 2180765 A1 CA2180765 A1 CA 2180765A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- manually operable
- electrical
- headlights
- operable contact
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
- B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
- B60Q1/1446—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means controlled by mechanically actuated switches
- B60Q1/1453—Hand actuated switches
- B60Q1/1461—Multifunction switches for dimming headlights and controlling additional devices, e.g. for controlling direction indicating lights
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
- B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
- B60Q1/14—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
- B60Q1/1415—Dimming circuits
Abstract
A lighting switch for use in a vehicle lighting system that comprises a switch housing, a plurality of electrical contacts on the switch housing and a manually operable contact engaging means. The manually operable contact engaging means, when in a first position, prevents electrical energy from flowing to either the headlights or the parking lights; when in a second position, permits electrical energy to flow from the battery to the parking lights with the headlights being electrically isolated from the battery and the ignition switch; and, when in a third position, permits electrical energy to flow from the ignition switch to the headlights and parking lights such that when the ignition switch is turned off no electrical energy flows to either the headlights or parking lights.
Description
TITLE: VEHICLE LIGHTING SWITCH
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to lighting switches for controlling the he~llight.~ and parking lights of a vehicle, and more particularly to an improved lighting switch which helps to prevent the accidental discharge of a vehicle's battery through inadvertentlyleaving its lights on.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The draining of an automobile battery through inadvertently leaving the automobile lights in their on position is a problem that has plagued motorists since practically the 15 time the automobile was invented. Through haste and oversight motorists commonly leave their vehicles without turning their lights off, only to return to find their vehicle with a dead battery. The recent popularity of timers and daytime running light mech~ni~ms for headlights have only added further to this problem on account of motorists mistakenly believing that their automobile headlights remain on due to the 20 operation of such timers or running lights.
Others have developed numerous mech~nism~ and lighting systems in an attempt to combat this problem. Such devices include warning chimes, to indicate that a vehicle's lights remain on after the ignition key has been removed, and complex 25 relays and electronic circuitry that prevent a vehicle's lights from rem~ining on when the ignition has been turned off. While warning chimes provide an audible indicator they do not actively prevent a vehicle's lights from being left on. Chimes only provide limited assistance and suffer from inherent problems. First, since they comprise electronic components they are susceptible to failure. Secondly, in some instances background noise is sufficient to prevent a motorist from re~ ing that the warning chimes are in operation. In the case of individuals with hearing impairment, the warning chimes may serve no purpose whatsoever.
With respect to the use of other electronic components (which may include relays and similar devices) to ensure that headlights do not remain on, they too suffer from inherent problems. First and foremost is the fact that such a systems usually involve relatively complex electrical and electronic circuitry and components, any part of 10 which is subject to failure. In the event that any aspect of such a system fails a motorist may not be aware that the system is no longer working properly and falsely rely upon it to ensure that the automobile headlights are turned off. Furthermore, in the event of failure of part of the system, the cost of locating the failed component and fixing the system can often be very significant. Finally, as the complexity of 15 such electronic systems increases so do the overall vehicle costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention therefore provides a vehicle lighting switch which overcomes the 20 disadvantages of the prior art through incorporation of a structure which is inherently simple to operate, inexpensive and not susceptible to the types of failures that may occur with prior art devices. The invention has the further advantage that it can be readily installed in existing vehicles with minim~l effort and expense. In addition, depending upon the preference of motorists and vehicle manufacturers, the switch of 25 the present invention may be constructed in any one of the three primary switch configurations used to operate automobile lighting system, namely, a rocker arm switch, a rotary knob or a plunger switch.
21~765 Accordingly, the present invention in one of its aspects provides A lighting switch for use in a vehicle lighting system, said vehicle lighting system including headlights, parking lights, an ignition switch, a storage battery and wire means connecting said lighting switch, headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery together in a 5 circuit, the lighting switch comprising; a switch housing; a plurality of electrical contacts on said switch housing, at least one separate electrical contact being electrically bonded to each of said vehicle headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery such that said headlights and said parking lights are electrically isolated from one another and from said ignition switch and said battery; and, a manually10 operable contact engaging means having a first position, a second position and a third position, movement of said manually operable contact engaging means between saidfirst, second and third positions creating and breaking electrical connections between said electrical contacts; wherein said manually operable contact eng~ging means,when in said first position, prevents electrical energy *om flowing to said headlights 15 or said parking lights, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said second position, permits electrical energy to flow from said battery to said parking lights with said headlights being electrically isolated from said battery and said ignition switch and, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in saidthird position, permits electrical energy to flow from said ignition switch to said 20 headlights and said parking lights such that when said ignition switch is turned off no electrical energy flows to either said headlights or said parking lights.
In another aspect of the present invention the lighting switch is attached to said vehicle by way of a switch mounting plate, said switch mounting plate including 25 electrically conductive posts and receptacles that mesh with corresponding electrically conductive posts and receptacles on said switch housing thereby securing said switch housing to said switch mounting plate.
21807~
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
s For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention in which:
Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the vehicle lighting switch of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the switch 15 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the switch of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a perspective and exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the switch is in a first position;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 wherein the switch is in a second position;
~18P76~
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 wherein the switch is in a third position;
Figure 8 is a schematic drawing showing a vehicle lighting system cont~ining 5 a switch pursuant to the present invention; and, Figure 9 is a side view of the vehicle lighting switch of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to Figure 8, the lighting switch of the present invention, notedgenerally by the reference numeral 1, is designed for use in a vehicle lighting system that includes headlights 2, parking lights 3, an ignition switch 4, a storage battery 5, and wire means 6 which connect the lights, ignition switch and the battery together 15 in the form of a circuit. Figure 8 shows lighting switch 1 in a schematical drawing indicating the general manner in which it is connected to a vehicle's lighting system.
Typically switch 1 would be mounted in a vehicle's dashboard.
In the preferred embodiment, switch 1 has a structure as shown more clearly in 20 Figure 1. Lighting switch 1 is comprised primarily of a switch housing 7, a plurality of electrical contacts 8 and m~nn~lly operable contact engaging means 9. As shown in Figure 1, preferably 5 separate electrical contacts 8 are utilized with at least one separate electrical contact being connected or electrically bonded to each of the headlights 2, parking lights 3, ignition switch 4 and battery 5. The positioning and 25 electrical bonding of contacts 8 is such that headlights 2 and parking lights 3 are both electrically isolated from each other and from ignition switch 4 and battery 5. Since in a vehicle lighting system the sources of electrical power to operate the headlights and parking lights originate with the vehicle's battery, or through the vehicle's ignition, this particular feature of switch 1 ensures that unless some form of electrical connection is made between contacts 8, electricity will not flow to either he~-llights 2 or parking lights 3 and they will remain in an off position.
5 In the embodiment of switch 1 shown in Figure 1, electrical contacts 8 are mounted on the surface 33 of switch housing 7 such that during operation conducting means can be positioned across the respective contacts 8 in order to form an electrical connection for operation of he~llight.s 2 and/or parking lights 3. The electrical connection of contacts 8 to the various other components in the vehicle lighting10 system is first accomplished through internal wiring or electrical conduction means 10 located within switch housing 7. Electrical conduction means 10 form a directelectrical connection from the rear of the switch housing 7 through to contacts 8 mounted on surface 33. Conduction means 10 may take the form of wires or may be solid metal strips or conductors, most preferably comprised of copper, aluminum 15 or other metal or alloy having similar conductive characteristics.
In the preferred embodiment, switch housing 7 contains a series of posts 11 and receptacles 12 which are electrically conductive and are connected to contacts 8 by conduction means 10. Posts 11 and receptacles 12 are configured so as to mesh with 20 corresponding electrically conductive posts 34 and receptacles 35 on a switchmounting plate 13. The corresponding posts 34 and receptacles 35 on switch mounting plate 13 are electrically connected to headlights 2, parking lights 3, ignition switch 4 and battery 5 by wire means 6.
25 It will be appreciated that the primary function of switch mounting plate 13 is to enable switch 1 to be readily and easily installed in a vehicle. In the typical installation of switch 1, mounting plate 13 is electrically connected to headlights 2, parking lights 3, ignition switch 4 and storage battery 5. Mounting plate 13 is then fastened or attached to switch housing 7 through plugging posts 11 and 34 into receptacles 12 and 35. At that point switch housing 7 may be fastened to the dash of a vehicle by any known method. It will be appreciated that the arrangement and relative positioning of posts 11 and 34 and receptacles 12 and 35 may be varied while 5 accomplishing the same result and staying within the scope of the invention.
If necessary or desired screws, bolts or other fastening means can be used to secure mounting plate 13 to housing 7 or to secure housing 7 to the dash of a vehicle. The structure of switch 1 will thus enable housing 7 to be readily installed in a vehicle 10 while also providing a means to easily remove and replace housing 7 if the internal mech~ni~m~ become damaged or need be replaced for some other reason. Once installed in this fashion, switch 1 will be secured within the dash of the vehicle and contacts 8 will be electrically bonded to the other components of the vehicle's lighting system as previously described.
It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that rather than using the post and receptacle form of connection as described and shown in the drawings, numerous other methods of electrically connecting switch 1 to the other components in thevehicle's lighting system could be employed. For example, wires from the 20 he~(llight~, parking lights, ignition switch and battery could be soldered directly onto lugs or terminals on the back of switch housing 1. Alternatively, various other types and forms of "plug-in" connection or terminals could be used, or the wires may merely be attached by placing their exposed ends under terminal screws.
Furthermore, the use of switch mounting plate 13 could be dispensed with in which 25 case connections for wires from the headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery would be made directly to the back of switch housing 7 by any of the above methods. Whichever method is employed to make these electrical connections, the important feature is that each of the headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and 21~0~6~
battery are connected to lighting switch 1 and that headlights 2 and parking lights 3 are electrically isolated from both one another and from ignition switch 4 and battery 5.
In the preferred embodiment the placement and configuration of contacts 8 are as5 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, five contacts are utilized. Hea-llight~ 2, ignition switch 4 and battery 5 each have a single contact electrically connected to them, while two separate contacts are electrically bonded to parking lights 3. The twocontacts bonded to parking lights 3 are preferably connected by conduction means 10 to a single post or receptacle in housing 7 to simplify connection to the parking 10 lights. It will be understood that connecting either of these two contact to a source of electricity will activate the parking lights. Alternatively, the two contacts bonded to parking lights 3 may be joined by a "jumper" positioned on the surface of theswitch (see Figure 4). In some cases the two contacts may even take the form of a single enlarged contact.
As also shown in Figure 1 the five contacts 8 are positioned on surface 33 in two separate groups. The first group consists of the contact connected to battery 5 which is positioned adjacent to one of the contacts connected to parking lights 3. Thesecond group comprises the contacts connected to headlights 2, ignition switch 4 and 20 the second contact connected to parking lights 3. As shown, the two groups ofcontacts are positioned on surface 33 remote from one another such that all the contacts in one group may be readily bonded together by a single conductive plate without the plate touching the contacts of the other group. While what has been described is the preferred placement and connection for contacts 8, it will be 25 appreciated that other placements and connections may be utilized while rem:~inin~
within the scope of the present invention.
Referring again to Figure 1, manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 has a first position, a second position and a third position and may be readily moved between said positions in order to operate switch 1. In the preferred embodiment manually operable contact eng:~ging means comprises a rocker arm 14 which is pivotally attached to switch housing 7. The pivotal mount of rocker arm 14 on housing 7 comprises a ball and socket type mech~nism, noted generally by reference numeral15. This ball and socket type engagement allows rocker arm 14 to be pivotally received within recess 16 of switch housing 7.
Securing means 17 is used for holding manually operable contact eng~ging means 9in its fist, second, or third position. Securing means 17 preferably comprises a spring actuated member 18 which forces an outwardly projecting nib 19 into one of threecorrespondingly shaped and sized recesses 20 in rocker arm 14. Recesses 20 are positioned with respect to nib 19 in such a manner that through receiving nib 19 in one of the recesses 20, manually operable contact eng;lging means 9 is held in either its first, second or third position. In Figure 1, nib 19 is held within one of the recesses 20 such that manually operable contact eng;~ging means 9 is held in its first position. Nib 19 is held within recess 20 through the action of a coil spring 21 upon a rod 22 on which nib 19 is surmounted. Coil spring 21 is compressed within a chamber 36 in housing 7 such that it pushes rod 22, and hence nib 14, outwardly and into one of the recesses 20.
In Figures 2 and 3, alternative embodiments of spring actuated member 18 are shown.
In Figure 2, nib 19 is positioned upon a leaf spring 23 which urges nib 19 into one of the recesses 20. In Figure 3, a differently configured leaf spring 24 is mounted upon an alternate embodiment of manually operable contact means 9 and urges nib 19 into one of three recesses 20 positioned on switch housing 7.
2180~65 Regardless of which of the three particular embodiments of spring actuated member 18 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 is employed the operation of manually operable contact eng~ging means and spring activated member 19 remains essentially the same.
Through the urging of nib 19 into one of three recesses 20, manually operable contact 5 eng~ging means 9 is held in either its first, second or third position. To move manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 from one of its positions to another it is only necessary to apply sufficient force to dislodge nib 19 from its resting point in one of the recesses 20. As manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 moves to one of its other positions, nib 19 is engaged to another one of the recesses 20 such 10 that manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is then held in place in the subsequent position. Those skilled in the art will realize that the holding of manually operable contact means 9 may also be accomplished by other means in addition to those described.
15 Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, as manually operable contact eng~ging means is moved between its first, second and third positions, electrical connections between electrical contacts 8 will be made and broken by way of a conducting member 25 forming an electrical bond between respective electrical contacts 8. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 conducting member 25, positioned on the 20 inside face 38 of manually operable contact engaging means 9, comprises a pair of electrically conductive plates 26 and 37. Plates 26 and 27 are positioned with one at each end of rocker arm 14 such that they will form and break an electrical connection between respective groups of contacts 8 located on surface 33 when rocker arm 14 is moved between its first, second and third positions.
In operation, when manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is in its fist position electrically conductive plates 26 and 27 are isolated from those electrical contacts 8 which are bonded or connected to ignition switch 4 or battery 5. In this fashion 21807~5 electricity is prevented from flowing to either headlights 2 or parking lights 3 and the lights will remain off.
When an operator wishes to turn on only the parking lights, manually operable 5 contact eng~ging means 9 is moved from its first position to its second position such that electrical energy is permitted to flow from battery 5 to parking lights 3 only, with headlights 2 being electrically isolated from battery 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 this is accomplished through movement of manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 such that conductive plate 26 comes into contact with those electrical 10 contacts 8 which are connected to battery 4 and parking lights 3 (ie the upper group shown in Figure 1). Due to the placement of contacts 8 as described previously, no connection is made between any source of electricity and the electrical contact 8 connected to headlights 2. In addition, since no electrical bonding is created with the electrical contact 8 connected to ignition switch 4, the source of electricity to power 15 parking lights 3 will be battery 5. This will then enable an operator of the vehicle to turn the parking lights on without having to either start the vehicle or engage the ignition switch.
In most vehicles for safety purposes when the headlights are activated so are the 20 parking lights. For this reason the switch of the present invention activates the vehicle's parking lights when the headlights are turned on. However, as discussed above, it is possible to activate the parking lights independently of the hea(llight.~ by placing manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 in its second position.
25 To operate headlights 2, and hence also parking lights 3, manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is moved into its third position thereby permitting electrical energy to flow through ignition switch 4 to headlights 2 and parking lights 3. When in its third position conductive plate 37 of manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 forms an electrical connection between the electrical contacts 8 which are bonded to ignition switch 4, hea(llight~ 2 and parking lights 3. Once again due to the placement of contacts 8 (see Figure 1), no connection is made with the electrical contact connected to battery 5. It will thus be appreciated that in order for the headlights and 5 parking lights to be activated together, manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 must be in its third position and ignition switch 4 must be turned on. When in its third position manually operable contact engaging means 9 will not permit electricity to flow to headlights 2 or parking lights 3 directly from battery 5. In this fashion it is ensured that a vehicle's hea~light~ are turned off immediately upon turning off the 10 vehicle's ignition switch regardless of whether the motorist has remembered to switch off light switch 1. That is, when ignition switch 4 is off all sources of electricity are isolated from headlights 2.
Referring briefly to Figures 3 and 4, an alternate embodiment of manually operable 15 contact eng;lging means 9 is shown. In Figures 3 and 4 manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 comprises a rotary knob 27 which is rotationally attached to switch housing 7 by insertion of pin 28 into a central bore 29 within housing 7. In this embodiment movement of manually operable contact engaging means 9 from its first, second, and third positions is accomplished by manually rotating knob 27. Only a20 single electrically conductive plate 26 is required to form connection between the various electrical contacts 8 in the fashion as described above for activation of the parking and/or heafllight.~ of the vehicle (see Figure 4).
Still a further embodiment of manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is shown 25 in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Here manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 comprises a plunger 30 which is slidably held within a central bore 31 of switch housing 7.
Here electrical contacts 8 are situated around central bore 31 as opposed to being positioned on the side of switch housing 7. Furthermore, rather than being an electrically conductive plate, conducting member 25 is preferably comprised of aconducting ring 32, which forms and breaks electrical connections between contacts 8 in an equivalent manner as described above, when plunger 30 is moved between its first, second, and third positions. Movement of plunger 30 results in the same 5 electrical connections being formed and broken as described previously such that he~(llight~ 2 and parking lights 3 operate in the same manner. Finally, plunger 30 is held in its first, second or third position through frictional engagement with switch housing 7 and frictional engagement between conducting ring 32 and electrical contacts 8.
It is to be understood that what have been described are the preferred embodiments of the present invention and that it will be possible by those skilled in the art to vary from these embodiments while still staying within the scope and intent of the invention. For example, while particular types of spring actuated members have been 15 described, other forms and types of securing means could equally be used. In addition. where m~nll~lly operable contact eng~ging means 9 is comprised of a rocker arm it may also be held in its first, second or third position through frictional engagement with housing 7.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to lighting switches for controlling the he~llight.~ and parking lights of a vehicle, and more particularly to an improved lighting switch which helps to prevent the accidental discharge of a vehicle's battery through inadvertentlyleaving its lights on.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The draining of an automobile battery through inadvertently leaving the automobile lights in their on position is a problem that has plagued motorists since practically the 15 time the automobile was invented. Through haste and oversight motorists commonly leave their vehicles without turning their lights off, only to return to find their vehicle with a dead battery. The recent popularity of timers and daytime running light mech~ni~ms for headlights have only added further to this problem on account of motorists mistakenly believing that their automobile headlights remain on due to the 20 operation of such timers or running lights.
Others have developed numerous mech~nism~ and lighting systems in an attempt to combat this problem. Such devices include warning chimes, to indicate that a vehicle's lights remain on after the ignition key has been removed, and complex 25 relays and electronic circuitry that prevent a vehicle's lights from rem~ining on when the ignition has been turned off. While warning chimes provide an audible indicator they do not actively prevent a vehicle's lights from being left on. Chimes only provide limited assistance and suffer from inherent problems. First, since they comprise electronic components they are susceptible to failure. Secondly, in some instances background noise is sufficient to prevent a motorist from re~ ing that the warning chimes are in operation. In the case of individuals with hearing impairment, the warning chimes may serve no purpose whatsoever.
With respect to the use of other electronic components (which may include relays and similar devices) to ensure that headlights do not remain on, they too suffer from inherent problems. First and foremost is the fact that such a systems usually involve relatively complex electrical and electronic circuitry and components, any part of 10 which is subject to failure. In the event that any aspect of such a system fails a motorist may not be aware that the system is no longer working properly and falsely rely upon it to ensure that the automobile headlights are turned off. Furthermore, in the event of failure of part of the system, the cost of locating the failed component and fixing the system can often be very significant. Finally, as the complexity of 15 such electronic systems increases so do the overall vehicle costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention therefore provides a vehicle lighting switch which overcomes the 20 disadvantages of the prior art through incorporation of a structure which is inherently simple to operate, inexpensive and not susceptible to the types of failures that may occur with prior art devices. The invention has the further advantage that it can be readily installed in existing vehicles with minim~l effort and expense. In addition, depending upon the preference of motorists and vehicle manufacturers, the switch of 25 the present invention may be constructed in any one of the three primary switch configurations used to operate automobile lighting system, namely, a rocker arm switch, a rotary knob or a plunger switch.
21~765 Accordingly, the present invention in one of its aspects provides A lighting switch for use in a vehicle lighting system, said vehicle lighting system including headlights, parking lights, an ignition switch, a storage battery and wire means connecting said lighting switch, headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery together in a 5 circuit, the lighting switch comprising; a switch housing; a plurality of electrical contacts on said switch housing, at least one separate electrical contact being electrically bonded to each of said vehicle headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery such that said headlights and said parking lights are electrically isolated from one another and from said ignition switch and said battery; and, a manually10 operable contact engaging means having a first position, a second position and a third position, movement of said manually operable contact engaging means between saidfirst, second and third positions creating and breaking electrical connections between said electrical contacts; wherein said manually operable contact eng~ging means,when in said first position, prevents electrical energy *om flowing to said headlights 15 or said parking lights, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said second position, permits electrical energy to flow from said battery to said parking lights with said headlights being electrically isolated from said battery and said ignition switch and, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in saidthird position, permits electrical energy to flow from said ignition switch to said 20 headlights and said parking lights such that when said ignition switch is turned off no electrical energy flows to either said headlights or said parking lights.
In another aspect of the present invention the lighting switch is attached to said vehicle by way of a switch mounting plate, said switch mounting plate including 25 electrically conductive posts and receptacles that mesh with corresponding electrically conductive posts and receptacles on said switch housing thereby securing said switch housing to said switch mounting plate.
21807~
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
s For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention in which:
Figure 1 is a side sectional view of the vehicle lighting switch of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the switch 15 of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of the switch of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a perspective and exploded view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the switch is in a first position;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 wherein the switch is in a second position;
~18P76~
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in Figure 5 wherein the switch is in a third position;
Figure 8 is a schematic drawing showing a vehicle lighting system cont~ining 5 a switch pursuant to the present invention; and, Figure 9 is a side view of the vehicle lighting switch of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to Figure 8, the lighting switch of the present invention, notedgenerally by the reference numeral 1, is designed for use in a vehicle lighting system that includes headlights 2, parking lights 3, an ignition switch 4, a storage battery 5, and wire means 6 which connect the lights, ignition switch and the battery together 15 in the form of a circuit. Figure 8 shows lighting switch 1 in a schematical drawing indicating the general manner in which it is connected to a vehicle's lighting system.
Typically switch 1 would be mounted in a vehicle's dashboard.
In the preferred embodiment, switch 1 has a structure as shown more clearly in 20 Figure 1. Lighting switch 1 is comprised primarily of a switch housing 7, a plurality of electrical contacts 8 and m~nn~lly operable contact engaging means 9. As shown in Figure 1, preferably 5 separate electrical contacts 8 are utilized with at least one separate electrical contact being connected or electrically bonded to each of the headlights 2, parking lights 3, ignition switch 4 and battery 5. The positioning and 25 electrical bonding of contacts 8 is such that headlights 2 and parking lights 3 are both electrically isolated from each other and from ignition switch 4 and battery 5. Since in a vehicle lighting system the sources of electrical power to operate the headlights and parking lights originate with the vehicle's battery, or through the vehicle's ignition, this particular feature of switch 1 ensures that unless some form of electrical connection is made between contacts 8, electricity will not flow to either he~-llights 2 or parking lights 3 and they will remain in an off position.
5 In the embodiment of switch 1 shown in Figure 1, electrical contacts 8 are mounted on the surface 33 of switch housing 7 such that during operation conducting means can be positioned across the respective contacts 8 in order to form an electrical connection for operation of he~llight.s 2 and/or parking lights 3. The electrical connection of contacts 8 to the various other components in the vehicle lighting10 system is first accomplished through internal wiring or electrical conduction means 10 located within switch housing 7. Electrical conduction means 10 form a directelectrical connection from the rear of the switch housing 7 through to contacts 8 mounted on surface 33. Conduction means 10 may take the form of wires or may be solid metal strips or conductors, most preferably comprised of copper, aluminum 15 or other metal or alloy having similar conductive characteristics.
In the preferred embodiment, switch housing 7 contains a series of posts 11 and receptacles 12 which are electrically conductive and are connected to contacts 8 by conduction means 10. Posts 11 and receptacles 12 are configured so as to mesh with 20 corresponding electrically conductive posts 34 and receptacles 35 on a switchmounting plate 13. The corresponding posts 34 and receptacles 35 on switch mounting plate 13 are electrically connected to headlights 2, parking lights 3, ignition switch 4 and battery 5 by wire means 6.
25 It will be appreciated that the primary function of switch mounting plate 13 is to enable switch 1 to be readily and easily installed in a vehicle. In the typical installation of switch 1, mounting plate 13 is electrically connected to headlights 2, parking lights 3, ignition switch 4 and storage battery 5. Mounting plate 13 is then fastened or attached to switch housing 7 through plugging posts 11 and 34 into receptacles 12 and 35. At that point switch housing 7 may be fastened to the dash of a vehicle by any known method. It will be appreciated that the arrangement and relative positioning of posts 11 and 34 and receptacles 12 and 35 may be varied while 5 accomplishing the same result and staying within the scope of the invention.
If necessary or desired screws, bolts or other fastening means can be used to secure mounting plate 13 to housing 7 or to secure housing 7 to the dash of a vehicle. The structure of switch 1 will thus enable housing 7 to be readily installed in a vehicle 10 while also providing a means to easily remove and replace housing 7 if the internal mech~ni~m~ become damaged or need be replaced for some other reason. Once installed in this fashion, switch 1 will be secured within the dash of the vehicle and contacts 8 will be electrically bonded to the other components of the vehicle's lighting system as previously described.
It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that rather than using the post and receptacle form of connection as described and shown in the drawings, numerous other methods of electrically connecting switch 1 to the other components in thevehicle's lighting system could be employed. For example, wires from the 20 he~(llight~, parking lights, ignition switch and battery could be soldered directly onto lugs or terminals on the back of switch housing 1. Alternatively, various other types and forms of "plug-in" connection or terminals could be used, or the wires may merely be attached by placing their exposed ends under terminal screws.
Furthermore, the use of switch mounting plate 13 could be dispensed with in which 25 case connections for wires from the headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery would be made directly to the back of switch housing 7 by any of the above methods. Whichever method is employed to make these electrical connections, the important feature is that each of the headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and 21~0~6~
battery are connected to lighting switch 1 and that headlights 2 and parking lights 3 are electrically isolated from both one another and from ignition switch 4 and battery 5.
In the preferred embodiment the placement and configuration of contacts 8 are as5 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 1, five contacts are utilized. Hea-llight~ 2, ignition switch 4 and battery 5 each have a single contact electrically connected to them, while two separate contacts are electrically bonded to parking lights 3. The twocontacts bonded to parking lights 3 are preferably connected by conduction means 10 to a single post or receptacle in housing 7 to simplify connection to the parking 10 lights. It will be understood that connecting either of these two contact to a source of electricity will activate the parking lights. Alternatively, the two contacts bonded to parking lights 3 may be joined by a "jumper" positioned on the surface of theswitch (see Figure 4). In some cases the two contacts may even take the form of a single enlarged contact.
As also shown in Figure 1 the five contacts 8 are positioned on surface 33 in two separate groups. The first group consists of the contact connected to battery 5 which is positioned adjacent to one of the contacts connected to parking lights 3. Thesecond group comprises the contacts connected to headlights 2, ignition switch 4 and 20 the second contact connected to parking lights 3. As shown, the two groups ofcontacts are positioned on surface 33 remote from one another such that all the contacts in one group may be readily bonded together by a single conductive plate without the plate touching the contacts of the other group. While what has been described is the preferred placement and connection for contacts 8, it will be 25 appreciated that other placements and connections may be utilized while rem:~inin~
within the scope of the present invention.
Referring again to Figure 1, manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 has a first position, a second position and a third position and may be readily moved between said positions in order to operate switch 1. In the preferred embodiment manually operable contact eng:~ging means comprises a rocker arm 14 which is pivotally attached to switch housing 7. The pivotal mount of rocker arm 14 on housing 7 comprises a ball and socket type mech~nism, noted generally by reference numeral15. This ball and socket type engagement allows rocker arm 14 to be pivotally received within recess 16 of switch housing 7.
Securing means 17 is used for holding manually operable contact eng~ging means 9in its fist, second, or third position. Securing means 17 preferably comprises a spring actuated member 18 which forces an outwardly projecting nib 19 into one of threecorrespondingly shaped and sized recesses 20 in rocker arm 14. Recesses 20 are positioned with respect to nib 19 in such a manner that through receiving nib 19 in one of the recesses 20, manually operable contact eng;lging means 9 is held in either its first, second or third position. In Figure 1, nib 19 is held within one of the recesses 20 such that manually operable contact eng;~ging means 9 is held in its first position. Nib 19 is held within recess 20 through the action of a coil spring 21 upon a rod 22 on which nib 19 is surmounted. Coil spring 21 is compressed within a chamber 36 in housing 7 such that it pushes rod 22, and hence nib 14, outwardly and into one of the recesses 20.
In Figures 2 and 3, alternative embodiments of spring actuated member 18 are shown.
In Figure 2, nib 19 is positioned upon a leaf spring 23 which urges nib 19 into one of the recesses 20. In Figure 3, a differently configured leaf spring 24 is mounted upon an alternate embodiment of manually operable contact means 9 and urges nib 19 into one of three recesses 20 positioned on switch housing 7.
2180~65 Regardless of which of the three particular embodiments of spring actuated member 18 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 is employed the operation of manually operable contact eng~ging means and spring activated member 19 remains essentially the same.
Through the urging of nib 19 into one of three recesses 20, manually operable contact 5 eng~ging means 9 is held in either its first, second or third position. To move manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 from one of its positions to another it is only necessary to apply sufficient force to dislodge nib 19 from its resting point in one of the recesses 20. As manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 moves to one of its other positions, nib 19 is engaged to another one of the recesses 20 such 10 that manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is then held in place in the subsequent position. Those skilled in the art will realize that the holding of manually operable contact means 9 may also be accomplished by other means in addition to those described.
15 Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, as manually operable contact eng~ging means is moved between its first, second and third positions, electrical connections between electrical contacts 8 will be made and broken by way of a conducting member 25 forming an electrical bond between respective electrical contacts 8. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 conducting member 25, positioned on the 20 inside face 38 of manually operable contact engaging means 9, comprises a pair of electrically conductive plates 26 and 37. Plates 26 and 27 are positioned with one at each end of rocker arm 14 such that they will form and break an electrical connection between respective groups of contacts 8 located on surface 33 when rocker arm 14 is moved between its first, second and third positions.
In operation, when manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is in its fist position electrically conductive plates 26 and 27 are isolated from those electrical contacts 8 which are bonded or connected to ignition switch 4 or battery 5. In this fashion 21807~5 electricity is prevented from flowing to either headlights 2 or parking lights 3 and the lights will remain off.
When an operator wishes to turn on only the parking lights, manually operable 5 contact eng~ging means 9 is moved from its first position to its second position such that electrical energy is permitted to flow from battery 5 to parking lights 3 only, with headlights 2 being electrically isolated from battery 4. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 this is accomplished through movement of manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 such that conductive plate 26 comes into contact with those electrical 10 contacts 8 which are connected to battery 4 and parking lights 3 (ie the upper group shown in Figure 1). Due to the placement of contacts 8 as described previously, no connection is made between any source of electricity and the electrical contact 8 connected to headlights 2. In addition, since no electrical bonding is created with the electrical contact 8 connected to ignition switch 4, the source of electricity to power 15 parking lights 3 will be battery 5. This will then enable an operator of the vehicle to turn the parking lights on without having to either start the vehicle or engage the ignition switch.
In most vehicles for safety purposes when the headlights are activated so are the 20 parking lights. For this reason the switch of the present invention activates the vehicle's parking lights when the headlights are turned on. However, as discussed above, it is possible to activate the parking lights independently of the hea(llight.~ by placing manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 in its second position.
25 To operate headlights 2, and hence also parking lights 3, manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is moved into its third position thereby permitting electrical energy to flow through ignition switch 4 to headlights 2 and parking lights 3. When in its third position conductive plate 37 of manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 forms an electrical connection between the electrical contacts 8 which are bonded to ignition switch 4, hea(llight~ 2 and parking lights 3. Once again due to the placement of contacts 8 (see Figure 1), no connection is made with the electrical contact connected to battery 5. It will thus be appreciated that in order for the headlights and 5 parking lights to be activated together, manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 must be in its third position and ignition switch 4 must be turned on. When in its third position manually operable contact engaging means 9 will not permit electricity to flow to headlights 2 or parking lights 3 directly from battery 5. In this fashion it is ensured that a vehicle's hea~light~ are turned off immediately upon turning off the 10 vehicle's ignition switch regardless of whether the motorist has remembered to switch off light switch 1. That is, when ignition switch 4 is off all sources of electricity are isolated from headlights 2.
Referring briefly to Figures 3 and 4, an alternate embodiment of manually operable 15 contact eng;lging means 9 is shown. In Figures 3 and 4 manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 comprises a rotary knob 27 which is rotationally attached to switch housing 7 by insertion of pin 28 into a central bore 29 within housing 7. In this embodiment movement of manually operable contact engaging means 9 from its first, second, and third positions is accomplished by manually rotating knob 27. Only a20 single electrically conductive plate 26 is required to form connection between the various electrical contacts 8 in the fashion as described above for activation of the parking and/or heafllight.~ of the vehicle (see Figure 4).
Still a further embodiment of manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 is shown 25 in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Here manually operable contact eng~ging means 9 comprises a plunger 30 which is slidably held within a central bore 31 of switch housing 7.
Here electrical contacts 8 are situated around central bore 31 as opposed to being positioned on the side of switch housing 7. Furthermore, rather than being an electrically conductive plate, conducting member 25 is preferably comprised of aconducting ring 32, which forms and breaks electrical connections between contacts 8 in an equivalent manner as described above, when plunger 30 is moved between its first, second, and third positions. Movement of plunger 30 results in the same 5 electrical connections being formed and broken as described previously such that he~(llight~ 2 and parking lights 3 operate in the same manner. Finally, plunger 30 is held in its first, second or third position through frictional engagement with switch housing 7 and frictional engagement between conducting ring 32 and electrical contacts 8.
It is to be understood that what have been described are the preferred embodiments of the present invention and that it will be possible by those skilled in the art to vary from these embodiments while still staying within the scope and intent of the invention. For example, while particular types of spring actuated members have been 15 described, other forms and types of securing means could equally be used. In addition. where m~nll~lly operable contact eng~ging means 9 is comprised of a rocker arm it may also be held in its first, second or third position through frictional engagement with housing 7.
Claims (15)
1. A lighting switch for use in a vehicle lighting system, said vehicle lightingsystem including headlights, parking lights, an ignition switch, a storage battery and wire means connecting said lighting switch, headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery together in a circuit, the lighting switch comprising:
a switch housing;
a plurality of electrical contacts on said switch housing, at least one separate electrical contact being electrically bonded to each of said vehicle headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery such that said headlights and said parking lights are electrically isolated from one another and from said ignition switch and said battery; and, a manually operable contact engaging means having a first position, a second position and a third position, movement of said manually operable contact engaging means between said first, second and third positions creating and breaking electrical connections between said electrical contacts;
wherein said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said first position, prevents electrical energy from flowing to said headlights or said parking lights, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said second position, permits electrical energy to flow from said battery to said parking lights with said headlights being electrically isolated from said battery and said ignition switch and, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said third position, permits electrical energy to flow from said ignition switch to said headlights and said parking lights such that when said ignition switch is turned off no electrical energy flows to either said headlights or said parking lights.
a switch housing;
a plurality of electrical contacts on said switch housing, at least one separate electrical contact being electrically bonded to each of said vehicle headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery such that said headlights and said parking lights are electrically isolated from one another and from said ignition switch and said battery; and, a manually operable contact engaging means having a first position, a second position and a third position, movement of said manually operable contact engaging means between said first, second and third positions creating and breaking electrical connections between said electrical contacts;
wherein said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said first position, prevents electrical energy from flowing to said headlights or said parking lights, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said second position, permits electrical energy to flow from said battery to said parking lights with said headlights being electrically isolated from said battery and said ignition switch and, said manually operable contact engaging means, when in said third position, permits electrical energy to flow from said ignition switch to said headlights and said parking lights such that when said ignition switch is turned off no electrical energy flows to either said headlights or said parking lights.
2. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein said manually operable contact engaging means includes at least one electrical conducting member, said electrical conducting member being isolated from said electrical contacts bonded to either said ignition switch or said battery when said manually operable contact engaging means is in said first position.
3. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said electrical conducting member forms an electrical connection between said electrical contacts electrically bonded to said battery and to said parking lights when said manually operable contact engaging means is in said second position such that electrical energy is permitted to flow to said parking lights, said headlights being electrically isolated from said battery and said ignition switch.
4. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 3 wherein said electrical conducting member forms an electrical connection between said electrical contacts electrically bonded to said ignition switch, to said headlights and to said parking lights when said manually operable contact engaging means is in said third position such that electrical energy is permitted to flow through said ignition switch to said headlights and said parking lights.
5. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein said manually operable contact engaging means is held in said first, second or third positions through frictional engagement with said switch housing.
6. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 4 having securing means for holding said manually operable contact engaging means in either said fist, said second or said third position.
7. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 6 wherein said securing means comprises a spring actuated member, said spring actuated member biased between said switch housing and said manually operable contact engaging means to hold said manually operable contact engaging means in either said first, second or third position.
8. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein said manually operable contact engaging means comprises a rotary knob rotationally attached to said switch housing.
9. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 8 wherein said conducting member comprises an electrically conductive plate, said electrically conductive plate rotably engaging said electrical contacts, forming and breaking electrical bonds therebetween, when said rotary knob is moved between said first, second and third positions.
10. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein said manually operable contact engaging means comprises a rocker arm, said rocker arm pivotally attached to said switch housing.
11. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 10 wherein said conducting member comprises a pair of electrically conductive plates, one of said conductive plates positioned at each end of said rocker arm.
12. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein said manually operable contact engaging means comprises a plunger, said plunger slidably held within a central bore in said switch housing.
13. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 12 wherein said electrical conducting member is comprised of a conducting ring mounted on said plunger, said conducting ring slidably engaging said electrical contacts, forming and breaking electrical bonds therebetween, when said plunger is moved between said first, second and third positions.
14. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 7 wherein said switch housing is attached to said vehicle by way of a switch mounting plate, said switch mounting plate including posts and receptacles that mesh with corresponding posts and receptacles on said switch housing thereby securing said switch housing to said switch mounting plate.
15. The lighting switch as claimed in claim 14 wherein said posts and receptacles on said switch mounting plate and said switch housing are electrically conductive and form part of the electrical bond between said electrical contacts and said headlights, parking lights, ignition switch and battery.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/508,962 US5602427A (en) | 1995-07-28 | 1995-07-28 | Vehicle lighting switch |
| US08/508,962 | 1995-07-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2180765A1 true CA2180765A1 (en) | 1997-01-29 |
Family
ID=24024772
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002180765A Abandoned CA2180765A1 (en) | 1995-07-28 | 1996-07-09 | Vehicle lighting switch |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5602427A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2180765A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE29620775U1 (en) * | 1996-11-29 | 1998-03-26 | Hohe Gmbh & Co Kg | Outside mirrors for a vehicle |
| EP0845390A3 (en) | 1996-11-29 | 2004-06-09 | Donnelly Corporation | Modular exterior rearview mirror assembly |
| US6188312B1 (en) * | 1999-03-01 | 2001-02-13 | Thomas Gotauco | Apparatus and method to stimulate a sleepy driver |
| DE19942729A1 (en) * | 1999-09-08 | 2001-03-15 | Hella Kg Hueck & Co | Control device for a light unit of vehicles |
| DE10056665C5 (en) * | 2000-11-10 | 2008-05-08 | Valeo Schalter Und Sensoren Gmbh | Steering column switch, especially for vehicles |
| US6661338B2 (en) * | 2001-02-15 | 2003-12-09 | Case, Llc | Exit lighting system for off-road vehicle |
| US7514645B2 (en) * | 2005-05-31 | 2009-04-07 | Elc Industries Corp. | Master light switch for ground vehicles |
| US9853400B1 (en) | 2016-11-01 | 2017-12-26 | International Business Machines Corporation | Electrical arc protection using a trip jumper |
| US9893455B1 (en) | 2016-11-01 | 2018-02-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Electrical arc protection using a trip contact |
| US10122123B1 (en) | 2017-07-07 | 2018-11-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Electrical arc protection using a rotational shield |
Family Cites Families (21)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2076074A (en) * | 1935-03-15 | 1937-04-06 | Harry A Douglas | Lighting system for automotive vehicles |
| US2773249A (en) * | 1955-01-31 | 1956-12-04 | Santis Ernest R De | Reminder to disconnect vehicle lights or to set the hand brake |
| US2913589A (en) * | 1955-10-07 | 1959-11-17 | Gen Motors Corp | Engine starting apparatus |
| US3341736A (en) * | 1965-05-07 | 1967-09-12 | Roger D Fortney | Daytime driving safety light system for automotive vehicles |
| US3348095A (en) * | 1965-08-30 | 1967-10-17 | Howard M Gold | Vehicle battery power protection system including light switching means |
| US3373312A (en) * | 1966-04-01 | 1968-03-12 | Conn Marks Mervyn | Solenoid actuated automobile headlight switch |
| US3389296A (en) * | 1966-04-04 | 1968-06-18 | Bendix Corp | Automatic automobile lighting control circuit with time delay-deenergizing means |
| US3544838A (en) * | 1968-06-06 | 1970-12-01 | Bendix Corp | Headlamp time delay circuit and means for adjustment thereof |
| JPS5021676U (en) * | 1973-06-21 | 1975-03-11 | ||
| US3932788A (en) * | 1974-09-17 | 1976-01-13 | The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. | Automobile headlight switch |
| US4010380A (en) * | 1975-11-13 | 1977-03-01 | Bailer Edmund F | Combined light and windshield wiper switch |
| JPS5952431B2 (en) * | 1976-04-09 | 1984-12-19 | 株式会社デンソー | Vehicle display device |
| US4301390A (en) * | 1978-02-03 | 1981-11-17 | Earle John L | Automatic headlight switch |
| US4896075A (en) * | 1986-02-06 | 1990-01-23 | Earle John L | Automatic headlight and parking light switching |
| US4965461A (en) * | 1988-07-18 | 1990-10-23 | Mcroberts Jr George F | Automatic light-extinguishing circuit |
| US4983883A (en) * | 1989-04-04 | 1991-01-08 | Roland George R | Automatic illumination circuit |
| FR2654996B1 (en) * | 1989-11-27 | 1992-04-03 | Valeo Vision | IMPROVEMENT IN MULTIPLEXED CONTROL DEVICES FOR A SET OF LAMPS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. |
| US5053677A (en) * | 1990-05-03 | 1991-10-01 | Navistar International Transportation Corp. | Parking lamp operating system |
| US5250850A (en) * | 1991-01-14 | 1993-10-05 | Albert Pace | Automotive light and wiper control circuit |
| US5491311A (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 1996-02-13 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | Multifunction switch |
| US5442527A (en) * | 1994-10-05 | 1995-08-15 | New Holland North America, Inc. | Lighting control system for tractors |
-
1995
- 1995-07-28 US US08/508,962 patent/US5602427A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-07-09 CA CA002180765A patent/CA2180765A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5602427A (en) | 1997-02-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20020709 |