US 5,844,479 AGranted

Automotive, front and side brake/running/turn signal light

OwnerEdward B. Waltoninventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

The present invention is a front mounted, combination brake/signal/turn signal light. In one embodiment, an assembly with three light chambers is provided. The light in one chamber is connected to the ignition and brake circuits of the vehicle. Connection is made so that this first light lights when the vehicle is operating and goes out when the brakes are applied. The light in the second chamber is connected to the brake circuit of the vehicle. This second light is lighted whenever the brakes are applied. The light in the third chamber is connected to the turn signal circuit of the vehicle. The preferred colors are blue for the stop signal, white or clear for the daytime running lights and amber for the turn signal. Thus the assembly provides a visual signal that is white whenever the vehicle is in operation, changes from white to blue when the brakes are applied, changes from blue back to white again when the use of brakes is terminated and in addition flashes amber when the vehicle is turning. Two lamp variations of this embodiment are also described. The first lamp is connected to the brake circuit while the second may be connected to the brake/ignition circuits or the turn circuit. Illumination may be provided by regular incandescent lights, fiber optic cable, LEDs, or electrochromic elements. Colors may be provided by multicolored lenses or by appropriate circuitry to the illuminating element.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A vehicle signaling light assembly adapted to be mounted on the front or forward sides of a vehicle, said vehicle including a braking system, and brake, turning and ignition circuits comprising:

a base member, said base member including a turn light chamber, a signal light chamber and a stop light chamber, said respective chambers being substantially optically isolated from each other, said chambers being adapted to emit different colored light;
a first signal illuminating arrangement, associated with and adapted to illuminate said signal light chamber, said first signal illuminating arrangement being adapted to being operatively connected to said ignition and brake circuits of said vehicle so that said first signal illuminating arrangement illuminates said signal light chamber most intensely whenever said ignition circuit is activated and said brake circuit is not activated;
a stop signal illuminating arrangement, associated with and adapted to illuminate said stop light chamber, said stop signal illuminating arrangement being adapted to being operatively connected to said brake circuit of said vehicle so that said stop signal illuminating arrangement illuminates said stop light chamber only when said brake circuit is activated by application of braking force to said vehicle;
and
a turn signal illuminating arrangement, associated with and adapted to illuminate said turn light chamber;
said turn signal illuminating arrangement being adapted to being operatively connected to said turn light circuit of said vehicle so that said turn signal illuminating arrangement illuminates said turn light chamber whenever said turn light circuit is activated.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/496,040Filed 28 Jun 1995
Granted: 1 Dec 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B60Q 1/143
Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic: combined…
B60Q 1/28
The devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic: for indicating front of vehicle
B60Q 1/44
The devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic: for indicating braking…
B60Q 1/442
For indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal: visible on the front side of…