US3877104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle headlamps
Assignee: Lucas Electrical Co Ltd
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Filing: 1973-01-05
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle headlamp cleaning system in which an electrically operated means for causing drive to a wiper blade is energised by a controller which is itself operated in response to a driver operation such as windscreen washing. The controller may additionally include a timer or counter for leaving the first means energised only during a limited number of cycles.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick Raymond Patri Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:46
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/56; B60S1/60; B60S1/603
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A vehicle including a headlamp; a wiper blade mounted for sweeping motion across said headlamp; electric motor means; current conducting windings to said motor means; means drivably connecting to said motor means to said wiper blade; a park switch operable to de-energise the electric motor means upon completion of a single cycle consisting of one or more revolutions of the motor; a counter switch wired in parallel with the park switch and constructed to maintain its contacts closed throughout a predetermined number of said cycles of the motor; conductor means connecting said windings and said park and connector switches to the vehicle electrical supply; and a normally open switch connected to the vehicle headlamp electric circuit and said conductor means for interrupting said conductor means and operable to close in response to energization of the vehicle headlamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A vehicle including a headlamp; a wiper blade mounted for sweeping motion across said headlamp; electric motor means; current conducting windings to said motor means; means drivably connecting to said motor means to said wiper blade; a park switch operable to de-energise the electric motor means upon completion of a single cycle consisting of one or more revolutions of the motor; a counter switch wired in parallel with the park switch and constructed to maintain its contacts closed throughout a predetermined number of said cycles of the motor; conductor means connecting said windings and said park and connector switches to the vehicle electrical supply; and a normally open switch connected to the vehicle headlamp electric circuit and said conductor means for interrupting said conductor means and operable to close in response to energization of the vehicle headlamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said counter switch includes a pair of switch contacts which are closed for a predetermined number of wiper operations before being opened to de-energise the first means, and a ratchet wheel and pawl mechanism incrementally advanceable in response to operation of the wiper drive, such ratchet wheel opening said contacts after a predetermined number of advancing increments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, and further including a nozzle arranged to direct a jet onto said headlamp, and a water pump operable for applying a cleaning liquid to the nozzle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1, and further including: a conductor connected in parallel with said counter switch and said park switch, a second conductor feeding the parallel pair of switches, means for energizing said second conductor only when the headlamps are operated, and means for optionally energizing said first conductor at other times when said headlamps are de-energized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 4, and including a switch operated by the windscreen washer and connected across said first and second conductor for energising said first conductor when the windscreen washer switch is operated and the headlamps are energised.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising: a frame adapted to span the face of said headlamp; means for securing said wiper blade to the frame; and guide means provided at both top and bottom of said headlamp for engagement with the frame for guiding the frame for movement across said headlamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A vehicle as set forth in claim 1 and further including windscreen washer means, and a further normally open switch connected to said conductor means and said windscreen washer means to be closed during use of the vehicle windscreen washer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |