US3953831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alarm system for use with cigarette lighter receptacle of vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-09
•
Granted: 1976-04-27
•
Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A system for actuating an alarm and for stopping the engine of a vehicle when the vehicle driver starts to doze or fall asleep. The system includes a mercury switch attachable to the head of the driver, such as on a pair of eyeglasses, and the switch is coupled to a cable having a plug for insertion into the conventional cigarette lighter receptacle on the dashboard of the vehicle. A light flasher, a relay coil, and a buzzer are electrically coupled to the receptacle and energized simultaneously when the mercury switch closes upon movement of the head. The flasher and buzzer provide visual and audible alarms while the relay coil operates a normally closed switch for opening the ignition circuit of the vehicle to stop the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Estrada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/50; B60Q1/52; H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An alarm system for a vehicle having a battery and a dashboard provided with a cigarette lighter receptacle, the combination with said battery and said receptacle of: a pair of eyeglasses having a temple; a switch having means for removably mounting the same on the temple and adapted to be actuated in response to a predetermined head movement when the eyeglasses are worn; cable means coupled to said switch and including a plug removably receivable in said receptacle for placing the switch in electrically coupled relationship to the receptacle, a number of alarm devices; and means connecting each alarm device in a respective electrical circuit with the receptacle and the battery common to each circuit, whereby actuation of each device will occur when the switch is actuated and when the plug is in the receptacle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An alarm system for a vehicle having a battery and a dashboard provided with a cigarette lighter receptacle, the combination with said battery and said receptacle of: a pair of eyeglasses having a temple; a switch having means for removably mounting the same on the temple and adapted to be actuated in response to a predetermined head movement when the eyeglasses are worn; cable means coupled to said switch and including a plug removably receivable in said receptacle for placing the switch in electrically coupled relationship to the receptacle, a number of alarm devices; and means connecting each alarm device in a respective electrical circuit with the receptacle and the battery common to each circuit, whereby actuation of each device will occur when the switch is actuated and when the plug is in the receptacle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said switch includes a mercury switch having a pair of spaced hooks for releasable attachment to said temple.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said devices include a light flasher coupled to the head and taillights of the vehicle, a relay having a normally closed switch, and a buzzer mounted in the vehicle to warn an occupant of the vehicle, the switch of the relay adapted to be coupled to the ignition circuit of the vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3049188A
Cited
US3011040A
Cited
US3208062A
Cited
US3338240A
Cited
US3514623A
Cited
US3559206A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-27 | 1979-10-27 | 1980-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-27 | 1983-10-27 | 1984-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-27 | 1987-10-27 | 1988-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |