Did You Know...
...that Robert Adler has the dubious distinction of being the Father of the Couch Potato? Back in 1955 Adler was employed by what was then Zenith Radio Corp., where he was charged to invent something that would allow viewers to turn down the TV volume without leaving their chairs. After a series of flops (such as a wired contraption that people tripped over), Adler hit on the idea of using sound waves. Thus the Remote Control was born...
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8094004 | Turn signal device self cancelling feature A multi-function turn signal arrangement for an incorporating vehicle includes a user interface having a plurality of operator specifiable signaling modes including a right-direction-signal momentary blinking mode and a left-direction-signal momentary blinking mode.... | 01/10/2012 |
| 7425890 | Direction indicator If a turn signal switch is operated and a right-turn signal or a left-turn signal is input, a turn signal controller outputs a turn signal lamp lighting signal to a relay so as to make the turn signal lamp flash. Detection signals of an operating amount and an opera... | 09/16/2008 |
| 7417533 | Vehicle signaling system A motor vehicle includes a conventional tail light arrangement, and also includes an indicator light that can be actuated by a vehicle operator. The indicator light is configured to provide a signal to a driver of another vehicle that the other driver is “tailgati... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7129829 | Wide range rearview mirror with signal and safety lights A module with various designs of signal and safety lights incorporated with a wide range rearview mirror for the exterior sides of motor vehicles. Within the module(s), a signal light(s) and a safety light(s) of varying shapes are included. The rearview mirror cover... | 10/31/2006 |
| 7102500 | System and method for indicating a turn by a vehicle A system for automatically deactivating a turn signal displayed on a vehicle, the system including a sensor configured to measure a vehicle turn attribute, and a processing unit in communication with the sensor, wherein the processing unit deactivates the turn signa... | 09/05/2006 |
| 7019238 | Stalk switch A stalk switch having a simplified structure and wide general-purpose applicability is provided. The stalk switch comprises an operating lever 4 manually operated by an operator, a supporting member 2 for rockably supporting the operating lever 4 | 03/28/2006 |
| 7005973 | Electrical actuator assembly for hinged vehicle safety devices A school bus has a stop sign hinged on an electrical actuator assembly that is attached to the side of the bus. The actuator assembly includes an electric motor that pivots the hinged stop sign from a stored position adjacent the bus to an operative position extendi... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6982637 | Selectable flash sequence for a road vehicle light system A road vehicle road vehicle direction indicator light system 1 comprises front and rear lamps 2, 4 for the nearside and front and rear lamps 6, 8 for the offside of the vehicle, a battery 10 power source connected to an ignition switch | 01/03/2006 |
| 6982638 | Self-canceling turn signal A self-canceling turn signal includes an inner wheel rotating at an inner velocity and an outer wheel rotating at an outer velocity. An inner rotational velocity of the inner wheel and an outer rotational velocity of the outer wheel may be measured and compared, and... | 01/03/2006 |
| 6975218 | Lane based automatic turn signal deactivation An automatic turn signal deactivation system monitors and deactivates a turn signal indicator for a vehicle. A lane departure warning device compares a vehicle position with an originating roadway lane and provides a monitoring signal to a communication bus. A turn ... | 12/13/2005 |
| 6972691 | Tire condition monitoring apparatus When registering the ID code of a transmitter in a receiver, a commander is brought close to the transmitter and then a manipulation switch of the commander is pressed. Then, the commander transmits an instruction signal to the transmitter. In response to the instru... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6972675 | Vehicle turn signal system A turn signal system includes at least one sensor detecting road markers and generating therefrom road marker signals. A turn signal deactivates in response to a control command generated by a controller. The controller receives the road marker signals, and determin... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6960994 | Vehicle tire information obtaining apparatus and tire information processing apparatus A vehicle tire information obtaining apparatus for obtaining tire information relating to a mounted tire and a non-mounted tire of a vehicle. The apparatus includes: (a) tire state detectors which are provided in the respective tires and each of which detects a stat... | 11/01/2005 |
| 6933838 | Informing sound generation method and apparatus for vehicle Detection is made of an activated direction of a vehicular operator device capable of being activated in at least two directions. In response to activation, in a first direction, of the operator device, informing sound is generated which varies over time with a firs... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6909363 | Circuit for adapting a receptacle socket in a towing vehicle for diverse trailer circuits A circuit (26) for configuring a seven-terminal receptacle socket (10) in a towing vehicle to properly accommodate the particular one of several possible electric circuit configurations in a particular trailer that is being towed by the towing vehicle.... | 06/21/2005 |
| 6448548 | Vehicle signal control module and system A switching mechanism for controlling vehicle headlights, turn signals, and emergency flashers includes a housing mounted on a control stock rigidly mounted to the vehicle steering column. The housing includes depressions for each of the functions, and li... | 09/10/2002 |
| 6424255 | Adjustable delay turn signal reminder device for mounting on a motorcycle and the like An adjustable delay turn signal reminder device adapted for mounting on a motorcycle and other vehicles. The reminder device is designed with safety in mind and give a vehicle operator a visual and/or audio signal, after a predetermined time, that a left ... | 07/23/2002 |
| 6204759 | Automatic turn-signal deactivator The problem of the turn signal inadvertently remaining on is solved through the use of additional intelligence added on to the current turn-signal control system already existing within current late-model vehicles. The turn-control circuitry in a vehicle ... | 03/20/2001 |
| 6195001 | Auxiliary signal to indicate a U-turn An auxiliary signal to indicate a U-turn including a housing securable to an interior of a motor vehicle. The housing is defined by a closed forward face and an open rearward face. The open rearward face has a plate disposed therein. The plate has an inve... | 02/27/2001 |
| 6144297 | Automobile steering wheel and turn signal buttons with turning indicia and/or indicators thereon An automobile steering wheel and turn signal indicator for allowing a driver of an automobile to signal for a turn, includes a handle/hub arrangement adapted to be coupled to a steering column of the automobile, spokes disposed about the handle/hub and ho... | 11/07/2000 |
| 6114954 | Luggage carrier with illumination means An illuminated roof/luggage rack for automobiles and other vehicles incorporates turn indicators and/or side lights to enhance noticeability and safety. Preferably, the turn indicators are provided on all four corners of the rack structure, and the side l... | 09/05/2000 |
| 6043740 | Vehicle signalling apparatus This device for giving and controlling a vehicle U-turn signal comprises a U-turn signal indicator (1) and a control circuit. The U-turn signal indicator (1) can consist of an array of LEDs which makes a loop circuit with an arrow. One can be mounted on t... | 03/28/2000 |
| 6034600 | Turn signal system and method with steering wheel mounted control of conventional and lane shift indications A vehicle turn signal system (10), and an associated method, utilizes turn selectors (14, 16) located on a steering wheel (12). The system has right and left turn signal indicator circuits (34, 38) that are each energizable to indicate an intended movemen... | 03/07/2000 |
| 6031451 | Electrical circuits for turn signal, hazard signal and brake signal lights An electrical circuit for turn signal, hazard signal, and brake signal lights of an automotive vehicle has first and second relays each having an energizable coil and contacts which are in a first configuration when the coil is not energized and a second ... | 02/29/2000 |
| 6020813 | Self-canceling vehicle turn signal with safety reactivation The turn signal system of the invention utilizes a timing circuit to electrically activate and deactivate the flashing turn signal. The invention system also utilizes a pair (left, right) of auxiliary, spring-loaded, momentary contact, normally open switc... | 02/01/2000 |
| 6002330 | Control system for vehicle lighting A lighting system for a towed off-highway vehicle has a left and right hazard warning lamps that flash in unison when the vehicle is not turning. When the vehicle is turning, the hazard warning lamp on the side of the turn flashes, while the other hazard ... | 12/14/1999 |
| 5808545 | Integrated vehicular electronic signalling system An electronic vehicular signalling system is disclosed. It has a novel turn signal switch having electromagnetic detents, novel electronic circuitry which provides all standard signalling functions and optionally features automatic cancellation of turn si... | 09/15/1998 |
| 5801622 | Signal alarm A new Signal Alarm for providing an audible beep when the turn signal is operating to notify the vehicle operator that the turn signal is on. The inventive device includes a control means for activating and deactivating a sound generating device operative... | 09/01/1998 |
| 5790017 | Vehicle turn signal control system and method A vehicle turn signal indicator control system for left and right turn signals in which the turn signal lever has three positions, on, off and intermediate. The system has circuitry that controls the number of pulses flashed by the left or right indicator... | 08/04/1998 |
| 5614884 | Vehicle turn signal A directional indicator system for vehicles such as automobiles comprises a flasher unit and left hand and right hand marker lamps positioned on the vehicle. The flasher unit causes current to pulse through the marker lamps so that the marker lamps flash.... | 03/25/1997 |
| 5581235 | Turn signal control system A control system controls the vehicle having turn signal lights mounted on both sides of the vehicle in response to deflection of a manually operated turn signal. The control system includes a control unit which senses vehicle speed and automatically inte... | 12/03/1996 |
| 5528218 | Electronic self-canceling turn signal device An electronic self-canceling turn signal device for use with a motor vehicle, and most advantageously a semi-tractor/trailer, having turn indicators or indicator lights providing numerous features. The electronic self-canceling turn signal device provides... | 06/18/1996 |
| 5497304 | Side warning lights Side warning lights are provided for elongated motor vehicle such as a truck trailer or truck tanker combination. The side warning lights include first and second plurality of lights arranged on both sides of the vehicle. The lights are selectively energi... | 03/05/1996 |
| 5486809 | Lever-tap-activated timed turn signaling Individual/driver-defined durations of lever-off automotive turn signaling are provided in response to the application of one or more "taps" to a vehicle's signal lever. A counter is incremented for each tap detected by monitoring circuitry. A non-zero ta... | 01/23/1996 |
| 5455558 | Automotive turn signal alert device A turn signal alert device adapted to be easily retrofitted on an automobile which provides an audio signal when the turn signal indicator of an automobile is activated. This device includes a time delay element which delays turning on the audio signal fo... | 10/03/1995 |
| 5438314 | Vehicle turn signal A directional indicator system for vehicles such as automobiles comprises a flasher unit and left hand and right hand marker lamps positioned on the vehicle. The flasher unit causes current to pulse through the marker lamps so that the marker lamps flash.... | 08/01/1995 |
| 5414407 | Turn signal monitor circuit An indicating circuit provides an indication that a turn signal in a vehicle is activated. A timer receives an activation signal representative of the turn signal. The timer provides a reminder output signal based on the activation signal. The timer provi... | 05/09/1995 |
| 5353007 | Automotive turn signal warning device A turn signal warning device that uses logic circuits to monitor power leads to lights on vehicle that are lit for turn signals, brakes, and emergency blinkers. This device functions on vehicles whereon the same set of lights are used for turn signals and... | 10/04/1994 |
| 5309142 | Electronic flasher unit An electronic flasher unit for one or more flashing lamps activated by flasher switches is described. The flasher unit has at least three control inputs and an integrated circuit for controlling a flashing relay with relay contacts. In addition, further s... | 05/03/1994 |
| 5309143 | Vehicle turn signal malfunction warning system A vehicle turn signal malfunction warning system that alerts the vehicle driver when a turn signal indication is not cancelled after a predetermined time period comprises a modular housing that is plug-compatible with all standardized flasher units in use... | 05/03/1994 |
