Abstract: An auxiliary control circuit for controlling taillights, especially the brake light and turn signal lights, of a vehicle is provided. The circuit is designed to function such that, when the brake of the vehicle is applied, the brake light blinks continuously for the length of time that the brake is applied. At the same time, the turn signal lights simultaneously blink in an alternating fashion for enhancing warning effect. When the brake is applied and the turn signal switch is actuated for the purpose of providing a turning indication, the brake light and the turn signal lights work independently in the usual manner.

Abstract: An alarm system for indicating improper towing of a vehicle having a standard transmission may embody up to two control switches in series electrical communication which are operable to activate a warning light and/or buzzer mounted within the interior of the towing vehicle. When towing a four wheel vehicle, it is desirable to make sure that the steering is not locked and also that the vehicle is not in gear. The first control switch comprises a normally open toggle switch which closes to activate the alarm circuit when the ignition switch is in the locked or not-turned-on position. The second independently operable control switch is fluid pressure activated and is opened in response to the detection of oil pressure resulting from the towed vehicle being in gear.

Abstract: In order to visually indicate the readiness of a vehicle alarm system or the locked condition of a vehicle door, an electro-optical indicating element is inserted into the locking button of a vehicle locking system. The light-emitting diode, during the pulse operation, is operated with a no-pulse period which is relatively long in comparison to the flashing pulse.

Abstract: An auxiliary pedestrian crossing warning signal system for use in automobiles equipped with a main signal system including front and rear, left and right amber turn indicator lamps incorporates an alternating flasher into the main signal system via a relay to provide communication between a driver and a pedestrian in order to reduce vehicle-pedestrian collisions. An automatic shut-off timer is connected to the relay circuit for controlling the duration of the auxiliary system operation after the brake pedal is released. The auxiliary system is operated by a momentary pressure on a pushbutton switch mounted in the dashboard and by the application of pressure to the vehicle brake pedal, so that the auxiliary system operates only when the pushbutton is energized and the vehicle is stopped. In addition to the in-dash indicator lights, a pair of indicator lights can be mounted beside the pushbutton switch as an additional indication that the auxiliary system is in operation.

Abstract: A warning device that is removably affixed to overhead loads which are moved by an overhead crane. The warning device has a rotating beacon light and a horn, both activated by a switch and powered by internal batteries. The device is attached to steel loads with magnets or to non-metallic loads with straps and is activated whenever the load is raised and in motion. The device is removed from the when the load arrives at its destination load and is then stored by attaching the device to the crane hook with a safety cable.

Abstract: The foregoing and additional objects are obtained by the oil measuring system according to the present invention. A first oil level measuring device is in fluid communication with the oil pan and generates a first signal indicative of the oil level within the first measuring device. A second oil level measuring device is also in fluid communication with the oil pan and generates a second signal indication of the oil level with the second measuring device. An imaginary line passes from the second measuring device, through the middle of the oil pan, and to the first measuring device. Also provided is a means for indicating the oil level in the oil pan in response to the first and second signals. Accordingly, the oil level may be checked without using a standard dipstick. Further, the present system is effective regardless of the tilt of the engine.

Abstract: An alarm system which signals to the driver a first alarm whenever he opens a vehicle door and the selector lever of an automatic transmission is not in its full park position. The system signals to the driver and also to persons external to the vehicle a second different alarm whenever, in addition, the driver leaves his seat and the selector lever is not in its full park position or the parking pawl fails to properly engage the parking gear even though the selector lever is in its proper park position. A manual switch may be operated to selectively disconnect the alarms, with an automatic operator being provided to close this switch should it accidently be left in its open condition.

Abstract: A brake wear warning system includes detectors embedded in brake pads such that when a predetermined level of wear is reached, an alarm is activated alerting the vehicle driver that the brake pads are in need of replacement.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a proximity warning device for protection of a curbside parked vehicle, particularly from potential impact damage from another vehicle parking in an immediately adjacent curbside space, is pivotally mounted in a housing adapted to be mounted on a bumper of a vehicle and includes a relatively heavy body having a lighter elongated feeler element affixed to it and projecting upwardly substantially above the housing. The pivotal mounting permits the sensor assembly to oscillate toward and away from the vehicle. The location of the pivotal axis is so selected that, when the housing is affixed to a bumper of a parked vehicle and the sensor assembly is influenced only by gravity, the sensor assembly assumes a neutral orientation in which the feeler element is substantially vertical regardless of whether the surface on which the vehicle is parked is horizontal or inclined in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A kit for providing solar power to a battery powered paging device. The kit includes a pair of mounting posts which are affixed to the pager and a module having strips of solar cells which is demountably attached to the mounting posts. The pair of strips of solar cells are attached in series to connecting terminal strips by biasing contact springs.

Abstract: A warning light device having a directional warning panel to regulate traffic, which is attached in a vertical position near the rear of a vehicle. The warning light device displays traffic symbols for following traffic, with controllable electric luminous elements. An autonomous, mobile warning light device with great versatility of display is provided since the warning panel includes a controllable optical fiber display matrix having a plurality of traffic symbols. The warning light device is attached or attachable to the roof, extending as far as the rear, of a motor vehicle. Power is supplied to the warning light device with an electric power supply system of the motor vehicle or a supplementary electric power pack mounted in the motor vehicle. An operating panel is disposed near the dashboard of the motor vehicle, or is built into the dashboard, and has operating elements for switching the warning light device on and off.

Abstract: Traffic measurement equipment has a pair of coaxial cables having barium titanate piezo-electric responsive crystals embedded in the polymer together with a vehicle presence detector to indicate all measurements required of traffic including vehicle count, vehicle length, vehicle time of arrival, vehicle speed in any required measure, number of axles per vehicle, axle distance per vehicle, vehicle gap, headway and axle weights.

Abstract: An information display system for a vehicle includes: a plurality of sensors for detecting various conditions of the vehicle; a display unit for displaying a selected one of a plurality of items of information relating to the conditions of the vehicle as detected by the corresponding sensors; a pair of manual for sequentially shifting the item of information which is currently displayed on the display unit; and a control unit for producing one of the items of information on the display unit according to output from one of the sensors. The control unit is further adapted to change the item of information which is currently displayed to a display of a default item of information, when the current display was manually selected, upon elapsing of a certain time interval after the manual selection of the current item of information for display.

Abstract: A tire abnormality detecting device has a first unit to be provided on a vehicle body side and a second unit to be provided on a tire side. The first unit includes an electrical signal generating source for generating a specific electrical signal, a first coil device for generating an induction voltage in receipt of the electrical signal, and a device for detecting a change in the induction voltage of the first coil device. The second unit includes a second coil device adapted to be magnetically connected to the first coil device, a third coil device having a magnetic core formed of a temperature sensing magnetic material to form a resonance circuit in cooperation with the second coil device, and a switch mechanism for changing a time constant of the resonance circuit in response to a change in air pressure in a tire. With this construction, the abnormal reduction in air pressure in the tire and/or the abnormal increase in temperature of the tire can be detected.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sound producing apparatus for mounting on a vehicle to warn animals of the approach of the vehicle includes (a) a housing, (b) an electrically actuated member for generating an electric tone, and (c) a base for supporting the housing and for mounting the apparatus to a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the tone generating member includes a piezoelectric crystal.

Abstract: An indicating device adapted to indicate a flat or severely underinflated tire. The device is activated by the enlargement in the diameter of the underinflated tire caused by centrifugal force acting on the tread, and may be especially useful on dual wheels although it will work on others as well. The device includes a contact device which will be contacted by an expanding tire. That contact tilts a switch to cause a circuit to be completed to light a signal lamp in the cab of the truck.

Abstract: A folding electronic device comprises a body and a cover member, rear walls of which are rotatably coupled with each other by hinges. When the cover member is closed, the rear wall of the cover member is positioned rearwardly beyond the rear wall of the body while the lower end of the rear wall of the cover member is positioned downwardly beyond the upper end of the rear wall of the body. A clearance defined between the rear walls of the body and the cover member is blocked by a closing member which is provided in the body. A spring is mounted on the closing member to rearwardly urge the same. Due to the urging force of the spring, the closing member is in contact with the rear wall of the cover member when the cover member is closed and when the same is opened by 180.degree., as well as when the same is being opened/closed.

Abstract: An automotive alarm system that provides the driver of a following vehicle with two different brake signals, related to the foot pressure that the driver of the leading vehicle is applying to his brake pedal. The multi-signal brake signal system alerts the driver in the following vehicle when the leading vehicle is undergoing a panic stop action, thereby enabling the driver in the following vehicle to possibly avoid a rear end collision with the leading vehicle.

Abstract: A test circuit for an airbag restraint system is disclosed and provides an accurate determination of the operativeness of a storage capacitor and calculates the resistance of inertia switch resistors. The capacitor is tested by discharging and charging the capacitor. The values of the inertia switch resistors are determined by switching known resistive values in parallel with the inertia switch resistors. Based on the monitored voltage values during the switching, resistance values are calculated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to steering wheels of automobiles provided with communication systems employing light transmitters, comprising a steering shaft, a boss plate fixed on the tip of the steering shaft, a ring portion mounted to said boss plate, light emitters and light receivers provided with said boss plate therebetween to perform light communication, the light emitters comprising a plurality of emitting units while the light receivers comprise a plurality of receiving units corresponding to the emitting units of the emitters so as to transmit and receive signals with each other, thereby constituting a communication unit with a pair of emitting and receiving units, and a plurality of through holes formed on the boss plate in correspondence to the light emitting and light receiving units, which are more than the communication units and enable all the light signals of all the units for light communication to pass therethrough.