Abstract: A moving signal light for both stationary or traveling vehicles and equipment. The unit can be mounted selectively either inside or outside the vehicle and is controlled either automatically in response to a collision or by the drivers action to provide a flashing moving conspicuous warning light to both traffic and to pedestrians. The unit is activated in one of four ways; thru the brake switch, thru a reverse or back up switch, by a manual switch, or by the automatic collision switch. The movement of the variable speed variable intensity light is controlled by a motion detector in combination with a relay or by the manual switch which has two operating modes.

Abstract: A combination instrument for automotive vehicles, in which different indicating instruments, indicating fields, control and warning lights, and, possibly, operating parts as well as electrical and electronic equipment parts, are arranged in common housing. The combination instrument comprises a computer unit with microcomputers (36) and/or use-specific integrated circuits which are arranged, for protection against electromagnetic disturbances, within a housing (31) which is impervious to high frequencies. Furthermore, disturbance-endangered incomiing and outgoing lines (41, 43, 46) are protected, upon entrance or exit, by suitable filter measures. These include leadthroughs with leadthrough capacitors (45) and the use of ferrite cores (47, 48) through which connecting lines are extended.

Abstract: A lighted turn and stop signal for rear mounted, eye level use on an inside shelf of an automobile is disclosed. The unit includes an elongated housing having spaced end compartments and an intermediate compartment, with one open side for each compartment, which together serves as the rear side of the unit when mounted on the inside rear shelf of an automobile. A light is provided in each compartment which is shielded from the other compartments and visible from each open side. The lights in the end compartments are electrically connected to the automobile left and right turn signal indicators while the light in the intermediate compartment is electrically connected to the automobile brake pedal. An elongated material strip extends across the open sides of the compartment and is operatively associated with covered lens covers for the open side of each compartment.

Abstract: In a motor driven bell, a pair of cam members are operatively connected to a drive shaft of a motor. One of the cam members acts directly on a leaf spring for moving a hammer attached to the leaf spring generally in parallel relation to the axis of rotation of the cam member to thereby allow the hammer to strike against an associated gong. The other cam member is disposed generally parallel to the cam member so that the leaf spring interposes therebetween. Therefore, the cam members define an amplitude of the leaf spring, whereby the hammer is able to strike against the gong without mis-striking.

Abstract: A device for simulating the sound of a motorcycle as a child's toy in which the simulated sound is composed of at least two rectangular waves partially out of phase with each other, mixed and amplified. The frequency (and preferably the volume) of the mixed rectangular waves varies with the position of a rotatable simulated throttle.

Abstract: A vehicle communication device wherein a display unit is selectively mountable onto a rear shelf of an automobile adjacent a rear window, including a safety switch to automatically de-energize the display unit when improperly oriented relative to the rear window. Suspension hooks are further included for selectively securing the display unit from rear or side windows of the automobile.

Abstract: A warning system for an internal combustion engine, such as a small displacement outboard marine engine or the like, which does not have a switched B.sup.+ supply line. A parallel rectifier is taken from the alternator of the starting circuit of an engine to provide an auxiliary power source to the warning system when the engine is operating. Another auxiliary power source is taken from the positive coil contact of the starter solenoid to provide power to the warning system when the engine is starting. The auxiliary power sources are connected to one terminal of an annunciator whose other terminal is connected to a common node. A plurality of parallel sensors including an over-temperature switch, a low oil switch, and a variable ratio oiler are connected between the common node and ground to sound the annunciator based on abnormal operating conditions of the engine. Alternative embodiments show an auxiliary power source for a single phase alternator and a multiple phase alternator, respectively.

Abstract: A safety system for large and long over-the-road vehicles, such as a tractor semitrailer rig, having wheels mounted remotely from the vehicle's cab. A conventional airborne sound receiving microphone is mounted within a mechanical vibration damping housing at the bottom of the vehicle body near and aimed at the remote wheels to receive sounds from that area of the vehicle. The mounting and housing are constructed to prevent or greatly lessen mechanical vibration and sounds from reaching the microphone through the vehicle body. A communication cable runs from the microphone and housing to the cab and is connected through an amplifier to a speaker provided inside the cab. While the vehicle is being driven, the speaker reproduces a significant portion of the airborne sound received by the microphone within the cab.

Abstract: A braking indicator for vehicles provides an indication from the front of the vehicle that the vehicle brakes are being applied. The indicator includes a plurality of lights, preferably two, which are mounted and viewable from the front of the vehicle. The first sensor is connected to the brake pedal to detect the initial depression of the brake pedal. A second sensor is connected to the brake system of the vehicle to sense further depression of the brake pedal. The first and second sensors are connected to certain of the front mounted indicator lights to energize certain of the front mounted indicator lights upon the initial depression of brake pedal and further depression of the brake pedal. Alternately, a sensor is connected to the speedometer of the vehicle to detect the speed of the vehicle. The speed sensor provides an output when the vehicle reaches a pre-determined speed, preferably a slow speed.

Abstract: The device for visibility measurement is designed primarily for use in motor vehicles. A light emitter is arranged inside the driver's compartment preferably on the rear view mirror in front of the windshield. The light emitter generates light pulses or flashes radiating through the windshield. The light scattered back due to soiling on the inside and outside of the windshield or in scatter zones, formed by fog or smoke or the like, in front of the windshield, impinges a light sensor, preferably likewise arranged on the rear view mirror inside the driver's compartment. By utilizing light pulses of various wavelengths and processing of the output signals of the light sensor in predetermined or predeterminable time windows or intervals, not only the respective visibility but also the type of viewing impairment can be determined.

Abstract: An optical signalling device has a partially transparent envelope (2), a substantially U-shaped luminous tube (10) containing a gaseous atmosphere being placed within the envelope and supplied by a capacitor (C) which is charged and discharged by electric circuits placed on a printed circuit card (17).Within an insulating casing (4) having an end-wall (13) and side walls (14, 15), there is placed and maintained a printed circuit card (17) which carries conductive tracks (38, 39) soldered directly to the supply terminals (36, 37) of the gas tube (10). The gas tube is placed in a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the casing and has two portions (32a, 33a) adjacent to the ends of its parallel arms (32, 33) which are securely clamped between two resilient lips (44) forming part of the end-wall (13) through which they pass. The bent region (35) of the tube extends externally of the end-wall and is protected by a transparent cover (5) of the envelope (2).

Abstract: Apparatus utilizing change in pressure condition in an area to be protected to indicate intrusion or change in conditions of the area by using a pressure detection device to detect pressure waves at low and infrasonic frequencies which includes a pressure transducer sensitive to change in pressure to provide an output signal. In some instances an amplifier is provided to amplify the output signal, a signal conditioning circuit is provided to delay a portion of the signal, and a detector device is provided to detect the signal with a comparator provided to compare the signal with the delayed signal and actuate an alarm.

Abstract: An audio indicator is provided for a motor vehicle direction signal circuit of the type including a battery and a turn signal switch connecting the battery to at least one indicator lamp through a set of switchable contacts in a plug-in timer can, and with structure for intermittently opening and closing the contacts to flash the indicator lamps. The audio indicator has an electrically operated sound generating device with a substantially greater series resistance than the indicator lamps, and that is connected in parallel with the contacts of the timer can. When the timer can contacts are closed, the indicator lamps are "on", and current is shorted through the contacts such that the sound generating device is "off". When the timer can contacts are open, the indicator lamps are "off", and substantially all of the voltage from the battery appears across the sound generating device and the sound generating device is "on".

Abstract: A rear window mounted deceleration warning light that may be housed in a single unit (46), alone or in combination with a "third" brake light and housed in a combined unit (10). The amber or yellow caution light is connected to an electric circuit independent from the circuit for the vehicle brake lights and is operable at all times when the vehicle ignition switch is in the "on" position. Upon depressing the vehicle accelerator pedal, throttle valve arm (93) on vehicle carburetor (86) is rotated to open switch (42 or 56) and cause the amber or yellow caution light to cease operation. Upon release of the accelerator pedal, throttle arm (93) again closes switch (42 or 56) to permit current to flow from the vehicle fuse block to the caution light bulb (28 or 52). A bracket (88), custom designed for each vehicle or carburetor class, serves to maintain switch (42 or 56) in position to be actuated by throttle valve arm (93).

Abstract: The presence of a golf ball is sensed upon a tee. After it is struck, its presence is sensed in a target cup. A Hole in One Alarm receives status information from the tee sensor and the cup sensor, and processes that information using logic and timing elements to determine that the sequence and timing conforms to a true "hole in one" event, then activating a signal. The logic and timing elements are coupled and set so as to reject deliberate attempts to defeat the Hole in One Alarm and other event sequences not consistent with a true "hole in one" event.

Abstract: An improved system for lighting an automobile central rear window warning, or "third" red light, employs an unlimited linear motion switch coupled to the accelerator-carburetor linkage and a logic unit coupled to the switch and the electric lines for the conventional brake, turn signal and back-up signal maps, and, optionally, to a clutch switch, so as to light the "third" warning lamp. The linear switch unit receives a rod in its housing, which rod is coupled to the carburetor or accelerator linkage. The rod rolls a spring-mounted roller to an off center position, thus activating or deactivating a pair of contacts upon any movement of the rod beyond a small increment. The linear switch rapidly responds to any reversing movement of the accelerator pedal, no matter what absolute position the rod is in at the time.

Abstract: A multi-featured electronic vehicle security system includes an output device protection feature, to prevent damage to output devices such as power transistors from damage due to improper installation or miswiring. The system can be user-programmed so that second and subsequent trippings of the same sensor device will result in an alarm condition only if a system trigger device has also been tripped. The system includes a user-enabled feature wherein a first alarm signal generator is activated by a sensor tripping, and a second, distinct alarm signal generator is activated when a trigger device has been tripped. A further user-enabled feature is useful with vehicles having a courtesy light delay timer, with the door trigger wired to the interior light, to permit the system to be actively armed even while the interior light is still turned on. The system entrance delay is automatically bypassed if a sensor device has been tripped.

Abstract: A backup sideview mirror light for a motor vehicle is provided and consists of a housing that has a rearwardly facing opening mounted to underside of a sideview mirror which is adapted for attachment to a door of the motor vehicle, with an auxiliary lamp mounted within the housing. A reflector mirror and a transparent lens each cover a portion of the opening. Reflected light beams from the auxiliary lamp cause the reflector mirror to serve as an auxiliary backup warning light while direct light beams from the auxiliary lamp coming through the transparent lens are directed rearwardly to illuminate rear fender of the motor vehicle to help driver to see at night when parking.

Abstract: An indicator of operating conditions in an internal combustion marine engine displays information about a plurality of engine conditions in response to signals communicated from a remote location over a single wire. Different engines troubles are identified by rectangular voltage wave forms of different duty cycles on the single wire. A logic circuit detects a particular duty cycle and actuates an alarm in response to the detected signal. It is thus possible to alert an operator at a remote location to conditions such as low oil pressure, zero oil pressure or overtemperature by use of a single wire connected to the engine.

Abstract: A dipstick with automatic warning device consisting of a tube positioned in a dipstick housing of an oil pan, indicia disposed on the tube indicating ADD and FILL of the oil pan, sets of elecrical contacts disposed internally of the tube, one set proximate the ADD indicia and one set proximate the FULL indicia. A plastic cap located below the ADD indicia and having a bore therethrough for passage of oil from the oil pan cap internal of lower end of the tube. A conductive float ball within the tube to bridge respective sets of electrical contacts.