Abstract: A method and electro-mechanical device, for use on motor vehicles, which signals the driver to ease up on the gas pedal whenever he is applying excessive pedal pressure which causes fuel waste. The device utilizes a vacuum-operated electric switch that detects any drop in engine intake-manifold-vacuum below a pre-selected level, caused by excess foot-pressure on the gas pedal, and applies voltage to an electric vibrator which is coupled to the gas pedal. On feeling the gas pedal vibrating, the driver reduces his pedal pressure sufficiently to allow engine vacuum to rise above the pre-selected level, thereby causing the vacuum-switch to cut off electric current to the pedal vibrator. This cessation of vibration serves as a feed-back signal to the driver that his pedal pressure, and hence vehicle performance, is restored to an economical level.

Abstract: The dial face of a battery-operated electric wrist watch is illuminated momentarily by manual pressure on a switch connecting a miniature light bulb, mounted between the crystal (lens) and the dial face, to the battery of the watch.

Abstract: A method and electro-mechanical device for locking and unlocking mobile cargo-container doors, utilizing a re-settable electronic combination lock arrangement installed within the cargo container, which electro-mechanically retains a special locking pin inserted through a channel in the container door structure, such locking pin being mechanically coupled to the existing latching handle on the door exterior. The locking pin, when retained by the electronic lock mechanism, restricts travel of the container door handle sufficient to prevent opening of the container door. A keyboard array of switches on the exterior of the cargo container, coupled to the electronic lock circuitry on the container interior, must be actuated in pre-selected code sequence to energize the electronic lock mechanism, thus releasing the locking pin and enabling manual movement of the door handle as required to open the container door.

Abstract: A timer-controlled thermostat, being set for a lower room temperature, actuates a miniature heating element beneath and in close proximity to an existing thermostat that controls the heating system in a building. The heat radiated from the miniature heating element shuts down the existing building thermostat until the room temperature drops below the temperature at which the timer-controlled thermostat is set, whereupon the miniature heating element is de-energized and the building thermostat senses the lower room temperature and turns the building heating system back on. This cycling continues throughout the timed period. Control of an air conditioning system is accomplished by inserting a controlled relay box between the wall power receptacle and a plug-in type air conditioner power cord, or by incorporating a thermo-electric cooler to produce a cooling effect to control the thermostat used in a central air conditioning system.