Door Or Closure Controlled Load Device Patents (Class 315/84)
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Patent number: 5844367Abstract: A new Auxiliary Cap Light Kit for providing illumination to the interior of a pickup truck bed cap. The inventive device includes a cap light source providing illumination to the interior of the truck bed cap The cap light source is electrically coupled to a switch having a depressible actuator that turns on the light source when the tailgate of the pickup truck is opened. The cap light source is also electrically coupled to an adjustable light illumination timer that allows a user to control the length of time the light source is powered when the tailgate is left open.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Inventor: Robert W. Agans, Jr.
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Patent number: 5831389Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an au room lamp are provided, in which the room lamp is lit up when the ignition key is extracted from the ignition switch with an automotive door being closed, to thereby provide convenience for the driver and the passengers to get out of a car. A control unit (1) detects the on/off states of the ignition switch (2), a door switch (3) and an ignition key insertion/extraction detecting switch (4). If it is judged that the ignition key is extracted from the ignition switch with the door closed, the control unit turns on the room lamp (5) at a second luminance which is lower than a first luminance provided when the room lamp is on with the door being open, keeps the luminance of the room lamp for a predetermined time, and then turns off the room lamp.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoki Kawashima, Koichi Miyake, Yoshihiro Murase, Eri Nishikawa, Tamotsu Kurachi
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Patent number: 5641221Abstract: A lighted display field for writing, symbols or the like, is provided on a wall part, for example, a door entrance strip of a vehicle. The wall part includes openings forming the writing or the symbols. A luminous foil is mounted on the covered side of the wall part and is visible through the openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: June 24, 1997Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AGInventors: Wolfgang Schindele, Stefan Kuerth
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Patent number: 5583382Abstract: A circuit for internal illumination of motor vehicles having a controller, coupled to the internal illumination, that automatically turns the internal illumination on and off as a function of operating state parameters of the motor vehicle according to a predetermined switching program. The controller is a deliberately operable electrical controller. The circuit also includes a control device, coupled to and controlled by the controller, that switches the switching program off and the internal illumination permanently on in response to being controlled by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1994Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AGInventor: Armin Wagner
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Patent number: 5535104Abstract: A door lock assembly comprising a lock plug having a key receiving opening, selectively operable light source for illuminating the key receiving opening, RF receiver for reproducing a received pulsed RF signal and means for determining whether the reproduced RF signal is within an acceptable range of asymmetric patterns of "on" pulse times followed by "off" times selected to include a plurality of different asymmetric patterns and means for operating the light source means for a selected period of time when the determining means determines that the reproduced RF signal is within acceptable range.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1995Date of Patent: July 9, 1996Assignee: Emhart Inc.Inventors: George E. Maffey, David A. Saar, Raymond W. Simpson
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Patent number: 5442530Abstract: A mirror (14) borne by a cover (34) and an illuminating device (8, 11) are arranged in a shallow housing (1). When mirror (14) is in its position of non-use, cover (34) extends parallel to the main wall of the housing (1). Cover (34) has a U-shaped recess extending from a longitudinal edge to provide clearance for passage of diffusion screen (8) and light rays projecting therethrough. Screen (8) is developed in the shape of a quarter circle corresponding to the dimensions of the recess. The edge region of cover (34) having the recess is articulated to the housing (1). In the bottom of the housing (1) is mounting opening (31) for the individual parts of the illuminating device, and housing (1) is provided with an electric circuit and switch (6).Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 1995Assignee: Gebr. Happich GmbHInventors: Lothar Viertel, Patrick Welter
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Patent number: 5406171Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus is disclosed including a vehicle control module (101) having an input (109) and an output (153). When the input (109) receives a lock door command the output (153) provides a lights on-off control signal (155) to be used to control a light (159). Additionally, a method for providing a lights on-off control signal (155) to be used to control a light (159) is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1992Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Michael W. Moody
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Patent number: 5398175Abstract: An illuminated locking doorknob apparatus for a door has a door locking set. The door locking set has a knob and lock retaining mechanism that passes through the door. A lock core is removingly and rotatingly secured within the knob and lock retaining mechanism. At least one knob is releasingly secured to the knob and lock retaining mechanism. A keyhole, in the lock core, is accessible through a first port in a wall of the knob. An illumination circuit is within the door locking set. The illumination circuit has a removable DC power source and a removable DC light source in the circuit. The light source is adjacent the keyhole and the light source protrudes through a second port in the wall of the knob to illuminate the keyhole so that a key may be more easily inserted therein. There is a switch in the illumination circuit. The switch has a stationary contact and a sliding contact rod, connected to and actuated by the knob, springingly biased away from the stationary contact.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1994Date of Patent: March 14, 1995Inventor: Todd D. Pea
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Patent number: 5357169Abstract: A switching apparatus for an interior light in a motor vehicle allows a user to set a delay period from the time when an off command was issued to a room light in the motor vehicle to the time when the light is actually turned off. The switching apparatus turns on and off a room light R in the motor vehicle. The switching apparatus comprises a limit switch 1 for issuing the off command to the room light R when a door is opened, a delay circuit 3 for generating a delay period from the time when the off command as issued to the light R to the time when the light R is to be turned off, and a regulator 4 for regulating the delay period generated by the delay circuit 3. It is possible for the user to set a desired lighting period by regulating the delay period, giving the motor vehicle high quality and versatility.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1992Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Morihiko Toyozumi, Nobuya Inamori
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Patent number: 5321309Abstract: A battery saver module for controlling courtesy and illuminated entry lamps having inputs for receiving input signals from door handle sensors, a trunk sensor, and an ignition switch and first output connected to illuminated entry loads and a second output connected to courtesy lamp loads. A control circuit selectively activates the first and second output responsive to input signals and includes a first timer for deactivating the first output after a first time period and a second timer for deactivating the second output after a second time period.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1992Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.Inventor: Darrell J. Kolomyski
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Patent number: 5304896Abstract: A lighting system for use in a cabin of a vehicle is disclosed, in which when a room lamp for a seat occupied by a passenger is in gradual light reduction due to the passenger getting-in, gradual light reduction of the room lamp is continued even if another door is opened.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1992Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Asada, Osamu Kawanobe
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Patent number: 5254907Abstract: A lighting system for use in a vehicle cabin comprises a first lamp arranged to a roof, a second lamp arranged to a seat, and a third lamp arranged to a door. A demand is generated for providing a predetermined information to a passenger when getting out, and the first, second and third lamps are turned on in response to this demand.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1991Date of Patent: October 19, 1993Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Matsuno, Hitoshi Matsui, Izumi Okamura, Teruaki Shigeta, Yoshinori Tanabe
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Patent number: 5206562Abstract: A lighting system for use in a vehicle cabin comprises a step lamp arranged to a door, a foot lamp arranged to a seat and a seat lamp arranged to a roof. An ON-OFF circuit turns on the step, foot and seat lamps when the door is opened, and turns off these lamps when the door is closed. An arithmetic circuit controls the step, foot and seat lamps in luminance to obtain a gradual increase in brightness in order of the road and step, the floor and the seat.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1991Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Matsuno, Hitoshi Matsui, Izumi Okamura, Teruaki Shigeta, Yoshinori Tanabe
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Patent number: 5174643Abstract: An electric light, especially for illuminating the interior of a motor vehicle. The light includes a sensor that is at least electrically connected with the light and that, without a switch, senses the opening of at least one door that leads to the interior of the vehicle. After the opening of the door has been detected, a signal is delivered to a switching mechanism that turns on the electric light for a predetermined and possibly selectable period of time.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1992Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Inventor: Wolfgang Priesemuth
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Patent number: 5047688Abstract: An improved interior lighting system for use in an automobile incorporates a traditional manual switch and door switch for turning the interior light of the automobile on and off, and provides circuitry for causing the interior light to rise transiently to a maximum level when activated to turn on and for causing the interior light to decay transiently to a minimum level when activated to turn off. Circuitry is also provided to automatically turn off the interior light after a predetermined time lapses from the interior light being manually activated by the manual switch, when the ignition to the automobile is turned off. The lighting system also includes circuitry to cause the interior light to remain on for a predetermined time after the door of the automobile is opened, and circuitry to override the predetermined time delay when the ignition of the automobile is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1990Date of Patent: September 10, 1991Assignee: Siegel-Robert, Inc.Inventor: Ralph W. Alten
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Patent number: 4992913Abstract: The invention relates to a light-bulb holder for household appliances in general, and refrigerators and freezers in particular, comprising a board structure fabricated from an electrically insulating material and bounded by a peripheral edge and a pair of oppositely disposed lateral surfaces, and an electrically conductive plate divided into sections so as to define an electrical circuit and disposed inside the board structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1990Date of Patent: February 12, 1991Assignee: ITW Fastex Italia, S.p.A.Inventor: Claudio Buscella
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Patent number: 4866345Abstract: A vehicle room lamp shut-off device eliminates the annoyance to the driver by reducing the room lamp illumination level by a certain amount as the door is closed, then gradually reducing the illumination level further until the light is off.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1987Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sachiro Kataoka
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Patent number: 4786843Abstract: In order to permit the simultaneous variation of the illumination of a clock and the illumination of instruments included in an instrument panel of an automotive vehicle or the like, a single illumination control device is connected with the ignition switch and a lighting control switch in a manner that when the lighting switch is on, the voltage applied to the bulbs which illuminate the clock and the instrument panel are simultaneously controlled while the tail lamp bulbs are constantly energized to their normal level when only the ignition switch is on, current is fed to the clock illumination bulb. The resistance inherently provided by the plurality of bulbs used in the instrument panel and tail lamp assemblies prevents illumination of the same under such circumstances.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1986Date of Patent: November 22, 1988Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Yamamoto, Daisuke Kobayashi
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Patent number: 4739224Abstract: A light control circuit includes a latching circuit actuated by a manually actuated switch to, in turn, activate a solid-state switch coupled to supply power to one or more lamps. The latching circuit is reset by a diode coupled to the door actuated switches such that in the event the interior lamp or lamps are manually operated and a door subsequently opened, the lamps will be extinguished upon the closing of the door regardless of the prior manual activation of the lamps.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1986Date of Patent: April 19, 1988Assignee: Prince CorporationInventor: Steven L. Geerlings
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Patent number: 4694191Abstract: A system for controlling the power supply to an automotive vehicle lamp in which two switch means are connected in series with each other, an interior room lamp in the vehicle compartment, and the power supply, i.e., a vehicle battery, one switch means being closed when a detachable back door is open and open when the back door is closed and the other switch means being open when the back door is detached from the vehicle body. Therefore, the interior room lamp is turned off when the back door is detached even though the first switch means is closed. Consequently, wasteful power drain on the vehicle battery can be avoided when the back door is detached.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1986Date of Patent: September 15, 1987Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, LimitedInventor: Toru Segoshi
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Patent number: 4638174Abstract: In a switching device for the interior lighting L of a motor vehicle, having a timing element R1 C1 which is controlled by a gate contact switch TK which is opened by closing a vehicle door and which sets on the interior lighting during a certain time lapse after closing the door, a second timing element R2 C2 is provided to be controlled by the closing of the gate contact switch TK and to set off the interior lighting L after a predetermined time interval, when the ignition switch ZS is open. Thereby, the discharge of the vehicle battery is prevented due to the interior lighting L when a door remains inadvertently open, but, when the ignition is turned on, the interior lighting L remains on if a door is open.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1985Date of Patent: January 20, 1987Assignee: Audi NSU Auto Union AktiengesellschaftInventor: Axel Bier
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Patent number: 4517469Abstract: This invention pertains to a circuit for controlling an electric device in a motor vehicle such as a light. The circuit has a control switch, a door switch and a semiconductor switch. The control switch activates the device either directly, or through the door and semiconductor switches. The control switch also has a neutral position in which the device is deactivated and the semiconductor switch is off reducing the current drain of the device on the motor vehicle battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1983Date of Patent: May 14, 1985Assignee: Audi NSU Auto Union AktiengesellschaftInventor: Axel Bier
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Patent number: 4473871Abstract: A lighting arrangement is proposed which serves, in particular, to illuminate the interior of a motor vehicle. A lighting arrangement which serves, in particular, to illuminate the interior of a motor vehicle. The arrangement comprises a device in the form of a dimmer which includes a power transistor for establishing the connection between the interior lighting connected to the positive pole of a battery and ground when the door light switch is open. A control transistor which is set via a resistor arrangement activates the power transistor. The control transistor is influenced by a charging electrolyte capacitor so that the power transistor becomes highly resistant. Charging of the electrolyte capacitor therefore causes the interior lighting to be slowly extinguished.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1982Date of Patent: September 25, 1984Inventor: Franz Fuchshuber
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Patent number: 4403172Abstract: A motor vehicle interior light control system wherein actuation of outside door handle does not cause the interior light to illuminate, but the interior light is illuminated for a predetermined period such as 10-50 seconds only after full return of the door handle from its once actuated position to its normal position, said operation control being accomplished by a CR-timer and a multi-stage transistor amplifier in combination.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1981Date of Patent: September 6, 1983Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Kokusan Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ichiro Sasaki, Hirotoshi Namazue
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Patent number: 4385258Abstract: A delay circuit for the interior light of a motor vehicle and adapted to be actuated by a vehicle door contacts connected in series with the interior light is disclosed. The circuit has an R.C. network for determining a time delay between opening the door contacts and extinguishing the interior light, an electronic switching amplifier arranged to be connected in series with the interior light and arranged to be switched by the R.C. network, a discriminator stage having a threshold voltage and through which the electronic switching amplifier is arranged to be switched by the R-C network, elements to connect the R-C network and the electronic amplifier in parallel with the door contacts, and elements to provide a residual voltage which is applied across the electronic switching amplifier on opening the door contacts and which charge the capacitor of the R-C network.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1980Date of Patent: May 24, 1983Inventor: Walter Voll
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Patent number: 4354174Abstract: Anti-theft circuits are provided which can be obtained by incorporating a few components into the electrical system of an existing automobile. In one embodiment interior mounted anti-theft and bypass switches, and an exterior mounted arming switch are interconnected between the turn signal circuitry, the horn circuitry and the door actuated dome and courtesy light circuitry. When all three of these switches are in their off positions, operation of the turn signal lamps, the brake lamps, the horn, and the dome and courtesy lights is conventional. Both the anti-theft and bypass switches can be moved to their on positions to place the circuit into a hazard mode in which the front and rear turn signal lamps flash on and off together, and the rear brake lamps flash on and off together alternatingly with the flashing of the rear turn signal lamps.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1980Date of Patent: October 12, 1982Inventor: William A. Heidman, Jr.
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Patent number: 4340842Abstract: A decoration under a Christmas tree, including a miniature fence on each side of a little fence gate, each fence post having an electric lamp mounted upon its top, a spring-wound motor reciprocally swinging the gate open and closed, and each time the gate is closed, it activates an electric circuit that lights up the fence post lamps.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1981Date of Patent: July 20, 1982Inventors: Paul M. King, George Spector
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Patent number: 4123668Abstract: An automotive dome light control switch maintains the dome light illuminated for a first time period after a door is shut and for a second, shorter, time period after the ignition is turned off. If the ignition switch is turned on during the first time period, the dome light is immediately extinguished. The dome light may always be turned on by the dome light switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1977Date of Patent: October 31, 1978Assignee: Wagner Electric CorporationInventor: Walter Pecota
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Patent number: 4122371Abstract: Control circuit for shifting a compartment light between an illuminating condition and a non-illuminating condition for use in a vehicle having a door, a manually actuated door switch and a manually actuated control switch generally in combination with the ignition switch of the vehicle. The control circuit provides means for causing the compartment light to remain illuminated for a preselected time delay after the vehicle door has been closed and a second means for providing a different time delay holding the compartment light illuminated for a time after the control switch has been turned off.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1977Date of Patent: October 24, 1978Assignee: Gulf & Western Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Dennis D. Talmage, James C. Byrne
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Patent number: 4115723Abstract: A control circuit for controlling the compartment or dome light of a vehicle whereby the dome light remains on after one of the door handle buttons has been depressed. This circuit includes means for retaining a fixed timing function, irrespective of the time the door is opened. Also, the circuit includes means for deactivating the operating circuit during steady state conditions whereby the amount of energy dissipated by the circuit is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1977Date of Patent: September 19, 1978Assignee: Gulf & Western Manufacturing CompanyInventors: James C. Byrne, Dennis D. Talmage
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Patent number: 4071805Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a door lock light and switch module removably supported on a door edge and including a light emitting diode to illuminate the door lock and circuit means to energize a courtesy light in the vehicle and wherein associated circuit means including a door operated switch maintain the courtesy light illuminated once the door is unlocked and delay circuit means for maintaining the overhead light energized following door closure with transistorized cutoff means being included to terminate overhead illumination when the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1976Date of Patent: January 31, 1978Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Eugene W. Brock
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Patent number: 4041301Abstract: A key cylinder illuminating device for a lift bar door handle assembly which overlies a recess in the outer panel of a vehicle door. A lift bar is pivotally mounted for movement between a first position overlying the recess and a second position away from the recess wherein a door latch is operated to unlatched position. The door latch also has a lock which prevents the door latch from being operated to the unlatched position even though the lift bar is lifted. A key cylinder is located on the door panel generally beneath the lift bar door handle assembly and receives a key by which the door latch can be unlocked. A light source is mounted on the vehicle door panel within the recess so that it is concealed from view and protected from damage by the lift bar when the lift bar is in its normal first position. A switch is provided on the lift bar door handle assembly and is closed when the lift bar is pivoted to the second position so that an electrical circuit is completed to energize the light source.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1976Date of Patent: August 9, 1977Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Paul F. Pelchat
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Patent number: 4029994Abstract: An emergency light system which incorporates flashing strobe type of lights located along the aisle(s) of an aircraft, or other passenger carrier, would provide flashing arrows indicating the location of emergency exits. The sequential firing of the flashing lamps will further create the effect of a moving light beam to lead passengers toward the exit area(s). Also, with programmable control means, there can be stroboscopic type flashing lights to direct egress to only those exits which are open.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1976Date of Patent: June 14, 1977Assignee: UOP Inc.Inventor: Robert C. Iwans