Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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~ BACKGROUND OF THE INVRNTION
4 1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to signaling
6 apparatus. r~ore particularly, the invention relates to such
7 apparatus which is useful in a motor vehiele equipped with
8 both an ignition switch and a loelcing deviee, and which is
g operatively associated with the locking device, especially
to warn that a key has been le~t in the locking device when
11 a door of the vehicle has been opened.
12
13 2. Description of the Prior Art
14 Signaling devices for use in motor vehicles,
including ones which provide an audible or visual warning
1~ when a door of the vehicle is opened while a key remains in
17 the ignition switch thereo~, are well known. Also known are
~8 signaling devices which can be operatively associated with
19 steering lock antitheft apparatus for vehicles. Such
antitheft apparatus usually includes an ignition switch
21 which must be closed to enable starting of the vehicle
2Z engine. Frequently, rotation of a key in such apparatus
23 first disengages a latch from the steering shaft of the
24 vehicle and then closes the ignition switch. r~any
eonventional steering lock/ignition switch devices can be
26 rotated to at least four different angular positions, for
27 example corresponding to STOP, GARAGE, RUN and START. For
28 instance, in the STOP position the ignition key can be
29 inserted and extracted, but the steering shaft remains
locked. In the GARAGE position the ignition key can also be
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1 lnserted and extracted, but the steering shaft remains
2 unlocked. In the RUN and START positions the ignition key
3 can be neither inserted nor extracted and the steering
shaft remains unlocked.
U.S. Patent Number 2,786,194 discloses a
6 signaling device for use with an ignition switch of a motor
7 vehicle. The device is said to provide both a visual and an
8 audible signal whenever the ignition switch is in an "off"
g position with the key inserted, thereby to provide a
reminder that the key is inserted and the switch is in that
11 position.
12 U.S. Patent Number 3,569,730 discloses a
13 key-operated antitheft lock for a vehicle steering shaft,
14 and an alarm operable, unless the steering shaft is locked,
whenever a door of the vehicle is opened.
16 U.S. Patent Number 3,629,818 discloses another
17 antitheft device for a motor vehicle; the device comprises
l~ a steering shaft lock and two switches operated by movement
19 of the lock. One of the switches is closed when a door of
the vehicle is open and the other is closed when the
21 steering shaft is not locked. An alarm operatively
22 connected through the switches is energized i:~ the door is
23 opened when the steering shaft is unlocked. The device also
24 uses a relay switch having a solenoid coil to control
2~ energization of the alarm; in addition, at least three
26 mechanical switches are required for operation of the
27 device.
28 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
~9 The instant invent~ion provides improved signaling
apparatus useful in a motor vehicle. Such a vehicle can
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include an ignition switch~ a door, and key-operated locking means for the
ignition switch. The apparatus of the invention comprises, in combination:
a first electrical switch movable between open and closed posi-
tions upon insertion of the key into and removal thereof from the locking
means, a power source, a resistor, a diode and a transistor having a base,
an emitter and a collector, signaling means, a second electrical switch
movable between open and closed positions, a first electrical circuit con-
necting said power source through said resistor and said first switch to
ground, a second electrical circuit connecting said power source through the
collector and the emitter of said transistor, said signal means and said
second switch to ground, and a third electrical circuit connecting said
first electrical circuit through said diode to the base of said transis-
tor; said resistor, said diode and said transistor being operably connected
in said circuit so that (1) when said first electrical switch is in its
closed position, said transistor prevents said signaling means from being
energized; while (2) when said first electrical switch is in its open
position, said transistor is operable to enable the energizing of said
signaling means, whereby, when said first electrical switch is in its open
position, said signal means is energized when said second switch is
closed, and is not energized when said second switch is open.
Preferably, the electrical switch comprises a lever which is a
part in the locking means and constitutes a movable contact operable rela-
tive to a stationary contact to open and close the switch, and one extrem-
ity of the lever is operable to urge a wedge toward contact with a seat
for the key when the key is not in the seat.
The power source may for example be the battery of the vehicle
and the signaling means is preferably a light or sound-producing device.
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The present invention provides signaling apparatus which is
of simple construction by comparison with much of the apparatus hereto-
fore known, being advantageously operable without, for example, the use
of numerous switches or relays. The apparatus of the invention also is
reliable in service and comparatively economical to manufacture.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide
signaling apparatus useful in a motor vehicle which includes an ignition
switch, a door and key-operated locking means operatively associated with
the ignition switch.
Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be
apparent from the following description, reference being made to the
accompanying drawings.
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1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
~ Figure 1 is a partially-schamatic view in
3 longitudinal section of a largely conventional ignition
switch assembly including key-operated ignition and
steering locking means, and showing a preferred embodiment
6 of an operatively-associated first electrical switch, in a
7 closed position, of signaling apparatus according to the
8 invention.
g Figure 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure
1 showing the locking means in its STOP position with the
11 key therein; the first switch is shown in its open
12 position.
13 Figure 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure
1~ 2, but showing the locking means in the RUN position, and
the first switch in its corresponding open position.
16 Figures 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary views similar,
17 respec-tively, to Figures 1, 2 and 3, of another embodiment
1~ f an ignition switch assembly and of another
19 operatively-associated first electrical switch of signaling
apparatus according to the invention, and showing the
21 corresponding positions of the first switch in relation to
22 the positions of the locking means.
23 Figure 7 is a schematic view showing four angular
2~ positions which the locking means illustrated in Figures
1-6 can assume.
26 Figure ~ is a partially-sectioned top view, taken
27 along line 8-~ of Figure 2, and enlarged to show details of
28 construction, Or a preferred contact of the first switch of
29 signaling apparatus according to the invention.
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Figure 9 is a partially-sectioned longitudinal
3view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 8.
4Figure 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of a
preferred ernbodiment of signaling apparatus according to
the invention.
7DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TH~ INVENTION
8~eferring now in more detail to ~igures 1, 2 and
9 3, a largely-conventional ignition switch assembly for a
motor vehicle, with signaling apparatus according to the
ll instant invention operatively associated, is indicated
12 generally at 10. The switch assembly 10 includes a steel
13housing 11 and locking means 12 operable by a key 13. A
portion of the steering shaft of an associated motor
15vehicle (not shown) is indicated at 14; the locking means
1612 includes a rotatable seat 15 for the key 13. The key 13,
17when inserted into the seat 15, prepares the switch
18assembly 10 to lock a spring-urged latching means 16
19(Figure 2) in a withdrawn position (Figure 3) in which it
20does not lock the steering shaft 14 against rotation. When
2Lthe key 13 is rotated`in the seat 15 to the position shown
22in Figure 3, the latching means 16 is withdrawn, as shown,
23to disengage the shaft 14. An electrical switch 17, which
24constitutes a first switch in operatively-associated
2~signaling apparatus according to the invention (Figure 10),
26is moved between a closed position (Figure 1) and an open
27position (Figure 2) as the key 13 is inserted into and
28removed from the seat 15. The switch 17 comprises a lever
2918 and a stationary contact 19; the contact 19 is mounted
in an insulator 20 in the housing ll of the switch assembly
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1 10. The stationary contact 19 is electrically-connected,
~ inside the insulator 203 to an insulated wire 21. The lever
318 pivots on a pin 22 and is urged by a spring 23 toward
4 contact with the seat 15. However, when the key 13 is in
the seat 15, the lever 18 is forced away from the contact
619 first by a wedge 24 (Figure 2). When the lever 18 is in
7 the position shown in Figure 1, the switch 17 is in a
8 closed position while, when it is in the position shown in
g Figures 2 and 3, the switch 17 is in an open position. When
the key 13 is rotated, the latching means 16 is withdrawn
11 from the engaged position shown in Figures 1 and 2 and
12latched (Figure 3) in the withdrawn position by the lever
1318, which then is spaced from the contact 19 so that the
14switch 17 remains open.
15Referring in more detail to Figures Ll, 5 and 6, a
16 further embodiment of a largely-conventional ignition
17 switch assembly for a motor vehicle, with signaling
18 apparatus Or the present invention operatively associated,
19 is indicated generally at 25. The assembly 25 lncludes a
20steel housing 26 and locking means 27 operable by a key 28
21 to prevent or enable rotation of the steering shaft (not
Z2 shown) of the vehicle, in a manner similar to that
23 described above with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. The
24 assembly 25 further includes a rotatable seat 23 for the
key 28, and an electrical switch 30 which constitutes a
2~ first switch in operatively-associated signaling apparatus
27 according to the invention (~igure 10). The switch 30
z~ comprises a lever 31, which pivots on a pin 32, and a
29 stationary contact 33 mounted in an insulator 34 in the
housing 26 of the switch assembly 25. The stationary
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contact 33 is electrically-connected, inside the insulator
34, to an insulated wire 35. When the key 28 is not in its
3 seat 29, a spring 36 urges the lever 31 toward contact with
4 the seat 29, thereby to move the switch 30 to a closed
position in which the lever 31 is in contact with the
8 stationary contact 33 (Figure 4). However, when the key 28
7 is inserted in the seat 29, the lever 31 is forced away
8 ~rom the contact 33 first by a wedge 37 (Figure 5), thereby
g moving the switch 30 to an open position. When the key 28
is rotated, a portion of a latching means 38 operatively;
ll associated with the locking means 27 is withdrawn from an
12 engaged position in which it prevents rotation of the
13 steering column of the vehicle and is latched in the
14 withdrawn position (Figure 6) by the lever 31, which then
is spaced from the contact 33 so that the switch 30 remains
16 pen.
17 Referring now to ~igure 7, four possible angular
1~ positions~ are shown for the keys 13 and 28 of the locking
19 means 12 and 27 of Figures 1-3 and 4-6, respectively. The
key seat 15 or 29 is illustrated in the GARAGE posltion;
21 howeverj when the key 13 or 28 is inserted in the seat 15
22 or 29, and rotated therein (Figures 2-3, 5-6), the seat 15
23 or 29 can assume a STOP position (Figures 2 and 5), a RUN
24 posltion (Figures 3 and 6) or a START position. In the
25 ~ largely conventional ignition switch assemblies 10 and 25
26 shown in Flgures 1-6, which include key-operated locking
27 means 12 and 27, a key rotated to the START position will
28 automatically return to the RUN position when the key is
29 released. The operation of the ignition system and steering
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1 shart of the vehicle at each of these angular positions is
2 as has been previously described with re~erence to
3 conventional ignition switch/steering lock assemblies.
4 Details of construction of the stationary contact
19 in the electrical switch 17 shown in Figures 1-3, and of
~ associated structures, are shown in Figures 8 and 9. The
7 copper contact 19 is mounted in the rubber insulator 20 and
8 is held in el~ectrical connection with the copper wire 21
g by a crimp terminal 37. The wire 21 consists of twisted
strands as indicated at 39; insulation 40 covers the
ll strands 39.
12 Referring now to Figure 10, signaling apparatus
13 accordlng to the invention is indicated generally at 41.
14 The apparatus 41 comprises a first electrical switch S1,
which can be, for example, either of the switches 17 or 30
le shown and described with reference to ~igures 1-6, a
r 12-volt storage battery B providing a power source, an
18 electric clrcuit EC, indicated within the dotted line,
l9 signaling means SM and a second electrical switch S2. The
switch S2 is operatively associated with a door of a motor
21 vehicle (no~t shown), and 1s a conventional, plunger-type,
2 two-pole switch mounted on the body of the vehicle and
23 operable so that when the door is opened, the plunger is
24 depressed, thereby closing the switch. The signaling means
SM comprises a light and buzzer (1/4 ampere total operating
28 current) mounted under the instrument panel (not shown) of
27 the vehicle. The electric circuit EC comprises a ceramic
28 resistor R (22K ohms), a diode D (0.005 ampere at 12 volts)
and a transistor TR (type NPN, output of about 1/4 ampere).
The circuit EC is energizable by the battery B, the
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1 signaling means SM is energizable by the circuit EC; the
negative terminal of the battery B is
3 electrically-connected to ground (the chassis, not shown,
of the motor vehicle); the positive terminal thereof is
electrically-connected to the collector CT of the
6 transistor TR and to one end of the resistor R. The other
7 end of the resistor R is electrically-connected to one pole
8 f the switch S1, while the other pole of the switch S1 is
g electrical1y-connected to ground (the chassis, not shown,
of the motor vehicle). The switch S1 can be, in a
lI particular case, the first switch 17 (Figures 1-3); the
12 pole of the switch Sl connected to ground, in the
13 particular case, is the movable contact 18, and the pole
14 connected by means of the wire 21 to one end o~' the
resistor R is the stationary contact 19. The end of the
16 resistor R connected to one pole of the switch Sl is also
17 electrically-connected to the diode D; the other end of the
18 diode D is electrlcally-connected to the base BE of the
19 transistor T~ so that when the diode D is forward-biased,
20~ the direction of current flow ~s therethrough to the base
21~ BE of t~he transistor TR. The emitter ET of the transistor
22 TR is electrically-connected to the signaling means SM; the
:
~ means SM is electrically-connected, in series, to one pole
24 of the switch S2. The remaining pole of the switch S2 is
as electrically-connected to ground (the chassis, not shown,
26 of the mo-tor vehicle). The switch S2 is, in the particular
27 case deacrlbed above, operable upon opening or closing of a
28 vehlcle door (not shown); it is closed when the door is
29 open, and open when the door is closed.
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~ When the switch S1 is open (Figures 2 and 3), and
3 the switch S2 is closed, for example when the key 13 is
4 inserted in the locking means 12 and an
operatively-associated door of the vehicle is open, the
6 electric circuit EC becomes energized by the battery B.
7 The circuit RC, consequently, energizes the signaling means
8 SM. Electrical current supplied by the battery B flows from
~ the positlve terminal thereof through the resistor R and to
the diode D. The diode D, forward-biased by the current
ll flow, commences to conduct current to the base BE of the
12 transistor TR, where the current is amplified. The
13 amplified current, approximately 1/4 ampere, flows from the
l~ emitter ET of the translstor TR to energize the ~ignaling
means SM, activating the light and buzzer.
16 When the switch S1 is closed (Figure 1), for
17 example when the key 13 is not inserted in the locking
l~ means 12, and the switch S2 is closed because the door of
19 the vehicle is open, electrical current supplied by the
battery B is short~circuited to ground through the resistor
21 R and the switch S1. The diode D in this case is
22 reverse-biased, a non-conducting element, so that current
23 cannot flow to the base BE of the transistor TR and the
24 signaling means SM is not energized thereby. However, when
Z5 the switches S1 and S2 are so positioned, the electric
26 current, I, to ground through the switch Sl ls negligible,
27 e`qualing
28 voltage of the power source (battery B)
I (amperes)= ---------------------------------~--------
29 resistance of the electrical circuit (resistor R)
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1 The current (I), where voltage = 12 volts, resistance
2.2K ohms, is 12/2200 or 0.005 ampere. It is apparent that
3 thls value is negligible by comparison with the
4 approximately 1/4 ampere output current produced by the
circuit EC and needed for energization of the light and
6 buzzer signaling means SM described above. The 0.005 ampere
7 current drain on the battery B corresponds, for example, to
8 substantially the amount of current drain on a 12-volt
~- g battery which is required for operation of a typical
electric clock in a motor vehicle. Accordingly, when the
11 signaling apparatus of the invention is grounded through
12 the switch S1 and therefore not operable, as in the case
where the key 13 has been removed from the locking means 12
14 before a door of the vehicle is opened, the battery B of
the~ vehicle will not be appreciably discharged over short
~.
16 periods of time when, for example, the vehicle is not being
17 operated.
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When the switch S1 is closed (Figure 1) and the
19~ sw1tch S2 is open, for example when the key 13 is not
inserted in the locklng means 12 and an
21 operatively-associated door of the vehicle is closed, the
22~ ~ slgnaling me~ans SM is not energized by the circuit EC. In
23 ~ th~s case the trans1stor TR, the diode D and the signaling
24 ; means SM do not receive current because there is an open
clrcuit from the battery B, through the resistor R and
26 switch Sl to ground. The value of the electrical current
:
27 ~ through switch Sl to ground is, in this case, equal to I
28 according to the foregoing equation. Also, when the switch
29 S1 is open (Figures 2 and 3) and the switch S2 is open, for
example when the motor vehicle is being operated normally
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1 with the key 13 inserted in the locking means 12, and an
operatively~associated door of the vehicle closed, the
3 signaling means SM is not energized. In this latter case
4 the circuit EC is inoperable because electric current
cannot flow from the battery B through either of the
6 switches S1 or S2; there is no current drain on the battery
7 B attributable to the signallng apparatus.
8 It will be appreciated that the signaling
g apparatus provided by the invention is useful in motor
vehicles for operative association with ignition switch
11 assemblies including numerous suitable key-operated locking
12 means, and is therefore not limited in application solely
13 to the largely-conventional steering lock/ignition switch
l~ assemblies illustrated in the drawings and described
herein. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,840,714 discloses
16 another such assembly with whlch the present invention can
l7 be operatlvely associated. Because a particularly a
l~ vantageous feature of the present invention involves the
l9 utilization of electronic components in an electric circuit
20 ~ rather than moving parts as heretofore known, it is not
21~ ~ crucial to the practice of the invention that an associated
22 key-operated mechanism have any particular mechanical,
~23 ~ structural or functional configuration so long as insertion
24 and removal of the key causes opening and closing of the
~ f1rst swltch of associated signaling apparatus of the
26 invention, thereby controlling energization or
27 de-energization of the apparatus.
28 From the foregoing description, it is apparent
29 that signaling apparatus according to the invention is
;30 especially useful to provide a warning signal when a driver
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1 or passenger opens a door of a motor vehicle while an
ignitio~ key remains in its steering lock device. It will
be ap~eoiated, however, that this apparatus can be
sltuated in a motor vehicle so as to provide a similar
warnin~ upon opening or movement of the hood or trunk, or
other runctional equipment of the vehicle. ~he latter is
7 possible because the second switch (S2, Figure 10) can be
8 placed in any of many locations within the vehicle so that
it is actuated by opening or movement of the hood or the
like. Accordingly, the foregoing description, including the
11 discussion in reference to ~igures 1-3 and 7-10 of the
12 drawings, Or the best presently contemplated mode is not to
13 be construed as a limitation thereon.
It will also be appreciated that signaling
apparatus according to the invention can operate any
16 suitable signaling means in a vehicle, instead of or in
17 addition to the light or buzzer shown and described, For
example, service lights of the vehicle or instruments and
ac¢~sories thereof can be operated. ~urthermore, the
2 switch S2 (Figure 10) can, additionally, be operatively
assoc1ated~ wlth electrical apparatus of a motor vehicle
other ~than signaling apparatus so as to energize and
23 de-energize both the signaling apparatus and the other
electrical apparatus when the switch S2 is moved between
open and closed positions.
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. 1
2 The power source illustrated in Figure 10 is
3 preferably, as described herein, a 12 volt storage battery
4 because such batteries are commonly used in motor vehicles.
; 5 However, any other source of power can be used so long as
6 it supplies sufficient current at an approprlate voltage to
energize the electric circuit of the invention.
It will be appreciated that the electric circuit
g specified herein is not limited to the details of
construction shown and described. For example, ir such a
ll circuit is to be used with signaling means requiring higher
.~ 12 lnput voltages or currents than the buzzer and light
13 described, a transistor of higher output than that
; 14 spec1fied can be substituted, and other components having
different electrical characteristics from those described
;16 can be used accordingly to accommodate the electrical
I7~ characteristics of the particular transistor. Numerous
18 suitable conventional electrical components which are
l9~ ~suitable for use in the invention will be apparent to
~ ' 20 persons skilled in the art.
; ~ ~2l ~ ~ It is contemplated that switches having a
22 ~ ~ plurality~ of poles or gangs, or having various
23 constructions different from that of the particular
swltches descrlbed herein, can be used in signaling
apparatus according to the invention. Fo~r example, the
~26 switch S1 (Figure 10) can consist of a switch external to
27 the housing~of an ignition swltch assembly rather than
28 integral therewith; the contacts thereof can be either
29
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1 movable or stationary, or not a part of a locking mechanism
2 as previously described. However, whatever construction is
3 selected for the switches and other components of signaling
4 apparatus accordlng to the invention, reliability of the
apparatus is o~ paramount importance. In the preferred
6 embodiments described above, reliability ls particularly
enhanced by the use of stationary electrical contacts and
~ the electric circuit containing electronic rather than
g electro-mechanical devices. By comparison with conventional
signaling apparatus, the apparatus of the invention, using
11 such components, does not require expensive elements such
12 as relays or the like which can be subject to excessive and
13 premature wear in service, correspondingly decreasing the
14 reliability of the apparatus.
1~ It will be apparent that this lnvention is not to
16 be limited to the specific details shown and described~ and
17 that various changes and modifications can be made from the
18 specific disclosure hereof without departing from the
19 spirit and scope o~ the invention as defined ln the
followlng claims.
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