The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 16, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
James Price Sowers, Lakeland, FL (US);
Tex K. Monroe, Deltona, FL (US);
Assignee:
Breed Automotive Technology, Inc., Lakeland, FL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G08B 1/318 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G08B 1/318 ;
Abstract
A horn or other vehicle device can be activated or controlled by attenuating light. A horn switch, or an optical switch, has a light source, light detector, and a pathway for light extending through a void. The switches are activated by attenuating the light emitted by the light source. The light can be attenuated by at least partially obstructing the light or by modifying the orientation of either the light detector or the light source.