Patent ID: 7791464
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
1. A method of providing a user controllable sign, moveable from a non-deployed position to a deployed position, in the trailer of a tractor-trailer rig, having a tractor defining a cab and said trailer being electrically connected to said tractor by way of a jack, said jack providing a set number of electrical connections between said tractor and said trailer, each said electrical connection being dedicated to a pre-existing function and carrying a known signal form, said method comprising: (a) providing a manual input device in said tractor cab, said device being capable of creating a user signal that can be overlaid on a jack input without disrupting said known signal form and electrically connecting said manual input device to a jack input; (b) providing a user signal receiving unit in said trailer, said signal receiving unit being connected to a wire electrically connected to said jack input and thereby receiving said user signal from said manual input device and able to determine presence or absence of said signal from said manual input device; (c) providing a sign deployment controller at least in part responsive to said user signal receiving unit; (d) providing a sign assembly, controlled by said sign deployment controller; and (e) wherein one signal sent from said tractor to said trailer by way of said jack is a right-turn signal and wherein said deployment controller automatically deploys said sign when both said user signal and said right-turn signal are on and retracts said sign after either said user signal or said right-turn signal is turned off.