Patent ID: 7616107
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: B60Q,B62D

Abstract:
1. A combination horn button and gear position indicator system for an automobile, the automobile having a steering column assembly including a steering wheel at one end and steering column, and an electrical wire having a first end terminating at the steering wheel and a second end terminating at least partially down the steering column, and a transmission having a gear position sensor device providing a gear selection output signal and a horn relay for actuating a horn, the system comprising: a housing movably mounted to the steering wheel, said housing movable from a first position to a second position; means to bias said housing to said first position; a normally open horn actuation switch mounted in said housing, which is actuated to a closed position when said housing is moved from said first position to said second position; and a gear position indicator mounted on said housing; and a first processor circuit mounted on the steering wheel coupled to said switch, said indicator and the first end of the wire; and a second processor coupled to second end of the wire, the horn relay and the transmission gear position sensor device; such that said second processor receives the output signal of the gear position sensor device, encodes this signal and sends it through the wire to said first processor, which decodes it and sends it to said gear position indicator; and upon movement of said housing to said second position said first processor receives a horn switch signal, encodes it, and sends it to said second processor, which actuates the horn relay.