Patent ID: 6054919
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
A variable brake light system comprising, in combination:a housing with a cylindrical configuration having an inboard face, an outboard face and a tubular periphery defining an interior space, the inboard face of the housing mounted in an engine compartment below a conventional brake pedal, the outboard face having an aperture formed therein with a tubular sleeve mounted thereon in concentric relationship therewith and extending therefrom;a conductive coil spring mounted on the inboard face of the housing and situated within the interior space thereof, the coil spring electrically connected to a power source;two sets of linearly aligned contacts mounted on diametrically opposed sides of the tubular periphery of the housing within the interior space thereof, each set of contacts forming a line which remains in parallel with an axis of the housing and further extends along a length thereof, each contact including a spring biased ball bearing;a plurality of pairs of brake lights situated on a rear of the vehicle, each pair of brake lights having a unique size and intensity and connected to an associated pair of diametrically opposed contacts of the sets of contacts, wherein a size and intensity of the brake lights connected to contacts closer to the inboard face of the housing are less than that of the brake lights connected to contacts closer to the outboard face of the housing;a conductive plunger having a cylindrical configuration slidably situated within the interior space of the housing and abutting the coil spring for receiving power therefrom, the plunger having a rod mounted to an outboard end thereof and extending through the aperture of the outboard face of the housing, the rod forming a portion of a brake actuating linkage linked to the brake pedal, the brake actuating linkage comprising a brake pedal mounted on a pedal arm, the pedal arm being mounted for permitting pivotal motion and being pivotally mounted to the rod of the plunger; andwhereby the pairs of lights of increasing size and intensity are illuminated as the pedal is increasingly depressed.