Patent ID: 7330106

Claim:
A severe braking alert signaling apparatus for a vehicle of the type including a brake and a braking warning circuit for activating a first warning light, said signaling apparatus comprising an actuator plate including rearward and forward plate segments, said forward plate segment being of electrically conductive material, first spring means for interlocking the plate segments together along a common transverse pivot axis and forming a resilient knee joint medially of the actuator plate that normally biases the forward plate segment away from the rearward plate segment but permits the plate segments to fold towards one another, at least in part, upon application of a closing force, an electrical sensor for activating a second brake warning light upon application of said vehicle brake, said sensor in electrical circuit relation with said braking warning circuit, detent means for positioning the actuator plate in first and second positions, said forward plate segment being spaced from and in electrical circuit relation with said electrical sensor, respectively, when the actuator plate is in said first and second positions, second spring means for biasing the actuator plate into said first position, an inertial mass mounted atop said rearward plate segment for propelled movement in a direction of travel of said vehicle, upon severe braking, from a rest position adjacent to the rearward end of said rearward plate segment towards said forward plate segment, a weight of said mass being greater than a biasing force of said second spring means and providing said closing force, wherein propelled forward movement of said mass operates to cause the actuator plate to fold, at least in part, and the forward plate segment to move from a first position and into a second position and establish electrical circuit relation with said electrical sensor wherein to activate a second warning light, and a plunger switch in electrical connection with the braking warning circuit and including a plunger that is actuated only upon application of the vehicle brake, the plunger being movable between a normally extended position wherein to force the forward plate segment towards said first position and away from the electrical sensor and a retracted position upon application of the brake wherein to permit the forward plate segment to be biased into said second position and engagement with the electrical sensor.