GB460308A - An improved lifeguard for use in connection with road vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

460,308. Vehicle lifeguards. BOARDMAN, E. Sept. 7, 1935, No. 24945. [Class 103 (ii)] In a drop-down and forwardly moving guard, a bumper bar 20, when struck by an object, recedes against spring pressure into a cylinder 17 integral with cradle arm 15 pivoted on a sleeve 10, and a rod 24 on the bumper releases a hook 21 and a safety catch holding the cradle arms 12, 14 whereby the cradle arms unfold and drop and unwind an apron 33 from the bumper bar. The cradle comprises frame members 14, 12 pivoted together and to the ends of the levers 15 and are retained in the closed position, Fig. 2, by the hook 21, Fig. 5, mounted on the sleeve 10 on a transverse bar 9, the hook being in contact with the rod 24 attached to the bumper bar. The hook is also connected by a link 25 to a spring-pressed catch 22 which engages in a slot 162 formed on the lever 15 to retain the cradle in the closed position. When the cradle falls the catch engages in a slot 163 to maintain the cradle in the open position. The hook 21 may be operated manually by rod 42 and lever 41, Fig. 5. The member 14 and link 15 are connected by a pivoted rod 28 slidable in a bracket 29 and encircled by springs 27, 30, the spring 27 being compressed in the closed position of the cradle and positively opens the cradle when the hook 21 is released, whilst the spring 30 acts as a buffer spring when the cradle is open. The cradle is also supported in the open position, Fig. 4, by a rod 37 compressing a spring 40 against a projection 39 on the bracket 8. The end member 12 of the cradle may be resiliently supported by the member 14, which also carries a roller 31 to make contact with the ground: The member 12 carrying the apron 33 pivots upwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, when struck by an obstruction 32,