US1164738A

US1164738A - Lamp.

Info

Publication number: US1164738A
Application number: US76407213A
Authority: US
Inventors: William B Meeker
Original assignee: AUTOMATIC LAMP CONTROL Co
Current assignee: AUTOMATIC LAMP CONTROL Co
Priority date: 1913-04-28
Filing date: 1913-04-28
Publication date: 1915-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 1932-12-21

Description

W. B. MEEKER.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. B. MEEKER.

LAMP

APPLICATION FILED APR.28.1913.

Patented Dec. "3l

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

T OTA] WTLLTAM B. MJEEIKJER, 0F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE AUTOMATIC LAME i CONTROL COMPANY, OIF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

LAMP.

LTOQLTSO.

Application led April 28, 1913.

To all lwhom t may concern Be it known that l, WILLIAM B. Mnnnnn, citizen ofy the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certaln new and useful improvements in Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vehicle lamps and particularly to dirigible lamps in which the direction of the shaft of light of the lamp may be varied with each deviation of the Vehicle from a straight path.

The invention is applicable to vehicles o any type such as horse drawn wagons or carriages, traction cars, locomotives, boats, vessels or bicycles, but is particularly adapted for use upon automobiles.

rThe object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of such devices, whereby they will not only be cheapened in construction, but will be more elicient in use, positive and automaticin their action and unlikely to get out of repair. A further object of the invention is to provide means for varying the direction of the shaft of light without varying the relative position of the lamp itself in relation with the vehicle.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof and the mode of operation or their equivalents, as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the forward portion of an automobile to which a pair oflamps, forming the subject matter hereof, together with their controlling devices have been applied. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of one of the lamps. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp and control device. Fig. 4 is a sectional/plan view of the lamp. Figs. 5 and 6 are a vertical sectional view and a sectional plan view respectively of a modification of the construction shown in Figs. 3 and t. Figs.l 7 and 8 are corre onding views of a further modification... Fig. 9 is a sectional Speciication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 2i, i915. Serial No. 764,072. vplan view of a lamp having three positions of operative adjustment.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

rThe lamp forming the Subj ect matter hereof differs from dirigible lamps as usually constructed. rllhe lamp as herein described is secured in fixed position in relation with the vehicle upon which it is carried and is not variable from such fixed position as is. usual in dirigible lamp construction.

The lamp herein described is provided with two or more angularly arranged faces or light openings,.through any one of which the shaft of light may be directed by a variable controlling element mounted within the lamp. either a movable reflector or a blind or shut- This controlling element may be ter, controlled in unison with the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path by any of the controlling mechanism commonly employed for varying adjustable lamps in unison with the movementrof the vehicles. lit is obvious that the control mechanism may be employed to adjust the variable element of either lamp independent of the vehicle in a corresponding direction or the element of both lamps may be adjusted in unison.

lin the drawings there has been shown 'a simple and eflicientmethod of independently adjusting the variable elements of the lamps accordingto the direction of the deviation of the vehicle from its straight path. The controlling mechanism disclosed in the drawings is similar to that shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 714,657, and forms no part of the present invention. llt is obvious, however, that any other suitable controlling mechanism may 'be employed in lieu of that herein shown.

Referring to the drawings, l is a forward portion or hood of an automobile of which 2 is the front axle. The forward wheels 3 of the vehicle are connected with the axle 2 l shown in the drawings. The steering bar 4 each terminating in a horizontally disposed disk 10. J ournaled in the disk 10 is a vertical shaft 11, to which is secured a second disk 12. The disk 12 rests upon the disk 10 and forms a thrust bearing for the shaft 11. The

disks

10 and 12 are recessed and in said recess is located a helical retracting spring 13, adapted to return the shaft 11 and disk 12 to their normal position When oscillated therefrom. A pin or stop 14, carried by the disk 12, engages a corresponding stop, carried by the stationary disk 10 to limit such return movement of the shaft and disk 12 under the influence of the spring 13. At its lower extremity the shaft 11 carries an additional disk 15 also secured thereto and lmoving in unison with the shaft. Loosely journaled upon the shaft 11 intermediate the stationary disk 10 and the disk 15 carried by the shaft, is a disk 16 provided with two radially disposed

arms

17 and 18. The disk 16 carries a stop 19 adapted to engage with a corresponding stop carried by the disk 15.

The construction is suoli that when the disk 16 is rotated upon the shaft 11l in one direction, its stop 19 will engage the corresponding stop of the disk 15 and Will rotate the disk 15 and the shaft 11 with which it is connected in unison with the movement of the disk 16 against the tension of the reti-acting spring 13. When the free disk 15 is oscillated in the opposite direction it will move independent of the disk A'15' and the shaft 11 and the latter will not be affected thereby. The disk 16 and the disk 15 at the opposite sides off the vehicle are oppositely connected, that is their interengaging stops are oppositely arranged so that when the disks 16 are oscillated in one direction the stop 19 of one of said disks will engage the stop of the corresponding disk 15, while the other disk 16 will rotate free'and when oscillatedin the opposite direction the opposite disks- 15 and 16 will be interengaged. ln order thatthe disks 16 may be oscillated in unison, the radial arms 17 of said disks at opposite sides of the machine are connected by a transverse connecting rod 20.

To oscillate the disks 16 with each deviation of the vehicle from a straight path, and thereby oscillate the vertical shaft 11 corresponding to the direction in which the vehicle is turned, there is provided an actuating bar 21 extending parallel with the steering bar 4 and connected at its forward end to the radial arm 18 of one of the free disks 16. The steering bar 4 carries a laterally extending arm 22, having a perforated head 23 through which the actuating bar 31 projects. Located about the actuating bar 21 on each side of the head 23 is a helical compensating spring 24. The reciprocatorymovement of the steering bar 4, necessary to turn the vehicle from its straight path will be transmitted through the arm22 and the springs 24 to the actuating bar 21, causing a corresponding reciprocatory movement of the actuating bar. This movement of the bar 21 will cause a corresponding oscillatory movement of the disks 16.

If the vehicle is being turned to the right,

' the actuating bar 21 will be reciprocated in' a forward direction, thereby oscillating the disks 16 in one direction. If the vehicle is turned to the left the reciprocatory movement of the actuating bar 21 will be rearward, turning the disk 16 in an opposite direction. The direction of rotation of the disks will depend upon whether the arm 18 extends inward or outward from the disk. In the construction shown in Figs. 5 to 8 the disk should oscillate in a direction corresponding With the direction of movement of the vehicle from a straight path. In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the disks are oscillated in a direction opposite to the movement of the vehicle.

As before stated the disks 16 are connected with the disks 15 in opposite relation, Whereby only one of the shafts 11 will be oscillated With the movement of the disks 16 in either direction. The initial movement of disks 16 and the corresponding shaft 11 moved thereby to the limit of their stroke, While any further movement of the, guiding wheels 3 and the steering bar 4 is compensated for by the compression of the spring 24.`

The construction thus far described is identical with the construction set forth in the aforementioned copending application, and forms no part of the present invention, but is claimed in said separate application. It has been herein set forth in detail that the independent operation of the light controlling element hereinafter mentioned may be more fully understood. It is to be understood, however, that the particular mechanism before described is not essential to the successful operation of the lamp hereinafter described, but that other control mechanism may be substituted therefor.

The lamp forming the subject matter hereof comprises a housing or chamber 25, having two or more angularly arranged illuminating faces or

openings

26 and 27. These illuminating faces or openings are ith ideama preferably provided with the usual transparent closures of glass or other material. lfiocatedwithin the chamber or housing 25 at a point common to both the illuminating faces or

openings

26 and 27 is a burner, electric bulb or any other illuminating device 28.

The lamp is secured immovably upon the vehicle by any suitable means. The usual supporting fork may be employed but in the drawing the lamp has been shown as attached to an upward projecting arm 29, carried by the bracket 9 and further supported by a lateral arm 30, extending from the upward arm 29 and carrying a hub or sleeve 3l, through which the revoluble shaft 11 projects. l,

`When securing the lamps to the vehicle, they are arranged in such relation therewith, that the illuminating face 26 of each lamp will be directed forward in a line coincident with the path of travel, while the adjacent illuminating'Y faces 27 will be directed outward at an inclination to the lineof travel, one of such faces being directed to the right and the other to the left, as shown in Fig. l.

To control the shaft of light from the illuminating device 28, whereby it may be directed at will through either of the illuininating faces 26 or 27 various means may be employed such as a variable shutter adapted to close one or the other of the illuminating faces 26 or 27, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, or a reflector may be used to direct the shaft of light only through the selected illuminating face or opening as shown in Figs. 5 and 6or a combination of the variable shutter and variable reflector may be employed, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, there is secured in fixed position with the housing 25, a reflector 32 arranged in such relation with the burner or illuminating device 28 that it will direct the rays of light from such burner or illuminating device simultaneously through both the illuminating faces or

openings

26 and 27. Carried upon the upper extremity of the shaft l1 and within the housing or chamber 25 is a radial arm 33 upon which is carried a vertical blind or shutter 34 adapted to be mo'ved alternately into registry with the illuminating faces or

openings

26 and 27, by the oscillation of the shaft 11. Thus when the blind is in registry with the illuminating face or opening 27, Vas shown in Fig. 4, the light will be directed only through the illuminating face 26 and therefore in line with the straight path of travel of the vehicle. However, if the vehicle should'be turned to the left, the blind 34 as shown in Fig. 4 would be oscillated to theposition shown by dotted lines, where it would close the illuminating face or opening'26 and the rays of light would be directed at an inclination to the straight path of travel of the vehicle, in the j direction to which the vehicle was being device 2S and the reflector 32 remain stationary or fixed in their relation with the vehicle, while only the blind 34 moves in unison with the deviation of the vehicle from a straight path, causing the direction of the shaft device to be varied in unison with the deviati-ons of the vehicle.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6 the construction of the lamp and its relation with the vehicle is identical with that before described. However in this construction, in lieu of the variable blind or shutter 34, a reflector 35 is carried upon the upper end of the shaft ll and is operated in unison therewith, with each oscillatory movement of the shaft. lt is to be understood that the reflector 35 moves in a path concentric with the burner or illuminating device 28. ln Fig. 6 the reflector 35 has been shown in a position adapted to direct the rays of light straight forward through the illuminating face 26. l"When in this position the reflector concentrates the rays of light through the illuminating face 26 and but little light is permitted to pass through the angularly disposed face 27. However upon a deviation of the vehicle to the left, which as before mentioned will cause an oscillatory movementV of the shaft 11, the reector 35 will be oscillated about the burner or illuminating device 28, to a position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, in which position the shaft of light will be directed through the illuminating face 27 to the exclusion of the face 26. While the most intense shaft of light will be directed b v the reflector 35 through the illuminating face or opening with which the reflector is in registry, it is obvious that there will be some diffusion of light through the angular illuminating face or opening. Under ordinary circumstances such diffusion of light through the angular face is not objectionable. However to overcome this diffusion of light laterally at the time that the main shaft is directed forward, there is provided as shown in F igs. 7 and 8 a construction embodying both the variable blind and the variable reflector, operating in unison.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the construction of the lamp and the relation of its several parts one with the other, and with the vehicle is the same as before described. The reflector 36 of this construction corresponds with the reflector 35 of the Aconstruction shown in Figs. 5. and 6. This reflector 36 is mounted at the rear end of a sleeve 37 brought into registry with either the illuminating face 26 or the face 27 by the oscillaA tory movement of the shaft 11. Immediately above the shaft 11, the sleeve 37 is provided with an opening 38, through `which the burner or illuminating device 28 projects.

In Fig. 8 the sleeve 37 and the reflector 36 are shown in a position adapted to direct the shaft of light through the illuminating face or opening 26 and in line with the straight path of travel of the vehicle. However uponthe oscillatory movement of the shaft 1l due to the deviation of the vehicle from such straight path the sleeve 37 and the reflector 36 are oscillated through a path concentric with the burner or illuminating device 28 to the position indicated by dotted lines in said Fig. 8, whereupon the shaft of light will be directed through the angular face 27 to the exclusion of the face 26. In this construction the sleeve 37 serves as a blind or shutter to exclude the unregistered face or opening and to concentrate the shaft of light through the face or opening with which the reflector 36 is in registry. i

In Fig. 9 is'shown a construction embodying a multiplicity of illuminating` faces, through any of which the shaft of light may be directed by the adjustment of the reflector 36 -as before described. It is to be understood that the reflector has different positions of adjustment corresponding to the different faces.

From the above description it Will be apparent that there is thus provided a device ofthe character described, possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportion, detail construction or arrange- `ment of parts, Without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply With the statute, the invention has been described in ,language more or less specific as to certain structural features it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific details, but that the means and construction herein described comprise but one mode of putting the invention into eect, and the invention is therefore claimed broadly and in any of its possible forms or modifications Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,l I claim,

1. A lamp comprising a housing, an illuminating element fixed in relation with the housing and a light control element movable in a path-concentric with the illuminating element to different radial positions in relation therewith tovvary the direction of the rays of light from said illuminating element.

2.*The combination with a dirigible vehicle of a lamp immovably fixed in its relafaces for said lamp arranged angularly one with the other, and means for directing the shaft of light from the lamp through any one of the faces and excluding the light from the remaining face, such directing means being variable in unison With the deviations of the vehicle from a straight path.

3. The combination With a fixed lamp having a plurality of illuminating faces and a stationary source of illumination common to all the faces, of a variable element capable of adjustment independent of the lamp for directing the shaft of light through one of the illuminating faces to the exclusion of the remaining faces.

4. A lamp comprising a housing having a plurality of illuminating faces, a source of illumination therein, a variable control element movable into and out of registry with the different illuminating faces to cause the light from said source of illumination to be transmitted through different illuminating faces.

5. The combination with a fixed lamp having a plurality of illuminating faces, a fixed source of illumination common to all the faces, of a variable reflector adapted to be moved in a path concentric with the source of illumination into registry with any one of the illuminating faces, whereby the shaft of light may be directed through any one of the several illuminating faces.

6. The combination with a fixed lamp having a plurality of illuminating faces of a variable reflector adapted to be moved into registry with any one of the illuminating faces, whereby the shaft of light may be directed through any one of the several illuminating faces, and a blind moving in unison with the reflector adapted to close the escape of light.

7. A lamp housing, an illuminating element within the housing, and a control element movable to different positions concentric with the illuminating element to cause the light from said element to be cast in different radial directions in relation with the said illuminating element.

8. The combination with a dirigible vehicle of a lamp housing fixed in its relation therewith, an illuminating element fixed in relation with the housing, and a control element movable in a path concentric with the illuminating element, adapted by its adjustment to direct the shaft of light in various radial directions from the fixed lamp, and means for adjusting the control element in unison with the deviations of the vehicle from a straight path.

9. In a lamp a fixed housing, an illuminating member fixed in its relation with the housing, a pivotally mounted sleeve within the housing, within which the illuminating mei-viver pinjec'fs and ai .'feezor mounted in im@ @mi of said 31eme, 'the @they and said siem@ being umbsitiucicfd. to iight, said sieeve being iidjusfazibie '530 di'emiii ifaciiaii psiiions Y pendent @if ih@ housing mimi illuminating :.imiibeiz MR Th@ combinailimi with a diiigiiii@ feiiiis a imi-ip sompiiiiiig a husiiig fimd h i's miagimi wih 53h@ ifafiicie9 niv'miiy pointed Sliema Wifiiiii ih@ hmis 1 mi cmi-imi by ih@ slew/e, an iiiuiiiizimiiig wem; xedi 'iv'eizibioii 'Wih 53h43. iimisiiig ojecisiiig Wiihiii iii@ sieeve, mid mieziiis sting iii@ siev@ it@ diieiieii; mdizi psi'simis in unison-fWith'i'deviaiinn @i iii@ Wikide from ai straight path,

"1 The combiiimiom with a, dii'igibi@ 'w3- ai izimp comprising .a housing iid 'its ieiaiimi-With 1th@ Vieiiiei? and im iiiil Timing element Fixed im iis reiazioii Wih iii@ housing, a variable commi @ieman mmfiai iii an @imma-te path concenzii@ Wiih ish@ laminating @lemmi adapted it@ fc'aisi; the di inaction of ich@ shaft iight in di'ei-@ni ifiidiii diiections indepnleni, oi? any minimi Waimea@ the iam@ mid means lim@ MW was ing @he Qontrol eminent in unison with the daviafins @if ih@ Vehicle inm a :simigh: pmb,

i2t The oombiiiaion with a dirigibi@ Ve hid@ of 25W@ sources o' iiiumilmjion ixed in hir reisiizimi mi@ with iifaher ami Wiiii iii@ which? ai Condomi dammi; for the iigiii: from @mii swims @if iiiumiiiiiioii nomiaiiy iimiing their shafts iight' in jparaiii lines? mid Gummi deinem@ being aijusinabi@ iiiepaiiiiii on? iii@ sources oi iiiumiiiaibimzi anni independant Uf each @their Whaeby shafts iigh; may be dircoi in limes mi guiar? mi@ with iii@ other "'rv'iiiwui'. www@ the ieaioii of the sources' mi, illumination @ne Wiih 'the oigiiei' 0i' with the Vehici9 and means inciepeiidmiy aaijst izhe @animi @iemeiiis aliccaiifiimg; fao the 'direcion ci@ c'ieviiitioii ai ih@ vehici@ fram a sisif'aiigh; with @mi iii unison with such dvia'zn.

in tessimony Wh'eioi, .il hair@ hereunto sai;

my hand @his 23rd day of Apiii, 1913.

Biais@ iioiismmn