US1188596A - Dash-light for automobiles. - Google Patents

Description

J. P. WILSUN.

' DASH uem FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATlON FILED JAN. 14,!9-16.

1,188,596. Patentedlune 27,1916. 2

i 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Wanna J. P. WILSON.

DASH LIGHT FOR AUTOMOBILES. KPPUCATION FILED, MN. 14, 1916- v I 1 1 88,596, Patented June 27, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SijEET 2 gwucnto'r,

atfozncq JOSEPH 1. "WILSON, OLE OGDENSBURG, NEW YORKQ DASH LIGHT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Yatent.

Patented June 27, 193.6.

Application filed January 14, 1916. Serial No. 72,084.

To all? who m, may concern Be it known that I, Josnen P. WILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at @gdensourg, in the county of St. Lawrence and State of New York, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Dash- Lights for Automobiles, of which the fol- Y lowing is a specification. v

The invention has for an object to provide a desirablcform of dash appliance for motor vehicles, and seeks to-c'lfect an improveni'ent in the construction of a switch and choice coil combined for use on a magneto and battery alternatively. 9;, An important object is to provide a novel u ernent of elements whereby the light- 1;) from the magneto current will p cciahly dim the biilliancy of the 7.3. .ts which also derive current from magneto.

or A form of light casing.

which a light holder is combined in an manner with the light support and 1 Talsoan object to give an improved tic attaching means for fixing the deen a dash of that kind generally termed coril dash, being adapted to be se- 3' upon the innermost part of the cowl d chjectionahly, and without requiring Jriliing of holes or-other: special operaiti'onal objects, advantages and feaof invention'will appear'from the conuction, arrangement and combination of e drawings where,

Figi1re l is .a vertical sectional view of appliance in use upon a'familiar type of cowl dash, the inner edge of the cowl nlybeinrr shown, Fig. 2 is a bottom view roof, Fig. 3 is an outer or front elevation the complete device, Fig. 5 is a side view wartly in section of a device. arranged to d s watch in a vertical .plane, and being he substantially the same as the de- ,ratec the first described figures.

view of a modificaion of a cow. ii),- upon .dshielfl and frame Lil supported in :lurther important object is to provide is also an object to provide a device on without obstructing the space therei-rts hereinafter set forth and shown in.

;hebraclret piece, Fignlis a rear elevation the glass a familiar way, the co'Wl being formed of sheet metal, with a. shoulder 12 projecting A bracket element is provided including a body having the forward or upper side 15, formed with. a plane inner surface adapted to lie flat against the plate 13, and having a horizontal rearwardly projected lip 16 adapted to engage over the shoulder 12 of the cowl. Projected inwardly from the part 15 and a distance below the lip 'lfi' somewhat greater than the vertical Width of the plate 13, there isa horizontal plate 17,. from which, there extends upwardly an arm 18, parallel to and so spaced from the part 15 as to lie some distance inwardly of the upturned portion i l of the edge of the cowl. A wing screw 19 is engaged through the upper part of this arm, adapted I to bescrcwed into forcible engagement with theplate 13 or any interposed body. The

plate 17 is formed with resilient suitably spaced clamp arms or jaws 20,'shaped and adapted to be drawn together by means of bolt 21-, to hold therebetween the tubular casing 22 of a combined switch, choke coil and lamp socket now to be described.

The casing-22 is. cylindrical, and may he formed of sheet metal or of ordinary drawn tubing, as found most desirable and convenient. The outer or forward end that which is next the observer when the device is in useis formed with the familiarbayonet slot 23, for the reception of the base of an electric lamp '24, having the usual tr m -n1ons 25 on each. side for engagement H1 the slot. The inner or rear end of the cos-- ing 22- incloses a spool 26 of suitable insulating material having a choke coil winding27. The spool is centrally/bored as at 2 8, and onthe forward end is provided with two screws or plugs 29, one of which has connected theret a wire 30 extending through. the central bore of the spoohwhile' the dther has connected thereto a wire 51 leading through the coil 27. The spoolZd is fined the casing by having part of casing indented to project partly into body pt tl spool each end sheen ice having a spring pressed contact plunger 7 34 of a ,familiar form mounted centrally thereof and projecting forwardly for engagement upon the central contact 35 of the lamp base 24. A small screw or contact post 36' is engaged in the plug 33, and su1t ably connected to the plunger 34, the plug 36 being spaced from the center of the casing a. distance corresponding to the spacing of the plugs 29, which are each spaced the same distance from the center of the easing. A slot 37 is formed in the side of the casing intermediately the length of the plug 33 when at the inner limit of its movement, and engaged in the plug for oscillation in this slot, there is an operating lever 38- by which the plug may be turned. to move the contact 36 into engagement with one or the other of the contacts 29, normally being. jlositioned intermediately thereof. If desired a small recess or notch may be formed in the inner end of the spool 26 spaced intern'icdiately of the contacts 29, so that the,plug will be held yieldably in intermediate position without any. circuit being closed. By this arrangement it will be seen that the plug 33 is held at theinner limit of its movement by means of the engagement of the lamp socket with the spring pressed plunger mounted in the plug, whereby resilient contact between the elements 36 and 29 is attained without any special resilient device.

A spherical lamp inclosure 40 is provided, formed of a suitable opaque material, litted snugly around the outer fonx-ardendof the casing v 22, and positioned concentrically with respect to the lighting element in the lamp, or otherwise, found desirable. This inclosure is preferably made removable from the endot the casing in order that the f lamp, may be renewed when necessary, Wltll.

facility; The inclosure 40 is provided with an enlarged opening 11, at the lower side.

suitable for the passage of light to illuminate a speedoirieter, levers,,pedals and indicatorswhich may be mounted on-the-dash andtherebeneath, while at the upper side an opening 42 is formed and a light fender flange 43 formed in. the inclosure extend:

ing from adjacent the side of the opening. nearest the cas ng22' forwardly and inlk wardly Mlthlll the inclosure, for a suitabledistance and stoppi-ngshort just below the outermost part of the openingsil, so as to prevent passage of light from the lamp directly outward in such a direction asto strike the eye of themotorist; The upper part of thehrackct element may have an enlargement as at 44, with an inclined forwa'rd surface upon which a watch ore-lock may be seenzed seat 45, and held in concement-position for observation .by'the motorist, and for illumination by light passing through the opening 42 of the lamp melosure. 1n the present instance there is shown a watch 46 having a back 47 which fastens in the familiar way in many watches now in use, this back being centrally apertured and a screw 48' engaged therethrough and in the enlargement 44, by which the' watch is held in place.

Asv shown in Fig. 5 the bracket is without the enlargement 44 before mentioned, and the watch isheld in a vertical position and attached in the same manner as before men tioned.' Tl1e-openh1g'42 in the light inclosure may in this form of the device be located farther inward with respect to. the casing Also, the casing 22 may beadjusted' farther inward in the bracket between the clamping arms 20 so that thelight is pro jecteda shorter distance from the dash. In the last mentioned figure also, the clamp arms are made somewhat narrower than shown in Fig.1, and alined with the-fr part of the element 15' of the bracket. if

The bracket element and clamp arms with I the parts corresponding .to those 15, 17 and 18 previously described may be formed integrally from sheet metal as shown in Fig.

6, and in case it is desiredto mount the watch in an inclined position a central tongue 50 may be stamped from the. forward jaw piece 15 corresponding to the part 15 before described.

The use of the device will bereadily understood, the wire 30 being connected to one terminal of a'battery, the other. terminal of which is grounded, while the wire 31 is con nected to. one of the terminals of the mag neto, the opposite terminal of which is also grounded.

The inclusion of the choke coil providing means whereby an electric lamp'of suitable candle power but of low voltage (2 candle power, tour volts being ordinarily employed Where the magneto 'ordinarily produces a potential of twelve volts) is suitably lighted from the magneto current without apprecif ably dimming the headlights which are i ewiseconnected to the said magneto, as

would be the result ifsaid head light lamps and'the one on: the'dash appliance were all of the same high voltage.

' Whatis claimed: v

1. a device of the class described a cy-., hndrlcal casing, a spool of. non conducting material having a choke coil-thoz-reon, contacts on the spool, similarly spaced fromits center, battery connections for one and mag neto. connections for 'the other leading through the coil, a plug of nonconducting 1,1ss,see as material loosely revoluble in .the casing and hevin at contact element thereon positioned for a ternetive engagement with the first named contact on. the spool, means to rotate the plug, a spring pressed. contact member the slug electrically connected with the said contact member on the-plug, a lamp having a. base including a contact element for en: gsgement against the spring pressed contact, and means for holding the base in seicl casing adj acent the inner limit of its moveto hold a lamp base in bearing on said spring pressed contact member, said cesinghsving e 01ICll111f181li3l21l slot therein, and "an opjected through said slot;

8. A device of the class described comerating lever engaged in the plug and proprising a brackct'element havingfdrmed on casing in the bracket, an electric lamp mounted at the outer end of the casing, a switch device in the casing, and an inclosure carried by the casing around said light having an opening at its lower side, clear for direct passage of light from the lamp therethrough, and having an opening at its upper side, a light fender mounted across the last named ooening diverging therefrom toward the forward port of the device, and a watch support on the upper part of said bracket constructed to support a watch in the field of light passing through the said last named opening.

l, A dash light device for use alternatively'with battery or magneto of the type indicated comprising a bracket element, including means for attaching it to a dash or the l1ke,-and having resllient' arms projected laterally therefrom, a cylindrical casmg element engaged between the arms, means to clamp the arms on the casing element, a. resistance coil mounted on the casing,

concentrically spaced insulated switch points within the cesihginwardly of the resistance coil, battery connections to oneasld magneto connections for the other the latter leadlng through the resistance coil, a rotating switch f plug longitudinally slidable in the casing outwardly of the switch points'and having a contact positioned for alternative engage ment with the points, e slot being formed in the side of said casing, a lever on the plug projected through the slot and engaged removably with the plug, a resilient contact device mounted in the plug extending outwardly, and means to secure a lamp base in the outer end of the casing in engagement with said spring pressed contact.

5. A device of the character described comprising e bracket element for attachment to a dashor the like, a cylindrical cesing slidebly engaged with the bracket, means to secure the casing on the bracket, an electric lamp mounted in the outer end of the casing, c s itch device associated ivith the electric liglil, and an inclosure carried by the casing around said light having openings therein e li 'ht lender ed'ecent one o enin end a watch. support on the upper part or said bracket constructed to support a watch in the field of light passing through the last named opening.

6. A. dash lig it device comprising a bracket element including means for attaching' it to a dash or the "like, a light carrying element adjnstably engaged upon. the bracket, a light carried thereby, an inclosure for thelight constructed to direct light in a predetermined direction, means to secure the light holder edjustebly in the bracket, and means to secure it watch or the like on the bracket in the field or light from said he closure when in one position.

7. In a switch of the class described :1 casing, a switch point at its inner part, a movable switch member hevinga contact for engagement with the point at one position,

spring-pressed contact member at the outer side of the switch member, a lamp having a base including a contact element. for engagcmerit against the spring pressed contact, and

means for holding the base in said casing in bearing on the soring pressed contact, and

'meens to operate the switch member.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence oi two witnesses.

JUSEPH P. WILSON.

Witnesses: RUTH Bn'scnnn, CARL Henson.

Images