US1197563A - Automobile safety-signal. - Google Patents

Description

R. A. STIERLIN.

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12. 1914.

1 ,1 97,563 Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

lVfT/VESSES:

A TTORNIZY.

RUDOLPH A. STIERLIN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

AUTOMOBILE SAFETY-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, ltlllfi'v.

Application filed September 12, 1914. Serial No. 861,362.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH A. STIERLIN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Safety-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in an automobile safety signal, and has for its object an indicator box conveniently located on the automobile so that the same can be observed from the rear, and an electrical mechanism whereby anyone of the compartments can be illuminated to indicate to the party following in which direction the machine is to travel, and also to indicate when the machine is to stop; all of which is to be operated by the driver from any convenient location either on the steering wheel, seat or body of the same.

A further object of my invention is to provide a signal method to be operated by the driver in the form of an illuminating.

section simultaneously creating an alarm so as to call the attention of the party following, indicating to him the direction in which the machine is to travel; the alarm operating the entire time that any of the compartments are illuminated, and in addition to the signaling device there is a circuit shunting with a spark switch to act as an alarm when the machine is at a stand still and interfered with by anyone other than the driver.

Figure 1, is a front View of the signal box which constitutes a part of my invention. Fig. 2, is a horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3, is a diagrammatic view showing the connection and circuit by which the signal and alarm are operated.

ln carrying out my invention ll provide a casing in the form of a box or receptacle 4, made either elongated as shown or any other shape found desirable or preferable. The said box being divided preferably in three compartments 5, 6, and 7, and separated by division walls 8. The front of each compartment is provided with a transparent plate 9, such as glass and the like, and on the face is imprinted a design or word as that shown in the illustration.

On the transparent plate of the two end compartments is indicated a hand which points to the right and left; in the center the word Stop. The type of the word and the hands are transparent, and the background of the rest of the plate is opaque so that the Word or the design will be clearly in view when anyone of the compartments is properly illuminated. In each of these compartments is located a reflector 10, and in each reflector a lamp or bulb 11, 12 and v 13, which is an electrical connection as that shown in the diagrammatic view of Fig. 3. Beneath the box or casing 4, is located a fourth compartment 14, in which is located an alarm device 15, which may'either be a bell, buzzer, horn, or any other device which will sound an alarm and can be electrically operated. This alarm may be located at the rear or on top of the casing, as found desirable.

Referring to Fig. 3, the diagrammatic view, 16, 17, and 18 indicate push buttons which may be located on the steering wheel, or on the vehicle convenient to the operator. One line 19, of the electric circuit leading from each of the pushes to the alarm device 15. From the alarm 15, to the battery 20, is a connection 21. Each one of the lamps-11, 12, and 13 is connected to the battery by the line 22. From the push 18, to the opposite pole of the lamp is a connection 23, which when the circuit is closed will complete a circuit which will illuminate the lamp 11 and simultaneously operate the alarm 15. From the push button 17, to the lamp 12 is a connection 24:, which when the circuit is closed will illuminate the lamp 12, and simultaneously operate the alarm. From the push button 16, to the lamp 13, is a connection 25, which when the circuit is closed will illuminate the lamp 13, and simultaneously operate the alarm. By this connection either one of the lights can be separately operated but the alarm will be sounded by the manipulation of either one of the buttons. The current is supplied either by the battery 21, as described or any other current produ ing device which may be located on an automobile.

In addition to the circuit as described for operating the signal and causing the alarm, I provide an additional safety device which will cause an alarm whenever any person should tamper with the machine or try to start the machine in the act of theft. Each machine is properly equipped with what is termed a spark switch 26, which is in the form, either of a knife switch, throw switch, or plug switch; this is usually located on the dash of the machine and usually disfor any length of time.

In the vehicle in some concealed location which is secret to the operator I place the switch 27, this switch is normally disconnected when the machine is in operation but when stopping the machine and leaving the same on a sidlng the switch 27, is thrown in and the spark switch-26 thrown out. From the spark switch to the alarm is a connecthe machine is closed, and a switch for placing the second circuit in and out of opera- ,tion substantially as specified.

2. A device of the class described comprising an indicator in the form of a signal box divided into compartments; a transparent plate covering the front of each'compartment, each plate having an indicator to be tion 28; from the alarm to the battery the plainly viewed when the compartment is usual connection 21; from the battery to the switch 27, the connection 29, and from the switch 27 to the switch 26, the connection 30. By this arrangement if anyone tries to start the machine, and in order to do so it is necessary to throw in the spark switch which would immediately sound the alarm, which would have a tendency to call the owner or frighten away the party tampering with the machine.

Having fully described my invention what I claim is: 1

1. An automobile safety signal comprising a casing conveniently located on the rear of.an automobile to -be observed from the rear; an alarm; an indicator plate located on the face of the casing to be illuminated by closing a circuit and simultaneously opilluminated; an alarm conveniently located in the casing; an electric circuit arranged to be operated by push buttons operated by the driver simultaneously illuminating one of the compartments and sounding the alarm; a separate alarm circuit shunted with a spark switch by which the alarm is sounded if the spark gap is tampered with, and a switch for controlling the short circuit substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RUDOLPH A. STIERLIN.

Witnesses I F. C. STIERLIN, WALTER C. STEIN

Images