US1239093A

US1239093A - Traffic-directing signal for vehicles.

Info

Publication number: US1239093A
Application number: US15820017A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles G Ette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1917-03-29
Filing date: 1917-03-29
Publication date: 1917-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1934-09-04

Description

c. s ms. TRAFFIQ DIRECTING SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29 1 1981.

1,239,093, a Patntedse u 4, 1917.

RLEW W ,7

' UNITED STATES nun-um CHARLES G. ETTE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

TBAFFIG-DIREGTING SIGNAL FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1917.

Application filed March 29, 1817. Serial No. 158,200.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it'known that I, Cnmmns G. E'rrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new 5 and useful Improvement in Traiiic-Directing Signals for Vehicles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable oilfers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to signaling dev ces of the kind that are used on auton'iohilcs and other vehicles for indicating :11 proposed change in the dirrtion of travel of the vehicle. I

The main object of the invention is to provide a manually-operable signaling device of the kind described that efficient, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to operate.

Another object is to provide a signaling dcvicethat can be installed easily and which is rugged and substantial enough to successfully withstand rough usage and execssivc vibration. Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

To this end I have devised a signaling device which consists of a hollow signaling member, preferably of: tubular form. provided with words, symbols or charm-tors arranged in such a manner that similar words or symbols on said member can be seen from the front and from the rear of said memher when it is in its signaling position, a manually-operable means for moving said signaling member into and out of operative position and also turning said member axi ally so as to display the proper word or symbol that denotes the proposed change in the direction of travel of the vehicle and means for illuminating the words or symbols on the signaling member at night.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a rear eleva tional view of a signaling device constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of same.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational; 'view, partly broken a'way showing the signaling member arranged in its inoperative position.

Fig. 4 is a detail View, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 5 is a detail View, taken on theilme 5-5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indic ated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred form of my invention, A designates a hollow signaling member, B designates a bracket or supporting element arranged on some, part of the vehicle on Which the device is used and C designates a manually-operable actuating device that is combined with the signaling member A in such a manner that it can be actuated to move said signaling member into and out of signaling position and also to turn said signaling member axially, so as to display the words or synilimls on same. which denote the proposed chmge in the direction of travel of the vehicle. The supporting bracket B carries the signaling member A and the actuating device C and it is arranged in such a position that the actuating device can be gras ed easily by the o In the form 0, myi vent-ion herein shown the supporting bracketis so constructed and arranged that the signaling member A will stand in a vertical position at one side of the vehicle. as shown in Fig. 3, when said signaling member is inoperative and will occupy a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, when it is operative or in signaling 1 osition. I do not wish it to be under- .stooi, however, that my invention is limited to a signaling device in lliCll a signalin member occupies the imsitions mentione when it is inoperative and operative for it is immaterial how the signaling member is combined with the supporting element and with the actuating device, so long as said parts are combined insuch a manner that the signaling member can be moved into such a. position that it can be seen from the front and from the rear of the'vehicle when the driver of the vehicle desires to notify persons located in front of and at the rear of the vehicle that the vehicle will make a turn to the right or to the left.

If the signalin member A is square or rectangular shape in cross section, as herein shown, the two oppositelydisposed sides 1 and l. of same will be provided with similar .Words or symbols, such, for example, as the word Left. and the other oppositelydisposed sides 2 and 2 of said member will be provided with similar words or symbols, different. howew -r, from the words or symhols on the sides 1 and l; for example, the word FRight. The member A has two signaling positions, in one of which the word Left on the rear side 1 of said memher is displayed to view and the word orator in charge of the vehicle.-

Left on the front side 1 of said memher is displayed to view, and in the other position the word Right on the rear side 2 and on the front side 2 of said member are displayed to view. If desired, each of the sides I and 2 of the member A can be provided with the additional word Stop, so as to give warning to the occupants of a following vehicle'that the vehicle on which the device is used is either going to stop or turn to the right or to the left. It is, of course, immaterial whether the signaling member A is provided with words or provided with symbols, such, for example, as arrows, so long as said member is constructed in such a manner that it will indicate proposed changes in the direction of travel of the vehicle or in the method of operating the vehicle. Furthermore, while I prefer to use a signaling member that is square or rectangular-shaped in cross section, this is not essential, so long as said member is of substantially tubular form. In practice I prefer to form the member A from sheet material, preferably thin sheet metal, and cut the words or symbols in the sides of same, the ut'out portions of the member A havingpieces of white transparent material arranged over same, so that the words or symbols will show plainly during the day and also at night if an illuminating device, such, for example, as an elec' tric light bulb l) is arranged inside of the member A. as shown in Fig. 3.

The member A is provided at one end with a shank 3 that is oscillatingly mounted in a bearing 1 that is pivotally connected to the supporting bracket B, said bearing 4: having a stud 1* that turns freely in a hearing 5 on the supporting bracket B, as shown in Fig. 2. The end portion of said stud 4 is screw-threaded and a nut 6 is arranged on same, so as. to retain the bearing 4 in operative position on the supporting bracket B. In the form of my invention herein shown the shank 3 of the signaling member A is formed by a tubular-shaped member provided at one end with a head piece 3 to which the signaling member A is connected by screws 7 or in any other suitable manner, the socket or receptacle 8 for the electric light bulb D being arranged in said tubular-shaped member 3, as shown in Fig. 3. The opposite end portion of the tubularshaped portion 3 is securely connected to a shaft 9 that turns in the bearing 4, and said shaftis provided at its free end With an angularly-disposed arm 10 that is equipped with a shoulder. 10 which bears a ainst one side.of the bearing 4. In assem lin the parts of the devicethe shaft 9 is first slipped into the bearing 4, and thereafter, the tubular-shaped shank portion 3v of the signaling member is slipped over the end of said shaft into engagement with the opposite side of the bearing t and secured to said shaft by a cross pin 11 or in any other suitable manner. a

The manually-operable actuating device C previously referred to preferably consists of .1 plunger that is reciprocatingly mounted in a bearing 1.2 on the supporting bracket 1 the inner end of said plunger being connccted by means of a rigid link 13 to the angularly -disposed arm 10 on the shank of the signaling member A. When the plunger C is moved to the right, looking at Fig. 3, the signaling member A will be swung upwardly into a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1, and when said plunger is moved in the opposite direction, or to the left, said signaling member will be swung downwardly into a substantially vertical position at one side of the body of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 3. The link 13 is pivotally connected to the plun or C and to the arm 10 and said link is pre erably formed in such a manner that it will straddle the end of the plunger and the arm 10, and thus form a rigid connection between said elements that will turn the si paling member A axially when the actuating plunger C is turned in its bearing 12. In the form of my invention herein shown the link 13 consists of a casting which is provided at one end with a hollow or cut-out portion that receives the arm 10 on the shank of the signaling memher A when said member is arranged in its inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 3.

When the signaling member A is being moved into and out of signaling position, the actuating plunger C- is prevented from turning in its bearing 12 by means of a rib 1% on said plunger that fits in a groove 15 (see Fig. 5) on the inside of the bearing 12, said rib and groove also acting to prevent the plunger C from turning in its hearing when the signaling member is arranged in its inoperative position shown in Fig. 3. When the plunger C is moved to the right, to render the signaling member A operative, the rib 14 on said plunger will pass out of the groove 15 when the signaling member A reaches a horizontal position. Thereafter, the plunger C can be turned forwardly in its bearing 12, so as to display the word Right on the sides 2 and 2 of the signaling member, or said plunger 0 can be turned rearwardly in its bearing, so as to display the "word Left on the sides 1 and 1 of the signaling member. After the plunger C has been turned forwardly or rearwardlyin the manner described it is held s urely locked in its extreme outward positi by the engagement of the rib 14 with the end of the bearing 12. In other words, rotary movement of the plunger C either forwardly. or rearwardly causes the rib 14 thereon to be moved out of alinement with the groove 15 in the bearing 12, thereby preventing the plunger from being returned to its former position until the rib 14: is again brought into alinement with the V signaling member groove 15. In order to limit the rotary movement of the actuating plunger C, I have cut away the end portion of the tubular shank 3 of the signaling member at 16, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to form a stop 17 on the shank of the signaling member that strikes against. the bearing 5 on the sup porting bracket when the actuating plunger 0 is turned forwardly a certain distance or is turned rearwardly a certain distance,thus overcoming the necessity of the operator using any care or' thought during the operation of turning the plunger C, so as to display the word or symbol on the signaling member A that denotes the direction in which the vehicle is to be turned. WVhen the actuating plunger C is moved tothe left, so as to restore the signaling member A to its inoperative position, a gravity pawl 18 an said plunger rides up an incline 19 on the bearing 12 and then drops into looking engagement with the end of said incline, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby securely locking the plunger and consequently preventing the signaling member from swinging and striking against the side of the body of the vehicle.

The electric wires 20 that energize the electric light bulb D are preferably connected to a plug 21 or other suitable connecting device that can be inserted in a socket 22 connected with the lighting circuit of the vehicle at night, and a switch is provided for closing the circuit in which the light bulb D is arranged when the signaling member A is moved into its signaling position and to break or open said circuit when said signaling member is restored to its inoperative position. Any suitable type of switch may be used for this purpose, but the switch that I prefer to use comprises a'bifurcated spring contact 23 carried by an insulating member 24 on the supporting bracket B, and a knife blade contact member 25 carried by an insulating member 26 on the shaft 4 and arranged in such a manner that it moves into engagement with. the contact 23 when the signaling member swings upwardly into its signal ing position and moves out of engagement with said contact when said signaling mem ber moves back to its inoperative position.

Normally, the signaling member A stands in the position shown in Fig. 3. If the operntor in charge of the vehicle intends to make a turn to the left. he grasps the handle 27 on the plunger C and mo s said plunger to the right, thereby caus ng the A to be moved upwardly into a horizontal position. After the plunger C has been moved into its extreme outward position it is given a slight rearward turn, so as to display the word Left on the two oppositely-disposed sides of the signaling member A. After the change in the direction of travel of the vehicle is made the operator restores the signaling member A to its inoperative position by first turning the plunger G forwardly far enough to bring the rib 14 on same into alinement with its cooperative groove 15 and then pushing said plunger to the left. If the vehicle is to be turned to the rightfthe operator moves the plunger 0 to its extreme outward position, and then rotates it forwardly so as to display the word Right on the signaling member.

\Vhile I prefer to construct the device in the manner herein illustrated, I do not wish it to be understood that my invention is limited to a signaling device provided with the exact means previously described for moving the signaling member into and out of operative position, for various other means could be used for controlling the signaling member without departing from the spirit of my invention. Furthermore, the signaling member can be so arranged that it either stands at one side of the body of the vehicle or occupies a position within the marginal limits of the body of the vehicle when it is in its inoperative position.

Havin thus described my invention, what I c aim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A traiiic directing signal for vehicles, comprising a signaling member of substantially tubular form provided with words or symbols arranged in such a manner that similar Words or symbols are displayed on the front 'and rear sides of-said member when it is arranged in signaling position, a supporting structure on which said signaling member is pivotally mounted, and a manually-operable means for swinging said member into and out of signaling position and also turning it axially for the purpose described. v

2. A traific directing signal for vehicles, comprising a signaling member of substantially tubular form, a supporting element, a manually-operable plunger on said supporting element, and a'connection between said plunger and signaling member for causing said member to move into a certain position and turn axially when said plunger is reciprocated and rotated.

3. A trafiic directing .signal for vehicles, comprising a signaling member of substantially tubular form, a supporting element, a shank on said signaling member pivotally connected to said supporting element and rotatably mounted on the same, and a manually-operable actuating device on said sup porting element operatively connected with said shank.

4. A trafiic directing signal for vehicles,

comprising a signaling member of substantially tubular form, a supporting element, a shank on said signaling member, a pivotally mounted bearing in said supporting element in which said shank is oscillatingly mounted, an actuating device carried by said sup porting element, and a link connecting said actuatingdevice With said shank.

5. A. trafiic directing signal for vehicles, comprising a signaling member of substantially tubular term, a supporting element a that carries said member, a reciprooatingly mounted actuating device for said signaling member carried by said supporting element and arranged in such a manner that it can be turned or rotated axially, and means for locking said actuating device automatically when it is manipulated to arrange said signaling member in operative position.

6. A traflic directing signal for vehicles, comprising a signaling member of substantially tubular form, a supporting element, a pivotally mounted bearing on said supportiug element, a shank on said signaling member oscillatingly mounted in said bearing and provided at one end with an angularlydisposed arm, an actuating plunger reeipro catingly mounted in said supporting element, and a link connected to said arm and to saidactuatin plunger.

17. A trafiic directing signal for vehicles, comprisin @asignaling member of substantially tubu ar form, a supporting element, a pivotally mounted bearing on said supportmg element o; shank on said signaling mem -ber oscilla "-gly mounted in said bearing and provid I at one end with an angularlydisposed arm; an actuatin plunger reciprocatinglyw; messed 1 in said supporting elen i a 7 ,k connected to said arm and to jrsaidgactuatiilg plunger, airib on said actuating plum er that fits in a groove in said supj porting eement, and means for locking said actuating plunger when the signaling member is arrarflged in its inoperative position.

8 tra c directing signal for vehicles, .com rising a pivotall mounted signaling memiher of substantially-tubular form, an actuating device that is adapted to be reciprocated longitudinally to move said sigr ialing member into signaling position and thereafter rotate it so as to turn said ligialing member axially, and means for limiting. the turning movement of said actuating device in 0 osite directions.

9. A tra c directing signal for vehicles. comprising a supporting element provided with a stationary bearing and a pivotally mounted bearing, an actuating plunger rc cipro atingly mounted in said s ationary bearing, a signaling member of substantially tubular form provlded With a shank that is oscillatingly mounted in said pivotally mounted bearing, and a rigid link pivotally connected to said plunger and to an angularly-disposed arm on said shank.

10. A traffic directing signal for vehicles, comprising a supporting element provided with a stationaryobearing and a pivotally mounted bearing, an. actuating plunger re-- ciprocatingly mounted. in said stationary bearing, a signaling member of substantially tubular form provided with a shank that is oscillatin ly mounted in said pivotally mounted )earing, rigid link pivotally connected to said plunger and to an angularly disposed arm on said shank, a rib on said plunge-r that fits in a groove in said rigid. )earing when said plunger is in certain positions, and a grai'ity operated pawl on said plunger that cooperates with said hearing to lock the signaling *nemher in its inoperative position.

11. A trafiic directing signal for eh cles, comprising a supporting element provided with a rigid bearing and a pivotally 1nonnt ed bearing, an actuating plun er reciprocatingly mounted in said rigid bearing, a shaft in said pivotally mounted bearing provided with a shoulder that bears against one end of same, an angularly-disposed arm on said shaft, a rigid link connected to said arm and to said plunger, and a signaling member having a substantially tubular-- shaped shank connected. to said shaft and arranged so that it abuts the opposite end of said pivotally mounted bearing:

12. A traflie directing signal for vehicles, comprising a supporting bracket provided with a rigid bearing and a pivotally mounted bearing, a signaling member ofsubstantially tubular form formed from sheet mate rial and having Words or symbols cut in th sides of same, an illuminating device or ranggfi inside of said member, a shank on saidmember oscillatingly mounted in said pivotally mounted bearing and provided with an angularl v-disposed arm. an actuatiii plunger in the stationary bearing on SHld supporting element a. rigid link connecting said arm to said plunger. and a 'teh for controlling the circuit in which said illuminating device is arranged.

' CHARLES G. ETTE.