US1276934A - Electric-lighting system for automobiles. - Google Patents

Description

E. W. LANE.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20.1915.

1,276,934. Patented Aug. 27, 191&

Inventor, Ernest Wilsdr: Lane, 5y

Attornzy.

ERNEST WILSON LANE, OF WA'VERLY, IOWA,

ELEGTRIGLIGHTI1\TG SYSTEM FOR.AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented A n; 27 1918 Application filed July 26, 1915. I Serial No. 42,093.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, Ems ns'r l/VlLSON LANE, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of \Vaverly, Bremer county, Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-Lighting Systoms for Automobiles, of which the follow ing is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electric lighting systems for automobiles, and the object of my improvement is to supply convenient means for switching lamps which are in series circuit with a magneto or other source of electric current into a multiple circuit with a source of electric current of lower voltage, whereby the bril liancy of the lamps illumination maybe maintained at times when the usual source of power is incapacitated for action.

This object I have accomplished by the means which are hereinafter described and claimed, and which are 1llustrated 1n the accompanymg diagram of my improved switch adapted to alternately place a plurality of lamps in a series circuit, or in multiple circuits with different sources of electric current.

It is well known that when lamps are in series circuit with a magneto or other source of electric current, any failure of the magneto or other source of current will extinguish all the lamps in the series. This is peculiarly inconvenient where such a system of electric lighting is installed in a motor-car, since in case the car is brought to a stop or the motor thereof is disabled by any cause, the magneto will likewise fail to supply current, thus extinguishing the lamps at times when their illumination is necessary, to prevent collisions and traffic interference.

My lighting system is applicable foiany installation. desired, and various changes may be made in the parts thereof, without departing from the scope of my invention or its principles of operation. Also, the respective values of the voltages of its different sources of electric currentmay vary, and are not confined to certain multiples or fixed relations.

The diagram given is based upon a plurality or pair of six volt lamps 1. and 2 in series circuit with the 12 volt magneto 29. The s *itch comprises a boxing 3 containing a face plate 10 of insulation secured by screws 37, A pi'vot-pintle 4- is fixed can trally [in said plate and carries a rock-body of insulation, the latter having a projecting arm (3 with terminal handle 7, both also of insulation. 7 Embedded in the rock-body 5 and spaced apart, are a pair of like areshaped bars 8 and 9, of conducting material, with their. convex sides adjacent to each other.

The bar 8 has the conducting terminals 2% and 25 at its opposite extremities. The bar 9 has the conducting terminals 27 and 26 at or near its opposite ends. The bar 9' ducting contact with the terminal 17 under neath. v V

The conducting terminals or posts 13, 14, 1.5, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are seated in the insulation 10, and conductors lead from them as hereinafter described.

The terminals 18 and 21 are in circuit with opposite poles of themagneto 29, by means of the conductors 31 and 30, respectively. The terminals 19 and 20 are in circuit with opposite poles of the battery 28 by means of the conductors 33 and 32 re spectively,

The lamps 1 and 2 are in series circuit with the terminals 13 and 15 by means of the conductors 34 and 35, and intermediate conductor 39. A conductor36 leads from the middle of the conductor 39 to the ter minal 14:. A conducting bar 11 embedded in the insulation 10 leads from the terminal 13 to the terminal 17. embedded in said insulation leads from the terminal 15 to the terminal. 16.

The 6 volt lamps 1 and 2 are arranged as usual inseries circuit with the 12 volt magneto 29. While being put into the series circuit the switch is rocked to the right to have the switch terminals 25 and 26 in contact with the terminals 21 and 18 respectively, and the switch terminals 2 1 and 27 in contact with the terminals 13 and 15 respectively.

A. conducting bar 12 na] 15, conductor 35, lamp 2, conductors 39 and 36, contacts H and 2 st, bar 8, contacts 25 and 20, and the conductor From said negative pole to its positive pole, by way of the conductor 33, contacts 19 and 26, bar 9, contacts 22 and 17, bar 11, terminal )3, conductor S-l, lamp 1, conductors 39 and 36, contacts 14: and 24, bar 8, contacts 25 and 0, and the conductor 32. In this way, each lamp is provided with a 6 volt current, providing as effective illumination as by the 12 volt magneto in series circuit with both lamps.

The (3 volt battery is relatively inexpensive and of comparatively small Weight and dimensions, hence it is usefully employed in such a multiple circuit, in cases of emergency.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

In combination, translating devices, a source of electric current of relatively low voltage, a source of electric current of relatively high voltage, a conductor connecting said translating devices, conductors leading from sa 1d devices and each having a pair of terminals, a bridging conductor leading from the first-mentioned conductor to a terminal, conductors leading from the source of lovv voltage current to terminals, other conductors leading from the source of high voltage current to terminals, and a multicontact switch having separated sets of connccted contacts operable selectively with said translating-devices terminals and with said bridging conductor terminal to independently place said translating-devices in series circuit with said source of high voltage currcnt or in parallel circuit with said source of low voltage current.

Signed at \Vaterloo, Iowa, this 21st day of July, 1915. V

ERNEST WILSON LANE.

l'Vitnesses PEARL MARIE STANTON, GEORGE CoLviN KENNEDY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0.

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