US1347246A - Motor-car signal - Google Patents

Description

N. T. BROWN.

MOTOR CAR SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.20, 191s.

Patented July 20, 1920.

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N. T. BROWN.

MOTOR CAR SIGNAL.

APPLICATION. FILED FEB. 20, 1918.

Patented J uly 20, 1920.

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NEWMAN '1. BROWN, 0F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

MOTOR-CAR SIGNAL.

Application filed February 20, 1918.

nals, of which the following is a specifica-.

tion.

This. invention relates to signals for motor cars and other vehicles; and it proposes a device or mechanism of the general class or type specified embodying certain improvements, hereinafter fully described, by, or as a result of, which the signal proper may be readily swung into and out of operative position and, when in the former position, is illuminated by a suitable lamp, the light rays of which are visible from front, back and side of the car. The invention is preferably of a duplex character, in so far as it contemplates the provision of one of the above described signals at each side of the car, thereby enabling the direction in which the car is about to turn, or its stoppage, to be readily determined, according as one signal or the other is operated individually, or both are operated simultaneously.

According to the invention, there is mounted in a casing arranged at each side of the car and partially closed by a pivoted 7 side plate, a signal arm which is slidably carried by said plate so as to move outwardly and inwardly therewith during the movements of the arm. The plate itself is connected with an actuating segment, which is arranged within the casing and connected in turn with an operating device, there being, of course, one of these operating devices for each'signal arm. The operating devices themselves are so constructed and arranged that either may be actuated independently of the other, according to the direction of the contemplated turn, or both may be actuated simultaneously when the car is about to be stopped. The particular structural details of the above described parts or devices, as well as their relative position and arrangement, constitute the important features of my invention and will be explained in due course and set forth in the appended Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1920. Serial No. 218,277.

claims. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the pre cise details shown and described, excepting as specified in the said claims, but, on the contrary, that modifications and changes may be made within the scope of said claims, and that parts of the invention may be used either by themselves or with parts of a different character from those disclosed.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a fragmental side elevation of a motor car, with parts broken away for the sake of clearness, showing the invention in use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the signal in its normal or inoperative position. F 1g. 3 1s a horizontal section on line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing the signal in its extended or operative position.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, vertical section on line 55, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail View, showing the carrier for thesignal arm.

Figs. 7 and 8 are, respectively, a side elevation and a plan view of the device for controlling the movements of the carriers.

Referring more particularly to said drawing, 1 indicates, generally, an elongated casing which is secured horizontally to the side of the tonneau of the car by suitable brackets 2, which latter may well extend beneath the upper edge of the upholstery, as shown. It is intended, of course, that there shall be one of these signal-containing casings at each side of the tonneau, but for illustrative purposes, it is deemed sufficient to represent one only; and in any case, a description of one will apply to both. The casing 1 includes an elongated, vertically disposed back plate 3 formed with upper and lower out-turned marginal flanges 4 which gradually increase in width from their rearends to a point adjacent their front ends, and then decrease from such point to their lastnamed ends.

The two horizontal flanges 4 are provided, adjacent their inner edges and substantially at the point of greatest width just referred to, with bearings in which are mounted the ends'of a vertical pivot bolt 6 which is set comparatively close to the car side. To this bolt are connected a pair of spaced ears 6, formed upon the free edges of the front member 6 of an angular, vertical plate 6 the rear member 6 of which-has integrally connected to it a rearwardly-extending wing 6", which, when the said plate is in normal position, is located below the free outer edges of the flanges 4c. The bolt 6 may be rigidly fastened to said flanges at, and the ears 6 loosely mounted on it, or, if preferred, it may be loose in said flanges and rigidly attached to said ears. The plate extension'b has fastened to it one end of an outwardlyswinging arni 5, which forms a substantial closurefor the open side of the casing, said arm 5 having its upper and lower marginal edges provided with angular flanges 10, which serve to materiallystrengthen it and also as guides for a sliding signal arm 11 which is carried in this manner by the arm 5 and has its outer end 12 shaped as an arrow head. i The portion of the open outer side of th casinginadvance of the arm 5 is closed by front and rear plates 7 and 8, the former of which is fixed in any suitable manner to said casing and has its rear edge out centrally away to form a pocket 7 for the reception I of a central, projecting tongue 8' provided hail, rain and the like, the front plate 7 reon the front edge of the plate 8, the two plates 7 and 8 being connected at this point by a vertical hinge bolt or pintle 9, so as to enable the tongue end of the plate 8, to move inwardly of the casing, while its rear end swings outwardly thereof and is provided with a cross-strap 1a which extends across and is connected to the adjacent end of the signal arm. The arrangement is such, therefore, that when the plates 7 and 8 are in their normal positions, the entire front of the casing will be closed to exclude snow,

maining closed under all conditions so as to constantly preclude the entry of dust, d rt, gravel, 'etc., into the front of the casing while the car is in motion. \Vhen the signal is operated, however, in the manner subsequently'explained, the'plate 6 will'swing bodily outward upon its pivot 6, and will rock the plate 8 with it in the same direction about its pivot 9, the rear end of the latter plate moving outward of the casing and the short rear end moving inward thereof, as represented in Fig. 4t.

The movements of the angular plate 6 may be effected with the aid of any means or device desired; but it is preferred to'make use of a wire, cable or other flexible element 16, which passes around and is secured at one endto a grooved sector 15, the other end of the cable leading through a suitable guide tube 'l T passing between the side'of the car and the upholstery and extending entire distance from the signal arm to the subsequently described control. As two signals, one at each side of the car, are'preferably employed to indicate the direction in'which the car is about to turn, it is essential, of course, to provide means whereby either signal may be operated independently of the other, or bothmay be operated simultaneously in case it is desired to indicate stopping of the car. In the embodiment illustrated, which may be regarded for all practical purposes as preferred, there is one of the sectors 15 for each cable, as will be understood, each sector being-integrally oro'the'rwise rigidly connected to the lower edge of the front member 6 and adjacent ear 6" of the corresponding an tive pulley and, inconsequence, wind up the respective cable to shift the corresponding signal outward.

In order to enable both pulleys 18 to rotate at the same time and, hence, to swing both signal arms outward simultaneously, there is preferablyutilized a third lever 20, which is arranged between the two levers 19, (which are disposed in spaced, parallel relation, as depicted in Fig; 8), and is provided adjacent its inner end with a bridge piece 21,v which spans the two pulleys is so arranged as to turn them both at the same time when the lever 20 is depressed.

To return the various parts to their respective initial positions, any'desired means or devices may be employed, the returning devices preferably consisting, however, of a spring 22 for each sector 15, which is anchored at its rear end to the back plate 3 of the casing and is attached at its front end to a brass strip 23, which runs along the bottom flange or wall of the casing and passes beneath and is secured to the sector.

Finally, each casing is preferably equipped with an electric lamp 24, having associated with it a reflector 25 and being disposed'within'a suitable electric circuit 26, which is closed by a switch 27 of some kind. According to the preferred form of the invention, the lamp 2 1 and its reflector 25 are disposed'in line with a cut-away portion 28 of the wing 6 of the angle plate 6 and, also, with an opening provided in the plate 7 at the point 7', one due to the tongue 8 of the plates moving inwardly into the casing as the main'rmrtthereof swings outward,'and the other produced by cutting away part of the casing, as indicated at 29; In thisway,

' beyond both sidesof the signal arm; thus displaying the position of the latter to persons standing both in front and at the back of the car. In addition to the above, the wing 6 of the plate 6 which assumes a position transverse to the casing when the signal arm is extended, is provided with a pane of transparent ruby glass .30, through which the light rays pass when said wing occupies its normal position, thereby enabling the light to shine through the far end of the casing.

I claim as my invention 1. A turning and stopping signal, comprising a casing having a movable closure; a signal in said casing mounted on said closure; means for opening said closure; and means for automatically projecting said signal when said closure is opened longitudinally of and beyond the outer end of the closure.

2. A turning and stopping signal, comprising a casing having an outwardly-swingmg closure; a signal mounted slidably on said closure and normally housed in said casing; means for swinging said closure outwardly; and means for automatically sliding said signal longitudinally of and beyond said closure when the latter is so swung.

3. A turning and stopping signal, comprising a casing having an outwardly-swinging closure; a signal mounted slidably on said closure and normally housed in said casing; means for swinging said closure outwardly; and means connected at one end with said signal and at its other end with a point spaced laterally from the pivot of said closure, thereby to slide said signal beyond said closure when the latter is swung outwardly.

4. A turning signal, comprising a casing having an outwardly-swinging closure formed with parallel guide and renforcing flanges along its side edges; a signal arm received normally in said casing and supported slidably by said flanges; means for swinging said closure outwardly; and means for automatically sliding said signal arm an end and longitudinally of said closure when the latter is so swung.

5. A turning signal, comprising an elongated back platehaving outwardly extended flanges along its side edges; an outwardlyswinging, pivoted arm between the outer edges of said flanges and extending substantially throughout the length thereof, the pivot of said arm being spaced inwardly from one end of said flanges; a signal arm mounted slidably on the inner side of said pivoted arm; a plate pivoted between said flanges with its free end adjacent the pivoted end of said pivoted arm; means connected with said plate and attached to said signal arm for projecting the latter when said pivoted arm is swung outwardly; and means for so swinging said pivoted arm.

6. In a'turning signal, a casing open in part along one side, a pivoted arm operating in the opening of said casing side, a plate pivoted independent of the arm and 0011- nected to the latter and having one end closing one end of said casing opening, and means to operate the arm.

7. A turning signal, comprising a support; an arm pivoted to said support to swing outwardly therefrom; a lamp fixed to the support behind the pivot of said arm for illuminating both sides of said arm when the latter is extended; and means for swinging said arm outwardly to extended position.

8. A turning signal, comprising an arm to be projected beyond the side of the vehicle; and a fixed light mounted independently of the arm and located at the inner end thereof for illuminating both sides of said arm when the latter is extended.

9. In a motor car signal, the combination of a casing; a pivotally mounted carrier within said casing; a signal arm associated with said carrier to move therewith outward and inward of the casing; said carrier in cluding a member having a pane of ruby glass set thereinto; means for actuating said carrier; and illuminating means, including a lamp arranged to project its rays through said ruby glass to be visible through the end of the casing.

10. In a motor car signal, the combination of a casing; a pivotally mounted carrier within said casing; a signal arm associated with said carrier to move therewith outward and inward of the casing; and illuminating means, including a lamp arranged to project its rays along both sides of said signal arm when the latter is in projected position.

11. In a turning signal, a casing having an opening in one side, a substantially Z- shaped member pivoted at one end in the casing, a signal arm operating in said opening and borne by the other end of said mem her, and means to operate said member.

12. In a turning signal, a casing having an opening in one side, a substantially Z- shaped member pivoted at one end in the casing, a signal arm operating in said opening and borne by the other end of said member, and a plate pivoted to one side of the pivot of said member and connected at one end to the last named end of the member and having its other end providing a closure for the adjacent end of the opening.

13. In a turning signal, a casing having an opening in one side, a signal arm pivoted to the casing for closing one end of the opening thereof when the arm is in inoperative position, a plate pivoted independent of the arm for closing the opposite end of the opening, means to operate the. arm into and out of display position, and means to actuate the plate by the arm movements.

14;. In a turning signal, a casing, a pivoted member in the casing, a lamp to-one side of In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the pivot, a Slgl'lillibllll carried by the memmy hand in presence oftwo subserlbing .W1ther and arranged to extend radially oi the nesses.

lamp when in display position, and awin- NEWMAN T. BROWN. 5 dew formed in the member to allow the lamp \Vitnesses:

to illuminate the side vof the arm adjacent R. R. HUBBARD.

the member pivot. KATHRY N. WVILLAN.

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