US1388567A - Lamp for motor-vehicles, &c. - Google Patents

Description

P. M. HOFFMAN.

LAMP FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, 6w.

APPLICATION HLED FEB- 16. I920.

1,388,567 v Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

P. M. HOFFMAN.

LAMP FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, 61c.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16, 1920.

1,388,567. -PatentedAug 23,1921.

2 SHEETSSHEEI Z.

.52 wen PATENT OFFICE.

PETER M. HOFFMAN, OF DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS.

LAMP FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES, &d.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 23, 1921.

Application filed February 16, 1920. Serial No. 358,831.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PETER M. HOFFMAN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Des Plaines, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lamps for Motor- Vehicles, &c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to searchlights for motor-vehicles; and the primary object of the invention is to provide for motor-vehicles a lamp which is capable of lightin the road-way for a long distance, and w ich will not in any way blind or confuse a-p roaching pedestrians or drivers of approac ing vehicles.

The invention is illustrated, in its preferred embodiment, in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a broken side elevational view of an automobile equipped with the improved lamp; Fig. 2, a broken plan view of the same; Fig. 3, an enlarged broken sectional view, illustrating the manner in which the lamp is mounted on the rear slope of the front fender of the machine; and Fig. 4, a similar sectional view,

illustrating the modification.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, A represents the hood of an automobile; A, one of the front fenders; A one of the front wheels; A one of the springs of the chassis; and B, the improved lamp mounted on the front fender.

In the illustration given, the front fender is utilized as a part of the mounting for the lamp, and serves also as a portion of the lamp-shielding means,

view of a person who is being met. Preferably, the lamp is so mounted as to project its rays forwardly beneath the fender at a slight angle to the plane of the road; and by shielding the lamp-bulb and reflector in the manner illustrated, it is possible to throw a strong light upon the road-way for a distance of one hundred to two hundred and fifty feet, without causing any inconvenience to approaching pedestrians or approaching drivers. Indeed, the invention enables the roadway to be lighted in advance of a machine in such a manner as to be advantageous both to the driver of a for substantially shielding the reflector and bulb from the d machine and to the driver of ing machine. I

In the illustration given, the rearwardly and downwardly sloping wall of the front fender is provided with a perforation of suitable size to receive the lamp. An opening of five inches in diameter, or less, will sufiice for most purposes. In Figs. 1 and 2, the cone of rays which is projected forwardly and downwardly through and beneath the fender is indicated by dotted lines and designated 1; and it will be observed that the lamp is so positioned with relation to the fender that the cone of rays will pass inside the front wheel and above the springs of the vehicle, and therefore above the plane ordinarily occupied by a bumper, when a bumper is employed.

The lamp B is in the form of a removable unit carried by a tubular shield, Or mounting, B, which is mounted on the fender. The lamp-unit comprises a casing 52 which is telescopically received in the rear end of the shield B; a reflector 2 mounted in the casing 2; a lens 2* demountably secured in the casing B in front of the reflector; and a lamp-bulb 2 mounted in the base of the reflector. The lamp-bulb is provided with a suitable connector 3 with which is connected the electrical conductors of an extensible cable 3. The cable 3 extends also through an eyelet t in the casing B and thence.through a conduit 5 which is secured to the lower wall of the member B. The casing B is shown equipped with a springcarried latch 6 which secures the lamp-unit to the tubular mounting B, but permits ready withdrawal of the lamp-unit, when esired.

The tubular shield, or mounting, B, preferably tapers forwardly, or is frustoconical, with the large end to the rear. This enables a larger lamp-unit to be employed and also enhances the appearance of the device. The reduced front end of the member B extends through a perforation 7 in the sloping rear wall of the fender. At the margin of the metal surrounding this opening are applied metal rings 8 and 9, which are secured to the metal of the fender by rivets 10. The ring 8 is provided with trunnion-ears 8 which support lateral trunnions, or pivot studs, 11, with an approach- 20", and a lamp 20.

which the member B is equipped near its front end. A rubber gasket 12 is clamped between the ring 8 and the fender and the inner margin of said gasket bears against the member B, thus making a dust-proof joint.

The lamp should be so set as to direct its cone of rays forwardly and slightly downwardly, so that the cone of rays will pass just beneath the front end of the crown of the fender. In the illustration given in Figs. 1 and 3, the inclination of the device is rendered adjustable by means of the pivotal connection described, in conjunction with an adjusting rod 13, which has its upper end connected, by a pivot 14, with a lug carried by the member B, the lower end of the rod 13 being threaded and extended freely through a perforation in a bracket 15 carried by the fender, and said rod being equipped with clamping nuts 16, thus enabling the inclination of the lamp to be varied, as may be necessary.

Referring to Fig. 3, 17 designates an annular shoulder, with which the lampcasing 2 is provided near its front end. The flange of the reflector bears against this shoulder, and the lens and reflector are secured in the casing by means of a removable split ring 18. If desired, a key-controlled lock may be employed for securing the removable lamp B to its mounting B. Such lock is not illustrated, how-ever.

In the construction shown in Fig. 4, A represents a front fender; B represents a lamp-unit; B represents a tubular shield or mounting member carried by the fender. In this construction, the fender is perforated, and the metal is drawn rearwardly to form an integral tubular boss 19, which telescopically receives the front end of the tubular mounting B The lamp-unit B comprises a casing 20, a reflector 20 a lens The lamp 20 is equipped with a connector 21, with which are connected the wires of the cable 22.

The tubular mountingB is formed into the tubular boss 19, and is equipped with a latch 23 whichdetachably secures the easing 20 to the member B Thus, the lampunit B may be removed, at will.

In the construction shown in Fig. 4, the axis of the lamp extends forwardly and slightly downwardly, so as to meet the road-way a long distance ahead of the machine. For any particular machine, Where such machine is equipped with the improved device by the manufacturer, especially, the desired angle of inclination may be determined in advance, thus rendering it unnecessary to provide for adjusting the angle of inclination.

In each illustration given, the tubular mounting carried by the fender and the fender itself serve as a shield for substantially hiding the lamp-bulb and reflector from the eye of a person approaching the machine from a position in front of the machine. This will be quite evident from the illustration given in Fig. 1. In practice, it is necessary that the shield shall be of a length equal to several times the depth of the reflector, and that this shield, or a portion of it, shall be interposed between the reflector and a view point located in front of the machine. It is also a matter of great practical importance that the lampunit shall be removable from the rear of the shield.

It will be understood that by reason of the fact that the lamp-bulb and reflector -are substantially hidden from the eye of a person approaching the machine from the front, the glare or blinding effect which is so well-known in connection with automobile search-lights, is eliminated. The result is that a machine equipped with powerful lights may be driven, either in city or country, without danger either to the driver of a machine equipped with the improved device, without danger to approaching pedestrians, and without danger of blinding the driver of a vehicle which is being met. Moreover, the improved lamps are so positioned and shielded that they will not cast their rays through the rear window of a machine ahead, or against the windshield of such machine. Thus, the danger of blinding or confusing a driver in a machine travelin ahead of the machine equipped with t e improved device is eliminated.

As will be readily understood from Fig. 1, in the use of the improved device, the shielding means which substantially hides the reflector from a view-point disposed above and in front of the lamp overlies the cone of rays for a long distance in front of the reflector, such distance being equal to many times the depth of the reflector. Thus, for an ordinary automobile, the length of the shielding means in front of the reflector may be from two to three feet, whereas the depth of the reflector ordinarily does not much exceed six inches.

It is well known that for night driving, in the country, particularly the use of strong head-lights is essential for safe driving. On the other hand, the use of head-lights of the form ordinarily employed involves very reat dan er when mac lines meet, owing to t he fact that the lare from the head-light of each machine linds the driver of the other machine. Usually, it is sought to lessen this danger by turning off the headlights when machines near each other, but this involves the danger of leaving the road way insufliciently lighted and invites danger of collision, or other accident. Such accidents have become exceedingly frequent,

because of the use of improper lighting de-- vices. Generally, in municipalities the ordinances require a machine to be driven without the use of head-lights. This is objectionable, because some streets are poorly lighted. With the improved lighting device herein described, it is possible to use the head-lights in cities, as well as in the country; and the use of head-lights shielded.

in this manner possesses the distinct advantage that the rays of light are caused to sweep the road-way at a long distance in advance of the vehicle, so that in approaching cross streets, drivers are given ample warning and can use all necessary caution to prevent accidents, while still maintaining all speed which it is desirable to use. A futher advantage arising from the use of the improved light is that the driver of a machine is free to give his sole attention to driving and he need not be constantly annoyed and disconcerted by turning the headlights on and off when vehicles are met. This is especially advantageous in driving in the country environments of large cities, where vehicle traflic is heavy.

It may be added that other kinds of lamps than electric lamps may be employed as a light source, as, for instance, acetylene or other lamps. It should be noted, also, that the lamp unit, including the lens, is, in the preferred construction, mounted so far back in the tubular shield, or mounting as to effectually protect these parts from mud, mist, snow, etc. In case dust should settle on the lens, the lamp-unit may be withdrawn readily to permit cleansing. Again, where the lamp is provided with a long cord, as is preferred, the lamp may be employed as a trouble-lam It is noteworthy also, that the front ori cc of the tubular shield is inside the plane of the front wheel, and, moreover, the rotation of the wheel is such that any mud thrown will be cast in a forward dfilGFEtllOH and none will enter the tubular s 1e The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

What I regard as new and desire to secure'by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with a front fender of a motor vehicle, of a lamp having a tubular mounting carried by the fender in the rear of the high point thereof and adapted to project its rays beneath the fender, which serves as a shield, the front end of said tubular mounting being disposed near the rear slope of said fender.

' 2. The combination with a front fender ,provided in its rear slope with an opening, and a lamp mounted in the rear of to project its rays forwardly beneath said fender.

3. The combination with a front fender of a motor vehicle provided in its rear slope with a perforation and equipped in the rear of said perforation with a lamp mounting whose front end is disposed at said perforation, of a rearwardly removable lampunit carried by said mounting comprising a casing, a reflector mounted in said casing, and a lamp-bulb mounted in said reflector.

4. The combination with a front fender of a motor vehicle provided in its rear slope with a perforation and equipped in the rear of said perforation with a tubular lamp-mounting whose front end terminates at said perforation, of a rearwardly removable lamp-unit carried by said mounting comprising a casing, a reflector mounted in said casing, a lamp-bulb mounted in said reflector, and a lens mounted in said casing in front of said reflector.

5. The combination with a front fender of a motor vehicle having its rear wall provided with an opening, of a tubular mounting carried by said fender and having its front end entered in said opening, a con-- duit adjacent said mounting, and a removable lamp-unit carried by the rear portion of said mounting, comprising a casing, a

reflector mounted therein and a lamp-bulb mounted in said reflector, and conductors extending through said conduit and through a wall of said casing and having electrical connection with said lamp-bulb.

6. The combination with a front fender of a motor-vehicle, said fender having a perforationin its rear wall, of a lamp device comprising a tubular shield having its front end disposed at said perforat'ion, whereby the fender will serve as a shieldextension, and a lamp-unit mounted in the rear portion of said shield.

7. The combination with a front fender of a motor-vehicle, said fender having a perforation in its rear wall, of a lamp device comprising a tubular shield having its front end disposed at said perforation whereby the fender will serve as a shieldextension, and means for adjusting said shield to vary the inclination of the lamp.

8. The combination with a fender provided in its rear wall with a perforation, of a lamp device comprising a tubular mounting having its front end disposed at said perforation, whereby the fender will serve as a shield-extension, pivotal connections between said mounting and said fender, means for adjusting said mounting to vary the inclination of its axis, and a lampunit carried by said mounting.

9. The combination With a fender provided in its rear wall with a perforation, of a gasket in said perforation and a lamp device comprising a tubular shield having its front end received in said gasket, whereby the fender will serve as a shield-extenslon, a lamp-unit carried by said shield, and means for supporting and adjusting said shield.

10. The combination with a fender provided in its rear wall with a perforation equipped with a gasket, and a lamp having a tubular shield whose front end is encircled by said gasket, whereby the fender will serve as a shield-extension, and means for supporting said lamp.

PETER M. HOFFMAN.

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