US1418748A

US1418748A - And john dudley

Info

Publication number: US1418748A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1922-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1939-06-06

Description

B. B. TREGOE AND J. D. CARROLL.

ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH FOR AUTO LIGHTS.

9 2 9 11 6 w. 1 H J d m w a P 0 2 9 m 2 Y A M D u N 0 n A w H D! A 2 SHEETSSHEET I.

gvvbe'niow J: D. Oarwall,

B. B. TREGOE AND J. D. CARROLL. .ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH FOR AUTO LIGHTS.

Patnted June 6, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENrO/ZS MTNEJSS, (ID. Carroll, F g! ,B.B.Tre 9oe,

Arrae/vsrs.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN BAIN BRIDGE TREGOE, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, AND JOHN DUDLEY CARROLL, OF NEW YORK. N. Y., ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD T SON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

JUSTIN HENDER- ELECTR-IC TIME SWITCH FOR- AUTO LIGHTS.

Application filed May 25.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that we, BENJAMIN BAIN- BRIDGE Tnnoon and JOHN DUDLEY CARROLL,

' useful Improvements in Electric Time Switches for Auto Lights, of which the following is a specification.

In the operation of motor vehicles it frequently happens that the same are left unattended for a period extending past nightfall, thereby subjectingthe owner or operator to a penalty for failure to display a light which is universally required by traffic regulations. i

The present invention provides, means which can be set and depended upon to display a light at the predetermined time, said means being automatically operable when .set, or adapted to be manuallyactuated at any time to admit of the light being displayed.

The invention depends upon a time piece, such as a clock, a circuit closer adapted to be set to be actuated by the time piece to close a controlling, circuit at the required time and effect a closing of the lighting circuit, a lighting circuit having a gap, and means for electrically closing the gap and completing the lighting circuit, said means being releasable by the time operated controlling circuit at the predetermined time for which the mechanism is set. I

For a full understandingof the invent-ion and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, which illustrate an embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a front view of a'mechanism embodying the .invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking to the right as designated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail on the line 4 4' of Figure 3.

Figmres

5, 6 and 7 are sectional details of Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 6 1922 1920 Serial No. 384,124.

a portion of the plunger and parts cooperating therewith, Figure 7 being a detail section on the line 77 of F i re 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the circults and parts cooperating therewith.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated 1n the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The time piece is indicated generally by the numeral 1 and may be of any type, and usually consists of a clock which is housed by the casing which encloses the cooperating parts. It is preferred to have the time piece electrically insulated from the casin as indicated most clearly in Fig1ire2. 'I he time P1606 embodies the usual dial and indicating hands 2 and-3. The hand 2 designates the hours'and constitutes one terminal of the controlling circuit and is provided at or near its outer end with a contact 4. An indicator 5 consisting of a pointer or hand constitutes the adjustable terminal of the controlling circuit, .and is carried by a ring 6, which is adapted to be set to any required position. The indicator 5 is provided with a contact 7 which is adapted to engage with the contact 4 and close the controlling circuit. As shown most clearly in Figure 1, the indicator 5 is provided in its length with a ring or open portion 8, which is adapted to register with the dial indications of the time piece so as to expose the same and thereby facilitate the setting of the cont-rolling circuit.

The housing or casing 9 enclosing the time piece and operating parts of the mechanism is preferably of metal and may be of any construction. As indicated most clearly in Figure 1, the front of the housing or casing is made in two parts, which are separable on a diametrical line. The ring 6 is formed in its outer edge with an annular groove, which receives the edge portion of the front of the housing bordering upon the opening in which the ring 6 is fitted. By having the front of the housing separable the ring 6 may be readily placed in position. The in dicator or adjustable cont-act 5 is secured to the ring 6 in any way and is movable therewith. The ring projects some distance beond the face of the housing 9, and the proccting edge is milled to enable the hand to obtain a grip thereon when turning the ring to bring the indicator or contact 5 to the required adjusted position.

A plunger 10 is mounted in the housing so as to receive a combined rotary and longitudinal movement. One end of the plunger 10 projects a convenient distance beyond the face of the housing and is provided with a button or other convenient finger piece to enable the hand to obtain a firm grip thereon when it is required to operate the plunger in a manner hereinafter indicated. A suitable bracket 11 is disposed within the housing 9, and the plunger 10 is mounted therein. A helical spring 12 is mounted upon the plunger 10 and is connected at one end to the plunger and at its opposite end to the bracket 11. The spring 12 is of the contractile type and normally exerts a pressure to move the plunger 10 inward. A notch 13 is formed in a side of the plunger 10 and decreases in depth from a central point towards opposite ends, as indicated most clearly in Figure 4. A. catch 14 cooperates with the plunger 10 to hold it projected against the action of the spring 12. The end of the catch 14 is adapted to enter the notch 13. The catch 14 is mounted in the bracket 11 and is disposed above the plunger so as to operate by gravity. A light spring 15 cooperates with the catch 14 to insure positive action thereof. Rotation of the plunger 10 will cause the catch 14 to ride out of the notch 13, so that the plunger '10 may move inward under the action of the spring 12. A pin 16 projects laterally from the plunger 10 and cooperates with a guide 17, which is secured to the bracket 11. The guide 17 preferably consists of a length of wire doubled upon itselfv to form a loop and is secured by one member of the loop to the bracket 11, the end portionoi the opposite member of the loop being curved laterally and downwardly. as indicated at 18, to provide clearance and stop means for the pin 16 when the plunger 10 is rotated to cause the catch 14.

to ride out .of the notch 13 whenit is desired to release the plunger to admit of its inward movement. When the plunger 10 is rotated, the spring 12 is tensioned so that when the plunger is drawn outward and released, the spring 12 regaining its normal position will return the plunger into position so that the pin 18 will cooperate with the guide 17 and hold the plunger with the notch 13 u permost to be engaged by the catch 14. he' plunger 10 is provided at its inner end witha metal tip 19, which is adapted to serve as means for closing the gap of the li' hting circuit, as will be described more ully hereinafter. 'An electromagnet preferably of the solenoid type is housed within the casing 9 and is disposed above the plunger 10, and its core is in cooperative relation with the catch 14. The solenoid is indicated at 20 and is supported by means of the bracket 11. The core 21 of the solenoid is movable with the catch 14, the latter preferably forming a part thereof. As shown most clearly in Figure 3, the core of the solenoid comprises two sections, a movable section 21 and a fixed section 22. These two sections are spaced apart a distance to admit of the end of the catch 14 clearing the notch 13, whereby to release the plunger to admit of its inward movement. The inner end of the core section 21 is made conical, and the opposing end of the fixed section 22 is formed with a depression of corresponding shape. By having th solenoid disposed above the plunger 10, the combined weight of the core 21 and catch 14 is sufiicientordinarily to cause the end of the catch 14 to enter the notch 13. However, the provision of the spring 15 insures positive action of the core and catch.

Two, terminal contacts are disposed within the housing and are indicated by the

numerals

23 and 24. These contacts form closing means for an electric time-controlled circuit. A spring 25 secured at one end to the housing 9 is provided at its free end with the contact 24. The spring 25 and the fixed contact 23 are electrically insulated from the housing and each other. A pressure element 26 carried by the plunger 10 is adapted to engage the spring 25 and compress the same so as to bring the

contacts

24 and 23 into engagement. thereby closing the time-controlled circuit at thispoint. The winding of the solenoid 20 is included in the time-controlled circuit, as shown most clearly in the diagrammatic view, Figure 8. A lead wire 27 connects the spring 25 with one pole of a battery B, or other source of supply of electricity, the other pole of the battery being grounded at 28. A wire 29 connects the contact 23 with one end of the helix of the solenoid. A wire 30 connects the other end of the windin of the solenoid with the hour hand 2. %he indicator or adjustable contact 5 being in electrical connection with the ring 6, and the latter being electrically connected with the front or face plate of the housing 9 is grounded by wire 31 at 32. \Vhen the plunger 10 is drawn outward against the tension of the spring 12 andis held projected by the catch 14, the

contacts

23 and 24 are in engagement, thereby closing the timecontrolled circuit at this point. However, the circuit is open when the

contacts

4 and 7 are not in engagement, and is not closed by .the time piece until the hour hand 2 and 'so1enoid20 is energized and attracts its core.

21, thereby withdrawing the catch 14 from engagement with the plunger 10. and the latter being released from all restraining influence is moved inward by the tension of the spring 12 and closes the lighting circuit.

Referrlng to the diagrammatic view, Figure 8, the several lights of the motor vehicle are designated by the letter L, and are included in the usual circuits which are controllable by means of a switch S. The lighting .circuit is grounded at 33. The lighting circuit comprises two contacts 34, which-are spaced apart, the gap thus formed being adapted to be closedby means of the element 19 when the plunger 10 is moved inward. The lightingcircuit is shown as including the battery B, or other source of current supply, and is grounded at 33 and 28. The several lights included in the lighting circuit are controllable by the switch S in a manner well understood. When the lighting circuit is interrupted at 34 no one of the lamps may be lighted. However, when the circuit is closed at 34 by means of the element 19, any one or all of the lamps may be lighted by proper manipula tion of the switch S in the usual way.

It is proposed to construct the device illustrated mor particularly in Figure 1 in such a way that "it may be applied to the usual instrument or control board of a motor vehicle, the several parts being included in circuits, as illustrated in the diagrammatic view. When the lights of the vehicle are brought into action in the usual way, the plunger 10 is released from the restraining influence of the catch 13 and moved inward so as to cause the circuit closing element 19 to bridge and close the gap formed by the spaced contacts 34. The several lights may be brought into operation by manipulation of the push buttons comprising the switch S in a manner well understood. However. when the vehicle is to be left unattended until after nightfall and it is required to light the lamps at a given time, the plunger 10 is drawn outward and held in its withdrawn position by the catch 14 entering the notch 13. This closes the time-controlled circuit at 23 and 24. The lighting circuit is broken at 34, and theswitch 8- may be operated to close the circuit of the desired lamp or lamps to be lighted at the desired time. The ring 6 is adjusted to bring the indicating contact 5 opposite the hour or approximate time on the dial of the time piece at which it is desired to have the light displayed. When the hour hand 2 of the time piece reaches the time set, the

contacts

4 and 7 are brought into engagement, thereby completing the time-controlled circuit and energizing the solenoid 20 with the result that its core 21 is attracted and disengages the catch 14 from the plunger 10, and the latter being released is automatithe action of the cuit by bridging the gap formed between the contacts 34. Simultaneously with the inward movement of the plunger 10 and the closing of the lighting circuit, th timecontrolled circuit is broken by reason of the spring 25 being released from the pres sure of the element 26.

It will be understood that the invention provldes a comparatively simple mechanism, which is positive in operation and which may be set and depended upon to operate at the predetermined time, so that a motor vehicle may be left unattended and at the required time will be provided with a light without any especial care on the part of the owner or operator, other than to properly set the circuit closer when the machine is left unattended.

It is observed that the time piece as a whole is not included in the circuit in the sens to form part of the conductor, since it is insulated from the housing or casing. As a result the driving and control springs are not liable to become magnetized and interfere'with the accurate and proper working of the mechanism. The circuit when established is through the hour hand and is momentary only as it is broken at 23 and i 24 the instant the spring 25 is released from the pressure normally exerted thereon by the element 26.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent. is:

1. In combination, an electric circuit, a i

circuit controlling Ineansincluding a manually operable switch normally urged towards one of its limits, electrically actuated restraining means co-acting with the switch to hold it at its opposite limit. and a time controlled circuit for the electrically actuated restraining means, the switch capable of being manually manipulated to release it from the restraining means.

2. In combination, an electriccircuit, circuit controlling means including a rotative and longitudinally movable switch, means normally tending to urge-the switch towards one limit of one of its movements, electrically actuated restraining means coacting with the switch to hold it at its opposite limit, a time controlled circuit for said restraining means, the switch member capable of being manually manipulated to release it from the restraining means.

3. In combination, an electric'circuit. circuit controlling means therefor including a longitudinally movable and rotatable switch, spring means normally tending to move the switch longitudinally toward one of its limits, electrically actuated restraining means coacting with the switch to hold it retracted against the spring means, and a time controlled circuit controlling the restraining means, the switch capable of being manually rotated to release it from the restraining means and permit the spring to move it to its opposite longitudinal limit.

4. In combination an electric circuit, circuit closing means therefor including a member mounted to receive a rotative and a longitudinal movement restraining means having cam connection with the said member and automatically releasable therefrom upon imparting rotary movement to the said member, and independent means for automatically releasin the restraining means at a predetermined time.

5. In combination an electric circuit, circuit closingmeans therefor including a member mounted to receive a rotative and a longitudinal movement restraining means having cam connection with the said memher, and guide means normally holding the said cam connection in cooperative relation and adapted to be thrown out of action when manipulatin the member to bring the said cam connection into play to effect automatic release of the restraining means.

6. In combination an electric circuit, circuit closing means therefor including a manually operable member normally urged into closed position and having a lateral incline in its length and restraining means normally holding said member in open position and normally in contact with said lateral incline and automatically releasable thereby upon imparting rotary movement to said member to permit of its automatic closin of the circuit.

In a system of the character specified, a circuit closing controlling member having a notch in a side thereof and mounted to receive a longitudinal and a rotary movement, a rest-raining element adapted to engage the notch in the side of the circuit closing controlling member, a guide, and an element projecting from the circuit closing controlling member and cooperating with said guide, the latter having a side portion deflected to admit of rotary movementof the said circuit closing controlling member.

8. In combination, an electric circuit ineluding two gaps, a switch common to the two gaps, either gap being open when the other 1s closed, spring means normally urging the switch into'one of its limits with one of the gaps closed thereby, electrically actuated restraining means co-acting with the switch to hold it at one limit against the tension of the spring means, a time controlled circuit for releasing the restraining means, the switch also capable of being nian ually manipulated to release it fromthe restraining means.

9. In combination, a work circuit having a gap, a time controlled circuit having one end grounded and its other end connected to the work circuit, said time controlled circuit having a gap therein, a switch member common to the two gaps, either gap being open when the other is closed, spring means vieldably urging the switch member towards one of its limits, an electrically actuated restraining means included in the time controlled circuit and co-acting with the switch to hold the latter retracted against the spring means, said switch capable of being manually actuated to release it from the restraining means and to permit the spring means to move the switch to its opposite limit.

10. In combination,a work circuit grounded at opposite ends and having sub-circuits including lamps and switches therefor. said work circuit also having a gap, a time controlled circuit leading from one side of the gap and grounded at its opposite end, said time controlled circuit having a gap, a switch common to the two gaps, either gap being open when the other is closed, spring means normally urging the switch towards one of its limits, and electrically actuated restraining means included in the time controlled circuit and co-acting with the switch to hold the latter retracted against the spring, the switch capable of being manually moved to release it from the restraining means and to permit the spring to move the switch to one of its limits.

BENJAMIN BAINBRIDGE TREGOE. JOHN DUDLEY CARROLL.